The Global Food Security Act, bipartisan legislation to address one of the greatest challenges faced by the international community—global hunger—received final congressional approval this week and is expected to become law in days.  

     “The Global Food Security Act (GFSA) will save lives by combatting hunger and malnutrition, and promoting new agricultural practices that especially help lift women, children and families out of poverty,” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), author of the Global Food Security bill (H.R. 1567)  that passed the House three months ago. Smith, along with Democrat lead Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) spearheaded the effort in the House, while Senators Isakson (R-GA) and Casey (D-PA) worked the Senate companion bill, S. 1252, which now awaits the President’s expected signature.

     Smith’s first Global Food Security Act passed the House in 2014, but stalled in the Senate at the end of the 113^th Congress. 

     “We have worked hard for a few years and enactment of this legislation is truly a testament to the dedication of numerous committed groups outside Congress that have made food security and nutrition their priority, from advocates to implementers—especially and including faith-based organizations who perhaps work the closest to the small-holder farmers and women who benefit in particular from our food security efforts,” Smith, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, said.  “Enactment of the Global Food Security Act this year now assures continuity and commitment to food security, which began with the last Administration, through the present and into the next.”

     Smith has long been a leader in advancing food security and nutrition.  In addition to his sponsorship of the GFSA, he has held numerous hearings on the topic, including most recently “Leveraging U.S. Funds: The Stunning Global Impact of Nutrition and Supplements During the First 1,000 Days.”

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