Description:
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on November 20, 2014
H.R. 5656 would require the President to develop and implement a strategy to improve global food security. In carrying out that strategy, the Administration would provide assistance to developing countries to reduce chronic hunger and poverty, support economic growth by expanding agricultural output, and improve nutrition, primarily among women and children. The President would collaborate with other federal government entities, multilateral and nongovernment organizations, the private sector, and research institutes to achieve those goals. The bill also would require the Administration to submit a detailed report to the Congress. The report would include data about beneficiaries, descriptions of the progress of the Global Food Security Strategy, and efforts to coordinate international food programs with other entities.
H.R. 5656 would authorize appropriations of slightly more than $1 billion in 2015 for the strategy to improve global food security. Based on the historical spending patterns of similar development assistance programs administered by the Administration, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $905 million over the 2015-2019 period, assuming appropriation of the specified amounts. (Most of the remainder would be spent in subsequent years.) Enacting H.R. 5656 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 5656 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall primarily within budget function 150 (international affairs).
