The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill on a 31 to 26 vote.
For 2023, the bill provides funding of $27.2 billion– a critical increase of $2.075 billion, 8 percent– above 2022. In total, the bill includes $195 billion for both discretionary programs funded on an annual basis and mandatory programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The legislation:
- Rebuilds our public health infrastructure and strengthens the safety of our baby formula market with increased funding to address maternal and infant nutrition, including resources for the ‘Closer to Zero’ initiative to reduce exposure to toxic elements in babies’ and young children’s food, emerging food-related chemical and toxicological issues, drug safety oversight, as well as providing additional resources for in-person inspections of one of the largest foreign drug manufacturing countries, and drug and device supply chain monitoring and surveillance. The bill also invests in our public health infrastructure by modernizing FDA’s data infrastructure to better ensure the safety and security of the food and medical supply chain.
- Tackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by providing increased access to fruits and vegetables to 6.2 million people through WIC and ensuring 43.5 million people in SNAP-eligible families get the benefits they need. The bill also invests in the health of America’s kids through Child Nutrition programs, like school meals, which are now the healthiest source of food consumed in the United States.
- Grows opportunity and lifts up rural communities with a critical increase for rural broadband, a new 1 percent loan program for water programs for rural areas, and a record investment of $1.5 billion in single family home loans.
- Provides important investments to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs. In total, the bill provides increases for extension, research, and capacity grants at our 1890 land grants, 1994 land grants, and Hispanic serving institutions to help strengthen the pipeline for the future of agriculture. It also provides increased funding to improve outreach and program access to historically underserved communities and more than doubles funding for Tribal relations activities.
- Provides full pay and FERS costs for both USDA and FDA. For FDA, this is the first time in years such costs have been provided. Including these costs ensures that these expenses do not come out of base program funding.
“The baby formula recall and subsequent shortage and government response have reminded us just how critical the Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA funding bill is to the health and safety of children and families. The bill helps create a more resilient baby formula market with increased funding for workers at the Food and Drug Administration to inspect baby formula and review new products. The funding will make food safer by strengthening our response to foodborne illness outbreaks,” Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “Additionally, investments in international food assistance and SNAP, WIC, and other child nutrition programs will strengthen our safety net against hunger and promote health and nutrition security. By building off the success of the 2022 spending bill, this bill has the power to ensure every consumer and our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities have the support they need and access to the safe, accessible, and resilient food supply they deserve.”
The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:
Rep. Bishop – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Ryan – This amendment provides $50 million for the frontline grocery workers for necessary expenses incurred during the ongoing public health emergency. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 32 to 26.
Rep. Cuellar – This amendment adds new report language requesting a study on the working conditions for women farmworkers. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Hinson #1 – This amendment cuts the office of the FDA commissioner by $15 million and uses the funds to combat imported illicit opioids. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Hinson #2 – This amendment requires the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with the FDA Commissioner on livestock gene editing regulations. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Calvert – This amendment prohibits FDA from reviewing or approving a drug application from a sponsor located in Russia unless the drug would treat a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is an unmet treatment need. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Newhouse—This amendment prohibits the purchase of farmland located in the United States by companies owned, full or in part, by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, North Korean, or Iran. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. The bill report, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee’s commitment to transparency, information on Community Project Funding in the bill is here.
Subcommittees:
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (117th Congress)
117th Congress
Original source can be found here.
