WASHINGTON—Despite White House pressure, the House Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to allow school districts to temporarily opt out of school dietary requirements championed by first lady Michelle Obama.
The party-line vote was hailed by an organization of school nutritionists and Republicans, but criticized by Democrats and health advocacy groups.
After more than 90 minutes of sharply partisan debate, the spending panel voted 29 to 22 to reject an amendment from Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) to kill the GOP language, which would allow the Department of Agriculture to grant waivers to any school district that could show that their lunch programs operated at a net loss over six months.