[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6548-S6557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AGRICULTURE RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
now begin consideration of Calendar No. 409, S. 2159, the agriculture
appropriations bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, and I don't
intend to object, but I just wanted my colleagues to be put on notice
about my
[[Page S6549]]
concerns with this bill. I appreciate the work of my two Senate
colleagues who developed this bill, and my concerns about this bill
actually fall with what is not included in the bill, rather than what
is in the bill.
Mr. President, we have a very serious problem at the USDA that no one
seems to be very interested in solving. As some of you may know, there
are a number of minority farmers who filed discrimination complaints
with the USDA back in the 1980's and were told that the USDA was on the
case. In fact, they weren't and didn't intend to be. After the statute
of limitations passed for these farmers to file their discrimination
complaints in a court of law, the USDA acknowledged that they never
investigated or attempted to resolve these complaints. Since the
statute of limitations has now passed for a number of these farmers,
these farmers have been left with no remedy for the alleged acts of
discrimination they suffered, all because of the inaction of the USDA.
It seems to me we ought to address that matter at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Mr. President, many here may also be aware of several provisions
which took effect with the enactment of the 1996 Farm bill which have
resulted in the denial of credit to farmers, based on a write-down of a
previous loan. This has a particularly disproportionate effect on
minority farmers, even though in a number of cases it was the USDA that
encouraged the individuals to take a write-down. This body added
language to the Emergency Supplemental earlier this year which
addressed this problem. However, that language was taken out in a
conference with the House. It would seem to me that the least we could
do here is to add that language to this bill.
In sum, Mr. President, I do not object to proceeding with this bill,
but I want to work with the Senator from Mississippi and the Senator
from Arkansas to see if we can address these issues in this bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the unanimous consent
request is agreed to.
The clerk will report the bill.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 2159) making appropriations for Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies programs for fiscal year ending September 30, 1999.
The Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
Privilege of the Floor
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
following Appropriations Committee staff members and fellow and intern
be granted floor privileges during the consideration of this bill, S.
2159, and during any votes that may occur in relation thereto: Rebecca
Davies, Martha Scott Poindexter, Rachelle Graves, Cornelia Tietka and
Haywood Hamilton.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to present for the Senate's
consideration S. 2159, the Fiscal Year 1999 Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
appropriations bill. This bill provides fiscal year 1999 funding for
all programs and activities of the United States Department of
Agriculture--with the exception of the Forest Service--the Food and
Drug Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and
expenses and payments of the farm credit system.
As reported, the bill recommends total new budget authority for
fiscal year 1999 of $56.8 billion. This is $7.0 billion more than the
fiscal year 1998 enacted level, and $740 million less than the
President's fiscal year 1999 budget request.
Changes in mandatory funding requirements account for the overall
increase from the fiscal year 1998 enacted level, principally
reflecting lower estimated Food Stamp and higher Child Nutrition
program expenses, along with a $7.6 billion increase in the required
payment to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized
losses.
Including Congressional budget scorekeeping adjustments and prior-
year spending actions, this bill recommends total discretionary
spending of $13.715 billion in budget authority and $14.080 billion in
outlays for fiscal year 1999. These amounts are consistent with the
Subcommittee's discretionary spending allocations.
Let me take a few minutes first to summarize the bill's major funding
recommendations.
For the Food Safety and Inspection Service, appropriations of $605
million are recommended, $16 million more than the fiscal year 1998
level. These additional funds are necessary to maintain the current
inspection system and to continue to implement the Hazardous Analysis
and Critical Control Point meat and poultry inspection system.
For farm credit programs, the bill funds an estimated $2.4 billion
total loan program level, including $489 million for farm ownership
loans and $1.8 billion for farm operating loans.
Total funding of $922 million is recommended for the Farm Service
Agency, $11 million more than the 1998 level. Increased funding is
provided to maintain non-Federal staff years at the level requested in
the budget, preventing reductions beyond those already planned.
For agriculture research, education, and extension activities, the
bill provides total appropriations of $1.7 billion. Included in this
amount is a reduction from fiscal year 1998 of $35.2 million for
Agricultural Research Service buildings and facilities, a $24 million
increase for research activities of the ARS, and a $12 million increase
in funding for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service, which includes a 3-percent increase in base formula funds.
For USDA conservation programs, total funding of $792 million is
provided, $5 million more than the 1998 level. This includes $638
million for conservation operations, $101 million for watershed and
flood prevention operations, and $34 million for the resource
conservation and development program.
USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service is funded at a level of $136
million. In addition, a total program level of $1.1 billion is
recommended for the Public Law 480 program, including $221 million for
Title I, $837 million for Title II, and $30 million for Title III of
the program.
The bill also provides a total program level of $2.2 billion for
rural economic and community development programs. Included in this
amount is $700 million for the Rural Community Advancement Program, an
increase of $48 million from the fiscal year 1998 level; and a total
$1.5 billion program level for rural electric and telecommunications
loans, $92 million more than the 1998 level.
The Committee has devoted adequate resources to those programs which
provide affordable, safe, and decent housing for low-income individuals
and families living in rural America.
Estimated rural housing loan authorizations funded by this bill total
$4.3 billion, a $65 million increase from the fiscal year 1998
appropriations level. Included in this amount is $1.0 billion in
section 502 low-income housing direct loans and $129 million in section
515 rental housing loans.
In addition, $583 million is recommended for the rental assistance
program. This is the same as the budget request level and $42 million
more than the 1998 appropriation.
Over 65 percent of the bill's total funding, $37 billion, is provided
for USDA's domestic food assistance programs. This includes $9.2
billion for child nutrition programs; $3.9 billion for WIC, including
$15 million for the farmers' market nutrition program; $141 million for
commodity assistance; and $23.8 billion for the food stamp program.
For those independent agencies funded by the bill, the Committee
provides total appropriations of $1.0 billion. Included in this amount
is $61 million for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and $953
million for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Total
appropriations recommended for the FDA are $27 million more than the
1998 level, reflecting the full increase requested in the budget for
FDA rental payments and an additional $4 million more than the request
level for buildings and facilities. In addition, the bill makes
available $132 million in Prescription Drug User Fee Act collections,
$15 million more than the fiscal year 1998 level.
I would like to point out to my colleagues that the discretionary
spending
[[Page S6550]]
allocations for this bill are approximately $200 million in budget
authority and outlays below a freeze at the 1998 levels. To provide the
selected increases I just cited and to maintain funding for essential
farm, housing, and rural development programs, several mandatory
funding restrictions are included in the bill. Modest limitations are
imposed on Food Stamp program commodity purchases and on acreage
enrollments in the Wetlands Reserve Program, and restrictions are
imposed on fiscal year 1999 funding for the Conservation Farm Option
Program and the Fund for Rural America.
In the case of the Fund for Rural America, it was a choice between
providing adequate appropriations for research and rural development--
the increases in funding recommended for agriculture research and rural
development, including $48 million for the Rural Community Advancement
program and $24 million for ARS research--or allowing the
Administration to decide how to spend funds for selected rural
development and agriculture research purposes.
I also want to remind my colleagues that the President's budget for
programs and activities under this Subcommittee's jurisdiction assumes
new user fees will be enacted and generate a net total of over $650
million in collections to offset the discretionary spending increases
proposed by the President. While relying on savings from new user fees
and other legislative proposals may allow the President to claim
discretionary spending levels which conform with those set forth in the
bipartisan budget agreement, appropriations cannot be reduced until
these legislative proposals are acted on by Congress and enacted into
law.
However, that is not the case and this bill assumes none of the user
fee savings proposed in the budget. Consequently, the savings assumed
in the President's budget are not available to this Committee to offset
the discretionary spending increases and new initiatives proposed by
the Administration. Many of these proposals have merit and are ones I
might support. However, this Committee must comply with the
discretionary spending levels in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement and we
have had to make some difficult decisions as a result. We have worked
hard to maintain funding for the programs and activities funded by this
bill as close to the 1998 program levels as possible, providing
increases necessary to maintain essential personnel levels and to meet
increased subsidy costs where necessary to sustain 1998 loan levels.
Also, despite recent reports, food safety continues to be a high
priority of this Committee. The bill recommended to the Senate provides
the funds necessary to ensure that American consumers continue to have
the safest food in the world. This bill makes no reductions in
appropriations for USDA and FDA food safety activities. In fact, the
bill continues the enhanced levels provided last year for activities
defined to be part of the Administration's food safety initiatives.
This includes the additional $24 million for FDA food safety
initiatives and $9 million for USDA food safety initiatives provided
for fiscal year 1998. In addition, the bill includes $3.6 million of
the increase requested in the fiscal year 1999 budget for USDA food
safety initiatives. Not included in the President's food safety
initiatives but equally important to the continued safety of our
nation's food supply is based funding for the Food Safety and
Inspection Service. This bill provides fiscal year 1999 appropriations
of $605 million for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), $455
million more than the Administration's requested level and $16 million
more than the 1998 level. With the appropriations for FSIS inspection
activities included, this bill recommends total appropriations of
$806.3 million for FDA and USDA food safety activities for fiscal year
1999, as compared to the President's $380.6 million appropriations
request. This does not include enhanced funding of $50.7 million for
FDA food safety initiatives which the President proposes be funded
through new user fees.
Mr. President, in closing, I remind Senators that this will be the
last time that my good friend from Arkansas and the distinguished
ranking member of the Subcommittee, Senator Bumpers, will manage this
appropriations bill. Senator Bumpers has been a valued member of the
Appropriations Committee for the past 20 years and of this Subcommittee
for the past thirteen years. The work of the Subcommittee reflects his
intimate knowledge of the programs and activities. Senator Bumpers has
been an advocate of American agriculture and a proponent of programs to
improve the quality of life and help bring jobs to rural areas. His
many contributions to this process and this bill will continue on after
his retirement from the Senate, but his leadership and participation in
the work of the Committee in the future will be missed, particularly by
this Senator.
Included in this bill is a general provision to designate the United
States National Rice Germplasm Evaluation and Enhancement Center in
Stuttgart, Arkansas, the ``Dale Bumpers National Rice Research
Center.'' The Senator from Arkansas has been an effective advocate of
agricultural research and is the father of this ARS research center. I
believe it is most appropriate to name this facility in his honor.
Mr. President, I thank the distinguished ranking member of the
subcommittee, Senator Bumpers, as well as all other Members of the
Subcommittee for their support and cooperation in putting this bill
together.
Mr. President, I believe the bill represents a balanced and
responsible set of funding recommendations within the limited resources
available to the subcommittee. I ask my colleagues to give it their
favorable consideration.
Mr. President, I urge Senators to notice in our bill some important
efforts to contrast the process that we followed to appropriate these
funds with the proposal the President made when he submitted his budget
request for the Department of Agriculture and related agencies.
A great deal of attention has been called to the President's request
for additional funding of so-called new initiatives in certain areas
covered by this bill. To propose these new funding levels, these so-
called new initiatives, the President has had to assume that funds
would be generated for those purposes by the enactment by the Congress
of user fees. These cover Food Safety and Inspection Service
activities. They also cover Food and Drug Administration activities.
The Congress has not enacted these user fees, and there is no
expectation that Congress will through the legislative committees that
have jurisdiction of these subjects. Therefore, that has led to the
appearance that the committee, in its action to bring this bill to the
floor, has not appropriated funds that the President has requested for
these so-called new initiatives and additional spending programs.
We have not been able to accommodate the President's request because
the allocation of funds to this subcommittee is insufficient to cover
both the funding of the programs that we have had to fund in the bill,
the continuing programs of research and extension and education which I
have described so far, many of which are above the President's
requested level, but the additional funds that he presumed would be
available to this committee from user fees are not available to the
committee, and therefore, for some accounts, it may appear that the
committee is not funding those activities at the levels the President
promised to secure the funding.
I think that explanation will serve to alleviate some concerns that I
have heard expressed. One was expressed in the meeting of our full
committee when this bill was under consideration, that we were going to
put in jeopardy in some way, by having the funding levels that we had
for food safety, the safety of school lunch food that is consumed by
students at school. We have actually increased the programs that help
safeguard the food supply well over and above what the President had
requested.
He has suggested that funds be allocated to some so-called new
initiatives, but he didn't request that we have inspectors in our
poultry and meatpacking plants, as we have to have under current law,
to inspect those processes and those plants to be sure that the food is
packaged and processed in a way that is safe and will result in
wholesome, nutritious food supplies for our country. We funded that. We
have actually increased the
[[Page S6551]]
funding above last year's levels, so that we wouldn't have to close any
of these plants or shut them down for any periods of time that would be
required if we had not come up with this funding.
I assure Senators that we have taken great care to make sure that the
funds are there for this next fiscal year for these food safety
programs, including the so-called HACCP program, the new program that
has been under development for the last several years in which this
committee has cooperated to fund, so that it can bring to the challenge
of food safety the latest in technologies and understanding and
information so that we don't have to worry that we are not doing enough
to help protect the food that is consumed in the United States.
I must say, too, that I think our producers and those who work to
bring us this food supply have to be given great credit for the success
they have had in producing a reasonably priced, wholesome, nutritious
food supply for our country and, beyond that, millions and billions of
dollars in excess of what we need in our country for export in the
world marketplace.
Senators will also know that one of the areas of emphasis in this
legislation is the funding of programs to help make sure that our
exporters and our farmers are treated fairly in the international
marketplace, that we continue to endeavor to break down barriers to
fair trade for American agriculture products.
This morning, we had an opportunity to meet with representatives of a
number of national farm organizations who were here in the Capitol to
discuss the problems in certain sectors of agriculture in certain
regions of this country. The meeting was actually convened by Senator
Conrad Burns of Montana and Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas. The majority
leader was President--was present--he may be President, not yet; he may
be President later. Senator Dick Lugar, the chairman of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, was present.
We had 12 or 14 Senators involved in this meeting to find out what
the suggestions were for helping to deal with some of these problems of
low prices on the farm in certain areas and in certain commodities, and
problems in trade, problems with tax laws that operate to the detriment
of many who own and operate our Nation's farms. It was a good meeting.
I say to Senators that this bill addresses many of the problems that
were identified in that meeting this morning. So it is responsive to
the concerns that we hear.
We do need to do a more aggressive job to take up for our Nation's
farmers both at home, in terms of regulations and tax policies which
make it hard to operate or more expensive, and in terms of trade
policies and national initiatives, to be sure that we have an
opportunity to sell what we produce in the international marketplace at
competitive prices, so there can be profit in agriculture and we can
continue to reap the benefit in our country and our economy, in all
aspects of our economy that are related and involved with agriculture,
of a healthy, vibrant agriculture economy.
We have all heard how many jobs depend upon our farmers, how many
people are in the processing businesses, the value-added processing of
food products, the transportation, the inputs that go into the farming
operations in every rural community and every State in this great
Nation. It is a huge business enterprise. And it deserves the sensitive
support of the policymakers in Washington and a department of
agriculture that cares when there is a problem on the farm and moves
quickly to try to deal with it.
I think this legislation is consistent with those aims and those
goals and those interests that we all have here in the Senate. I am
hopeful that Senators will review the bill and give it their full
support. And I hope Senators who have suggestions for changes in the
bill will come to the floor and present those suggestions, and we will
consider them in a very careful and sympathetic way.
We just as soon there not be any amendments. We think this is a good
bill. We hope Senators will agree with us. We do have some committee
amendments, and we have recommendations that have been cleared on both
sides of the aisle for changes in the bill after the bill was
considered in our committee.
At this time, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a table
comparing the committee's recommendations for fiscal year 1999 to the
fiscal year 1998 levels and the President's fiscal year 1999 budget
estimates be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation compared with (+ or
^)
Item 1998 appropriation Budget estimate deg. recommendation Budget House
1998 appropriation estimate allowance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary....................................... $2,836,000 $2,941,000 $2,836,000 .................. ^$105,000
Executive Operations:
Chief Economist........................................... 5,048,000 5,823,000 5,048,000 .................. ^775,000
Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture......... .................. 350,000 .................. .................. ^350,000
National Appeals Division................................. 11,718,000 13,297,000 11,718,000 .................. ^1,579,000
Office of Budget and Program Analysis..................... 5,986,000 6,045,000 5,986,000 .................. ^59,000
Office of Chief Information Officer....................... 4,773,000 7,222,000 5,551,000 +$778,000 ^1,671,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Executive Operations............................. 27,525,000 32,737,000 28,303,000 +778,000 ^4,434,000
Office of the Chief Financial Officer......................... 4,283,000 4,562,000 4,283,000 .................. ^279,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.......... 613,000 636,000 613,000 .................. ^23,000
Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments...... 131,085,000 147,689,000 137,184,000 +6,099,000 ^10,505,000
Payments to GSA........................................... (98,600,000) (108,057,000) (108,057,000) (+9,457,000) ..................
Building operations and maintenance....................... (24,785,000) (24,127,000) (24,127,000) (^658,000) ..................
Repairs, renovations, and construction.................... (5,000,000) (15,505,000) (5,000,000) .................. (^10,505,000)
Relocation expenses....................................... (2,700,000) .................. .................. (^2,700,000) ..................
Hazardous waste management.................................... 15,700,000 15,700,000 15,700,000 .................. ..................
Departmental administration................................... 29,231,000 32,168,000 27,034,000 ^2,197,000 ^5,134,000
Outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers................... 3,000,000 10,000,000 3,000,000 .................. ^7,000,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. 3,668,000 3,814,000 3,668,000 .................. ^146,000
Office of Communications...................................... 8,138,000 8,319,000 8,138,000 .................. ^181,000
Office of the Inspector General............................... 63,128,000 87,689,000 63,128,000 .................. ^24,561,000
Office of the General Counsel................................. 28,759,000 30,446,000 28,759,000 .................. ^1,687,000
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and 540,000 560,000 540,000 .................. ^20,000
Economics....................................................
Economic Research Service..................................... 71,604,000 55,839,000 53,109,000 ^18,495,000 ^2,730,000
National Agricultural Statistics Service...................... 118,048,000 107,190,000 103,964,000 ^14,084,000 ^3,226,000
Census of Agriculture..................................... (36,327,000) (23,741,000) (23,599,000) (^12,728,000) (^142,000)
Agricultural Research Service................................. 744,382,000 776,828,000 767,921,000 +23,539,000 ^8,907,000
Buildings and facilities.................................. 80,630,000 35,900,000 45,430,000 ^35,200,000 +9,530,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Research Service.................... 825,012,000 812,728,000 813,351,000 ^11,661,000 +623,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service:
Research and education activities......................... 431,410,000 412,589,000 434,782,000 +3,372,000 +22,193,000
Native Americans Institutions Endowment Fund.............. (4,600,000) (4,600,000) (4,600,000) .................. ..................
Extension Activities...................................... 423,376,000 418,651,000 432,181,000 +8,805,000 +13,530,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 854,786,000 831,240,000 866,963,000 +12,177,000 +35,723,000
Extension Service......................................
[[Page S6552]]
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory 618,000 642,000 618,000 .................. ^24,000
Programs.....................................................
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service:
Salaries and expenses..................................... 425,932,000 417,752,000 424,473,000 ^1,459,000 +6,721,000
AQI user fees............................................. (88,000,000) (100,000,000) (95,000,000) (+7,000,000) (^5,000,000)
Buildings and facilities.................................. 4,200,000 5,200,000 4,200,000 .................. ^1,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service....... 430,132,000 422,952,000 428,673,000 ^1,459,000 +5,721,000
Agricultural Marketing Service:
Marketing Services........................................ 46,567,000 58,469,000 45,567,000 ^1,000,000 ^12,902,000
New user fees......................................... (4,000,000) (4,000,000) (4,000,000) .................. ..................
(Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees (59,521,000) (60,730,000) (59,521,000) .................. (^1,209,000)
collected)...............................................
Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply 10,690,000 10,998,000 10,998,000 +308,000 ..................
(transfer from section 32)...............................
Payments to states and possessions........................ 1,200,000 1,200,000 1,200,000 .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Marketing Service................... 58,457,000 70,667,000 57,765,000 ^692,000 ^12,902,000
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration....... 25,390,000 11,797,000 26,390,000 +1,000,000 +14,593,000
Inspection and Weighing Services (limitation on (43,092,000) (42,557,000) (42,557,000) (^535,000) ..................
administrative expenses, from fees collected)............
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety................. 446,000 598,000 446,000 .................. ^152,000
Food Safety and Inspection Service............................ 588,761,000 149,566,000 605,149,000 +16,388,000 +455,583,000
Lab accreditation fees \1\................................ (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000) .................. ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Production, Processing, and Marketing............ 3,291,760,000 2,840,480,000 3,279,614,000 ^12,146,000 +439,134,000
=================================================================================================================================
Farm Assistance Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 572,000 597,000 572,000 .................. ^25,000
Agricultural Services........................................
Farm Service Agency:
Salaries and expenses..................................... 699,579,000 723,478,000 710,842,000 +11,263,000 ^12,636,000
(Transfer from export loans).............................. (589,000) (672,000) (589,000) .................. (^83,000)
(Transfer from Public Law 480)............................ (815,000) (845,000) (815,000) .................. (^30,000)
(Transfer from ACIF)...................................... (209,861,000) (227,673,000) (209,861,000) .................. (^17,812,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, salaries and expenses............................ (910,844,000) (952,668,000) (922,107,000) (+11,263,000) (^30,561,000)
State mediation grants.................................... 2,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 .................. ^2,000,000
Dairy indemnity program................................... 550,000 450,000 450,000 ^100,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Service Agency.............................. 702,129,000 727,928,000 713,292,000 +11,163,000 ^14,636,000
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct........................................ (78,320,000) (85,000,000) (63,872,000) (^14,448,000) (^21,128,000)
Guaranteed.................................... (425,000,000) (425,031,000) (425,000,000) .................. (^31,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... (503,320,000) (510,031,000) (488,872,000) (^14,448,000) (^21,159,000)
Farm operating loans:
Direct........................................ (565,000,000) (500,000,000) (560,472,000) (^4,528,000) (+60,472,000)
Guaranteed unsubsidized....................... (992,906,000) (1,700,000,000) (992,906,000) .................. (^707,094,000)
Guaranteed subsidized......................... (235,000,000) (200,000,000) (235,000,000) .................. (+35,000,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... (1,792,906,000) (2,400,000,000) (1,788,378,000) (^4,528,000) (^611,622,000)
Indian tribe land acquisition loans............... (1,000,000) (1,003,000) (1,000,000) .................. (^3,000)
Emergency disaster loans.......................... (25,000,000) (25,000,000) (25,000,000) .................. ..................
Boll weevil eradication loans..................... (53,467,000) (30,000,000) (40,000,000) (^13,467,000) (+10,000,000)
Credit sales of acquired property................. (25,000,000) (25,000,000) (25,000,000) .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations...................... (2,400,693,000) (2,991,034,000) (2,368,250,000) (^32,443,000) (^622,784,000)
Loan subsidies:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct........................................ 8,329,000 12,725,000 9,562,000 +1,233,000 ^3,163,000
Guaranteed.................................... 16,407,000 6,758,000 6,758,000 ^9,649,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... 24,736,000 19,483,000 16,320,000 ^8,416,000 ^3,163,000
Farm operating loans:
Direct........................................ 36,823,000 34,150,000 38,280,000 +1,457,000 +4,130,000
Guaranteed unsubsidized....................... 11,617,000 19,720,000 11,518,000 ^99,000 ^8,202,000
Guaranteed subsidized......................... 22,654,000 17,480,000 20,539,000 ^2,115,000 +3,059,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... 71,094,000 71,350,000 70,337,000 ^757,000 ^1,013,000
Indian tribe land acquisition..................... 132,000 153,000 153,000 +21,000 ..................
Emergency disaster loans.......................... 6,008,000 5,900,000 5,900,000 ^108,000 ..................
Boll weevil loans subsidy......................... 472,000 432,000 576,000 +104,000 +144,000
Credit sales of acquired property................. 3,255,000 3,260,000 3,260,000 +5,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies........................... 105,697,000 100,578,000 96,546,000 ^9,151,000 ^4,032,000
ACIF expenses:
Salaries and expense (transfer to FSA)............ 209,861,000 227,673,000 209,861,000 .................. ^17,812,000
Administrative expenses........................... 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, ACIF expenses............................ 219,861,000 237,673,000 219,861,000 .................. ^17,812,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund....... 325,558,000 338,251,000 316,407,000 ^9,151,000 ^21,844,000
(Loan authorization)........................ (2,400,693,000) (2,991,034,000) (2,368,250,000) (^32,443,000) (^622,784,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Farm Service Agency...................... 1,027,687,000 1,066,179,000 1,029,699,000 +2,012,000 ^36,480,000
=================================================================================================================================
Risk Management Agency:
Administrative and operating expenses..................... 64,000,000 66,000,000 64,000,000 .................. ^2,000,000
Sales commission of agents................................ 188,571,000 .................. .................. ^188,571,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Risk Management Agency........................... 252,571,000 66,000,000 64,000,000 ^188,571,000 ^2,000,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Farm Assistance Programs......................... 1,280,830,000 1,132,776,000 1,094,271,000 ^186,559,000 ^38,505,000
=================================================================================================================================
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation: Federal Crop Insurance 1,584,135,000 1,504,036,000 1,504,036,000 ^80,099,000 ..................
Corporation fund.............................................
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
Reimbursement for net realized losses..................... 783,507,000 8,439,000,000 8,439,000,000 +7,655,493,000 ..................
Operations and maintenance for hazardous waste management (5,000,000) (5,000,000) (5,000,000) .................. ..................
(limitation on administrative expenses)..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Corporations..................................... 2,367,642,000 9,943,036,000 9,943,036,000 +7,575,394,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title I, Agricultural Programs................... 6,940,232,000 13,916,292,000 14,316,921,000 +7,376,689,000 +400,629,000
(By transfer)....................................... (211,265,000) (229,190,000) (211,265,000) .................. (^17,925,000)
(Loan authorization)................................ (2,400,693,000) (2,991,034,000) (2,368,250,000) (^32,443,000) (^622,784,000)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)............. (107,613,000) (108,287,000) (107,078,000) (^535,000) (^1,209,000)
=================================================================================================================================
[[Page S6553]]
TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 693,000 719,000 693,000 .................. ^26,000
Environment..................................................
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Conservation operations................................... 632,853,000 742,231,000 638,231,000 +5,378,000 ^104,000,000
Watershed surveys and planning \2\........................ 11,190,000 .................. 11,190,000 .................. +11,190,000
Watershed and flood prevention operations \3\............. 101,036,000 49,000,000 101,036,000 .................. +52,036,000
Resource conservation and development..................... 34,377,000 34,377,000 34,377,000 .................. ..................
Forestry incentives program............................... 6,325,000 .................. 6,325,000 .................. +6,325,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service........... 785,781,000 825,608,000 791,159,000 +5,378,000 ^34,449,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title II, Conservation Programs.................. 786,474,000 826,327,000 791,852,000 +5,378,000 ^34,475,000
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE III--RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development........... 588,000 611,000 588,000 .................. ^23,000
Rural community advancement program........................... 652,197,000 715,172,000 700,201,000 +48,004,000 ^14,971,000
Delta region economic development program..................... .................. 26,000,000 .................. .................. ^26,000,000
Rural Housing Service:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family (sec. 502).......................... (1,000,000,000) (1,000,000,000) (1,000,000,000) .................. ..................
Unsubsidized guaranteed....................... (3,000,000,000) (3,000,000,000) (3,000,000,000) .................. ..................
Housing repair (sec. 504)......................... (30,000,000) (25,001,000) (30,000,000) .................. (+4,999,000)
Farm labor (sec. 514)............................. (15,000,000) (32,108,000) (15,758,000) (+758,000) (^16,350,000)
Rental housing (sec. 515)......................... (128,640,000) (100,000,000) (128,640,000) .................. (+28,640,000)
Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)........ (19,700,000) (150,000,000) (75,000,000) (+55,300,000) (^75,000,000)
Site loans (sec. 524)............................. (600,000) (5,000,000) (5,000,000) (+4,400,000) ..................
Self-help housing land development fund........... (587,000) (5,000,000) (5,000,000) (+4,413,000) ..................
Credit sales of acquired property................. (25,000,000) (30,007,000) (25,000,000) .................. (^5,007,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations...................... (4,219,527,000) (4,347,116,000) (4,284,398,000) (+64,871,000) (^62,718,000)
Loan subsidies:
Single family (sec. 502).......................... 128,100,000 118,200,000 118,200,000 ^9,900,000 ..................
Unsubsidized guaranteed....................... 6,900,000 2,700,000 2,700,000 ^4,200,000 ..................
Housing repair (sec. 504)......................... 10,300,000 8,808,000 10,569,000 +269,000 +1,761,000
Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)........ 1,200,000 3,480,000 1,740,000 +540,000 ^1,740,000
Farm labor (sec. 514)............................. 7,388,000 16,706,000 8,199,000 +811,000 ^8,507,000
Rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 68,745,000 48,250,000 62,069,000 ^6,676,000 +13,819,000
Site loans (sec. 524)............................. .................. 16,500 16,000 +16,000 ^500
Credit sales of acquired property................. 3,492,000 4,672,000 3,826,000 +334,000 ^846,000
Self-help housing land development fund........... 17,000 282,000 282,000 +265,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies........................... 226,142,000 203,114,500 207,601,000 ^18,541,000 +4,486,500
RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RHS)........ 354,785,000 367,857,000 360,785,000 +6,000,000 ^7,072,000
Rental assistance program:
(Sec. 521)........................................ 535,497,000 577,497,000 577,497,000 +42,000,000 ..................
(Sec. 502(c)(5)(D))............................... 5,900,000 5,900,000 5,900,000 .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rental assistance program................ 541,397,000 583,397,000 583,397,000 +42,000,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund............. 1,122,324,000 1,154,368,500 1,151,783,000 +29,459,000 ^2,585,500
(Loan authorization)........................ (4,219,527,000) (4,347,116,000) (4,284,398,000) (+64,871,000) (^62,718,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Mutual and self-help housing grants....................... 26,000,000 26,000,000 26,000,000 .................. ..................
Rural community fire protection grants.................... 2,000,000 .................. .................. ^2,000,000 ..................
Rural housing assistance grants........................... 45,720,000 46,900,000 45,720,000 .................. ^1,180,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, grants and payments........................... 73,720,000 72,900,000 71,720,000 ^2,000,000 ^1,180,000
RHS expenses:
Salaries and expenses................................. 57,958,000 60,978,000 60,978,000 +3,020,000 ..................
(Transfer from RHIF).................................. (354,785,000) (367,857,000) (360,785,000) (+6,000,000) (^7,072,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RHS expenses................................. (412,743,000) (428,835,000) (421,763,000) (+9,020,000) (^7,072,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Rural Housing Service........................ 1,254,002,000 1,288,246,500 1,284,481,000 +30,479,000 ^3,765,500
(Loan authorization)............................ (4,219,527,000) (4,347,116,000) (4,284,398,000) (+64,871,000) (^62,718,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Rural Business-Cooperative Service:
Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account:
(Loan authorization).................................. (35,000,000) (35,000,000) (33,000,000) (^2,000,000) (^2,000,000)
Loan subsidy.......................................... 16,888,000 17,622,000 16,615,000 ^273,000 ^1,007,000
Administrative expenses (transfer to RBCS)............ 3,482,000 3,547,000 3,482,000 .................. ^65,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Development Loan Fund.................. 20,370,000 21,169,000 20,097,000 ^273,000 ^1,072,000
Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
(Loan authorization).................................. (25,000,000) (15,000,000) (23,000,000) (^2,000,000) (+8,000,000)
Direct subsidy........................................ 5,978,000 3,783,000 5,801,000 ^177,000 +2,018,000
Rural cooperative development grants...................... 3,000,000 5,700,000 3,000,000 .................. ^2,700,000
RBCS expenses:
Salaries and expenses................................. 25,680,000 26,396,000 25,680,000 .................. ^716,000
(Transfer from RDLFP)................................. (3,482,000) (3,547,000) (3,482,000) .................. (^65,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBCS expenses................................ (29,162,000) (29,943,000) (29,162,000) .................. (^781,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service........... 55,028,000 57,048,000 54,578,000 ^450,000 ^2,470,000
(By transfer)................................... (3,482,000) (3,547,000) (3,482,000) .................. (^65,000)
(Loan authorization)............................ (60,000,000) (50,000,000) (56,000,000) (^4,000,000) (+6,000,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization 7,000,000 10,000,000 7,000,000 .................. ^3,000,000
Revolving Fund...........................................
Rural Utilities Service:
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program
Account:
Loan authorizations:
Direct loans:
Electric 5 percent............................ (125,000,000) (55,000,000) (71,500,000) (^53,500,000) (+16,500,000)
Telecommunications 5 percent.................. (75,000,000) (50,000,000) (75,000,000) .................. (+25,000,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... (200,000,000) (105,000,000) (146,500,000) (^53,500,000) (+41,500,000)
Treasury rates: Telecommunications................ (300,000,000) (300,000,000) (250,000,000) (^50,000,000) (^50,000,000)
Muni-rate: Electric............................... (500,000,000) (250,000,000) (295,000,000) (^205,000,000) (+45,000,000)
FFB loans:
Electric, regular............................. (300,000,000) (300,000,000) (700,000,000) (+400,000,000) (+400,000,000)
Telecommunications............................ (120,000,000) (120,000,000) (120,000,000) .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... (420,000,000) (420,000,000) (820,000,000) (+400,000,000) (+400,000,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page S6554]]
Total, Loan authorizations.................. (1,420,000,000) (1,075,000,000) (1,511,500,000) (+91,500,000) (+436,500,000)
Loan subsidies:
Direct loans:
Electric 5 percent............................ 9,325,000 7,172,000 9,325,000 .................. +2,153,000
Telecommunications 5 percent.................. 2,940,000 4,895,000 7,342,000 +4,402,000 +2,447,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................... 12,265,000 12,067,000 16,667,000 +4,402,000 +4,600,000
Treasury rates: Telecommunications................ 60,000 810,000 675,000 +615,000 ^135,000
Muni-rate: Electric............................... 21,100,000 21,900,000 25,842,000 +4,742,000 +3,942,000
FFB loans: Electric, regular...................... 2,760,000 .................. .................. ^2,760,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies........................... 36,185,000 34,777,000 43,184,000 +6,999,000 +8,407,000
RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RUS)....... 29,982,000 32,000,000 29,982,000 .................. ^2,018,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications 66,167,000 66,777,000 73,166,000 +6,999,000 +6,389,000
Loans Program Account..............................
(Loan authorization)............................ (1,420,000,000) (1,075,000,000) (1,511,500,000) (+91,500,000) (+436,500,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Rural Telephone Bank Program Account:
(Loan authorization).................................. (175,000,000) (175,000,000) (140,000,000) (^35,000,000) (^35,000,000)
Direct loan subsidy................................... 3,710,000 4,637,500 3,710,000 .................. ^927,500
RTP administrative expenses (transfer to RUS)......... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 6,710,000 7,637,500 6,710,000 .................. ^927,500
Distance learning and telemedicine program:
(Loan authorization).................................. (150,000,000) (150,000,000) (150,000,000) .................. ..................
Direct loan subsidy................................... 30,000 180,000 180,000 +150,000 ..................
Grants................................................ 12,500,000 15,000,000 12,500,000 .................. ^2,500,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 12,530,000 15,180,000 12,680,000 +150,000 ^2,500,000
RUS expenses:
Salaries and expenses................................. 33,000,000 33,445,000 33,000,000 .................. ^445,000
(Transfer from RETLP)................................. (29,982,000) (32,000,000) (29,982,000) .................. (^2,018,000)
(Transfer from RTP)................................... (3,000,000) (3,000,000) (3,000,000) .................. ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RUS expenses................................. (65,982,000) (68,445,000) (65,982,000) .................. (^2,463,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Rural Utilities Service...................... 118,407,000 123,039,500 125,556,000 +7,149,000 +2,516,500
(By transfer)................................... (32,982,000) (35,000,000) (32,982,000) .................. (^2,018,000)
(Loan authorization)............................ (1,745,000,000) (1,400,000,000) (1,801,500,000) (+56,500,000) (+401,500,000)
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title III, Rural Economic and Community 2,087,222,000 2,220,117,000 2,172,404,000 +85,182,000 ^47,713,000
Development Programs...............................
(By transfer)................................... (391,249,000) (406,404,000) (397,249,000) (+6,000,000) (^9,155,000)
(Loan authorization)............................ (6,024,527,000) (5,797,116,000) (6,141,898,000) (+117,371,000) (+344,782,000)
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer 554,000 573,000 554,000 .................. ^19,000
Services.....................................................
Food and Consumer Service:
Child nutrition programs.................................. 2,612,675,000 3,887,703,000 4,171,747,000 +1,559,072,000 +284,044,000
Discretionary spending................................ 3,750,000 10,000,000 .................. ^3,750,000 ^10,000,000
Transfer from section 32.............................. 5,151,391,000 5,332,194,000 5,048,150,000 ^103,241,000 ^284,044,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Child nutrition programs..................... 7,767,816,000 9,229,897,000 9,219,897,000 +1,452,081,000 ^10,000,000
Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, 3,924,000,000 4,081,000,000 3,924,000,000 .................. ^157,000,000
and children (WIC).......................................
Reserve............................................... .................. (20,000,000) .................. .................. (^20,000,000)
Food stamp program:
Expenses.............................................. 23,736,479,000 22,365,806,000 22,365,806,000 ^1,370,673,000 ..................
Reserve............................................... 100,000,000 1,000,000,000 100,000,000 .................. ^900,000,000
Nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico.................. 1,204,000,000 1,236,000,000 1,236,000,000 +32,000,000 ..................
The emergency food assistance program................. 100,000,000 100,000,000 80,000,000 ^20,000,000 ^20,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food stamp program........................... 25,140,479,000 24,701,806,000 23,781,806,000 ^1,358,673,000 ^920,000,000
Commodity assistance program.............................. 141,000,000 317,081,000 141,000,000 .................. ^176,081,000
Food donations programs for selected groups:
Needy family program.................................. 1,165,000 .................. 1,081,000 ^84,000 +1,081,000
Elderly feeding program............................... 140,000,000 .................. 140,000,000 .................. +140,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food donations programs \4\.................. 141,165,000 .................. 141,081,000 ^84,000 +141,081,000
Food program administration............................... 107,505,000 111,848,000 109,069,000 +1,564,000 ^2,779,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Consumer Service........................ 37,221,965,000 38,441,632,000 37,316,853,000 +94,888,000 ^1,124,779,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title IV, Domestic Food Programs................. 37,222,519,000 38,442,205,000 37,317,407,000 +94,888,000 ^1,124,798,000
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager:
Appropriation............................................. 131,295,000 141,087,000 131,795,000 +500,000 ^9,292,000
(Transfer from export loans).............................. (3,231,000) (3,413,000) (3,231,000) .................. (^182,000)
(Transfer from Public Law 480)............................ (1,035,000) (1,093,000) (1,035,000) .................. (^58,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Foreign Agriculture Service and General.......... 135,561,000 145,593,000 136,061,000 +500,000 ^9,532,000
=================================================================================================================================
Public Law 480 Program and Grant Accounts:
Title I--Credit sales:
Program level......................................... (244,508,000) (111,558,000) (221,083,000) (^23,425,000) (+109,525,000)
Direct loans...................................... (226,900,000) (102,163,000) (203,475,000) (^23,425,000) (+101,312,000)
Ocean freight differential........................ 17,608,000 9,395,000 17,608,000 .................. +8,213,000
Title II--Commodities for disposition abroad:
Program level......................................... (837,000,000) (837,000,000) (837,000,000) .................. ..................
Appropriation......................................... 837,000,000 837,000,000 837,000,000 .................. ..................
Title III--Commodity grants:
Program level......................................... (30,000,000) (30,000,000) (30,000,000) .................. ..................
Appropriation......................................... 30,000,000 30,000,000 30,000,000 .................. ..................
Loan subsidies............................................ 176,596,000 88,667,000 176,596,000 .................. +87,929,000
Salaries and expenses:
General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS)............... 1,035,000 1,093,000 1,035,000 .................. ^58,000
Farm Service Agency (transfer to FSA)................. 815,000 845,000 815,000 .................. ^30,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................................ 1,850,000 1,938,000 1,850,000 .................. ^88,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, Public Law 480:
Program level................................... (1,111,508,000) (978,558,000) (1,088,083,000) (^23,425,000) (+109,525,000)
Appropriation................................... 1,063,054,000 967,000,000 1,063,054,000 .................. +96,054,000
=================================================================================================================================
[[Page S6555]]
CCC Export Loans Program Account:
Loan guarantees: Export credit............................ (5,500,000,000) .................. .................. (^5,500,000,000) ..................
Loan subsidy.............................................. 527,546,000 .................. .................. ^527,546,000 ..................
Emerging markets export credit............................ (200,000,000) .................. .................. (^200,000,000) ..................
Salaries and expenses (Export Loans):
General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS)............... 3,231,000 3,413,000 3,231,000 .................. ^182,000
Farm Service Agency (transfer to FSA)................. 589,000 672,000 589,000 .................. ^83,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account............. 531,366,000 4,085,000 3,820,000 ^527,546,000 ^265,000
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title V, Foreign Assistance and Related 1,725,715,000 1,112,172,000 1,198,669,000 ^527,046,000 +86,497,000
Programs...........................................
(By transfer)................................... (4,266,000) (4,506,000) (4,266,000) .................. (^240,000)
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation................... 857,501,000 878,884,000 940,367,000 +82,866,000 +61,483,000
Prescription drug user fee act............................ (117,122,000) (126,845,000) (132,273,000) (+15,151,000) (+5,428,000)
Mammography clinics user fee.............................. (13,966,000) (14,385,000) (14,385,000) (+419,000) ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, program level................................. (988,589,000) (1,020,114,000) (1,087,025,000) (+98,436,000) (+66,911,000)
Buildings and facilities...................................... 21,350,000 8,350,000 12,350,000 ^9,000,000 +4,000,000
Rental payments (FDA)......................................... 46,294,000 82,866,000 .................. ^46,294,000 ^82,866,000
By transfer from PDUFA.................................... .................. (5,428,000) .................. .................. (^5,428,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, program level................................. (46,294,000) (88,294,000) .................. (^46,294,000) (^88,294,000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Drug Administration..................... 925,145,000 970,100,000 952,717,000 +27,572,000 ^17,383,000
=================================================================================================================================
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Financial Management Service: Payments to the Farm Credit 7,728,000 2,565,000 2,565,000 ^5,163,000 ..................
System Financial Assistance Corporation......................
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.......................... 58,101,000 63,360,000 61,000,000 +2,899,000 ^2,360,000
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative (34,423,000) .................. .................. (^34,423,000) ..................
expenses)....................................................
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug 990,974,000 1,036,025,000 1,016,282,000 +25,308,000 ^19,743,000
Administration.........................................
=================================================================================================================================
TITLE VII--EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Emergency conservation program................................ 34,000,000 .................. .................. ^34,000,000 ..................
Tree assistance program....................................... 14,000,000 .................. .................. ^14,000,000 ..................
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account:
Emergency insured loans:
Loan subsidy.......................................... 21,000,000 .................. .................. ^21,000,000 ..................
(Loan authorization).................................. 87,400,000 .................. .................. ^87,400,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Service Agency.......................... 69,000,000 .................. .................. ^69,000,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Commodity Credit Corporation
Livestock disaster assistance fund............................ 4,000,000 .................. .................. ^4,000,000 ..................
Dairy production indemnity assistance program................. 6,800,000 .................. .................. ^6,800,000 ..................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Credit Corporation..................... 10,800,000 .................. .................. ^10,800,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Watershed and flood prevention operations..................... 80,000,000 .................. .................. ^80,000,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Total, title VII, Emergency appropriations.............. 159,800,000 .................. .................. ^159,800,000 ..................
=================================================================================================================================
Grand total:
New budget (obligational) authority................. 49,912,936,000 57,553,138,000 56,813,535,000 +6,900,599,000 ^739,603,000
Appropriations.................................. (49,753,136,000) (57,553,138,000) (56,813,535,000) (+7,060,399,000) (^739,603,000)
(By transfer)....................................... (606,780,000) (640,100,000) (612,780,000) (+6,000,000) (^27,320,000)
(Loan authorization)................................ (14,012,620,000) (8,788,150,000) (8,510,148,000) (^5,502,472,000) (^278,002,000)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)............. (142,036,000) (108,287,000) (107,078,000) (^34,958,000) (^1,209,000)
=================================================================================================================================
RECAPITULATION
Title I--Agricultural programs................................ 6,940,232,000 13,916,292,000 14,316,921,000 +7,376,689,000 +400,629,000
Title II--Conservation programs............................... 786,474,000 826,327,000 791,852,000 +5,378,000 ^34,475,000
Title III--Rural economic and community development programs.. 2,087,222,000 2,220,117,000 2,172,404,000 +85,182,000 ^47,713,000
Title IV--Domestic food programs.............................. 37,222,519,000 38,442,205,000 37,317,407,000 +94,888,000 ^1,124,798,000
Title V--Foreign assistance and related programs.............. 1,725,715,000 1,112,172,000 1,198,669,000 ^527,046,000 +86,497,000
Title VI--Related agencies and Food and Drug Administration... 990,974,000 1,036,025,000 1,016,282,000 +25,308,000 ^19,743,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, new budget (obligational) authority.............. 49,753,136,000 57,553,138,000 56,813,535,000 +7,060,399,000 ^739,603,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In addition to appropriation.
\2\ Budget proposes to fund this account under Conservation Operations.
\3\ Budget proposes to fund technical assistance for WFPO under Conservation Operations.
\4\ Budget proposes to include funding for these programs under the Commodity Assistance Program in fiscal year 1998.
Mr. COCHRAN. This is a revised comparative statement of new budget
authority which corrects two errors in the ``FY 1999 Estimates'' column
in the same table printed in the committee report that accompanies the
bill.
Mr. President, I must also observe, before yielding the floor, that
my good friend from Arkansas, who is the distinguished ranking Democrat
on the subcommittee on agriculture appropriations, is helping manage
this bill this year, and it will be his last opportunity to exercise
this important responsibility.
He has chosen not to seek reelection in the State of Arkansas for
another term in the Senate. And I must say that it pains me to
contemplate going through the process of developing and helping to
write an agriculture appropriations bill without his intelligent and
thoughtful assistance. He has been a good friend to me since I have
been in the Senate. We have worked closely together on a number of
issues, not only in agriculture, in rural development, but in other
areas as well.
I pointed out earlier in my statement that in recognition of his
outstanding
[[Page S6556]]
service for the people of Arkansas in the U.S. Senate, and particularly
for his work on agriculture research issues, there is included in this
bill a general provision to designate the U.S. National Rice Germplasm
Evaluation and Enhancement Center in Stuttgart, AR, the ``Dale Bumpers
National Rice Research Center.''
The distinguished Senator from Arkansas has been a very effective
advocate of agriculture research funds for this ARS Research Center. I
think he is the father of that center. I believe it is most appropriate
to name this facility in his honor.
Also, I want to express my appreciation to him and the members of his
staff, and the other members of the subcommittee on both sides of the
aisle, for their assistance and support and cooperation in developing
this legislation. I hope the Senate will approve it.
Mr. BUMPERS addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas.
Mr. BUMPERS. Mr. President, I am most pleased to join my very good
friend, Senator Cochran, in bringing this bill to the floor. I think
that, considering the constraints that Senator Cochran--who is really
the crafter of this bill--considering the constraints that he was
operating under, this is a remarkable bill.
We were allocated, and even in the President's budget request, $1
billion less than we had last year. To try to craft a bill meeting the
really mostly legitimate demands--or at least even funding or increased
funding--under that kind of a burden was extremely difficult. I did not
interfere--tried not to interfere very much in Senator Cochran's work
because he was already burdened heavily enough in trying to fit all the
pieces of this mosaic together. But he deserves the praise and the
accolades of every Member of this Senate for what I think is a
remarkable achievement.
Mr. President, Senator Cochran has outlined the levels of funding
provided in this bill for various functions and programs under the
jurisdiction of this subcommittee and I will not repeat them. Let me
simply say Senator Cochran and I have done the best we could with
limited resources to maintain the activities at USDA, FDA, and other
agencies that are so important to the American people.
I wish I could be equally as pleased with the budgetary hand with
which this subcommittee has been dealt, but the reality is that a
budget request filled with user fees, initiatives, and other issues
coupled with a 302(b) allocation that reduced our available resources
well below last year's levels has produced very hard choices for us. As
the Washington Post pointed out in an editorial earlier this week
related to the fact that our bill freezes the WIC program at last
year's level, until the overall budgetary parameters affecting this
subcommittee are adjusted, there is little this subcommittee can do. We
can't provide more with less.
However, in my view, the bill before us, which Senator Cochran has
crafted, makes the best of a bad situation. Would I suggest increases
in certain programs if the resources were available? Of course I would
and I believe Senator Cochran would agree with those increases. But it
doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that when you have less to
work with, something has to give. Unfortunately, this year is one in
which avoiding the budget ax may itself be a victory.
We hear a lot these days about budget surpluses. We also hear a lot
about how to spend those surpluses, such as providing tax cuts. We talk
a lot about saving Social Security, but we still count those revenues
coming into the Social Security Trust Fund as part of that glorious
``surplus'' which many are eager to divide up and share with their
friends.
The other day, a group of people from a very poor part of the East
Arkansas Delta were in office asking for help to reduce flooding in
their communities. The flooding causes their septic tanks to back up,
resulting in sewage floating down the streets of small rural
communities and into the ditches throughout the county. When this bill
was considered by the full committee, I explained this problem to
Senator Stevens and other members of the Appropriations Committee.
Senator Stevens and others pledged to help and I hope that we will be
able to include an amendment to this bill that will provide necessary
funds so these people in East Arkansas will have a few of the basic
services that many of us take for granted. Still, this leaves Congress
with the remaining problem of caps on domestic spending that is
affecting the lives of everyday people all across this country.
The immediate future holds little promise for improvement. The Budget
Act requires that the coming years will witness continuing declines in
discretionary spending, which means the subcommittee's allocation will
likely be less next year than this and Senator Cochran's headaches (not
mine) will be even more severe than they have been these past few
weeks. Having said all this, let me come back to the task at hand and
simply state that Senator Cochran has done all excellent job in making
the pieces fit into a very complex mosaic.
As I have suggested, the watchword for this year has been
``maintain''. This bill restores many of the worthwhile programs that
were deleted in the President's budget request and even provides a
sight increase in the formula base funds for research and extension
activities that have been held steady for many years. Conservation and
rural development programs are protected as best we can in spite of
changes in loan subsidy rates that caused severe problems in
maintaining last year's program levels. We protected rural water and
sewer programs which are among the best investments the federal
government makes. We were also able to maintain many of last year's
program levels for rural housing programs.
The WIC program is expected to average more than 7 million
participants in fiscal year 1998. This bill provides funds necessary to
maintain that caseload. I wish we were able to provide a higher level,
but limited resources have left few options. I am willing to work with
Senator Cochran and other Senators to find ways to provide higher
levels for important programs such as WIC if reasonable offsets or
additional resources can be identified.
For years, so called ``budget hawks'' have been telling Congress to
``cut the fat''. For this subcommittee, the ``fat'' was eliminated a
long, long time ago. Today, we are cutting into the ``lean.'' These
cuts hurt farmers and they hurt our agricultural research base which is
needed to make possible the means for this planet to avoid global
starvation in years to come. These cuts hurt small rural communities
and they hurt children. They deprive our nation of a cutting edge in
maintaining a place in global markets. They place our food and blood
supply at risk and, quite simply, they harm America. This is certainly
not the fault of Senator Cochran, but these problems have fallen in his
lap, and mine, and on us all. I only hope that in years to come, those
who would cut the ``fat'' out of these programs first explain where the
``fat'' is.
I also feel it is important to make a quick reference to an item in
the bill that has long been near and dear to my heart as I know it is
to Senator Cochran. For longer than we have shared a place in the
United States Senate, Senator Cochran and I have shared a common state
boundary along the banks of the mightiest river on the continent. One
hundred years ago, the highest form of travel in this country was to
take a ride on a Mississippi riverboat. Ten years ago, I sponsored
legislation to create the Lower Mississippi River Delta Regional
Commission. Sadly, the focus of this Commission was not to highlight
the gilded days of luxurious steamboat travel, or the glorious setting
in the lobby of Memphis' Peabody Hotel, where legend holds the Delta
begins, but to reverse the tragic decline in economic and social
prosperity that has resulted in harsh impoverishment up and down this
mighty river.
Today, the Chairman of this Commission which we formed in 1988 now
sits at a desk in the Oval Office of the White House. President Clinton
submitted a budget amendment to this subcommittee to create a Delta
Regional Commission based largely on the findings of the Lower
Mississippi Delta Regional Commission and in the combined spirit of us
all to provide a better life for the most hard pressed of our citizens.
The President's request called for $26 million to establish and provide
assistance to this worthy cause.
[[Page S6557]]
With the limited resources of this subcommittee, we were not able to
create a new ``agency'' for the Delta, but we did provide the Secretary
of Agriculture authority to work with local groups in the region to
help them help themselves. USDA holds many programs important to the
Delta such as rural housing, water and sewer programs, conservation,
food assistance, research and education, and many, many more. This
subcommittee, over the past several years, has provided funding for the
Delta Teachers Academy which has been a highly successful program to
improve educational opportunities in the region. The Delta Teachers
Academy is an example of the progress in rural America that USDA can
help foster. I am pleased that the President has added his voice to the
call for rejuvenation of this region that two hundred years ago was the
western border of our nation, but now lies at its heart.
In closing, I would be remiss not to state publicly my admiration for
Senator Cochran and the honor I have enjoyed serving with him on this
subcommittee. This is my last agriculture appropriations bill to be
considered on the floor of the United States Senate, but I will always
cherish the friendship and warm memories of my colleagues.
Let me conclude by saying that I do not know of anybody in the Senate
for whom I have a higher regard and more respect than I have for
Senator Cochran. I was chairman of this subcommittee until the
Republicans took over in 1995. Senator Cochran has chaired it since
that time. He was my ranking member when I was chairman. And I daresay,
with no reflection on any other chairman and ranking member of any of
the subcommittees on appropriations, or I daresay any other committee
of the Senate, I doubt that any of them have enjoyed better cooperation
with each other than Senator Cochran and I have enjoyed, and that is
based on the tremendous respect I have for his ability and his
understanding of these programs. I concede he understands some of these
agricultural programs a lot better than I do.
But having said all of that, Mr. President, I just say it has been a
genuine joy to work with Senator Cochran. Let me say, again, there is
no Member of the Senate for whom I have a higher regard and greater
respect. It has been a great honor. I will miss times like this when we
come before the Senate to present this bill. I will miss working with
Senator Cochran on issues that we both care deeply about, but it is
time for me to move on. I want to thank Senator Cochran for his always
generous and laudable remarks that he made about me.
So with that, Mr. President, I hope that Senators who have amendments
will come to the floor so we can dispose of this bill as expeditiously
as possible. We did very well on the water and energy bill. I would
like to think we could do as well on the ag bill. If Senators would
come to the floor and offer their amendments, we will.
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coats). The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate go
into a period of morning business for the purpose of my making a
statement on an unrelated issue.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The
Senator is recognized to speak as if in morning business.
Mr. BIDEN. I thank the President.
____________________