Global Food Security Act Wins in a Landslide!

Image from The Bergen Project

A landslide. That term is most appropriate to describe the support that H.R. 1567, the Global Food Security Act, received in a vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 12. A total of 370 members of the House, including our own Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ben Ray Lujan, cast a Yea vote in support of this very important measure, which goes a long way to address global hunger. The measure was approved in a truly bipartisan landslide.  A huge majority of Republicans (201) and all the Democrats who voted (169) supported the initiative. There were 33 Republicans who cast a Nay vote, and 30 other Democrats and Republicans, including our own Rep. Steve Pearce, who did not vote. The measure now goes to the Senate, which will consider S.1252

House members, no doubt, received a lot of emails and phone calls from their constituents.  This was due in part to strong advocacy for H.R. 1567 from a number of organizations.  Here are some messages that were put out on Twitter after the bill passed.

Global Food Security Act passes in House! Now it's the Senate's turn!https://t.co/hqgYjj1NnY #No1Hungry

— Bread for the World (@bread4theworld) April 12, 2016

Thank you, #USHouse, for bipartisan support & dedication to #endhunger & poverty worldwide by passing #GFSA & strengthening #FeedtheFuture

— Feed the Future (@FeedtheFuture) April 12, 2016

Great news! The Global Food Security Act passed the House minutes ago. Thank you for standing up and speaking out to end global hunger.

— CARE (care.org) (@CARE) April 12, 2016

The Global Food Security Act has PASSED the House! Thank you, ONE members for taking action to help combat global hunger & promote nutrition

— ONE (@ONECampaign) April 12, 2016

Great news! The Global Food Security Act passed in the House today! #no1hungry https://t.co/rjNF77ftOA

— The Hunger Project (@HungerProject) April 13, 2016

Here is a quick summary of H.R. 1567 from Congress.gov

The bill requires the President to coordinate the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to accomplish the objectives of promoting global food security, resilience, and nutrition consistent with national food security investment plans.

The President must coordinate the efforts of relevant departments and agencies in implementing the Global Food Security Strategy by establishing monitoring and evaluation systems, coherence, and coordination across relevant departments and agencies; and platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders.

By October 1, 2016, the President must submit the strategy to Congress, including a detailed description of how the United States intends to advance the objectives and agency-specific implementation plans.

The bill authorizes the President to provide foreign assistance to implement the strategy and prevent or address food shortages. The President must ensure that assistance to implement the strategy is provided under established parameters for a system to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the strategy, including by providing specified reports to Congress and the public.

Okay Senate, the ball is in your court.