Washington, DC – Following warnings from Catholic organizations about its potential impact on global hunger response efforts, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Farm Bill in a 224-200 vote on April 30 that could reshape U.S. global food aid.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which was to plead strongly Ahead of the vote to preserve and strengthen global food aid programs, lawmakers said in an emailed statement to EWTN News that it was “encouraging that key international food security and nutrition programs were protected.”
“There are several steps left in the process,” it continued, “and we look forward to continuing to work with both parties to advance these essential programs as negotiations move forward.”
The bill’s passage marks a step forward in the farm bill process that has been stalled in recent years since the 2018 reauthorization. Senate consideration is next, where lawmakers are expected to consider the amendment amid an ongoing debate over how the federal government should structure food aid at home and abroad.
At the center of international provisions is Food for Peace, the US’s leading global hunger program that provides food assistance to countries experiencing war, natural disasters or severe economic instability, often serving as the major source of emergency food aid worldwide.
Under the House-passed bill, Food for Peace would be permanently transferred from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a move long debated by policymakers. USAID has been largely dismantled under the Trump administration, with most of its programs absorbed into the US State Department.
The legislation would also require that at least 50% of Food for Peace funding be used to purchase and transport US-grown agricultural commodities. Additionally, the bill includes a $200 million provision for ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), which are nutrient-dense products used to treat severe malnutrition in children.
Proponents argue that the changes will strengthen ties between American farmers and international aid programs, while humanitarian groups have raised concerns that they could reduce flexibility in responding to emergencies.
The House Agriculture Committee has defended the changes as strengthening the connection between US agriculture and international food assistance while maintaining the program’s humanitarian purpose.
The House-passed bill would also reauthorize the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, which supports efforts to reduce hunger and improve literacy in low-income countries. Save the Children and organizations like bread for the worldA Christian advocacy group focused on reducing global hunger praised the provision, calling it consistent with broader humanitarian goals.
Hunger a ‘moral issue’
Catholic organizations have consistently framed international food aid as part of a broader moral responsibility toward vulnerable populations, a theme reflected recently. joint advocacy From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), CRS, and other Catholic agencies.
Addressing Congress before the vote, CRS warned that limiting flexibility or resources could weaken the United States’ ability to respond quickly when families are forced to face hunger by forces beyond their control.
“Programs like Food for Peace have a long track record of saving lives, and it is vital that they remain well-funded and able to adapt to complex emergencies,” CRS said in a statement. He called hunger not just a policy issue “but a moral issue”.
Much of the broader House debate focused on domestic nutrition policy, particularly the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as lawmakers considered amendments to address eligibility rules and restrictions on certain food purchases, such as rotisserie chickens.
The debate over the bill also included controversial provisions related to pesticide regulation and other agricultural policy issues, reflecting wide divisions over the direction of federal agricultural policy.
Lawmakers considered more than 300 amendments during the process, of which about 49 were ultimately adopted or incorporated. final package.
