S.Amdt. 2942

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Coons and Mr. Graham, aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296 to establish the United States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2025.

The purpose of this amendment is to create a private, nonprofit corporation (the Foundation) that is not a government agency, though it is designed to advance the national security interests and foreign policy of the United States.

Goals of the Foundation

The Foundation aims to change the approach to global hunger by:

• Investing in Agriculture: Focusing on locally-led investments in crops, poultry, aquaculture, and livestock to build resilient food systems. This includes funding for infrastructure like irrigation and warehousing, as well as agricultural research and technology.
• Improving Efficiency: Using partnerships with established entities to avoid inefficient vetting and evaluation processes.
• Scaling Innovation: Deploying technology to reduce global malnutrition and accelerate economic growth.
• Strategic Coordination: Working with the United States Foundation for International Conservation and other government mechanisms, such as the United States International Development Finance Corporation.

Key Governance and Accountability

To keep the Foundation accountable, the amendment adds the following requirements:

• Board Structure: A voting Board of Directors (up to 15 members) with a relatively equal number of members from both major political parties.
• Strict Prohibitions: The Foundation cannot provide support to governments that repeatedly support international terrorism or engage in gross violations of human rights. It is also prohibited from participating in political activities for candidates for public office in any country.
• Financial Oversight: The Foundation must use outcome-based funding measured by rigorous impact evaluations and must submit an annual report to congressional committees.
• Funding: The Secretary of State is authorized to provide annual grants to the Foundation, which should be matched by sources other than the U.S. Government to the maximum extent practicable.