A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bill supported by celebrity chef José Andrés aimed at helping restaurants and feeding vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries (FEED) Act would have the federal government pay 100 percent of the cost for state and local governments to work with restaurants and nonprofits to prepare meals for populations including seniors and underprivileged children.
It would also aim to provide support for businesses and farmers as both struggle during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
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Reps. Mike Thompson
Charles (Mike) Michael ThompsonInsurance industry warns its companies not built withstand 'catastrophic and nearly universal' losses Pelosi digs in on impeachment rules fight House votes to temporarily repeal Trump SALT deduction cap MORE (D-Calif.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Rodney Davis
Rodney Lee DavisParties divided over health risks to reopening Capitol GOP leader disagrees with Pelosi, McConnell on WH testing offer McCarthy lays out plan to reopen Congress MORE (R-Ill.) and Sens. Kamala Harris
Kamala Devi HarrisPoll: Sanders, Warren top Democratic voters' list of potential VP contenders New committee to 'Draft Michelle Obama' urges Biden to pick her as VP Warren is Democratic voters' top choice for Biden VP: poll MORE (D-Calif.) and Tim Scott
Timothy (Tim) Eugene ScottSenate expected to return to Washington next week after coronavirus-sparked break Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers weigh in as US eyes phased reopening of economy Bottom line MORE (R-S.C.) are partnering to introduce the legislation, they announced in a statement.
Harris, a former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, celebrated the bill as a way to address increasing food insecurity and support the restaurant and supplier industries.
“We need to ensure that states have maximum flexibility so that no one goes hungry during this pandemic,” she said in a statement.
Local partnerships would allow food to be distributed more quickly during the pandemic, Davis said.
“If this pandemic has shown us anything, it’s the need to innovate and that’s exactly what the FEED Act does,” he said.
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The bill would waive the portion of the Stafford Act that typically limits the Federal Emergency Management Agency to paying 75 percent of emergency and disaster expenses. With the federal government fully funding the project, states and local governments can focus on the distribution of food to those in need and financial relief to restaurants, the lawmakers said.
“When we empower neighbors to care for one another, and restaurants and non-profits to ensure food and nutrition are not forgotten, we give our communities an opportunity to combine response with recovery to create the possibility of a better tomorrow," Andrés said in a statement.
Andrés joined other political leaders including Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Rosa Luisa DeLauroThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: DeLauro questions why White House is blocking Fauci from testifying before House panel, wants Pelosi to stay on into next Congress Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Rosa DeLauro House Democrats, José Andrés and former Agriculture secretaries push plan to protect food supply MORE (D-Conn.), in a letter last week requesting a public-private partnership to develop a food distribution plan to prevent a surplus of food designated for restaurants, schools and hotels.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpCNN demands Trump campaign stop using 'distorted' clip from network in ad Schumer: Fauci may testify before Senate next week Fauci dismisses 'circular argument' coronavirus originated in Chinese lab MORE approved an executive order last week to keep meat processing plants operating during the pandemic to avoid meat shortages.
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