Food Assurance and Security Act
Summary
The Food Assurance and Security Act aims to establish an interagency program, led by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Census Bureau, to coordinate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on food insecurity and hunger. This program mandates the inclusion of a food security supplement in the Current Population Survey. The collected data will be used to inform annual reports submitted to Congress and made publicly available.
Expected Effects
The Act will enhance the monitoring and understanding of food insecurity across the nation. This will be achieved through consistent data collection and reporting. The increased awareness may lead to more effective policies and interventions to combat hunger.
Potential Benefits
- Provides consistent data on food insecurity through the Current Population Survey.
- Ensures annual reporting to Congress and public availability of findings.
- Enables better-informed policy decisions related to food assistance programs.
- Focuses on specific questions related to food access and affordability for both adults and children.
- Appropriates necessary funds for the program's implementation.
Potential Disadvantages
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the accuracy and reliability of self-reported survey data.
- The Act's success hinges on the continued funding and prioritization of the program by future administrations.
- There may be administrative overhead associated with coordinating multiple agencies.
- The Act itself does not directly provide food assistance, but rather measures the problem.
- The impact on food insecurity will depend on subsequent actions taken based on the collected data.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to address food insecurity and hunger within the population. Specifically, the preamble states the goal to "promote the general Welfare." The act also falls under the legislative powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8, which allows them to allocate funds and enact laws necessary for carrying out governmental functions. The required reporting to Congress ensures legislative oversight.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).