Bush Asks Congress To OK $770M In Food Aid

As Widespread Hunger And Social Unrest Loom, Money Urged To Alleviate Soaring Food Prices

(CBS/AP)  President Bush urged Congress Thursday to approve $770 million to help alleviate dramatically escalating food prices that threaten widespread hunger and increasing social unrest around the world.

In a surprise mid-afternoon appearance at the White House, Mr. Bush announced he is asking lawmakers to approve the additional funds for global food aid and development programs. The money - to be directed primarily at needy African nations - is being included in a broader $70 billion Iraq war funding measure for 2009 that the White House sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday.

"In some of the world's poorest nations, rising prices can mean the difference between getting a daily meal and going without food," Mr. Bush said. "The American people are generous people and they're a compassionate people. We believe in the timeless truth `to whom much is given, much is expected."'

The new money comes on top of $200 million Mr. Bush ordered released two weeks ago for emergency food aid. It also is in addition to a pending $350 million request for emergengy food aid funds. Because the new funds are part of a 2009 budget, they wouldn't be available for distribution until the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, even if they are approved sooner.

Even so, Mr. Bush called it "just the beginning" of the U.S. effort to help. He said the United States would spend a total of $5 billion this year and next on food aid and related programs.

"America's in the lead, we'll stay in the lead and we expect others to participate along with us," he said.

The new funds are aimed at meeting immediate needs with direct shipments of food aid, and the White House said they would allow for millions more people to get help. Emergency aid accounts for $620 million of the request, said Steve McMillin, deputy director of the president's Office of Management and Budget.

The funds also have long-term aims, with $150 million aimed at boosting U.S. programs to help farmers in developing countries increase productivity and make cash purchases of local crops, so communities are less in need of emergency help in the first place.

The issue has become more urgent recently because of food shortages and rising prices that, combined with high gas costs and rising home foreclosures, are putting a huge squeeze on families at home and abroad.

Just in the last year, prices of America's food staples have skyrocketed, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann. The price of eggs, at $2.20 a dozen, is up 35 percent; milk, at $3.78 a gallon, is up 23 percent; and pasta, at $1.08 a pound, is up 19 percent. Fruits and vegetables are also up double-digits.

"The price of food at retail and the producer level is inflating at a rate we haven't really seen since the 70s," says food analyst Andrew Wolf.

The world price of flour has almost doubled and in Egypt, a country that has to import more than half the wheat it needs, flour has started to look like gold dust, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips from Cairo. The subsidized loaves have become scarcer and the lines to get them have become longer.

A big problem is that flour has become so valuable it's become less of a food source and more of a trading commodity, adds Phillips. It's a lot more profitable to sell it out the back door of a bakery onto the black market, than it is to bake it into bread and sell it out the front door to these people.

There have been strikes, riots and several deaths, reports Phillips. The threat of civil unrest has become real.

What has been termed the first global food crisis since World War II has resulted in cries for help from United Nations officials and raised questions about how Mr. Bush will respond.

Some have blamed the food crisis in part on Bush-backed policies that push food-based biofuels such as ethanol as alternative energy sources. Bush says diverting corn and soybeans into fuel is still a smart approach, though he favors increasing funding for research into eventually using wood chips or switchgrass rather than food crops.

Mr. Bush's top economic adviser, Edward Lazear, said ethanol made from corn is responsible for just 2-3 percent of the overall increase in global food prices, which are 43 percent up this year over last year.

Mr. Bush's announcement drew praise from several quarters.

"Millions of people around the world may be saved from starvation if we can quickly move forward with the president's request," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "Global aid is not only the right thing to do; it's the smart and safe thing to do. I commend the president for his leadership."

The United States is the world's largest provider of food aid, delivering more than $2.1 billion to 78 developing countries last year.

[trillion1]

This guy is an idiot. American''s are getting s@rewed everyday at the gas pump and the grocery store and he wants to give our money to other countries? Has he ever done anything for the American people?

[jerr11]

Bush Asks Congress To OK $770M In Food Aid



$770M for world hunger and $12,000M A MONTH IN IRAQ!

What kind of cockameny priority is that?

Of course Halliburton and ******** Cheney has the answer to that one.

[jerr11]

This guy is an idiot. American''''s are getting s@rewed everyday at the gas pump and the grocery store and he wants to give our money to other countries? Has he ever done anything for the American people?

Posted by trillion1 at 04:22 PM : May 01, 2008



$770M is pocket change compared to the money we''re throwing away in Iraq - $12,000M a Month!

And to answer your second question, he''s done lots for Americans, specifically those at Halliburton.

[acoloradoguy]

It''s a silly trick to attach it to the war funding bill. Congress should pass their own funding bill for the just the food aid. I''d bet the farm he''d veto it. He''s just trying to blackmail congress into passing the war funding...

[aldon61]

acoloradoguy has it right. If congress initiated their own food aid, he would veto it in a heart beat. This is nothing more than a blatant attempt by a sleeze bag leader to blackmail congress into funding his private little war. What gets to me is WHY our congress continues to allow this guy to get away with this @hit. By the way, my apologies to all sleeze bags, I should not have compared you to this tyrant!

[displeased]

He''''s just trying to blackmail congress into passing the war funding...
Posted by acoloradoguy

And he''s making himself out to be the hero while doing it.

[mannie49]

We gotta get those Republicans out of office before we have a *** riot here. They don''t think about what''s going on right here in America, They worry more about what''s going on overseas. They think to hell with American people and the forclosures, gas prices, let them work it out on there own, That is why we are in the position that we are in now. They are letting overseas government take away for us. GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!

[mudrose-2009]

We gotta get those Republicans out of office before we have a *** riot here. They don''''t think about what''''s going on right here in America, They worry more about what''''s going on overseas. They think to hell with American people and the forclosures, gas prices, let them work it out on there own, That is why we are in the position that we are in now. They are letting overseas government take away for us. GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by mannie49

What''s the matter, you don''t believe in taking care of your brother? My, my aren''t we selfish. There are so many poor out there and you just wanna keep it all for yourself. Not nice at all.

Stop your whining stupid. The market''s up past 13,000, the dollars up against the Euro and the price of oil dropped to $111 a barrel. Snap out of it.

[displeased]

There are so many poor out there and you just wanna keep it all for yourself.
Posted by mudrose

We already contribute to world issues. Besides, we have our own poor to help.

[hypnotoad72]

Has he ever done anything for the American people?

Posted by trillion1
---------------------

He told Americans to spend after 9/11 and encourage consumption...

[ourplanet]

Nice try King George
Attach a $770 mil money for world hungry to Iraq''s $70 Billion, to increase the chances of passing and make yourself someone who cares for world hunger you have helped cause it in the first place.
You make me want to puke.

[popstom1]

the he11 with those people tell''em stop F-k''en

[popstom1]

Take care at home first

[rudy654-2009]

People this is all just for show. Why doesn''t he ask congress to stop the corn for ethanol subsidies, instead? He and the rest were warned of the consequences, but oh no, those corn farmers in Iowa were going to get rich off our tax dollars by hook or crook. They will also remind you that they love Bush.

[foranc]

This is for U.S. Citizens who are suffering because of his policies and utter lack of leadership, right?

[cyberus-2009]

----
This is for U.S. Citizens who are suffering because of his policies and utter lack of leadership, right?

Posted by foranc
----
ROFL!

That will happen when pigs sprout wings and fly backwards in bomber formation.

New Orleans is still a disaster, thats clue 1

[leftyintexas]

This nothing more than a political gimmick by DOOFUS to force the Democrats to vote for MORE funding of the Iraq War. The two bills are tied together so the Democrats will be forced to fund the war further or risk being called inhumane for not passing it. I can see why he is the most unpopular President in our history.

[daine71]

That makes no sense. Why not help the people in our country first. Like someone else said just a way to look like he gives a you know what but really just wants to continue fighting a loss cause.

[johnshaft4]

What a pathetic attempt to construct a "legacy".
Drop dead, Georgie Boy and take Cheney/Wolfowitz with you. Burn in hell...

[culturechang]

As a Senator, here would be my response: "You can have the money for food OR your Iraq war, but not both. End Iraq and the food money is yours."

[davidlar2]

What money will pay for this? I thought we had a budget deficit- perhaps I''m mistaken....

[shanev137]

King George funneling more funny money to his rich friends.

[rudy654-2009]

Excerpt: Some have blamed the food crisis in part on Bush-backed policies that push food-based biofuels such as ethanol as alternative energy sources. Bush says diverting corn and soybeans into fuel is still a smart approach, though he favors increasing funding for research into eventually using waste byproducts of those commodities rather than the edible portion.
********

Duh. This guy doesn''t know much, does he? It doesn''t pay to make food products into fuel, because it costs more to make it than it''s worth. The only way to make it so, is to subsidize it as this idiot is doing, but at great risk to our food supply.

[bsimon2007]

Of course, if the United States stopped invading countries, that might stem social unrest as well...

[canyoutellme-2009]

Uhm... aren''t we in a recession or something? Aren''t we in a major debt position at the moment? The greatest debtor nation... right? So, who is paying for this 770M in aid? Oh yeah... *I* am. HOw about i take the money I paid into the gov''t to help the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES instead? Is that possible? JUST ONCE PLEASE?

BTW, i did not get a tax "rebate" check because i made 105K last year. So, have fun with my $$ some more! really! in fact, why don''t you just raise my taxes some more and I''ll keep paying for you to send $$ overseas. Please continue to do that because i LOVE to be charitable...
(sigh)

[haoli25]

Bush is trying to put something positive on his resume for the War Crimes Trial. Nice try clown!

[speakinup]

Don''t you just love the maturity level of the far left ?

No brains, no headache.

[randynason]

WHY DOESN''T BUSH ASK HIS FRIENDS AT EXXON-MOBIL TO KICK IN THEIR WINDFALL PROFIT TAX THAT THEY HAVEN''T PAID IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE FOOD CRISIS IN BOTH THIS COUNTRY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD? Isn''t that a great idea?

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by speakinup at 06:00 PM

You wouldn''t know far left if it up slapped you in the face. There is no far left in the US, only people who disagree with you and that don''t count.

[speakinup]

rudy654 - perfect example of the far left''s inability to think.

What an intelligent statement.

[gorilla400lb]

$770 Million!!! Are you sure that''s enough??? How about doing something for OUR country you moron! (Resigning is a good start!) America is in a crisis state. Printing an extra 770 mil will only make things worse. And I for one don''t want to pay for your ignorance!!

[bosnmate820]

Whether it''s Bush, Queen Hillary or Bammer, We could help one hell of a lot of people in this country with all that money. If we send it to underdeveloped countries, their crooked leaders will take it all, anyway.

[rudy654-2009]

What an intelligent statement.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by speakinup at 06:15 PM

If the left is unable to think, you must be in good company.

[speakinup]

********** - you''d lash out at your own mother if you thought it buy one more vote.

[xraytwonine]

you know, i''d used to say "lets do something here first" but if you think about it, the US is so much better off, we can buy anything anytime anywhere... so why not help others who are dying from such a simple and basic need... then again, there''s always perfect contradiction in such politically and emotional charged news item

[jessjessop]

OK, this is great. But what''s going on here? This is the same guy who just turned down more money for the Food Stamp Program, which is suffering from the same issue increased costs. Plus increased need due to stagflation and the housing crisis.

Can he really be for helping everyone but Americans? Is this some sort of a bad joke on ourselves?

Jess

[papabc]

No Aid.. Stop this made ethonel corn program and ease the hunger and food problems.

We can also use the $770M in the USA. Stop sending tax $$$ out of the country.

[mcv57]

Everybody is on to you G.W. Bushwacker, your ploy to appear good and compassionate will not work.

After bankrupting the government; and milking the taxpaper with tax debt for the next 1000 years, the American people will still want your head on a silver platter.

[barbaraf4]

While Bush is trying to put a bandaid on his legacy, I suggest earmarking that money for U.S. hunger and healthcare.

He is a moron and a fool.

[gce65]

CBS: Not covering this? The WaPost is.

Study Finds No Cancer-Marijuana Connection
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 26, 2006; Page A03

The largest study of its kind has unexpectedly concluded that smoking marijuana, even regularly and heavily, does not lead to lung cancer.

The new findings "were against our expectations," said Donald Tashkin of the University of California at Los Angeles, a pulmonologist who has studied marijuana for 30 years.

"We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heavier use," he said. "What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of some protective effect."

Federal health and drug enforcement officials have widely used Tashkin''s previous work on marijuana to make the case that the drug is dangerous. Tashkin said that while he still believes marijuana is potentially harmful, its cancer-causing effects appear to be of less concern than previously thought.

Earlier work established that marijuana does contain cancer-causing chemicals as potentially harmful as those in tobacco, he said. However, marijuana also contains the chemical THC, which he said may kill aging cells and keep them from becoming cancerous.

MORE ON WA POST WEBSITE

[jerr11]

$770M in food aid.

$12,000M A MONTH in Iraq.

What kind of cockemany priority is that?

I''m sure ******** Cheney and his Halliburton buddies have the asnwer to that one.

[maedean]

How about we take the food stamps and medical that our great peice of Bush gives to all the illegals that come into our country and that would be a start. This worthless pig should not be allowed to have any use to any more money !!!!!!!!

[vicb99]

This is to jamesm12341, for your comments on contributing to society, my husband is a truck driver contributing to society. We are currently spending $3000.00 per week on diesel fuel so you can enjoy some simple things in life like picking up your favorite food or beverage at the store. The trucking industry could use about $770 million to help eleviate the costs to get those thing to you, enough said, thank you!

[jerr11]

So how much is $770M?

Consider this, the Iraq war has already cost us $2 trillion.

That''s $2,000,000M.

[randynason]

We believe in the timeless truth ''to whom much is given, much is expected.''

President Bush

Isn''t this what we should be saying to the oil companies, Halliburton, Cheney and Bush?!! Let them make private donations from the money they have already stolen from all of us.

[nearl4511]

Well. His Presidency is ending up a lot like it started, before 9-11.....

Lame!

[ioweign]

The money - to be directed primarily at needy African nations - is being included in a broader $70 billion Iraq war funding measure for 2009 that the White House sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sounds like an earmark...

I thought earmarks were a no-no!

[hypnotoad72]

WHY DOESN''''''''T BUSH ASK HIS FRIENDS AT EXXON-MOBIL TO KICK IN THEIR WINDFALL PROFIT TAX THAT THEY HAVEN''''''''T PAID IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE FOOD CRISIS IN BOTH THIS COUNTRY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD? Isn''''''''t that a great idea?

Posted by RandyNason at 06:08 PM : May 01, 2008
----------------

Don''t yell.

------------------------------------------
or...you could get a job and start contributing to society....isn''''t that a great idea?

Posted by jamesm12341
------------------------------------------

Define "contribute". Having been around the proverbial block myself, it is hilarious, and sometimes ironic, what people think is or is not contribution.

[omnibus66]

This request from the one who vetoed health care for uninsured American children at a cost of 700 million per year. His reason for the veto was that it was "too expensive". He also has no idea of what the price of gas is.

I just can''t believe that he wasn''t impeached a long time ago.

[jerr11]

$770M is the amount: $7700000000

Posted by TomFlint69 at 07:23 PM : May 01, 2008

I think you have an extra 0 somewhere in there.

$770M: $770000000

$2 trillion: $2000000000000