Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman wants two major U.S. foreign food aid programs returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Boozman says USDA is better equipped than the State Department to oversee programs built around American agriculture.
Boozman hopes to include the change in the next farm bill. However, because the programs currently fall under the State Department, the proposal also requires support from congressional committees outside the Senate Agriculture Committee.
The Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole programs were established to provide food assistance overseas while also creating demand for U.S. agricultural products. Boozman says returning the programs to USDA would better connect them with the agency that works directly with American farmers.
Boozman says he’s optimistic lawmakers can reach an agreement that would allow the transfer to be included in the next farm bill. He argues the move would strengthen both U.S. food aid efforts and market opportunities for American agriculture.
