Washington, D.C. - Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) reintroduced legislation Wednesday to provide free school lunch and breakfast for children of enlisted active duty military.

"Military families are undergoing hardship while our country is at war," said Rep. Baca. "Providing free lunch to children of active duty military families is a temporary measure to help alleviate the burden placed on them during a time of war."

"During this difficult period, our nation needs to realign our priorities to ensure that the less fortunate in America and those who are serving our nation are taken care of. Here in the Inland Empire we have numerous families who could benefit from this bill."

The bill amends the National School Lunch Act to allow children with a parent serving in enlisted active duty in the military free or reduced lunch. It is identical to the version Rep. Baca introduced in the 108^th Congress, H.R. 5229.

"Children of active duty military are often eligible for free or reduced lunch but for one reason or another are not signed up. We want to make sure that these children, who could be eligible, receive the benefits they are entitled to," said Rep. Baca.

"When parents are called into active duty, their children are often with a guardian, such as a grandparent, who cannot afford to buy the child lunch everyday."

The bill will also allow school districts to help keep better records of where children of active duty military live and attend school. Data for this population can be difficult to determine because they tend to move often.

"Many people who served in the reserves have been called to war and their incomes drastically reduced," said Rep. Baca. "We need to make sure that children do not suffer from hunger because their parents are fighting for our country."

The bill has a two-year sunset clause and applies only to enlisted military personnel, or those who are below the rank of officer.

Original cosponsors of the bill are Lee Terry (R-NE), James McGovern (D-MA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Jose Serrano (D-NY), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC).