[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S4401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THE FARM BILL

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I wish to speak to my amendment No. 1079 to 
the farm bill. This amendment--with Republican and Democratic support--
would simply increase the authorization for the Local and Regional 
Procurement Program from $40 million per year to $60 million per year.
  It would increase the flexibility for aid providers to use locally 
and regionally purchased food, which is an important element of U.S. 
food assistance. There is no score because we are simply increasing the 
authorization for this discretionary program.
  The Local and Regional Procurement Program is based on a pilot 
program authorized in the 2008 farm bill to test projects that could 
help get food aid to hungry populations faster and more efficiently by 
sourcing food in the communities and regions closest to those in need.
  USDA and Cornell University have studied the pilot program and found 
it has been able to provide aid quickly and efficiently while also 
supporting development of food markets in low-income countries. This 
amendment would simply increase the authorized funding level so we can 
invest additional resources in this successful program.
  My amendment is supported by 20 groups, including American Jewish 
World Service, Bread for the World, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, 
Church World Service, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Institute for Agriculture and 
Trade Policy, InterAction, Lutheran World Relief, Mennonite Central 
Committee U.S. Washington Office, Mercy Corps, Modernizing Foreign 
Assistance Network--MFAN--ONE, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Save 
the Children, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries, 
United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society, and World 
Food Program USA.
  I wish to thank the cosponsors of this amendment--Republicans and 
Democrats--for supporting this effort, including Senators Johanns, 
Durbin, Isakson, and Leahy.

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