April 09, 2008   SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMTTEE TO CONSIDER SEN. COLLINS-BACKED LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE FEDERAL DONATIONS TO FOOD BANKS, SOUP KITCHENS   Washington, DC - The Senate Homeland Security Committee, of which Senator Collins is the Ranking Member, is scheduled to hold a mark up on Thursday morning to consider a number of bills, including a bill cosponsored by Senator Collins that would enable the federal government and its contractors to donate surplus food to food banks and soup kitchens throughout the nation. The bipartisan bill was authored by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and also cosponsored by Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Specifically, the bill directs the administration to amend federal contracting rules to encourage federal agencies and food contractors to donate surplus food to nonprofit organizations that aid hungry families in the U.S. Under current law, the fear of lawsuits discourages federal agencies and food contractors from donating their surplus food to soup kitchens and food banks. This bill would expand protections in the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act that shield donors from lawsuits when they donate wholesome food. Senator Collins said, “In these difficult economic times, soup kitchens and food banks are struggling to meet the growing demands of their communities. The federal government should encourage the donation of wholesome surplus food to help families in need. This is a common sense bill and it is my hope that it is signed into law as quickly as possible.” The legislation has been endorsed by a number of food banks throughout the nation including Preble Street in Portland. ####   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 April 2008 Press Releases   April 30 - SPECIAL IG FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION REPORTS MASSIVE IRAQI OIL WINFALLS, DOCUMENTS ABILITY OF NATION TO BEAR GREATER SHARE OF RECONSTRUCTION AND OTHER EXPENSES   April 24 - SENATE PASSES INSPECTOR GENERAL REFORM LEGISLATION   April 22 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON DHS PROPOSAL FOR US-VISIT   April 15 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS SURVEY CONSEQUENCES OF TERRORIST NUCLEAR ATTACK   April 10 - SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO REAUTHORIZE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY   April 9 current Press Release   April 9 - SENATOR COLLINS RELEASES STATEMENT ON FEMA’s DECISION THAT MAINE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR SEVERE WINTER STORMS   April 3 - SENATOR COLLINS HEARS ABOUT FEMA REFORM
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510