USDA and the Vote to Reopen Government
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The full-year USDA spending bill, which was a part of the bill that reopened the government, was a rare point of bipartisan agreement as the House voted this week.
The USDA spending bill, one of just three full-year spending bills passed, pleased both parties. Top Ag Appropriations Democrat Sanford Bishop …
BISHOP … “It fully funds SNAP and WIC, replenishes the SNAP and WIC contingency fund, and fully funds cash value vouchers for fruits and vegetables for women and children. It also helps rural America, funding water and wastewater programs at $446 million.”
Ag Appropriations Chair Andy Harris, head of the fiscally-
conservative Freedom Caucus …
HARRIS … “The Agriculture bill provides $26.65 billion in discretionary spending, which is level with the current amounts, while also including community project funding.”
It also includes help for producers …
HARRIS … “This bill provides critical support to our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It ensures both USDA and FDA can ensure our nation’s drug supply, and fully funds nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC.”
This was a key point of controversy during the shutdown. Bishop said the bill had other pluses …
BISHOP … “The bill provides $1.8 billion for the Agricultural Research Service, 1.6 billion for NIFA. I’m pleased to see that the bill requires USDA to notify
Congress before canceling grants of over a million dollars.”
That was another contentious fight Democrats had with the White House.
The bill also extends the U.S. Grain Standards Act and restores full FSA, NRCS, APHIS, NASS, and AMS services.
