Karen Bass: “This amendment modernizes and makes critical reforms to the U.S. Food for Peace program. While this amendment will feed…”

“This amendment modernizes and makes critical reforms to the U.S. Food for Peace program. While this amendment will feed millions more people, it importantly ends policies that have depressed local markets and, in some instances, hurt, rather than helped, those in need. In Africa, where we see food emergencies in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, creating greater flexibility to purchase food commodities from local and regional farmers will strengthen local markets and ensure African nations are less reliant on U.S. foreign aid. Too often, we Americans see Africa as a land of crisis. This amendment shifts this outlook and will show that Africans, themselves, can and will play a critical role in addressing hunger and malnutrition. This amendment saves money and assists countries to be self-sufficient. Let's put an end to backward policies that are harmful to local markets and allow the continent of Africa and many other nations-- Africa, with six of the fastest growing economies in the world--to help solve local food emergencies. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”