Young Oak Kim: “And I rise in support of this bill. Madam Speaker, today, 50 million people in 45 countries are living on the brink of…”

“And I rise in support of this bill. Madam Speaker, today, 50 million people in 45 countries are living on the brink of famine, and more than 350 million people around the world are facing emergency food insecurity. This is a staggering increase from record-breaking levels of hunger last year. Russia's unprovoked and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, previously known as the breadbasket of Europe, has worsened an already overwhelming global food crisis and is destabilizing fragile states. Global food prices are expected to increase by 20 percent and could be even higher in developing countries that are highly dependent on imported commodities from Ukraine and Russia. These shocks are creating shortages and instability that affect the entire world, including our constituents. First enacted in 2016, and amended in 2018, the Global Food Security Act provides critical authorities to respond to immediate global food needs and to advance longer term agricultural-led economic growth. I am a cosponsor of today's bipartisan legislation to refine and extend those authorities for another 5 years, through 2028. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Congresswoman McCollum, Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman Meeks, and Ranking Member McCaul, for their leadership in this effort.…”