H.R. 9265: To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require participation in the summer EBT program as a condition of participating in the school lunch program, and for other purposes.

H.R. 9265 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 11, 2026, by Representative André Carson and co-sponsored by Representatives Shontel M. Brown, Steve Cohen, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Dina Titus. The bill proposes an amendment to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, requiring schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program to also participate in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program. This means that schools offering lunch during the academic year would be mandated to provide summer food assistance to eligible students through the EBT system. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration.

Supporters of H.R. 9265 argue that the bill addresses the critical issue of child hunger during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. By mandating participation in the Summer EBT program, the legislation aims to ensure that low-income students continue to receive nutritious meals year-round, thereby reducing food insecurity and supporting children's health and development. Advocates highlight that integrating the Summer EBT program with the existing school lunch infrastructure could streamline the process and increase program efficiency.

Critics of H.R. 9265 express concerns about the potential financial and administrative burdens the bill may impose on schools, particularly those with limited resources. They argue that mandating participation in the Summer EBT program could strain school budgets and staff, diverting attention from other educational priorities. Additionally, some opponents question the effectiveness of the Summer EBT program in reaching all eligible children and suggest that alternative approaches might be more efficient in addressing child hunger during the summer months.

The analysis of H.R. 9265, which aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor André Carson's top donor industries. The lobbying activity in this policy area includes contributions from various organizations, such as MONROE ENERGY, LLC and UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE, INC., each contributing $10,000, but these do not appear to have a direct connection to school lunch programs or EBT initiatives. The majority of the lobbying contributions are from organizations that do not align with the educational or nutritional focus of the bill, indicating a low risk of conflicts of interest. Voters should be aware that while there are lobbying activities present, the lack of direct industry overlap suggests that the bill is unlikely to be influenced by the interests of the sponsor's donors.

Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.

Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026

Top industries funding André Carson, ranked by total contributions.

Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)