Bread for the World Applauds Senate Passage of Global Food Security Act
Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World applauds the Senate’s passage of the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (S. 1252). The legislation will help alleviate hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last week. Bread urges the two chambers to quickly reconcile the minor differences between the bills and pass the final bill.
“We applaud the Senate leadership for passing this bipartisan legislation,” said Eric Mitchell, director of government relations at Bread for the World. “The bill calls for a global food security strategy, similar to the approach used by the Feed the Future initiative. It will affect many of the more than 795 million chronically malnourished people worldwide, including 159 million children.”
The bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and endorsed by Bread and 68 organizations. Both the House and Senate bills promote food security and self-sufficiency by investing in agricultural production. They build on gains that have improved the lives of smallholder farmers and increased the capacity for long-term agricultural growth.
Both bills also leverage resources provided by organizations, private enterprises, and other countries. In addition, they would improve maternal and child nutrition, especially in the key 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday. The Senate bill would also allow the U.S. to respond quickly to the food needs of communities affected by disaster.
“We are excited that both chambers passed their versions of the law with overwhelming bipartisan support. The two bills are nearly identical, reflecting a strong, bipartisan commitment to a vital program,” Mitchell said.
The passage of the Global Food Security Act is a major victory for Bread’s members and partners who have lobbied for it through Bread’s Offering of Letters campaign. They personally lobbied their members of Congress, and also communicated with them through thousands of letters, emails, and phone calls.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.