MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are considering legislation that could lower the number of students receiving free and reduced-price meals at school.

Legislation debated by the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday aims to save money by scaling back the number of schools in which all students receive free or reduced meals.

A proposed Republican amendment to the bill would go even further, allowing a trial period of so-called block grants for school meals in three states. That would mean those states wouldn’t receive unlimited federal dollars for students who qualify for the free and reduced-price lunches.

Hunger and nutrition advocates from the American Academy of Pediatrics to the American Heart Association have criticized the legislation.

The committee was scheduled to vote on the amendment and the overall bill Wednesday.