Washington Update: Week of December 12

2 MIN READ
Washington Update

The 114th Congress is a Wrap

While 2016 was a tumultuous year marked by partisanship and intense disagreements, Bread for the World’s 2016 Offering of Letters: Survive and Thrive achieved victory despite the congressional gridlock. In July 2016, Congress passed the Global Food Security Act with overwhelming bipartisan support.

This world hunger bill ensures that the Feed the Future initiative will continue to support smallholder farmers and improve the nutrition of women and children around the world. It authorizes more than $3.7 billion for programs that help feed hungry people. And, while we did not achieve our goal of $250 million for nutrition in global health programs through congressional appropriations, Congress did maintain strong funding for nutrition at $125 million in both their appropriations bills and continuing resolutions.

Finally, the Offering of Letters brought to the forefront the robust and bipartisan support for global maternal and child nutrition in Congress—more than 180 members of Congress signed letters in support of robust funding for maternal and child nutrition programs in 2016.

Eric Mitchell, director of government relations at Bread for the World

Child Nutrition Reauthorization

  • Sen. Pat Roberts, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, reported last week that the House and Senate could not come to an agreement on child nutrition reauthorization legislation.
  • In 2017, Congress is likely to delay child nutrition reauthorization and instead focus on the Farm Bill. Bread will continue to work on protecting and improving child nutrition programs in the next Congress.

Budget & Appropriations

  • Last Friday, the 114th Congress ended with lawmakers passing a continuing resolution that will temporary fund the federal government through the end of April 28, 2017.

Fresh Bread in the 115th Congress

The 115th Congress will start in early January 2017. As with the 114th Congress, Fresh Bread will continue to be published while the U.S. Congress is in session.

Act Now!

As Christians, we believe that our government has the moral duty to pass laws that will not increase hunger and poverty. Repealing the Affordable Care Act can lead to millions of Americans having to choose between paying for food or paying for their medication. 

Call (800-826-3688) your representative and senators, and urge them to not repeal the Affordable Care Act without having a responsible replacement.  

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