*Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 *

**Statement on Congressional Passage of the Global Food Security Act of 2016 **

*July 6, 2016 *

Seven years ago, just a few months into my Presidency, I came together with counterparts from some of the world's most powerful nations and committed to improving the lives of rural poor people around the globe through investments in more productive agriculture and better nutrition. Today I'm proud to see that Congress has passed S. 1252, the Global Food Security Act of 2016, an overwhelmingly bipartisan piece of legislation that will put Feed the Future, our global hunger and food security initiative, into law.

I want to thank the co-sponsors of the legislation, Senators Isakson and Casey and Representatives Smith and McCollum, for their steadfast commitment to strengthening global food security, and also recognize the leaders of the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees for their extraordinary leadership to ensure that these efforts are enduring.

This game-changing development initiative—the first of my administration—has helped increase economic growth and stem the tide of global hunger, poverty, and malnutrition over the span of just a few years. While we've already accomplished so much through this collaborative global partnership, I know that with the continued effort and support that this legislation provides, we can achieve what was just a few years ago the unimaginable: We can end global poverty and hunger within our lifetimes.

NOTE: The statement referred to Rep. Christopher H. Smith.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : Global Food Security Act of 2016, congressional passage*.*

*Names:* Casey, Robert P., Jr.; Isakson, Johnny; McCollum, Betty L.; Smith, Christopher H.

*Subjects:* Developing countries : Economic growth and development; Developing countries : Poverty; Foreign, policy, U.S. : Food security, strengthening efforts; Legislation, proposed : Global Food Security Act of 2016.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201600452.