[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 68 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3416-S3417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FOOD SECURITY CRISIS

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise today to highlight the growing food 
security crisis which faces the United States and countries around the 
world. The short-term challenges we face as a result of this food 
security crisis are economic, strategic, political, and humanitarian. 
All of these challenges we face are already being faced by the most 
vulnerable in our society.
  Here in the United States, this crisis comes on the heels of so many 
other trying circumstances confronting poor and working families across 
America. Our Nation is facing an economic recession and ever-rising 
unemployment rates. Many of those who remain employed find themselves 
working more hours and yet earning less because their wages have not 
kept up with inflation.
  While their incomes have declined, the unprecedented cost of food and 
home energy has continued to soar. Many of these same families are also 
facing a mortgage and housing crisis which may force them to forego 
ownership of the house they once considered their slice of the American 
dream.
  In short, many families, who years or even months ago were living 
comfortably, are now struggling to get by. As a result, the increase in 
food prices over the last several months has added one more pressure to 
already overburdened American families.
  Increasingly, these families are stretched to the breaking point and 
are turning to Federal food assistance programs and food banks for some 
measure of relief. I have seen this trend repeated firsthand at food 
banks and in headlines across Pennsylvania.
  A couple of examples. This is the headline of the Allentown Morning 
Call: ``Heavy Demand at Food Banks, Kitchens Is a Grim Economic 
Indicator for Valley'' [meaning the Lehigh Valley].
  The Scranton Times Tribune: ``More Seeking Food Stamps: Recipients in 
Pennsylvania Rise 9.5 percent.''
  The Philadelphia Inquirer: ``Working Poor Struggle to Get By.''
  The Pittsburgh Tribune Review: ``Demand for Food Stamps `Very Close' 
to Record.''
  All across the State and across the country, it is the same 
headlines, the same story, the same economic trauma, because of a food 
security challenge we face. The data shows evidence of this disturbing 
trend. The demand for food stamps in Pennsylvania is skyrocketing.
  Back in December of 2000, before this current President took office, 
approximately 757,000 Pennsylvanians--1 out of every 16--were enrolled 
in the food stamp program. But this past December, 7 years later, that 
number has risen dramatically to 1.4 million Pennsylvanians, accounting 
for 1 out of every 10 State residents. This trend shows no sign of 
stopping.
  From December 2007 to March of 2008, Pennsylvania enrolled an average 
of 10,000 new individuals in food stamps every month, bringing the 
total enrollment to 1.18 million. But the situation in our State is far 
from unique. All across the country the number of individuals enrolling 
in the Food Stamp Program continues to rise at historic rates. From 
December 2006 to December 2007, more than 40 States saw recipient 
numbers rise, and in seven of those States the 1-year rate of growth 
topped 10 percent. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 
starting in fiscal year 2009, 28 million Americans will be enrolled in 
the Food Stamp Program, the most ever enrolled in this program since 
its inception 40 years ago.
  For the millions of Americans struggling from the effects of economic 
recession and rising food prices but making too much to qualify for 
food stamps, food banks can provide some measure of respite by 
providing food to those who could not otherwise afford it. 
Unfortunately, these food banks are struggling as well from a 
combination of increasing food prices, decreasing donations, and 
increased demand.
  Wholesale prices for such foods as eggs, flour, rice, fruits, 
vegetables, and dairy products have dramatically spiked in the last 8 
years. For food banks this price spike resulted in diminished 
purchasing power, translating into the availability of fewer supplies 
to meet an ever-increasing demand. While there is no accurate 
nationwide or even statewide data to show the effects increased prices 
and increased demand are having on food bank supplies, we know from 
news articles, television stories, and firsthand reports from those 
working at food banks that this food security crisis has adversely 
affected emergency food assistance programs in every State.

  The Senate-passed version of the 2007 Food and Energy Security Act, 
otherwise known as the farm bill, includes several measures intended to 
shore up Federal antihunger assistance programs. In fact, 67 percent of 
the funding of this bill is dedicated to protecting Americans from 
hunger. Provisions incorporated in the bill combat hunger, and they 
include measures to increase the value of food stamp benefits and 
language to increase the annual level of Federal commodity purchases 
for food banks from $140 million to $250 million.
  Unfortunately, while the House and Senate are making strides in 
bringing their differences together, the longer it takes to complete 
this bill, the longer struggling Americans must wait for some measure 
of relief. Rising food prices and their effect on poor and working 
families are only part of the food security equation. While part of the 
increase in food prices can be attributed to the rising fuel and energy 
costs needed to produce and distribute these products, the far bigger 
driver behind those increased costs is lack of supply. Internationally, 
as well as domestically, food prices have been affected by severe 
shortages and record inflation of major food commodities such as corn, 
rice, soybeans, and wheat.
  The head of the World Food Program has called the global food crisis 
a ``silent tsunami,'' affecting the world's most vulnerable without 
regard to geography or traditional borders. World Bank President Robert 
Zoellick has said that surging food costs could translate into ``seven 
lost years'' in the fight against worldwide poverty.
  Weather disasters and crop losses have caused devastating shortages 
across Africa and the Asia-Pacific, leading to historically low levels 
of world stocks of key commodities. Australia, one of the leading 
worldwide wheat producers and exporters, has endured several 
consecutive years of drought and last year lost 60 percent of its total 
wheat harvest. Floods in Asia have destroyed global production centers 
of wheat and rice as well.
  The rapid economic growth of China and India have lifted millions out 
of poverty, but it has also succeeded in creating a new middle class 
complete with Western appetites for a diet of meat and protein. While 
foods such as rice and wheat remain a staple of the traditional diet, 
increased demand from China and India for meat produced from grain-fed 
animals is putting a strain on global supply and will only grow over 
time. Many of the commodity supplies these countries once exported are 
now being used for domestic production. Threatened by shortages at 
home, many countries have

[[Page S3417]]

banned exports of critical foodstuffs, disrupting supplies for 
neighbors and trading partners and sending shock waves through the 
global markets.
  Import-dependent countries such as the Philippines are left with no 
choice but to pay top dollar to forestall future crises. Others have 
added artificial incentives to attract food imports. These 
counterproductive actions only exacerbate food shortages and foster a 
beggar-thy-neighbor approach. The United States must work with the U.N. 
and other international actors to press countries against adopting such 
counterproductive measures. We must start looking at mid- and long-term 
strategies for helping countries deal with this crisis.
  Higher food prices not only increase the potential for humanitarian 
disasters, they can also spark political instability and impact U.S. 
foreign policy. We have seen the devastating effect the food shortage 
has had on developing nations around the world, sparking violence and 
riots and putting added pressure on already fragile and underresourced 
governments.
  Last week we saw protesters in Haiti chanting ``we are hungry'' and 
forcing out the Prime Minister. Food riots erupted in Egypt and 
Ethiopia, and troops were used in Pakistan and Thailand to protect 
crops and storage centers. According to the U.N. Food and Agricultural 
Organization, 37 countries are now facing a food security crisis and 
are at risk of a food-related upheaval.
  In areas of vital concern to U.S. national security, such as 
Afghanistan, the food crisis threatens hard-fought progress we have 
achieved in peace, stability, and reconciliation. In Darfur, where the 
refugees and internationally displaced have already suffered under war, 
famine, and genocide, the international community may be forced to cut 
food supplies. The United States can serve its national security and 
humanitarian objectives by fully funding overseas emergency food 
assistance programs.
  In March, I sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee along with 
Senator Durbin and a number of other Members of the Senate calling for 
a $200 million increase in the fiscal year 2008 supplemental budget 
request to address the predicted shortfall in U.S. food assistance 
programs. Although President Bush directed the Agriculture Secretary to 
take out $200 million from the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust to help 
with the crisis, this is only a short-term fix. The United States must 
do more by increasing our bilateral and multilateral contributions in 
funding to replenish the trust.
  Supplemental funding in PL 480 title II programs is essential to 
maintain current food aid programs at current levels and meet the 
increased cost of food, freight, and fuel production. America can do 
more, and we must. While I don't claim to have all the answers to this 
mounting domestic and international crisis, I do believe this is an 
issue deserving the full attention of the Senate. We need to begin this 
effort with final passage of the 2007 Food and Energy Security Act and 
continue by including funding for domestic and international food aid 
in the supplemental appropriations bill. But these measures in and of 
themselves will not be enough.
  We must act, we must legislate. The moral gravity of this food 
security crisis cannot be overstated. It is a matter of economic 
justice. It is also about preserving human life and alleviating 
suffering. It is also a matter of national security.
  I yield the floor, suggest the absence of a quorum, and ask unanimous 
consent that time under the quorum call be evenly divided.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
such time under morning business as I might consume.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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