Bills · S 525
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 525International Affairs
A bill to transfer the functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges of the United States Agency for International Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture.
INTRO FEB 11· LAST ACTION FEB 11
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
11
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it shifts who controls a major part of U.S. foreign aid and humanitarian efforts. If this bill becomes law, the Department of Agriculture, which typically focuses on domestic farming and food policy, would take on the complex task of international food assistance, including emergency responses and long-term development. This could lead to a different approach to aid, potentially emphasizing agricultural trade or commodity distribution more directly, aligning international food aid more closely with U.S. agricultural policy.
If the bill does not pass, USAID would continue to manage the Food for Peace Act, maintaining the program within an agency specifically designed for international development and foreign policy coordination. The debate around this bill touches on questions of efficiency, the appropriate role of different government agencies in foreign affairs, and how U.S. food aid best serves both American interests and the needs of vulnerable populations worldwide. It's about deciding which agency is best equipped to deliver crucial food assistance effectively on the global stage.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
All responsibilities, assets, and liabilities related to the Food for Peace Act are moved from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This is the core change, centralizing international food aid under USDA.
PROVISION 02
Any references to USAID in existing laws or regulations concerning the Food for Peace Act will now automatically apply to the Department of Agriculture.
This ensures legal continuity and avoids the need to rewrite numerous existing laws.
PROVISION 03
The Department of Agriculture can quickly create temporary rules (interim final rules) to ensure the food aid program continues without interruption during the transfer.
This allows for a smooth transition and prevents gaps in critical humanitarian aid delivery.
PROVISION 04
The Department of Agriculture will continue to operate the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, which monitors and predicts food crises globally.
This ensures the continuation of a vital tool for understanding and responding to global food insecurity.
PROVISION 05
The Secretary of Agriculture must consult with the Secretary of State on certain aspects of carrying out Title II of the Food for Peace Act.
This maintains a link to foreign policy expertise despite the program's transfer to an agricultural agency.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 11
R· Kansas
YRS IN OFFICE
29
BILLS LED
85
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 11 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 11
Introduced in Senate
FEB 11
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 525
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 11, 2025
Last actionFeb 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025
Senate BillS 525International Affairs
A bill to transfer the functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges of the United States Agency for International Development relating to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act to the Department of Agriculture.
INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
11
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
