PRIA Logo™
S1888119th CongressWALLET

United States Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would establish the United States Foundation for International Food Security, a private nonprofit that would accelerate locally led agricultural investment and scale financing, technology, and research to boost yields and improve nutrition. It ties project funding to measurable outcomes and aligns activities with U.S. foreign policy and national security goals.

Show full summary
  • Farmers and local partners: The Foundation would fund inputs, irrigation, storage, processing, applied research, and technology to raise productivity and nutrition. It must favor locally based partners and require independently verified outcomes.
  • Host governments and investors: Projects are expected to secure cost sharing and co-financing from non-Federal sources and may use grants, equity investments, project finance, or concessional loans to leverage private capital and sustain results.
  • U.S. institutions and accountability: A bipartisan voting Board of up to 15 Directors would govern the Foundation, staff would not be federal employees, and the law would require independent evaluations, annual audited reports, corruption risk mitigation, and prohibitions on dealings with sanctioned or terrorism-linked entities.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

No funding for sanctioned governments

If enacted, the bill would bar the Foundation from supporting any government that the Secretary of State finds repeatedly supported international terrorism or committed gross human rights violations. The Foundation also could not deal with people on U.S. sanctions lists, unless the Secretary of State or Treasury allows it. The President could waive these bans for a government, but must notify Congress at least 45 days before the waiver takes effect.

New international food foundation rules

If enacted, the bill would create a private, tax-exempt United States Foundation for International Food Security in Washington, D.C. The Foundation would not be a federal agency and the U.S. would not be liable for its debts. The Board would have no more than 15 voting directors, require bipartisan balance, and meet at least twice a year. The Board must hire an Executive Director soon after startup, file an initial report within 2 years, and then file annual reports by March 31. The Foundation must set bylaws, conflict-of-interest rules, and an independent accountability system. The Secretary of State and the Foundation would also consult key congressional committees within 180 days after enactment.

Foundation funding and project rules

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of State award annual grants from State Department funds to the Foundation, if Congress provides money. Grants should, when practical, be matched by non-U.S. sources. The Foundation could hold federal funds pending use and spend interest earned, but federal funds may only be invested in U.S. government-backed obligations. The Foundation's Board must set country and project eligibility rules. Eligible projects would generally need non‑government cost matching, measurable outcomes with independent evaluations (including comparison groups), and plans for sustainability. The Foundation could use grants, loans, equity, and other financing tools. Grant funds may not be used to try to influence legislation pending before Congress.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]

SC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 5/22/2025

  • Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 5/22/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation