The White House threatened to veto a bill proposed by Republicans which would allow some schools to opt out of healthier meal standards on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.
The spending bill would allow schools to waive the school lunch and breakfast standards championed by first lady Michelle Obama for the next school year if they lost money on meal programs over a six-month period, the AP reported.
Some school nutrition directors have lobbied for a break, saying the rules have proved to be costly and restrictive, the AP reported.
In a statement threatening a veto, the White House said the bill would be "a major step backwards for the health of American children by undermining the effort to provide kids with more nutritious food," according to the AP. The White House is expected to consider the legislation as soon as Wednesday.
The school meal rules set by Congress and the Obama administration over the past several years require more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in the lunch line, the AP reported.
The newly proposed rules also limit sodium amounts, sugars and fats, according to the AP.
The schools pushing for changes say limits on sodium and requirements for more whole grains are particularly challenging, while some school officials say kids are throwing away fruits and vegetables, the AP reported.
Republicans say the standards proposed are an overreach, according to the AP.
Representative Robert Aderholt of Alabama, the Republican author of the agriculture spending bill that includes the provision, said the rules are too much too quick and schools need more time to comply, the AP reported.
The first lady lobbied Congress to keep the standards, holding a White House event late last month with school nutrition directors who said the guidelines are working in their schools, according to the AP.
