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.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1207
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-23T09:06:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to transfer all functions, duties, and related resources of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) specifically tied to implementing and administering the Food for Peace Act from USAID to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This shift seeks to centralize food aid programs under an agriculture-focused agency.
Key Provisions
- Transfer of Responsibilities: Starting on the date of enactment, all functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges related to the Food for Peace Act (a law that provides U.S. food assistance to address hunger abroad) move from the USAID Administrator to the USDA Secretary.
- Updated References: Any mentions of USAID or its Administrator in laws or regulations concerning the Food for Peace Act will now refer to the USDA Secretary or the specific USDA department/office handling these duties.
- Regulatory Flexibility: The USDA Secretary can amend existing regulations via an "interim final rule" (a temporary regulation that takes effect immediately upon publication) to maintain program continuity without standard public comment periods.
- Transferred Authorities: The USDA Secretary gains all statutory powers previously available to USAID for managing the Food for Peace Act.
- Exception for Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET): This program, which provides data-driven analysis on famine and flood risks to help prevent food insecurity, remains under USDA (or its successor) and is not transferred from USAID.
- Consultation Requirement: The USDA Secretary must consult periodically with the Secretary of State when implementing Title II of the Food for Peace Act (which focuses on emergency food aid).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill relocates administrative authority for the Food for Peace Act from USAID—a foreign aid agency under the State Department—to USDA, altering how food assistance programs are overseen.
- It introduces immediate regulatory changes without full rulemaking processes, overriding typical procedural requirements for continuity.
- Existing USAID powers are explicitly extended to USDA, but with a carve-out preserving USDA's role in FEWS NET, which was already partially under USDA.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: USAID will lose oversight of these food aid functions, potentially streamlining its focus on other international development areas, while USDA gains expanded responsibilities in global food security, possibly integrating them with domestic agriculture policies.
- On Citizens: U.S. taxpayers may see more agriculture-oriented management of aid programs, which could improve efficiency in sourcing and distributing American farm products abroad, but it might not directly affect domestic citizens unless it influences agricultural markets or aid funding.
- On International Relations: Food aid delivery could become more aligned with U.S. agricultural interests rather than broader foreign policy goals, potentially affecting partnerships with recipient countries in famine-prone regions; ongoing State Department consultation aims to mitigate disruptions in diplomatic efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Agencies: Primarily USAID (loses authority), USDA (gains authority), and the State Department (retains consultation role).
- International Recipients: Countries and organizations receiving Food for Peace Act aid, such as those facing hunger or emergencies in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere.
- U.S. Agriculture Sector: Farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses that supply commodities for aid programs, who may benefit from USDA's expertise in agricultural logistics.
- Aid Implementers: Non-profits, contractors, and grantees involved in food distribution abroad.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill ensures seamless transition by allowing immediate regulatory action, which could face challenges if seen as bypassing standard administrative procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act (a law governing how agencies make rules). It also preserves program integrity by transferring all related legal instruments without interruption.
- Constitutional: No direct constitutional issues, as this involves reallocating executive branch functions, which Congress has authority to do under its powers to organize federal agencies.
- Political: The shift may reflect priorities to emphasize agricultural exports in foreign aid, potentially sparking debate over separating humanitarian aid from trade interests; introduced by bipartisan House members with agriculture ties, it could influence future foreign aid budgets and inter-agency dynamics.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (44)
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- 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. — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (3 pages)