Borgen Project: Senate Unanimously Passes Global Food Security Act
SEATTLE, WA, April 25, 2016 (Newswire.com) - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Global Food Security Act (S. 1252), which builds on the success of the Feed the Future initiative. The legislation aims to reduce global hunger and malnutrition through the promotion of global food security, self-sufficiency and nutrition. The bill was introduced by Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Bob Casey (D-PA), would achieve these objectives by increasing investments in poor farmers, especially women, in order to improve long-term agricultural growth.
This win comes just days after the House passed its version of the bill, with strong bipartisan support.
The Borgen Project applauds both chambers for passing the Global Food Security Act.
Kim Thelwell, Manager
"The Borgen Project applauds both chambers for passing the Global Food Security Act,” said Kim Thelwell, Manager at The Borgen Project. “The Global Food Security Act will go a long way in providing smallholder farmers with the resources they need to improve productivity, overcome food insecurity and build resilient local communities.”
The Borgen Project worked on previous version of the Global Food Security Act. Over the past year, The Borgen Project held 136 meetings with members of Congress and mobilized thousands of people to contact their Congressional leaders in support of the Global Food Security Act. The Borgen Project’s advocacy campaign resulted in 94% of U.S. Senators being contacted by Borgen Project volunteers in their state.
In a recent statement, Sen. Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said, “the Senate made important progress toward eliminating inefficiencies in food aid that waste scarce resources and prevent us from feeding millions more people in need around the world more quickly.”
The Global Food Security Act is projected to improve nutrition for 12 million malnourished children and help 7 million poor farmers increase their income. The legislation was widely supported poverty-reduction organizations.
Source: The Borgen Project