Yakima Times

On February 12, 2025, Representative Dan Newhouse and several colleagues introduced a bill to transfer the Food for Peace program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The legislation is backed by Reps. Tracey Mann, Rick Crawford, David Rouzer, and GT Thompson.

For seven decades, the Food for Peace initiative has played a vital role in addressing global hunger by providing food aid to over four billion people across more than 150 countries. Rep. Newhouse emphasized that relocating the program would enhance accountability and ensure responsible spending while continuing America's leadership in combating hunger globally.

Rep. Mann highlighted President Trump's commitment to reducing federal bureaucracy and wasteful spending as part of his administration's mission. He noted that moving Food for Peace under USDA would increase transparency and efficiency in how taxpayer funds are managed.

Rep. Crawford expressed support for reviewing foreign assistance programs like Food for Peace under the Trump Administration's scrutiny, believing that USDA's management could align better with national priorities due to its existing international food aid initiatives.

In the Senate, companion legislation was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran and John Hoeven. Senator Moran reflected on Kansas' history of aiding global hunger efforts and advocated for increased efficiency through USDA oversight of Food for Peace. Senator Hoeven added that it made sense for USDA to manage this program given its experience with farmer-based food aid.

The full text of the bill is available online.