Representative Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) has voiced his support for a freeze on federal aid, which may affect school lunch programs. In a recent interview, he suggested that students work part-time jobs, including positions at McDonald’s, to afford their meals.

During his conversation with CNN on Tuesday, McCormick discussed President Donald Trump’s recent executive order that aims to pause federal grants for evaluation of priorities by the administration.

The White House Office of Management and Budget had issued a memo on Monday, advising federal agencies to “temporarily hold off on any actions involving the allocation or distribution of federal financial assistance.” This freeze was expected to begin on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, as reported by Reuters.

However, just moments before this freeze was scheduled to start, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a temporary injunction against it until February 3. Although this ruling paused the freeze, it does not prevent the Trump administration from ceasing funding for new programs, nor does it compel the reinstatement of any funding that had already ended.

In the interview conducted prior to the federal judge’s ruling, CNN anchor Pamela Brown pointed out that the Head Start program, which offers nutrition support to low-income children and families facing food insecurity, could be one of the programs impacted by the funding pause. She then asked McCormick whether he would endorse cutting funding for free breakfast and lunch programs.

“I started working before I turned 13, picking berries and doing paper routes, and worked through high school,” McCormick recounted to Brown. “Are you saying that kids should just stay home and receive free lunches rather than working at places like Burger King or McDonald’s during the summer? I believe we need a thorough examination of this issue.”

McCormick: The Freeze Will Help Assess Federal Spending

McCormick, who participated in the interview from Doral, Florida, where House Republicans were holding their annual conference, recognized that not all children are of working age. However, he asserted that the funding pause would enable the government to “evaluate how funds are being utilized.”

“Who can truly generate their own income? Who can gain skills and experiences that will benefit them in the future?” McCormick stated during the interview.

He elaborated on his comments regarding child labor by saying, “How many young people began their careers in fast-food roles? Rather than implementing a blanket policy that provides lunches to all high school students, we should consider those capable of taking on jobs and earning their keep.”

McCormick emphasized the importance of children “focusing on their future” rather than relying on government assistance when they do not need to.

Impact of the Freeze on Federal Funding

While the memo clarifies that Medicare and Social Security benefits will not be impacted, McCormick argued that the current system does not support individuals in becoming self-sufficient; instead, it “penalizes them for working and keeps them reliant on welfare.”

The memo does not specify the exact number of federal grants that will be affected by the freeze, but it highlights that federal financial aid totaled $3 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year. More than twenty agencies, such as the Departments of Education, Transportation, and Defense, are involved in distributing these grants, as detailed by Grants.gov.

Federal funds for K-12 education, including Title I funding for low-income school districts, are part of the programs under scrutiny, as indicated in guidelines provided to federal agencies by the White House.

According to the memo, “Career and political appointees in the executive branch must ensure that federal spending aligns with the priorities of the American public as articulated through presidential initiatives.” The document lists Trump’s priorities, which focus on enhancing national security, ending “wokeness,” and improving government efficiency.

Contributing: Erin Mansfield