On April 20, the United States Senate passed its version of the S. 1252, the Global Food Security Act (GFSA), by unanimous consent. Congratulations are in order to all 100 Senators who supported passage. Special thanks should go to the bill’s sponsors, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), as well as Cosponsors Bob Corker (R-TN) and Chris Coons (R-DE) for their hard work.
Our members have done some amazing work, as well: In less than three weeks, 3,176 members asked their Representative to vote yes on the bill, and 4,563 members asked their Representative to cosponsor it!
The UWAMWIMA storage facility next door to Dharajani market in Stone Town. UWAMWIMA is an association of smallholder fruit and vegetable farmers in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The Global Food Security Act ensures that the U.S. builds upon the successes of existing efforts to improve global food and nutrition security, particularly through the whole-of-government and comprehensive Feed the Future Initiative, which makes smart investments across the whole agricultural value chain so that people in developing countries can lift themselves out of poverty and raise healthier and stronger children. This legislation strengthens our collective commitment to helping developing countries grow their way out of poverty and overcome hunger and malnutrition.
So now that the bills have passed in both Houses, what happens next? Since the House and Senate have passed slightly different versions of the GFSA, Congressional members and staff are now working to iron out the differences and preparing a final bill that can be quickly passed in both chambers.
ONE strongly supports the Global Food Security Act and continues to work with the Hill and our partners to ensure its enactment. But, we may, once again, be calling on you to support this effort. When the moment arrives to move on this bill, we will let you know. Be patient: We are so close!
