Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day demonstrated the importance of the Global Food Security Act. “Hunger stunts a child’s ability to learn and grow, and hunger harms a country’s development. Hunger’s a threat to peace and security,” announced Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) to a crowd of over 250,000 people. “Together with New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, I introduced a bill to assist farmers in growing more food and defeat hunger in the world’s poorest countries. The Global Food Security Act will help women secure the tools, education, and training needed to produce food their families and communities need.” Less than a week after Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed this momentous piece of legislation!

Though there is still lots of work ahead before the bill actually gets signed into law, this achievement wouldn’t have been possible without United States Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Ed Royce (R-CA) and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) who not only voiced their firm support, but announced the intention to bring the bill to a vote the following week. “Next week, when the Foreign Affairs Committee votes on the Global Food Security Act, we’ll get a seconds chance,” Congressman Royce stated. “And with your help we can get this important bill through Congress and the President’s desk without further delay.”