Senators voted, 95-3, to limit debate in the run-up to work on a “minibus” that includes the fiscal 2015 funding for the Agriculture Department. Senate Democratic leaders say they hope to begin consideration of the bill today. Besides USDA, the appropriations package covers the departments of Transportation, Housing, Commerce and Justice as well as science agencies.
The Senate bill does not include the waiver proposed by House Republicans to relieve some schools of requirements to serve healthier meals. The White House has threatened to veto the waiver. The Senate bill would require USDA to see if there are enough whole-grain products to meet school needs and to work with foodmakers to identify alternatives if there are not.