WASHINGTON D.C. (WIBW) - Kansas delegates are making a push to save an aid program operated under USAID.

Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Tracey Mann each introduced legislation Tuesday to their Congressional bodies directing the ‘Food for Peace’ program to continue under the USDA.

“President Trump made a promise to the country to cut wasteful spending, reduce overbearing federal bureaucracy, and ensure every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and responsibly,” said Rep. Mann. “I applaud President Trump for upholding that promise and reviewing our federal spending line by line to root out waste, fraud, and abuse while ensuring programs like Food for Peace are in line with his mission and vision. For 70 years, Kansas and American farmers have played an active role in sending their commodities to feed malnourished and starving populations around the world. This free gift from the American people is more than food. It’s diplomacy and feeds the most vulnerable communities while helping them recognize the freedom, prosperity, and good America can establish across the globe. By moving Food for Peace to USDA, the program can continue to equip American producers to serve hungry people while providing more transparency and efficiency as to how taxpayer dollars are stewarded. I will continue to work with the Trump Administration to uproot wasteful spending while ensuring America can continue to be the beacon of hope and freedom we are to the rest of the world.”

“Kansas has a long history of providing food to the hungry beginning with a Kansas farmer suggesting the U.S. provide surplus grain to countries in need, to President Eisenhower establishing the resulting humanitarian aid program, to Senator Bob Dole expanding Food for Peace, to the farmers who grow the crops that feed the world. As part of an ongoing effort to save money and increase efficiency, Food for Peace should be moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By moving this program closer to the producers who grow these crops, we can help reduce waste and make certain our farmers have access to this valuable market. Food stability is essential to political stability, and our food aid programs help feed the hungry, bolster our national security and provide important markets for our farmers.”

This is the same program Senator Moran pushed to resume over the weekend the President suspended USAID. It’s been one of the prime targets of the Trump Administration’s effort to slash federal spending and authority.

GOOD NEWS: State Dept. has approved shipping to resume, allowing NGOs to distribute the $560 million of American-grown food aid sitting in US & global ports to those in need. Thanks to @SecRubio for helping make certain this life-saving aid gets to those in need before it spoils.

Rep. Mann spoke to reporters about the effort Monday night. He said he still supports the President’s actions to cut federal programs but described ‘Food for Peace’ as a win for Kansas producers contributing to the program and the nation’s security.

“This food goes to people that otherwise are not going to eat,” Rep. Mann said. “And there are certain parts of the world where we need to be feeding people. We need to make sure, one, that they don’t starve. Number two, when you have starving people, at least the instability we’ve learned over the years, unfortunately, that when instability occurs, that’s a radical Islamist, you know, raises up.”

Mann pointed out that Kansas products like wheat and sorghum make up most of what the program sends out.