Where Should Foreign Food Aid Call Home?

Which federal department should run foreign food aid? USDA or the State Department

Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman said USDA needs to lead foreign food aid programs, and he hopes to make the switch if he can pass a new Farm Bill.

Most U.S. foreign food aid was transferred to the U.S. Department of State after President Trump largely dismantled USAID, the federal agency that was responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and international development.

Now Boozman wants Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole program moved to USDA.

“That seems to be a much better fit, in the sense that, who knows better about agriculture and crops than USDA, as opposed to State,” the Arkansas Republican noted.

Boozman wants to put the switch in his pending Farm Bill, but needs cooperation from other committees that oversee the State Department.

“We aren’t the committee of jurisdiction," Boozman said. "We’re trying to get it moved into our committee. And, always, when you, you have committees that lose jurisdiction, sometimes that’s a little bit of a problem.”

But Boozman said other committee leaders of both parties are working on the issue and he’s hopeful.

“The plan is for it to be in this legislation if we can come to an agreement," Boozman said. "But I feel like we’re heading in that direction.”

Boozman added Food for Peace and McGovern Dole were set up not just to help fight hunger abroad, but to give U.S. farmers additional markets and support prices. And he argues that should happen in the 2026 Farm Bill.