Jahana Hayes

Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act

Schools would be able to participate in a new pilot program that encourages them to prepare meals from basic ingredients rather than relying on pre-made foods, with the goal of improving nutrition and teaching students about cooking. The program would affect school cafeterias, food service workers, and students by potentially changing what meals look like and how they're prepared during the school day. Schools participating in the pilot would likely receive support or resources to help them transition to scratch cooking methods.

Teacher Debt Relief Act

The legislation would modify rules for teachers seeking loan forgiveness programs, making it easier for educators to qualify for having their student loans cancelled or reduced after years of service. Teachers in public schools and certain nonprofit organizations would be the primary beneficiaries of these changes to federal student loan forgiveness policies.

Supporting the designation of the week of May 4 through May 8, 2026, as "Teacher Appreciation Week".

The proposal would officially recognize the week of May 4-8, 2026, as "Teacher Appreciation Week" to honor and celebrate teachers across the country. This designation would encourage schools, communities, and organizations to hold special events and activities during that week to acknowledge teachers' contributions to education and student development. The measure is currently under review by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Supporting the designation of the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week".

The proposal would officially recognize the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week" to honor school staff members who provide specialized support services to students, such as speech therapists, counselors, and special education aides. This designation would raise awareness about the important contributions these professionals make to student success and well-being in schools across the country. The recognition does not create new programs or funding, but rather designates a specific week for celebrating and acknowledging these education support workers.

YouthBuild for the Future Act

This bill would extend and renew the YouthBuild program, which helps low-income young people ages 16-24 earn high school diplomas or GED certificates while learning job skills through paid work on community development projects. The program serves disadvantaged youth by combining education, job training, and real-world work experience to help them transition into employment or further education. The bill likely includes updates to how the program operates and may adjust funding levels or eligibility requirements.

Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026

This bill would likely create a federal grant program that provides funding to schools and districts working to reduce educational disparities and improve outcomes for disadvantaged students. The grants would probably support initiatives like improving teacher quality, expanding access to advanced courses, or addressing resource gaps in low-income communities. Schools and districts serving students from lower-income backgrounds would be the primary beneficiaries of this funding.

Social Determinants for Moms Act

This bill would direct federal health programs to focus on the social and economic factors that affect pregnant women and new mothers—such as housing, food security, transportation, and childcare—recognizing that these conditions significantly impact maternal and infant health outcomes. The legislation aims to improve how government health agencies address these underlying causes of poor health rather than just treating medical problems after they occur. It would primarily affect pregnant women, new mothers, and their families, as well as healthcare providers and public health agencies that work with these populations.

Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2026

This bill would encourage schools to adopt trauma-informed teaching practices that recognize how students' past experiences with trauma can affect their learning and behavior. Schools using these approaches would train teachers to create safer classroom environments, respond compassionately to struggling students, and connect them with mental health support rather than relying solely on punishment. The changes would affect teachers, school administrators, and students, particularly those who have experienced abuse, violence, or other traumatic events.

Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025

The legislation would modify federal food assistance programs and agricultural policies to increase food availability and affordability for low-income families while supporting farmers' incomes and market stability. It affects millions of Americans who rely on food stamps and nutrition assistance, as well as farmers and agricultural businesses across the country. The specific changes would be determined as the bill moves through the House Agriculture Committee.

School MEALS Act of 2025

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2025 or the School MEALS Act of 2025 This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the National School Lunch Program. Direct certification allows schools to use data matching procedures to approve school meals without the need for applications for children who receive assistance under other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants and technical assistance for states and tribal organizations to improve their direct certification processes, including with respect to children who receive assistance under a food distribution program on Indian reservations. The bill also expands the time frame for schools to elect and gather eligibility data for the Community Eligibility Provision. This provision permits schools in high-poverty areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without the need for applications. Further, the bill specifies that a state subject to a continuous improvement plan (for not directly certifying at least 95% of children eligible for direct certification because they receive SNAP benefits) must implement the improvement measures within three years.

Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025

This bill would ensure that federal funding continues for SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (a nutrition program for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children), protecting these benefits from being cut or eliminated. The legislation aims to guarantee that millions of Americans who rely on these programs to buy groceries and feed their families maintain access to this assistance. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Appropriations, which handles decisions about federal spending.

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time. The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.

SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025

SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 This bill directs the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to pay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies for 100% of SNAP administrative personnel costs. The bill also requires that state SNAP agency administrators be paid at least the same amount as federal employees. (Under current law, FNS generally pays 50% of a state's administrative costs for SNAP.) Specifically, FNS must pay a state agency for 100% of all SNAP administrative personnel costs that are part of an FNS-approved state agency personnel wage plan. This must include all costs associated with hiring and training new employees, maintaining those personnel costs, and complying with wage standards. The state agency must use these funds (1) to supplement, not supplant, nonfederal funds used for existing administrative personnel costs; and (2) for existing or additional full-time positions that are above the number of positions that were held in FY2024. The bill also requires that the wage standards for SNAP state agency administrators be (1) at least the same amount as the General Schedule (GS) pay rate for federal employees; and (2) updated annually based on any increase in the GS pay rate, including locality adjustments.

Supporting the designation of the week of May 5 through May 9, 2025, as "Teacher Appreciation Week".

The proposal would officially recognize the week of May 5-9, 2025, as "Teacher Appreciation Week" to honor and celebrate teachers across the country. This designation is largely symbolic and encourages schools, communities, and individuals to acknowledge the important work teachers do in educating students. The measure has been sent to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for consideration.

Supporting the designation of the week of April 28 through May 2, 2025, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week".

The proposal would officially recognize the week of April 28 through May 2, 2025, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week" to honor school staff members like speech therapists, counselors, psychologists, and special education aides who provide targeted support to students with disabilities and special needs. This designation would raise awareness about the important work these professionals do in helping students succeed academically and socially. The recognition would apply nationally but does not create any new programs or funding.

Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025

This bill aims to help small farms stay in business by likely providing financial assistance, reducing regulatory burdens, or improving access to credit and markets for family-owned agricultural operations. The legislation would affect small farmers and rural communities that struggle to compete with large industrial agriculture operations. The bill is currently being reviewed by a House subcommittee focused on farm support programs and agricultural financing.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

This resolution expresses the House's view that school paraprofessionals and support staff—such as teacher's aides, cafeteria workers, and custodians—deserve fair pay, health benefits, and safe working conditions. While the resolution itself doesn't create new laws or funding, it signals congressional support for improving how schools treat and compensate these workers who help keep schools running day-to-day.

Declaring racism a public health crisis.

This resolution declares racism a public health crisis and supports efforts to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors.

Department of Education Protection Act

Based on the vague title and education subject matter, this bill likely aims to protect the Department of Education's operations, funding, or independence, though the specific protections aren't clear from the title alone. The bill could address anything from preventing the department's elimination to shielding its programs from budget cuts or political interference. Students, teachers, and schools that rely on federal education funding and programs would be most directly affected by whatever protections the bill establishes.