InterAction: Global Food Security Act Brings Parties Together in Committee Markup

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, April 23 the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously approved the Global Food Security Act of 2015 (H.R. 1567). Speaking in response, InterAction President and CEO Sam Worthington said:

"InterAction applauds the passage of H.R. 1567, the Global Food Security Act of 2015, by the House Foreign Affairs Committee today.

"Strong leadership by Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), as well as the lead cosponsors Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Betty McCollum (D-MN), was essential in bringing this crucial piece of legislation for consideration before the committee. The bipartisan support that the bill has garnered, with 19 cosponsors, is a testament to widespread support for maintaining U.S. leadership in the effort to fight global poverty and strengthen long-term food and nutrition security for families and communities around the globe.

"InterAction joins a coalition of almost 60 organizations in support of the Global Food Security Act and we encourage the full House of Representatives to consider and pass this important piece of legislation."  

BACKGROUND 
H.R. 1567 authorizes a U.S. global food and nutrition security strategy that will continue to help farmers and their families feed themselves and set the foundation to build more independent, prosperous lives over the long-term. Smallholder farmers--particularly women--are key partners in the global fight to end extreme hunger and malnutrition. By sharing U.S. expertise in agriculture development and supporting programs that work with smallholder farmers and women, we can continue the progress already being made to tackle hunger and malnutrition and improve agricultural productivity.

The bill has been cosponsored by Reps. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Edward R. Royce (R-CA), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Karen Bass (D-CA), Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), David G. Reichert (R-WA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Erik Paulsen (R-MN), David N. Cicilline (D-RI), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Chris VanHollen (D-MD), Scott Desjarlais (R-TN), Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Ted Poe (R-TX).

QUICK LINKS

• H.R. 1567: Global Food Security Act of 2015- Section-By-Section Summary
• Coalition Statement of Support for the Global Food Security Act

MORE ABOUT INTERACTION
The largest alliance of U.S. NGOs working on global poverty and humanitarian assistance efforts, InterAction's members represent millions of Americans who provide over $8 billion in financial support to over 185 U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations. InterAction members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life.  To learn more visit www.interaction.org.

Follow InterAction on Twitter | Visit InterAction on Facebook | Subscribe to InterAction's YouTube Channel

Video - http://youtu.be/cOx-Fa5rr1U
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121101/DC04603LOGO

SOURCE InterAction

Related Links

http://www.interaction.org