Amidst ongoing food supply chain issues and shortages in the U.S., House Democrats introduced a bill that would designate an extra $50,000,000 for food programs for migrants in addition to a baseline of $150,000,000.
The bill, H.R. 8725, was sponsored by Representative Eleanor Norton, a Democrat representing the District of Columbia, on August 16th and has since been referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
If enacted, the proposal would “provide supplemental appropriations for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to provide humanitarian relief for migrants, and for other purposes,” according to the bill text.
“There is appropriated, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $50,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the ‘‘Federal Emergency Management Agency—Federal Assistance’’ account,” proposes the bill.
The funds would be “made available to the emergency food and shelter program for purposes of providing shelter and other services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).”
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has already received $280 million in funding for its operations throughout 2022. The sum was broken down into $130,000,000 for U.S. citizens and $150,000,000 for migrant families and individuals encountered by DHS.
Rep. Norton’s bill appears to apply specifically to migrants who come into contact with DHS as opposed to including American citizens.
Under the Biden White House, illegal immigration into the U.S. has skyrocketed, with many migrants attempting to enter the U.S. via the porous southern border. The $50,000,000 would likely go towards these individuals, who’ve already received taxpayer-funded healthcare and cross-country flights.
The decision to allocate an additional $50,000,000 to migrant services also follows shortages of common household items and food products such as baby formula plaguing U.S. citizens, with forecasts suggesting the shortages will intensify.
It also follows the rampant inflation under the Biden White House causing a considerable increase in demand for foodbanks across the U.S.
