Us Congress House Bill HB2292

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/23
• Refer: 3/29/23

Caption

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for US Department of Agriculture, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs, Food for Peace Title II Grants for fiscal year 2024.

Impact

The implications of HB2292 could significantly alter the scope and scale of foreign food assistance programs financed through the Food for Peace grants. Advocacy groups that support humanitarian aid may express concerns that reduced funding could hinder the U.S.'s ability to respond to global food crises or support development initiatives in low-income nations. Supporters of the bill may argue that setting a funding limit will encourage more efficient management of resources and ensure that funds are used in a targeted, responsible way.

Summary

HB2292 aims to impose a limitation on the availability of funds allocated to the Food for Peace Title II Grants under the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year 2024. Specifically, the bill stipulates that the total appropriated amount for these funding grants shall not exceed $1.5 billion. The Food for Peace program is designed to support food security initiatives for vulnerable populations in foreign countries, and this bill is intended to set a threshold for financial support in this area. By capping funding, HB2292 addresses fiscal accountability and aims to manage governmental expenditure more effectively.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB2292 include the balance between fiscal responsibility and the humanitarian responsibilities of the U.S. government. Critics might argue that setting such limits could lead to delays or reductions in necessary aid programs, impacting vulnerable populations that rely on U.S. assistance for food security. Additionally, there may be debates regarding the criteria used to allocate the capped funds, as different stakeholders in the agricultural and humanitarian sectors may have differing opinions on where and how these resources should be deployed.