Durbin Statement on Announced Emergency Food Aid Request

Press Release

Durbin Statement on Announced Emergency Food Aid Request

United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement following the announcement that the White House will be asking for $770 million in emergency food aid funding to be included in the upcoming supplemental appropriations bill.

"I'm heartened that today the President has called for this funding. The President's decision to call for these critically needed funds should be seen as sign of the magnitude of this problem. Millions of people around the world may be saved from starvation if we can quickly move forward with the President's request.

"As this global crisis grows, so do the risks to our security. Global aid is not only the right thing to do; it's the smart and safe thing to do."

"I commend the President for his leadership and look forward to working with him and others in Congress to make sure that the world's poor receive our aid as quickly as possible."

Senator Durbin is a leader in the senate on the issue of international aid and hunger programs. He's the Senate sponsor of the McGovern-Dole food program, which provides US food aid and education to some of the world's poorest children. He recently met with Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the UN World Food Program to discuss the programs needs and problems it faces as global food prices continue to rise.

In March, he sent a letter, with Senator Casey, to the Senate Appropriations Committee asking for a significant increase in US food aid. Last week, Durbin sent a letter to the President asking for an additional $200 million in the supplemental appropriations bill.

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