WASHINGTON – On Thursday, June 12 at 11:00am ET, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, will host a spotlight forum on the role of foreign assistance in supporting American farmers and protecting American agriculture. They will be joined by agriculture and foreign assistance leaders who can speak to the on-the-ground impact. Ranking Member Shaheen will hold a press availability with media in attendance following the event.
Trump Administration cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs are harming U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusiness while worsening global food security. American farmers supply an estimated 40% of international food assistance, including $2 billion annually in surplus commodities sales. They also cut grants to U.S. land-grant universities in 13 states that lead research on resilient agriculture—efforts that are vital for increasing crop production and expanding access to agri-business markets. Finally, the cuts jeopardize efforts to monitor and prevent livestock and crop diseases here at home. Programs that track threats like the new world screwworm and avian flu are critical to protecting the U.S. market and consumers.
WHAT:
Spotlight forum on the role of foreign assistance in supporting American farmers and protecting American agriculture.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 12 at 11:00am ET
WHERE:
Senate Russell Office Building, Room 385
WHO:
RSVP:
Due to space limitations, press must RSVP to Tessa Browne at Tessa_Browne@foreign.senate.gov.
NOTE:
Ranking Member Shaheen will hold a press availability with media in attendance following the event.
This event will be livestreamed. Please RSVP to receive the link.
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