[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.

                          ____________________