CWS, Colleagues Applaud Passage of the Global Food Security Act


July 7, 2016

Church World Service joined several dozen colleague agencies in a letter thanking Congress for passing yesterday, July 6, the bi-partisan Global Food Security Act (GFSA). The House of Representatives approved the legislation by a vote of 369 to 53. The Senate passed the GFSA on April 14 and it now goes to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

The Global Food Security Act incorporates a comprehensive strategy to address hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. It focuses on increasing sustainable and equitable agricultural development and improving nutrition. CWS believes that the keys to ending global hunger and malnutrition are: (1) empowering small-holder and women farmers, and (2) ensuring adequate nutrition especially in the critical 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday. The GFSA is an important step toward these objectives.

The letter signed by Church World Service and other humanitarian agencies expresses special appreciation to Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), who introduced the GFSA in the Senate, and to Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Betty McCollum (D-MN), who introduced the bill in the House.

Following Congressional passage of the GFSA, Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of Church World Service, said, “While extreme partisanship on the part of some Members of Congress continues to block important legislative initiatives, CWS congratulates Republicans and Democrats for working together to enact legislation that will help end hunger and malnutrition in the most food insecure countries.”

View the full letter here.

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