NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The American Farmers Feed the World Act is a bill introduced by legislators from both parties, including Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann.
"It does not spend any more money," Mann said. "It's a technical change to make sure as we are doing food aid around the world, let's be making sure that we are sending American grown commodities, our ag products. Let's not just send money. When you just send money, it's hard to track that money. Let's make sure that we are sending American grown commodities."
The goal is protecting at least 50% of the budget for purchasing U.S.-grown commodities and delivering them to the destination country.
"Wheat is the number one commodity used for food aid," Mann said. "There's other commodities, as well. These programs were set up to increase demand and to make sure that we use our American grown ag products. We've gotten away from that. This bill returns us to the original intent of these programs."
The bill would also require U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to report to Congress on all program implementation and budget details and requiring U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval.
"When you send commodities, it's good for the American farmer," Mann said. "It's good for our American shippers and it's good for the people that receive them, as well. Realize that when we send food aid, it goes in a bag and the bag says, a free gift from the taxpayers of America. There's an American flag on it, there's two hands shaking hands. The goodwill that it promotes in these countries is incredible."
Mann was joined by John Garamendi (CA-08), Rick Crawford (AR-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in sponsoring the legislation. Garamendi and Panetta are Democrats. Crawford and Mann are Republicans.