United States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1888
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-30T20:11:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The United States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2025 aims to create a private, nonprofit organization to attract private investments in global agriculture. This will help boost sustainable farming, strengthen food systems to handle crises (like food shortages), cut down on hunger and poor nutrition, and promote economic growth in food-insecure regions. It supports U.S. foreign policy goals without making the foundation part of the federal government.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Status: Creates the United States Foundation for International Food Security as a private nonprofit in Washington, DC, exempt from federal taxes under IRS rules. It cannot be merged with or transferred to any government entity without new congressional approval. Foundation staff and board members are not federal employees.
- Purposes and Activities: Focuses on funding locally led projects in crops, livestock, poultry, and fish farming. Key areas include:
- Improving access to farming tools, training, and infrastructure (e.g., irrigation, storage, processing) to reduce waste and boost profits.
- Supporting research, technology, and innovations to increase food production and market access.
- Partnering with existing U.S. programs (e.g., U.S. International Development Finance Corporation) and nonprofits to avoid duplication and speed up projects.
- Prioritizing U.S. national security and efficient use of taxpayer money.
- Governance:
- Board of Directors: Up to 15 voting members with expertise in agriculture, business, finance, research, or security. Includes balanced political representation; terms up to 10 years total. Meets at least twice yearly; elects a chairperson for 4 years. Handles bylaws, priorities, and hiring an executive director.
- Board of Advisors: Non-voting group including U.S. government officials (e.g., Secretary of State), development finance leaders, and agriculture experts from universities. Provides guidance but no decision-making power.
- Executive Director and Staff: Hired by the board; paid comparably to similar nonprofits; no federal hiring rules apply.
- Ethics and Limits: Bans political activities; requires conflict-of-interest policies. Board reimburses travel but no salaries.
- Powers and Funding:
- Can accept donations, buy/sell property, enter contracts, and sue/be sued (board not personally liable except for gross negligence).
- Funds projects through grants, loans, equity investments, or insurance, but must match costs with non-U.S. government sources.
- Investments of federal funds limited to safe U.S. obligations; U.S. government not liable for foundation debts.
- Outcome-Based Approach and Accountability:
- Funding tied to measurable goals (e.g., higher crop yields, better nutrition, resilient systems against shocks).
- Uses impact evaluations (comparing project areas to non-project areas) to verify results; allows third-party checks.
- Prioritizes local partners; includes anti-corruption measures and an independent review system for complaints and compliance.
- Eligible projects must not duplicate others, leverage local resources, and plan for sustainability after funding ends.
- Eligibility and Prohibitions:
- Targets countries committed to agricultural reforms, co-financing, and U.S. security interests.
- Bans support for governments aiding terrorism, engaging with terrorist groups, or grossly violating human rights (based on existing U.S. laws). Also prohibits dealings with U.S.-sanctioned individuals or entities.
- President can waive prohibitions with 45 days' notice to Congress.
- Reporting and Oversight: Annual reports to congressional committees on goals, progress, lessons, financial audits, and U.S. benefits. First report 2 years after enactment.
- Funding Authorization: Uses existing State Department foreign aid funds for annual grants to the foundation, with required non-federal matching. No grant funds for lobbying Congress. Initial consultations with key committees within 180 days.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new entity outside the federal government, unlike traditional aid agencies. It builds on laws like the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 by complementing (not replacing) programs such as food security initiatives and the Development Finance Corporation. New elements include mandatory private-sector matching, outcome-focused evaluations with comparison groups, and explicit ties to U.S. national security in agricultural aid. It also adds prohibitions aligned with export controls and sanctions laws, with presidential waivers.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Reduces administrative burden on agencies like the State Department and USDA by leveraging private funds and partnerships; requires coordination but limits federal liability. Enhances U.S. soft power through efficient aid.
- Citizens: U.S. taxpayers benefit from matched funding and measurable results, potentially lowering long-term aid costs. Indirectly supports global stability, reducing migration or conflict risks tied to hunger.
- International Relations: Strengthens ties with food-insecure countries through collaborative projects; promotes U.S. leadership in agriculture and security. Could improve food access for millions, mitigating global shocks (e.g., from climate or conflict), but waivers might strain relations with sanctioned nations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Congress (oversight committees), State Department (funding and waivers), Development Finance Corporation, and agriculture experts from universities.
- Private Sector: Investors, agribusinesses, nonprofits, and tech firms providing matching funds and expertise.
- International Partners: Farmers, local businesses, and governments in eligible developing countries focused on agriculture.
- Global Populations: Food-insecure communities, especially in rural areas, gaining from productivity boosts and nutrition improvements.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures nonprofit status with IRS tax exemptions; incorporates standard corporate powers but with strict anti-corruption and evaluation rules to prevent misuse. Aligns with existing sanctions and human rights laws, adding enforceability through independent mechanisms.
- Constitutional: Maintains separation by keeping the foundation private and non-federal, avoiding executive overreach; congressional reporting upholds oversight powers.
- Political: Bipartisan board requirement promotes cross-party support; emphasis on U.S. security and efficiency appeals to fiscal conservatives, while global hunger focus aids humanitarian goals. Potential for waivers introduces executive flexibility, possibly sparking debates on foreign policy consistency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- United States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (29 pages)