GOP Rep. McCormick Suggests Students Get Jobs to Pay for Lunch Amid Federal Funding Freeze

Republican Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) has suggested that students should work to pay for their school lunches as President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze threatens nutrition assistance programs across the country. His remarks have sparked criticism as concerns grow over how the freeze could impact low-income children.

During an interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown on Tuesday, McCormick reflected on his own experience working while in school. “Before I was even 13, I was picking berries in the field before child labor laws stopped that. I was a paperboy. In high school, I worked my entire way through,” he said.

Trump’s order to freeze federal aid was temporarily blocked by a federal judge just minutes before it was set to take effect. The ruling does not entirely dismiss the freeze but delays its implementation until Monday, giving time for legal challenges.

When asked about how the funding pause would impact school lunches and the Head Start program, which helps low-income children prepare for school, McCormick argued that older students should work instead of relying on free meals.

“You’re telling me that kids who stay at home instead of working at Burger King or McDonald’s in the summer should just stay home and get free lunch?” McCormick said. “I think we need a top-down review of this.”

Brown pressed McCormick on whether he believed children in his district, who rely on free breakfast and lunch programs, are old enough to work.

“How many people got their start working in fast food when they were kids?” McCormick asked. “Instead of giving a blanket rule that provides all high school students free lunch, why not encourage them to work and contribute? They should be thinking about their future instead of depending on the government when they don’t need to.”

Brown pushed back, pointing out that many of the children affected by these programs are too young to work. “They’re young kids,” she said. “They’re like 5 and under.”

McCormick acknowledged that his argument “doesn’t apply to everybody,” but his comments have fueled debate over how the funding freeze will impact families who rely on federal assistance.