Pine State News

Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations on June 22, 2023 approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing support for critical agriculture, rural development, nutrition, conservation, and food and drug safety programs. 

The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 28-0, provides $25.993 billion in discretionary funding. 

“This important legislation will assist America’s farmers, invest in critical agricultural and medical research, and support rural communities across the country,” said Senator Collins. “As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”   

“Our farmers and ranchers provide the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world,” said Senator John Hoeven, Ranking Member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. “As the ranking member of Agriculture Appropriations, we worked to ensure that this legislation supports our producers, invests in agriculture research and strengthens rural America.”

 

Bill Highlights:

Agriculture Research: More than $3.8 billion for agricultural research programs, including $1.792 billion for the Agricultural Research Service and $1.084 billion for National Institute of Food and Agriculture – which allocates$455 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).  The bill also fully funds the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to support the protection of the U.S. agricultural economy and maintain our position as a global leader in animal health, biodefense, and biosecurity.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): $ 1.171 billion for APHIS, an increase of more than $ 14 million above the FY23 enacted level.  The funding will help protect the nation’s animal and plant resources from diseases and pests such as chronic wasting disease, African swine fever, and avian influenza.

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): $1.205 billion for the FSIS.  The bill promotes the safety and productivity of the nation’s $186 billion meat and poultry industry by supporting nearly 8,000 frontline inspection personnel for meat, poultry, and egg products at more than 6,800 facilities in the United States.

Farm Service Agency (FSA): $1.215 billion for FSA and prohibits the closure of FSA county offices.  The bill also increases funding for emergency farm loans to meet the expected demands.

Conservation: $922 million to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Conservation Operations and $70 million for Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations.  

Rural Development: $3.94 billion to support rural development across the United States, including $1.6 billion for rental assistance for affordable housing for low-income families and seniors in rural communities; $850 million in lending authority for Single-Family Housing direct loans and $30 billion in lending authority for the guaranteed Single-Family Housing loans; $1.36 billion for rural water and waste grants and loans; $1.97 billion in grants and loans for rural business and industry programs that promote small business growth in rural areas; $6.5 billion in lending authority for rural electric loans; and $193 million for rural broadband grants and loans.

Nutrition: $6.3 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and an increase of $41 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).

International Food Assistance: $1.8 billion for Food for Peace Title II Grants and $248 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education program.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): $3.55 billion for the FDA, a $20 million net increase to base funding.  Overall, total FDA funding, including user fee revenues, is $6.625 billion.  The bill provides targeted increases for Drug and Devices Shortages Food Safety, Cosmetics, ALS, and Neuroscience, as well as $50 million as authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act.

Original source can be found here.