InterAction Applauds Introduction of House and Senate Bills to Reauthorize the Global Food Security Act

WASHINGTON—InterAction applauds the introduction of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Global Food Security Act of 2016. Introduced by Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Betty McCollum (D-MN), these bills both call to extend the vital legislation for multiple years in order to build upon existing programmatic successes and strengthen U.S. agricultural innovation. Reauthorization in 2018 would continue the bipartisan commitment in Congress to invest in life-saving food security programs and fight global hunger.

The Global Food Security Act of 2016 was first signed into law in August 2016 and initiated the development of the Global Food Security Strategy. The strategy leverages expertise across the whole of the U.S. government and mobilizes the NGO community, US universities, and private sector investment to combat food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition in developing countries. It also promotes country ownership and accountability to improve the monitoring and evaluation of programs so that taxpayer investments are implemented transparently, efficiently and effectively.

InterAction played a leading role in convening a broad group of stakeholders to help shape the pieces of the 2016 legislation, and is encouraged by the bipartisan support in congress to reauthorize and re-implement the Global Food Security Act.

Additional thanks to S. 2269’s current cosponsors Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as original cosponsors of HR 5129 Chairman Ed Royce, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. David Cicilline, Rep. Eric Paulsen and Rep. Dave Reichert.

Additional Resources:

U.S. Global Food Security Policy

Coalition Statement in Support of GFSA Reauthorization in the U.S. Senate (S 2269)

Coalition Statement in Support of GFSA Reauthorization in the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 5129)