Sen. Jerry Moran, US Senator for Kansas | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Sen. Jerry Moran, US Senator for Kansas | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran has proposed legislation to transfer the administration of the Food for Peace program from USAID to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill, introduced alongside Senators John Hoeven, Roger Marshall, and Representative Tracey Mann, aims to address inefficiencies in USAID's management and bring the program closer to American farmers.
Senator Moran emphasized the significance of Food for Peace in national security and its role in supporting Kansas farmers. He stated, "In conjunction with the President's action, I've introduced a bill with Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Tracey Mann to move Food for Peace from the turbulent USAID and move it to the Department of Agriculture in an effort to prevent waste and bring the program closer to farmers that depend upon it."
The recent confirmation of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture was noted by Moran: "Just a little over an hour ago, the Senate confirmed the new Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins," adding his confidence in her advocacy for farmers.
Moran recounted the history of Food for Peace, tracing its origins back to 1953 when Kansas farmer Peter O'Brien suggested using surplus commodities to aid countries in need. This idea led to the creation of a program that has fed over 4 billion people globally since its inception.
The senator criticized USAID's inefficiencies, citing issues like bureaucratic delays and mismanagement that hinder effective aid delivery. He mentioned reports of taxpayer dollars being misallocated or falling into terrorist hands due to oversight failures.
Moran argued that USDA is better equipped for managing food assistance programs due to its existing infrastructure and expertise in agricultural logistics: "By placing Food for Peace under USDA's authority, we make certain that the program is in good hands and can continue to bring revenue to American agriculture."
The proposed legislative change aligns with President Trump's actions towards dismantling USAID amid concerns about corruption within the agency.
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