Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) is facing backlash after suggesting that children should get jobs at fast food restaurants instead of relying on federally funded free school meal programs. His remarks came as the White House’s federal aid freeze threatens nutrition assistance for low-income students.
Federal Aid Freeze Sparks Debate
McCormick made the comments during a CNN interview on Tuesday, discussing former President Donald Trump’s executive order to pause federal grants while his administration reviews funding priorities. The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a memo on Monday, instructing federal agencies to halt disbursements of federal financial assistance.
The freeze was set to take effect on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, but U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan temporarily blocked it until Feb. 3. The ruling prevents the immediate enforcement of the funding pause but does not compel the Trump administration to restart grants that have already been cut.
One of the programs that could be impacted by the freeze is Head Start, which provides nutritional support to low-income children and their families. CNN anchor Pamela Brown asked McCormick whether he would support cuts to free breakfast and lunch programs in light of the funding review.
McCormick’s Controversial Response
Rather than directly answering the question, McCormick argued that children should take on jobs instead of receiving free meals at school.
“Before I was even 13 years old, I was picking berries in the field before (the) child labor laws that precluded that. I was a paper boy, and when I was in high school, I worked my entire way through,” McCormick said.
He continued:
“You’re telling me that kids who stay at home instead of going to work at Burger King or McDonald’s during the summer should stay at home and get their free lunch instead of going to work? I think we need to have a top-down review.”
Criticism and Concerns
McCormick’s remarks have drawn criticism, with opponents arguing that forcing children to work for their meals is an unreasonable expectation, particularly for low-income families already struggling with food insecurity.
Advocates for federal nutrition programs emphasize that free meals are a lifeline for millions of children, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition without placing additional financial burdens on their families. Critics also note that child labor laws exist to protect young workers, and expecting school-age children to work instead of accessing public assistance programs is an unrealistic and potentially harmful stance.
As the debate over federal spending priorities continues, McCormick’s comments highlight the broader ideological divide over government assistance programs and their role in addressing child poverty and food insecurity.