Changing the farm bill to think globally and act locally

I read an article today in the New York Times regarding food aid to Third World countries and the revision of the current farm bill, Kenyan Farmers' Fate Caught Up in U.S. Aid Rules.

The Bush administration is trying to change the current aid program, which only allows for the U.S. to buy domestic crops to distribute to needy countries. By removing this provision, the government would be able to buy foreign crops (like in Kenya) to distribute to those who need it locally. The Bush administration is trying to change the law so that $300 million in crop aid could be bought locally in cases of emergencies. Even though the "case of emergencies" stipulation makes this proposed law a small concession, it is surprising to see the President advocate for more spending on what seems to be a very effective plan.

Tom Harkin (D-IA), the chairman of the Senate Agricultural Committee, is proposing a $25 million test program to see if the administration idea will work. This proposal, even though it is a small earmark, is being met with resistance from both the House and the Senate. Because US tax dollars would go towards other countries' products, and then those products would go to people with the same nationality of the purchase, Congressmen are not willing to make these changes proposed.

On a basic level, the US shipping food over to needy countries is ridiculous. By buying food abroad to distribute locally, the US will increase growth for those countries and help poor farmers increase their income. Shipping aid crops to foreign countries is costly and ineffective. Policymakers' stubbornness on this issue just shows how reluctant the US is to effectively help those who need it.