Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that on Wednesday, June 12, he will convene a hearing on reforming the U.S. international food aid program in order to help more people, more quickly, at a lower cost.  The hearing, entitled “Modernizing U.S. International Food Aid: Reaching More for Less,” will begin at 10 a.m.

Last month, Chairman Royce, along with Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), introduced H.R. 1983, the “Food Aid Reform Act of 2013,” which eliminates the grossly inefficient system of “monetization.”  According to the Government Accountability Office, monetization is “inefficient and can cause adverse market impacts.”  Eliminating this process is expected to save an estimated $30 million per year.  The bill also eliminates the requirements that U.S. food aid be purchased domestically and that it be shipped on U.S. flagged vessels.  These changes are expected to provide more flexibility and save tens of millions annually.

Chairman Royce on the hearing:  “Modernizing U.S. international food aid to help more people facing starvation, more quickly, at a lower cost is common sense, especially given our national debt.  By reforming food aid, we can reach more people in need, while at the same time saving hundreds of millions of dollars.  At this hearing, the Committee will hear from two top food aid experts about the best approaches to improving our current, inefficient system of food aid delivery.” 

What:
Hearing:  Modernizing U.S. International Food Aid: Reaching More for Less

When:
10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12

Where:
2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Witness List:

The Honorable Andrew Natsios
Executive Professor
The George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service
Texas A&M University
(Former Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development)

The Honorable Dan Glickman
Executive Director
Aspen Institute Congressional Program
(Former Secretary of Agriculture)

***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.

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