Congressional Record, Volume 153 Issue 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)

[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H9606-H9618]
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, 2008

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 581 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill,
H.R. 3161.

{time} 1823

In the Committee of the Whole

Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 3161), as amended, making appropriations for
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2008, and for other purposes, with Mr. Snyder (Acting Chairman) in the
chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. When the Committee of the Whole rose on Tuesday,
July 31, 2007, the bill had been read through page 2, line 12, and
pending was the amendment by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr.
McHenry) to amendment No. 3 printed in the Congressional Record by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
Pursuant to House Resolution 599, the amendments printed in part A of
House Report 110-290 are adopted and the bill is considered read for
amendment under the 5-minute rule.
The text of the remainder of the bill is as follows:

Executive Operations

chief economist

For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including
economic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis,
energy and new uses, and the functions of the World
Agricultural Outlook Board, as authorized by the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622g), $10,847,000.

national appeals division

For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division,
$15,056,000.

office of budget and program analysis

For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program
Analysis, $8,622,000.

homeland security staff

For necessary expenses of the Homeland Security Staff,
$2,252,000.

Office of the Chief Information Officer

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief
Information Officer, $16,723,000.

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer, $6,076,000: Provided, That no funds made available
by this appropriation may be obligated for FAIR Act or
Circular A-76 activities until the Secretary has submitted to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
House of Representatives a report on the Department's
contracting out policies, including agency budgets for
contracting out.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, $897,000.

Office of Civil Rights

For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights,
$23,147,000.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Administration, $709,000.

Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments

(including transfers of funds)

For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92-313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984
delegation of authority from the Administrator of General
Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C.
486, for programs and activities of the Department which are
included in this Act, and for alterations and other actions
needed for the Department and its agencies to consolidate
unneeded space into configurations suitable for release to
the Administrator of General Services, and for the operation,
maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings
and facilities, and for related costs, $196,616,000, to
remain available until expended, of which $156,590,000 shall
be for payments to the General Services Administration for
rent and the Department of Homeland Security for building
security: Provided, That amounts which are made available for
space rental and related costs for the Department of
Agriculture in this Act may be transferred between such
appropriations to cover the costs of additional, new, or
replacement space 15 days after notice thereof is transmitted
to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress.

Hazardous Materials Management

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to
comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et
seq.), $12,200,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to
the Department for Hazardous Materials Management may be
transferred to any agency of the Department for its use in
meeting all requirements pursuant to the above Acts on
Federal and non-Federal lands.

Departmental Administration

(including transfers of funds)

For Departmental Administration, $23,913,000, to provide
for necessary expenses for management support services to
offices of the Department and for general administration,
security, repairs and alterations, and other miscellaneous
supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and
necessary for the practical and efficient work of the
Department: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for
travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as
required by 5 U.S.C. 551-558.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out
the programs funded by this Act, including programs involving
intergovernmental affairs

[[Page H9607]]

and liaison within the executive branch, $3,936,000:
Provided, That these funds may be transferred to agencies of
the Department of Agriculture funded by this Act to maintain
personnel at the agency level: Provided further, That no
funds made available by this appropriation may be obligated
after 30 days from the date of enactment of this Act, unless
the Secretary has notified the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress on the allocation of these funds
by USDA agency: Provided further, That no other funds
appropriated to the Department by this Act shall be available
to the Department for support of activities of congressional
relations.

Office of Communications

For necessary expenses to carry out services relating to
the coordination of programs involving public affairs, for
the dissemination of agricultural information, and the
coordination of information, work, and programs authorized by
Congress in the Department, $9,720,000.

Office of Inspector General

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector
General, including employment pursuant to the Inspector
General Act of 1978, $85,998,000, including such sums as may
be necessary for contracting and other arrangements with
public agencies and private persons pursuant to section
6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, and including
not to exceed $125,000 for certain confidential operational
expenses, including the payment of informants, to be expended
under the direction of the Inspector General pursuant to
Public Law 95-452 and section 1337 of Public Law 97-98.

Office of the General Counsel

For necessary expenses of the Office of the General
Counsel, $40,964,000.

Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Economic
Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics
Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
$626,000.

Economic Research Service

For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service in
conducting economic research and analysis, $79,282,000.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service in conducting statistical reporting and
service work, $166,099,000, of which up to $52,725,000 shall
be available until expended for the Census of Agriculture.

Agricultural Research Service

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Research
Service to perform agricultural research and demonstration
relating to production, utilization, marketing, and
distribution (not otherwise provided for); home economics or
nutrition and consumer use including the acquisition,
preservation, and dissemination of agricultural information;
and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or
purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and for land
exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal value
or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor
which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the
land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership,
$1,076,340,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall
be available for the operation and maintenance of aircraft
and the purchase of not to exceed one for replacement only:
Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be
available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction,
alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but
unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one
building shall not exceed $375,000, except for headhouses or
greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,200,000, and
except for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved at a
cost not to exceed $750,000 each, and the cost of altering
any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10
percent of the current replacement value of the building or
$375,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That the
limitations on alterations contained in this Act shall not
apply to modernization or replacement of existing facilities
at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That
appropriations hereunder shall be available for granting
easements at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center:
Provided further, That the foregoing limitations shall not
apply to replacement of buildings needed to carry out the Act
of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That
funds may be received from any State, other political
subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of
establishing or operating any research facility or research
project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized
by law: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated
under this heading shall be available to carry out research
related to the production, processing, or marketing of
tobacco or tobacco products.

buildings and facilities

For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement,
extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or
facilities as necessary to carry out the agricultural
research programs of the Department of Agriculture, where not
otherwise provided, $64,000,000, to remain available until
expended.

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

research and education activities

For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for
cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and
for other expenses, $671,419,000, as follows: to carry out
the provisions of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a-i),
$195,817,000; for grants for cooperative forestry research
(16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7), $23,318,000; for payments to
eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 3222), $42,000,000, of which
$944,737 shall be made available only for the purpose of
ensuring that each institution shall receive no less than
$1,000,000; for special grants for agricultural research (7
U.S.C. 450i(c)), $94,242,000; for competitive grants for
agricultural research on improved pest control (7 U.S.C.
450i(c)), $15,973,000; for competitive research grants (7
U.S.C. 450i(b)), $190,229,000; for the support of animal
health and disease programs (7 U.S.C. 3195), $5,006,000; for
the 1994 research grants program for 1994 institutions
pursuant to section 536 of Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301
note), $1,544,000, to remain available until expended; for
higher education graduate fellowship grants (7 U.S.C.
3152(b)(6)), $3,701,000, to remain available until expended
(7 U.S.C. 2209b); for a veterinary medicine loan repayment
program pursuant to section 1415A of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), $1,000,000; for higher
education challenge grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)), $5,423,000;
for a higher education multicultural scholars program (7
U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), $988,000, to remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for an education grants program
for Hispanic-serving Institutions (7 U.S.C. 3241),
$6,237,000; for competitive grants for the purpose of
carrying out all provisions of 7 U.S.C. 3242 (section 759 of
Public Law 106-78) to individual eligible institutions or
consortia of eligible institutions in Alaska and in Hawaii,
with funds awarded equally to each of the States of Alaska
and Hawaii, $3,218,000; for a secondary agriculture education
program and 2-year post-secondary education (7 U.S.C.
3152(j)), $990,000; for aquaculture grants (7 U.S.C. 3322),
$3,956,000; for sustainable agriculture research and
education (7 U.S.C. 5811), $14,000,000; for a program of
capacity building grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to
institutions eligible to receive funds under 7 U.S.C. 3221
and 3222, $15,000,000, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b); for payments to the 1994 Institutions pursuant
to section 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382, $3,342,000; for
resident instruction grants for insular areas under section
1491 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363), $1,000,000; and
for necessary expenses of Research and Education Activities,
$44,435,000, of which $2,723,000 for the Research, Education,
and Economics Information System and $2,151,000 for the
Electronic Grants Information System, are to remain available
until expended: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated
under this heading shall be available to carry out research
related to the production, processing, or marketing of
tobacco or tobacco products: Provided further, That this
paragraph shall not apply to research on the medical,
biotechnological, food, and industrial uses of tobacco.

native american institutions endowment fund

For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund
authorized by Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note),
$11,880,000, to remain available until expended.

extension activities

For payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern
Marianas, and American Samoa, $463,886,000, as follows:
payments for cooperative extension work under the Smith-Lever
Act, to be distributed under sections 3(b) and 3(c) of said
Act, and under section 208(c) of Public Law 93-471, for
retirement and employees' compensation costs for extension
agents, $281,429,000; payments for extension work at the 1994
Institutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)),
$3,321,000; payments for the nutrition and family education
program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act,
$68,500,000; payments for the pest management program under
section 3(d) of the Act, $9,860,000; payments for the farm
safety program under section 3(d) of the Act, $5,000,000;
payments for New Technologies for Ag Extension under Section
3(d) of the Act, $1,485,000; payments to upgrade research,
extension, and teaching facilities at institutions eligible
to receive funds under 7 U.S.C. 3221 and 3222, $18,000,000,
to remain available until expended; payments for youth-at-
risk programs under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act,
$8,396,000; for youth farm safety education and certification
extension grants, to be awarded competitively under section
3(d) of the Act, $494,000; payments for carrying out the
provisions of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978
(16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), $4,052,000; payments for the
federally-recognized Tribes Extension Program under section
3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, $3,000,000; payments for
sustainable agriculture programs under section 3(d) of the
Act, $4,200,000; payments for cooperative extension work by
eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 3221), $37,000,000, of which
$1,113,333

[[Page H9608]]

shall be made available only for the purpose of ensuring that
each institution shall receive no less than $1,000,000; for
grants to youth organizations pursuant to section 7630 of
title 7, United States Code, $1,980,000; and for necessary
expenses of Extension Activities, $17,169,000.

integrated activities

For the integrated research, education, and extension
grants programs, including necessary administrative expenses,
$57,244,000, as follows: for competitive grants programs
authorized under section 406 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626),
$42,286,000, including $12,738,000 for the water quality
program, $14,699,000 for the food safety program, $4,125,000
for the regional pest management centers program, $4,419,000
for the Food Quality Protection Act risk mitigation program
for major food crop systems, $1,375,000 for the crops
affected by Food Quality Protection Act implementation,
$3,075,000 for the methyl bromide transition program, and
$1,855,000 for the organic transition program; for a
competitive international science and education grants
program authorized under section 1459A of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b), to remain available until expended,
$3,000,000; for grants programs authorized under section
2(c)(1)(B) of Public Law 89-106, as amended, $737,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2009, for the critical
issues program; $1,321,000 for the regional rural development
centers program; and $9,900,000 for the Food and Agriculture
Defense Initiative authorized under section 1484 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Act
of 1977, to remain available until September 30, 2009.

outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers

For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 2279), $6,930,000, to remain available until expended.

Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to
administer programs under the laws enacted by the Congress
for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the
Agricultural Marketing Service; and the Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration; $759,000.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

salaries and expenses

(including transfers of funds)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to
prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal
diseases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and regulatory
activities; and to protect the environment, as authorized by
law, $874,643,000, of which $4,113,000 shall be available for
the control of outbreaks of insects, plant diseases, animal
diseases and for control of pest animals and birds to the
extent necessary to meet emergency conditions; of which
$36,269,000 shall be used for the cotton pests program for
cost share purposes or for debt retirement for active
eradication zones; of which $57,044,000 shall be used to
conduct a surveillance and preparedness program for highly
pathogenic avian influenza: Provided, That no funds shall be
used to formulate or administer a brucellosis eradication
program for the current fiscal year that does not require
minimum matching by the States of at least 40 percent:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available
for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the
purchase of not to exceed four, of which two shall be for
replacement only: Provided further, That, in addition, in
emergencies which threaten any segment of the agricultural
production industry of this country, the Secretary may
transfer from other appropriations or funds available to the
agencies or corporations of the Department such sums as may
be deemed necessary, to be available only in such emergencies
for the arrest and eradication of contagious or infectious
disease or pests of animals, poultry, or plants, and for
expenses in accordance with sections 10411 and 10417 of the
Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8310 and 8316) and
sections 431 and 442 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
7751 and 7772), and any unexpended balances of funds
transferred for such emergency purposes in the preceding
fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred amounts:
Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be
available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and
alteration of leased buildings and improvements, but unless
otherwise provided the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the
current replacement value of the building.
In fiscal year 2008, the agency is authorized to collect
fees to cover the total costs of providing technical
assistance, goods, or services requested by States, other
political subdivisions, domestic and international
organizations, foreign governments, or individuals, provided
that such fees are structured such that any entity's
liability for such fees is reasonably based on the technical
assistance, goods, or services provided to the entity by the
agency, and such fees shall be credited to this account, to
remain available until expended, without further
appropriation, for providing such assistance, goods, or
services.

buildings and facilities

For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance,
environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration,
and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized
by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 428a, $4,946,000, to remain available until expended.

Agricultural Marketing Service

marketing services

For necessary expenses to carry out services related to
consumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribution,
transportation, and regulatory programs, as authorized by
law, and for administration and coordination of payments to
States, $79,945,000, including funds for the wholesale market
development program for the design and development of
wholesale and farmer market facilities for the major
metropolitan areas of the country: Provided, That this
appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C.
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the
current replacement value of the building.
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization
activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31
U.S.C. 9701).

limitation on administrative expenses

Not to exceed $61,233,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative
expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/or
other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed this
limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (section 32)

(including transfers of funds)

Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24,
1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity
program expenses as authorized therein, and other related
operating expenses, including not less than $20,000,000 for
replacement of a system to support commodity purchases,
except for: (1) transfers to the Department of Commerce as
authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of August 8, 1956;
(2) transfers otherwise provided in this Act; and (3) not
more than $16,798,000 for formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders pursuant to the Agricultural
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and the Agricultural Act of
1961.

payments to states and possessions

For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and
departments of markets, and similar agencies for marketing
activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,334,000.

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
United States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of
the Packers and Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures
used to protect purchasers of farm products, and the
standardization activities related to grain under the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, $41,115,000: Provided,
That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7
U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the
current replacement value of the building.

limitation on inspection and weighing services expenses

Not to exceed $42,463,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and
weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities
require additional supervision and oversight, or other
uncontrollable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded
by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws
enacted by the Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection
Service, $632,000.

Food Safety and Inspection Service

For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized by
the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products
Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act,
including not to exceed $50,000 for representation allowances
and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved
August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $930,120,000, of which no
less than $830,057,000 shall be available for Federal food
safety inspection; and in addition, $1,000,000 may be
credited to this account from fees collected for the cost of
laboratory accreditation as authorized by section 1327 of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 138f): Provided, That of the total amount made
available under this heading, no less than $20,653,000 shall
be obligated for regulatory and scientific training: Provided
further, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant
to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration

[[Page H9609]]

and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of
altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not
exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the
building.

Farm Assistance Programs

Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to
administer the laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service
Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Risk Management
Agency, and the Commodity Credit Corporation, $666,000.

Farm Service Agency

salaries and expenses

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration
and implementation of programs administered by the Farm
Service Agency, $1,127,409,000: Provided, That the Secretary
is authorized to use the services, facilities, and
authorities (but not the funds) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to make program payments for all programs
administered by the Agency: Provided further, That other
funds made available to the Agency for authorized activities
may be advanced to and merged with this account: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to pay the salary or expenses of any officer or
employee of the Department of Agriculture to close or
relocate any county or field office of the Farm Service
Agency (other than a county or field office that had zero
employees as of February 7, 2007), or to develop, submit,
consider, or approve any plan for any such closure or
relocation before the expiration of the six month period
following the date of the enactment of an omnibus
authorization law to provide for the continuation of
agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007: Provided
further, That after the expiration of the six month period
following the date of the enactment of an omnibus
authorization law to provide for the continuation of
agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007 none of the
funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the
salaries or expenses of any officer or employee of the
Department of Agriculture to close any local or county office
of the Farm Service Agency unless the Secretary of
Agriculture, not later than 30 days after the date on which
the Secretary proposed the closure, holds a public meeting
about the proposed closure in the county in which the local
or county office is located, and, after the public meeting
but not later than 120 days before the date on which the
Secretary approves the closure, notifies the Committee on
Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate, and the members of Congress from the State in
which the local or county office is located of the proposed
closure.

state mediation grants

For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural
Credit Act of 1987, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106),
$4,000,000.

grassroots source water protection program

For necessary expenses to carry out wellhead or groundwater
protection activities under section 1240O of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2), $3,713,000, to
remain available until expended.

dairy indemnity program

(including transfer of funds)

For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products
under a dairy indemnity program, $100,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That such program is
carried out by the Secretary in the same manner as the dairy
indemnity program described in the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-387, 114
Stat. 1549A-12).

agricultural credit insurance fund program account

(including transfers of funds)

For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct
and guaranteed farm ownership (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) and
operating (7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.) loans, Indian tribe land
acquisition loans (25 U.S.C. 488), and boll weevil loans (7
U.S.C. 1989), to be available from funds in the Agricultural
Credit Insurance Fund, as follows: farm ownership loans,
$1,423,857,000, of which $1,200,000,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $223,857,000 shall be for
direct loans; operating loans, $1,879,595,000, of which
$1,000,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans,
$250,000,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans and
$629,595,000 shall be for direct loans; Indian tribe land
acquisition loans, $3,960,000; and for boll weevil
eradication program loans, $100,000,000: Provided, That the
Secretary shall deem the pink bollworm to be a boll weevil
for the purpose of boll weevil eradication program loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the
cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: farm ownership
loans, $14,762,000, of which $4,800,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans, and $9,962,000 shall be for
direct loans; operating loans, $137,446,000, of which
$24,200,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans,
$33,350,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans, and
$79,896,000 shall be for direct loans; and Indian tribe land
acquisition loans, $125,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $318,150,000, of
which $310,230,000 shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and
Expenses''.
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Program Account for farm ownership and operating
direct loans and guaranteed loans may be transferred among
these programs: Provided, That the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified at
least 15 days in advance of any transfer.

Risk Management Agency

For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by
section 226A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933), $78,833,000: Provided, That not
to exceed $1,000 shall be available for official reception
and representation expenses, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
1506(i).

CORPORATIONS

The following corporations and agencies are hereby
authorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds
and borrowing authority available to each such corporation or
agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts and
commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as
provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control
Act as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set
forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such
corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516), such sums as may be
necessary, to remain available until expended.

Commodity Credit Corporation Fund

reimbursement for net realized losses

For the current fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary
to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net
realized losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed,
pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15
U.S.C. 713a-11): Provided, That of the funds available to the
Commodity Credit Corporation under section 11 of the
Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i) for
the conduct of its business with the Foreign Agricultural
Service, up to $5,000,000 may be transferred to and used by
the Foreign Agricultural Service for information resource
management activities of the Foreign Agricultural Service
that are not related to Commodity Credit Corporation
business.

hazardous waste management

(limitation on expenses)

For the current fiscal year, the Commodity Credit
Corporation shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for site
investigation and cleanup expenses, and operations and
maintenance expenses to comply with the requirement of
section 107(g) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9607(g)), and
section 6001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(42 U.S.C. 6961).

TITLE II

CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Forest
Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
$781,000.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

conservation operations

For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of
the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), including
preparation of conservation plans and establishment of
measures to conserve soil and water (including farm
irrigation and land drainage and such special measures for
soil and water management as may be necessary to prevent
floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control
agricultural related pollutants); operation of conservation
plant materials centers; classification and mapping of soil;
dissemination of information; acquisition of lands, water,
and interests therein for use in the plant materials program
by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to
exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C.
428a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement of
permanent and temporary buildings; and operation and
maintenance of aircraft, $851,910,000, to remain available
until June 30, 2009, of which not less than $10,840,000 is
for snow survey and water forecasting, and not less than
$10,779,000 is for operation and establishment of the plant
materials centers, and of which not less than $27,225,000
shall be for the grazing lands conservation initiative:
Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available
pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improvement of
buildings and public improvements at plant materials centers,
except that the cost of alterations and improvements to other
buildings and other public improvements shall not exceed
$250,000: Provided further, That when buildings or other
structures are erected on non-Federal land, that the right to
use such land is obtained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall

[[Page H9610]]

be available for technical assistance and related expenses to
carry out programs authorized by section 202(c) of title II
of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (43
U.S.C. 1592(c)): Provided further, That qualified local
engineers may be temporarily employed at per diem rates to
perform the technical planning work of the Service.

watershed surveys and planning

For necessary expenses to conduct research, investigation,
and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other waterways, and
for small watershed investigations and planning, in
accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Act (16 U.S.C. 1001-1009), $6,556,000.

watershed and flood prevention operations

For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures,
including but not limited to research, engineering
operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of
vegetation, rehabilitation of existing works and changes in
use of land, in accordance with the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001-1005 and 1007-1009), the
provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f),
and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to the
activities of the Department, $37,000,000, to remain
available until expended; of which up to $10,000,000 may be
available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a): Provided,
That not to exceed $18,500,000 of this appropriation shall be
available for technical assistance.

watershed rehabilitation program

For necessary expenses to carry out rehabilitation of
structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1012), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating
to the activities of the Department, $31,586,000, to remain
available until expended.

resource conservation and development

For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out
projects for resource conservation and development and for
sound land use pursuant to the provisions of sections 31 and
32 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1011;
76 Stat. 607); the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f);
and subtitle H of title XV of the Agriculture and Food Act of
1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451-3461), $52,370,000, to remain available
until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $3,073,000 shall
be available for national headquarters activities.

TITLE III

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs
under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing
Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the
Rural Utilities Service, $666,000.

rural community advancement program

(including transfers of funds)

For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants,
as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, 1926d, and
1932, except for sections 381E-H and 381N of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act, $728,807,000, to remain
available until expended, of which $55,742,000 shall be for
rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of
such Act; of which $573,065,000 shall be for the rural
utilities programs described in sections 381E(d)(2),
306C(a)(2), and 306D of such Act, of which not to exceed
$500,000 shall be available for the rural utilities program
described in section 306(a)(2)(B) of such Act, and of which
not to exceed $1,000,000 shall be available for the rural
utilities program described in section 306E of such Act; and
of which $100,000,000 shall be for the rural business and
cooperative development programs described in sections
381E(d)(3) and 310B(f) of such Act: Provided, That of the
total amount appropriated in this account, $24,000,000 shall
be for loans and grants to benefit Federally Recognized
Native American Tribes, including grants for drinking water
and waste disposal systems pursuant to section 306C of such
Act, of which $4,000,000 shall be available for community
facilities grants to tribal colleges, as authorized by
section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, and of which $250,000 shall be available for
a grant to a qualified national organization to provide
technical assistance for rural transportation in order to
promote economic development: Provided further, That of the
amount appropriated for the rural business and cooperative
development programs, not to exceed $500,000 shall be made
available for a grant to a qualified national organization to
provide technical assistance for rural transportation in
order to promote economic development; $3,000,000 shall be
for grants to the Delta Regional Authority (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq.) for any purpose under this heading: Provided further,
That of the amount appropriated for rural utilities programs,
not to exceed $25,000,000 shall be for water and waste
disposal systems to benefit the Colonias along the United
States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant to section
306C of such Act; $18,250,000 shall be for technical
assistance grants for rural water and waste systems pursuant
to section 306(a)(14) of such Act, of which $5,600,000 shall
be for Rural Community Assistance Programs; and not to exceed
$14,000,000 shall be for contracting with qualified national
organizations for a circuit rider program to provide
technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided
further, That of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed
$22,800,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for
authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and
communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as
Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones; of which $1,100,000
shall be for the rural community programs described in
section 381E(d)(1) of such Act, of which $13,400,000 shall be
for the rural utilities programs described in section
381E(d)(2) of such Act, and of which $8,300,000 shall be for
the rural business and cooperative development programs
described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act: Provided
further, That any prior year balances for high cost energy
grants authorized by section 19 of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901(19)) shall be transferred to and
merged with the ``Rural Utilities Service, High Energy Costs
Grants Account''.

Rural Development Salaries and Expenses

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration
and implementation of programs in the Rural Development
mission area, including activities with institutions
concerning the development and operation of agricultural
cooperatives; and for cooperative agreements; $175,382,000:
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law,
funds appropriated under this section may be used for
advertising and promotional activities that support the Rural
Development mission area: Provided further, That not more
than $10,000 may be expended to provide modest nonmonetary
awards to non-USDA employees: Provided further, That any
balances available from prior years for the Rural Utilities
Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service salaries and expenses accounts shall be
transferred to and merged with this appropriation.

Rural Housing Service

rural housing insurance fund program account

(including transfers of funds)

For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct
and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing
Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing
insurance fund, as follows: $4,845,816,000 for loans to
section 502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary, of
which $1,129,391,000 shall be for direct loans, and of which
$3,716,425,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans;
$34,652,000 for section 504 housing repair loans; $99,000,000
for section 515 rental housing; $99,000,000 for section 538
guaranteed multi-family housing loans; $5,046,000 for section
524 site loans; $11,486,000 for credit sales of acquired
property, of which up to $1,486,000 may be for multi-family
credit sales; and $5,000,000 for section 523 self-help
housing land development loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the
cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502
loans, $150,183,000, of which $105,824,000 shall be for
direct loans, and of which $44,359,000, to remain available
until expended, shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans;
section 504 housing repair loans, $9,796,000; repair,
rehabilitation, and new construction of section 515 rental
housing, $42,184,000; section 538 multi-family housing
guaranteed loans, $9,306,000; credit sales of acquired
property, $552,000; and section 523 self-help housing and
development loans, $142,000: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated in this paragraph, $2,500,000 shall be
available through June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment
zones and enterprise communities and communities designated
by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones: Provided further, That any balances for a
demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization
of the section 515 multi-family rental housing properties as
authorized in Public Law 109-97 shall be transferred to and
merged with the ``Rural Housing Service, Multifamily Housing
Revitalization Program Account''.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $462,521,000,
which shall be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ``Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses''.

rental assistance program

For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed
pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or
agreements entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or
payments for eligible households as authorized by section
502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949, $533,020,000, to
remain available through September 30, 2009; and, in
addition, such sums as may be necessary, as authorized by
section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate debt incurred prior
to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental assistance
program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That of
this amount, up to $7,920,000 shall be available for debt
forgiveness or payments for eligible households as authorized
by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to exceed $50,000
per project for advances to nonprofit organizations or public
agencies to cover direct costs (other than purchase price)
incurred in purchasing projects pursuant to section
502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That agreements
entered into or renewed during the current fiscal year shall
be

[[Page H9611]]

funded for a one-year period: Provided further, That any
unexpended balances remaining at the end of such one-year
agreements may be transferred and used for the purposes of
any debt reduction; maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation of
any existing projects; preservation; and rental assistance
activities authorized under title V of the Act: Provided
further, That rental assistance that is recovered from
projects that are subject to prepayment shall be deobligated
and reallocated for vouchers and debt forgiveness or payments
consistent with the requirements of this Act for purposes
authorized under section 542 and section 502(c)(5)(D) of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended: Provided further, That
rental assistance provided under agreements entered into
prior to fiscal year 2008 for a section 514/516 project may
not be recaptured for use in another project until such
assistance has remained unused for a period of 12 consecutive
months, if such project has a waiting list of tenants seeking
such assistance or the project has rental assistance eligible
tenants who are not receiving such assistance: Provided
further, That such recaptured rental assistance shall, to the
extent practicable, be applied to another section 514/516
project.

multifamily housing revitalization program account

For the rural housing voucher program as authorized under
section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (without regard to
section 542(b)), for the cost to conduct a housing
demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the
preservation of low-income multi-family housing projects, and
for additional costs to conduct a demonstration program for
the preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-
family rental housing properties, $27,800,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That of the funds made
available under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be available
for rural housing vouchers to any low-income household
(including those not receiving rental assistance) residing in
a property financed with a section 515 loan which has been
prepaid after September 30, 2005: Provided further, That the
amount of such voucher shall be the difference between
comparable market rent for the section 515 unit and the
tenant paid rent for such unit: Provided further, That funds
made available for such vouchers, shall be subject to the
availability of annual appropriations: Provided further, That
the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
administer such vouchers with current regulations and
administrative guidance applicable for section 8 housing
vouchers administered by the Secretary of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (including the ability to pay
administrative costs related to delivery of the voucher
funds): Provided further, That if the Secretary determines
that the amount made available for vouchers in this or any
other Act is not needed for vouchers, the Secretary may use
such funds for the demonstration programs for the
preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-
family rental housing properties described in this paragraph:
Provided further, That of the funds made available under this
heading, $3,000,000 shall be available for loans to private
non-profit organizations, or such non-profit organizations'
affiliate loan funds and State and local housing finance
agencies, to carry out a housing demonstration program to
provide revolving loans for the preservation of low-income
multi-family housing projects: Provided further, That loans
under such demonstration program shall have an interest rate
of not more than 1 percent direct loan to the recipient:
Provided further, That the Secretary may defer the interest
and principal payment to the Rural Housing Service for up to
3 years and the term of such loans shall not exceed 30 years:
Provided further, That of the funds made available under this
heading, $14,800,000 shall be available for a demonstration
program for the preservation and revitalization of the
section 515 multi-family rental housing properties to
restructure existing section 515 loans, as the Secretary
deems appropriate, expressly for the purposes of ensuring the
project has sufficient resources to preserve the project for
the purpose of providing safe and affordable housing for low-
income residents including reducing or eliminating interest;
deferring loan payments, subordinating, reducing or
reamortizing loan debt; and other financial assistance
including advances and incentives required by the Secretary:
Provided further, That if the Secretary determines that
additional funds for vouchers described in this paragraph are
needed, funds for the preservation and revitalization
demonstration program may be used for such vouchers: Provided
further, That if Congress enacts legislation to permanently
authorize a section 515 multi-family rental housing loan
restructuring program similar to the demonstration program
described herein, the Secretary may use funds made available
for the demonstration program under this heading to carry out
such legislation with the prior approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

mutual and self-help housing grants

For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A)
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $40,000,000, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be available through
June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment zones and
enterprise communities and communities designated by the
Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership
Zones.

rural housing assistance grants

(including transfer of funds)

For grants and contracts for very low-income housing
repair, supervisory and technical assistance, compensation
for construction defects, and rural housing preservation made
by the Rural Housing Service, as authorized by 42 U.S.C.
1474, 1479(c), 1490e, and 1490m, $39,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount
appropriated, $1,200,000 shall be available through June 30,
2008, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise
communities and communities designated by the Secretary of
Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones:
Provided further, That any balances to carry out a housing
demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the
preservation of low-income multi-family housing projects
authorized in Public Law 108-447 and Public Law 109-97 shall
be transferred to and merged with ``Rural Housing Service,
Multifamily Housing Revitalization Program Account''.

farm labor program account

For the cost of direct loans, grants, and contracts, as
authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486, $46,630,000, to remain
available until expended, for direct farm labor housing loans
and domestic farm labor housing grants and contracts.

Rural Business--Cooperative Service

rural development loan fund program account

(including transfer of funds)

For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)),
$33,772,000.
For the cost of direct loans, $14,485,000, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), of which
$1,724,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for
Federally Recognized Native American Tribes and of which
$3,449,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for
Mississippi Delta Region counties (as determined in
accordance with Public Law 100-460): Provided, That such
costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974: Provided further, That of the total amount
appropriated, $880,000 shall be available through June 30,
2008, for the cost of direct loans for authorized empowerment
zones and enterprise communities and communities designated
by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the
direct loan programs, $4,861,000 shall be transferred to and
merged with the appropriation for ``Rural Development,
Salaries and Expenses''.

rural cooperative development grants

For rural cooperative development grants authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $29,193,000, of which
$495,000 shall be for a cooperative research agreement with a
qualified academic institution to conduct research on the
national economic impact of all types of cooperatives; and of
which $2,475,000 shall be for cooperative agreements for the
appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program:
Provided, That not to exceed $1,473,000 shall be for
cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose primary
focus is to provide assistance to small, minority producers
and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of
at least 75 percent minority; and of which $20,295,000, to
remain available until expended, shall be for value-added
agricultural product market development grants, as authorized
by section 6401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note).

rural empowerment zones and enterprise communities grants

For grants in connection with second and third rounds of
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, $11,088,000, to
remain available until expended, for designated rural
empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities, as
authorized by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the Omnibus
Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act,
1999 (Public Law 105-277).

renewable energy program

For the cost of a program of direct loans, loan guarantees,
and grants, under the same terms and conditions as authorized
by section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106), $46,000,000 for direct and
guaranteed renewable energy loans and grants: Provided, That
the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees, including the
cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section
502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Rural Utilities Service

rural electrification and telecommunications loans program account

(including transfer of funds)

Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall be
made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans,
$100,000,000; loans made pursuant to section 306 of that Act,
rural electric, $4,500,000,000; 5 percent rural
telecommunications loans, $145,000,000; cost of money rural
telecommunications loans, $250,000,000; and for loans made
pursuant to section 306 of that Act, rural telecommunications
loans, $295,000,000.

[[Page H9612]]

For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of
modifying loans, of direct and guaranteed loans authorized by
sections 305 and 306 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
(7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of rural electric
loans, $120,000, and the cost of telecommunications loans,
$3,620,000: Provided, That notwithstanding section 305(d)(2)
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest
rates may exceed 7 percent per year.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $39,405,000
which shall be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ``Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses''.

distance learning, telemedicine, and broadband program

For the principal amount of broadband telecommunication
loans, $300,000,000.
For grants for telemedicine and distance learning services
in rural areas, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.,
$35,000,000, to remain available until expended.
For the cost of broadband loans, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
901 et seq., $6,450,000, to remain available until September
30, 2009: Provided, That the interest rate for such loans
shall be the cost of borrowing to the Department of the
Treasury for obligations of comparable maturity: Provided
further, That the cost of direct loans shall be as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
In addition, $17,820,000, to remain available until
expended, for a grant program to finance broadband
transmission in rural areas eligible for Distance Learning
and Telemedicine Program benefits authorized by 7 U.S.C.
950aaa.

TITLE IV

DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and
Nutrition Service, $628,000.

Food and Nutrition Service

child nutrition programs

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses to carry out the National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.),
except sections 17 and 21; $13,903,213,000, to remain
available through September 30, 2009, of which $7,668,156,000
is hereby appropriated and $6,235,057,000 shall be derived by
transfer from funds available under section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Provided, That up to
$5,505,000 shall be available for independent verification of
school food service claims.

special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
(WIC)

For necessary expenses to carry out the special
supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786),
$5,620,000,000, to remain available through September 30,
2009, of which such sums as are necessary to restore the
contingency reserve to $125,000,000 shall be placed in
reserve, to remain available until expended, to be allocated
as the Secretary deems necessary, notwithstanding section
17(i) of such Act, to support participation should cost or
participation exceed budget estimates: Provided, That of the
total amount available, the Secretary shall obligate not less
than $15,000,000 for a breastfeeding support initiative in
addition to the activities specified in section 17(h)(3)(A):
Provided further, That only the provisions of section
17(h)(10)(B)(i) and section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) shall be
effective in 2008; including $14,000,000 for the purposes
specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(i) and $30,000,000 for the
purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii): Provided
further, That funds made available for the purposes specified
in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) shall only be made available upon
a determination by the Secretary that funds are available to
meet caseload requirements without the use of the contingency
reserve funds: Provided further, That none of the funds in
this Act shall be available to pay administrative expenses of
WIC clinics except those that have an announced policy of
prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the
program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in
this account shall be available for the purchase of infant
formula except in accordance with the cost containment and
competitive bidding requirements specified in section 17 of
such Act: Provided further, That none of the funds provided
shall be available for activities that are not fully
reimbursed by other Federal Government departments or
agencies unless authorized by section 17 of such Act.

food stamp program

For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $39,816,223,000, of which
$3,000,000,000 to remain available through September 30,
2009, shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts
and at such times as may become necessary to carry out
program operations: Provided, That funds provided herein
shall be expended in accordance with section 16 of the Food
Stamp Act: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be
subject to any work registration or workfare requirements as
may be required by law: Provided further, That funds made
available for Employment and Training under this heading
shall remain available until expended, as authorized by
section 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp Act: Provided further,
That notwithstanding section 5(d) of the Food Stamp Act of
1977, any additional payment received under chapter 5 of
title 37, United States Code, by a member of the United
States Armed Forces deployed to a designated combat zone
shall be excluded from household income for the duration of
the member's deployment if the additional pay is the result
of deployment to or while serving in a combat zone, and it
was not received immediately prior to serving in the combat
zone.

commodity assistance program

For necessary expenses to carry out disaster assistance and
the commodity supplemental food program as authorized by
section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act
of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); the Emergency Food Assistance
Act of 1983; special assistance for the nuclear affected
islands, as authorized by section 103(f)(2) of the Compact of
Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-188);
and the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, as authorized by
section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966,
$221,070,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009:
Provided, That none of these funds shall be available to
reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities
donated to the program: Provided further, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective with
funds made available in fiscal year 2008 to support the
Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), such funds
shall remain available through September 30, 2009: Provided
further, That of the funds made available under section 27(a)
of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the
Secretary may use up to $10,000,000 for costs associated with
the distribution of commodities.

nutrition programs administration

For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic
nutrition assistance programs funded under this Act,
$146,926,000.

TITLE V

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Foreign Agricultural Service

salaries and expenses

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of
1954 (7 U.S.C. 1761-1768), market development activities
abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and
integrate activities of the Department in connection with
foreign agricultural work, including not to exceed $158,000
for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to
section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766),
$159,136,000: Provided, That the Service may utilize advances
of funds, or reimburse this appropriation for expenditures
made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and private
organizations and institutions under agreements executed
pursuant to the agricultural food production assistance
programs (7 U.S.C. 1737) and the foreign assistance programs
of the United States Agency for International Development.

public law 480 title i direct credit and food for progress program
account

(including transfers of funds)

For administrative expenses to carry out the credit program
of title I, Public Law 83-480, and the Food for Progress Act
of 1985, $2,749,000, to be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and
Expenses''.
In addition, the funds made available for the cost of
agreements under title I of the Agricultural Trade
Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and for title I ocean
freight differential may be used interchangeably between the
two accounts with prior notice to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

public law 480 title ii grants

For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs, including
interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development
and Assistance Act of 1954, for commodities supplied in
connection with dispositions abroad under title II of said
Act, $1,219,400,000, to remain available until expended.

commodity credit corporation export loans program account

(including transfers of funds)

For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity
Credit Corporation's export guarantee program, GSM 102 and
GSM 103, $5,338,000; to cover common overhead expenses as
permitted by section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation
Charter Act and in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform
Act of 1990, of which $4,985,000 may be transferred to and
merged with the appropriation for ``Foreign Agricultural
Service, Salaries and Expenses'', and of which $353,000 may
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses''.

mc govern-dole international food for education and child nutrition
program grants

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7

[[Page H9613]]

U.S.C. 1736o-1), $100,000,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That the Commodity Credit Corporation is
authorized to provide the services, facilities, and
authorities for the purpose of implementing such section,
subject to reimbursement from amounts provided herein.

TITLE VI

RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration,
including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for
payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public
Law 92-313 for programs and activities of the Food and Drug
Administration which are included in this Act; for rental of
special purpose space in the District of Columbia or
elsewhere; for miscellaneous and emergency expenses of
enforcement activities, authorized and approved by the
Secretary and to be accounted for solely on the Secretary's
certificate, not to exceed $25,000; and notwithstanding
section 521 of Public Law 107-188; $1,683,405,000: Provided,
That of the amount provided under this heading, $13,696,000
shall be derived from animal drug user fees authorized by 21
U.S.C. 379j, and shall be credited to this account and remain
available until expended: Provided further, That fees derived
from animal drug assessments received during fiscal year
2008, including any such fees assessed prior to the current
fiscal year but credited during the current year, shall be
subject to the fiscal year 2008 limitation: Provided further,
That none of these funds shall be used to develop, establish,
or operate any program of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C.
9701: Provided further, That of the total amount
appropriated: (1) $475,726,000 shall be for the Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and related field
activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (2)
$348,438,000 shall be for the Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research and related field activities in the Office of
Regulatory Affairs; (3) $155,073,000 shall be for the Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research and for related field
activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (4)
$94,809,000 shall be for the Center for Veterinary Medicine
and for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory
Affairs; (5) $240,122,000 shall be for the Center for Devices
and Radiological Health and for related field activities in
the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (6) $36,455,000 shall be
for the National Center for Toxicological Research; (7)
$97,976,000 shall be for Rent and Related activities, of
which $38,808,000 is for White Oak Consolidation, other than
the amounts paid to the General Services Administration for
rent; (8) $131,533,000 shall be for payments to the General
Services Administration for rent; and (9) $89,577,000 shall
be for other activities, including the Office of the
Commissioner; the Office of Management; the Office of
External Relations; the Office of Policy and Planning; and
central services for these offices: Provided further, That
funds may be transferred from one specified activity to
another with the prior approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42 U.S.C.
263b may be credited to this account, to remain available
until expended.
In addition, export certification user fees authorized by
21 U.S.C. 381 may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
In addition, $28,000,000 shall be for the Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition, to remain available from July
1, 2008, through September 30, 2009.

buildings and facilities

For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension,
alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of
or used by the Food and Drug Administration, where not
otherwise provided, $4,950,000, to remain available until
expended.

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the
purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles, and the rental
of space (to include multiple year leases) in the District of
Columbia and elsewhere, $102,550,000, including not to exceed
$3,000 for official reception and representation expenses.

Farm Credit Administration

limitation on administrative expenses

Not to exceed $46,000,000 (from assessments collected from
farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural
Mortgage Corporation) shall be obligated during the current
fiscal year for administrative expenses as authorized under
12 U.S.C. 2249: Provided, That this limitation shall not
apply to expenses associated with receiverships.

TITLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(including rescissions and transfers of funds)

Sec. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law,
appropriations and authorizations made for the Department of
Agriculture for the current fiscal year under this Act shall
be available for the purchase, in addition to those
specifically provided for, of not to exceed 182 passenger
motor vehicles, of which 142 shall be for replacement only,
and for the hire of such vehicles.
Sec. 702. New obligational authority provided for the
following appropriation items in this Act shall remain
available until expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency conditions,
information technology infrastructure, fruit fly program,
emerging plant pests, cotton pests program, avian influenza
programs, up to $4,505,000 in the pest and disease management
program to control grasshoppers and Mormon cricket, up to
$1,500,000 in the scrapie program for indemnities, up to
$3,000,000 in the emergency management systems program for
the vaccine bank, up to $1,000,000 for wildlife services
methods development, up to $1,000,000 of the wildlife
services operations program for aviation safety, and up to 25
percent of the screwworm program; Food Safety and Inspection
Service, Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure
System; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service, funds for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C.
450i(b)), funds for the Research, Education, and Economics
Information System, and funds for the Native American
Institutions Endowment Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries
and expenses funds made available to county committees;
Foreign Agricultural Service, middle-income country training
program, and up to $2,000,000 of the Foreign Agricultural
Service appropriation solely for the purpose of offsetting
fluctuations in international currency exchange rates,
subject to documentation by the Foreign Agricultural Service.
Sec. 703. The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer
unobligated balances of discretionary funds appropriated by
this Act or other available unobligated discretionary
balances of the Department of Agriculture to the Working
Capital Fund for the acquisition of plant and capital
equipment necessary for the delivery of financial, financial
management modernization initiative, administrative, and
information technology services of primary benefit to the
agencies of the Department of Agriculture: Provided, That
none of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act
shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without the
prior approval of the agency administrator: Provided further,
That none of the funds transferred to the Working Capital
Fund pursuant to this section shall be available for
obligation without the prior approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 704. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 705. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to
pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department
of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10
percent of the total direct cost of the agreement when the
purpose of such cooperative arrangements is to carry out
programs of mutual interest between the two parties. This
does not preclude appropriate payment of indirect costs on
grants and contracts with such institutions when such
indirect costs are computed on a similar basis for all
agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
Sec. 706. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to pay indirect costs charged against competitive
agricultural research, education, or extension grant awards
issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service that exceed 20 percent of total Federal
funds provided under each award: Provided, That
notwithstanding section 1462 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3310), funds provided by this Act for grants awarded
competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service shall be available to pay full
allowable indirect costs for each grant awarded under section
9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
Sec. 707. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture
for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in
the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended
to cover obligations made in the current fiscal year for the
following accounts: the Rural Development Loan Fund program
account, the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication
Loans program account, and the Rural Housing Insurance Fund
program account.
Sec. 708. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more
than $1,800,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of
activities related to all advisory committees, panels,
commissions, and task forces of the Department of
Agriculture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated
rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively
awarded grants.
Sec. 709. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
used to carry out section 410 of the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (21 U.S.C. 679a) or section 30 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 471).
Sec. 710. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may
be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by
this Act to any other agency or office of the Department for
more than 30 days unless the individual's employing agency or
office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office
for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of
assignment.

[[Page H9614]]

Sec. 711. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Department of Agriculture or the Food and
Drug Administration shall be used to transmit or otherwise
make available to any non-Department of Agriculture or non-
Department of Health and Human Services employee questions or
responses to questions that are a result of information
requested for the appropriations hearing process.
Sec. 712. None of the funds made available to the
Department of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire
new information technology systems or significant upgrades,
as determined by the Office of the Chief Information Officer,
without the approval of the Chief Information Officer and the
concurrence of the Executive Information Technology
Investment Review Board: Provided, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available by this Act may be transferred to
the Office of the Chief Information Officer without the prior
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress: Provided further, That none of the funds
available to the Department of Agriculture for information
technology shall be obligated for projects over $25,000 prior
to receipt of written approval by the Chief Information
Officer.
Sec. 713. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or
provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies
funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or
expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any
accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the
collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this
Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through
a reprogramming of funds which--
(1) creates new programs;
(2) eliminates a program, project, or activity;
(3) increases funds or personnel by any means for any
project or activity for which funds have been denied or
restricted;
(4) relocates an office or employees;
(5) reorganizes offices, programs, or activities; or
(6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities
presently performed by Federal employees; unless the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are
notified 15 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by
previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this
Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in
the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the
Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of
fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be
available for obligation or expenditure for activities,
programs, or projects through a reprogramming of funds in
excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, which ever is less, that:
(1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2)
reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program,
project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent
as approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general
savings from a reduction in personnel which would result in a
change in existing programs, activities, or projects as
approved by Congress; unless the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days in advance of
such reprogramming of funds.
(c) The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, or the Chairman of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before implementing
a program or activity not carried out during the previous
fiscal year unless the program or activity is funded by this
Act or specifically funded by any other Act.
Sec. 714. None of the funds appropriated by this or any
other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of
personnel who prepare or submit appropriations language as
part of the President's Budget submission to the Congress of
the United States for programs under the jurisdiction of the
Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies that assumes revenues or reflects a reduction from
the previous year due to user fees proposals that have not
been enacted into law prior to the submission of the Budget
unless such Budget submission identifies which additional
spending reductions should occur in the event the user fees
proposals are not enacted prior to the date of the convening
of a committee of conference for the fiscal year 2009
appropriations Act.
Sec. 715. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be used to close or relocate a Rural
Development office unless or until the Secretary of
Agriculture determines the cost effectiveness and enhancement
of program delivery: Provided, That not later than 120 days
before the date of the proposed closure or relocation, the
Secretary notifies the Committees on Appropriation of the
House and Senate, and the members of Congress from the State
in which the office is located of the proposed closure or
relocation and provides a report that describes in detail the
justifications for such closures and relocations.
Sec. 716. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of
the funds made available in this Act for competitive research
grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), the Secretary may use up to 22
percent of the amount provided to carry out a competitive
grants program under the same terms and conditions as those
provided in section 401 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621).
Sec. 717. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the
salaries and expenses of personnel who carry out an
environmental quality incentives program authorized by
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) in excess of
$1,017,000,000.
Sec. 718. None of the funds made available in fiscal year
2008 or preceding fiscal years for programs authorized under
the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954
(7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) in excess of $20,000,000 shall be
used to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for the
release of eligible commodities under section 302(f)(2)(A) of
the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f-1):
Provided, That any such funds made available to reimburse the
Commodity Credit Corporation shall only be used pursuant to
section 302(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian
Trust Act.
Sec. 719. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 14(h)(1) of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1012(h)(1)).
Sec. 720. Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion
of credit payments, as authorized by section 313 of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, $34,000,000 shall not be
obligated and $34,000,000 are rescinded.
Sec. 721. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to issue a final rule in furtherance of, or otherwise
implement, the proposed rule on cost-sharing for animal and
plant health emergency programs of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service published on July 8, 2003 (Docket
No. 02-062-1; 68 Fed. Reg. 40541).
Sec. 722. Funds made available under section 1240I and
section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 in the
current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to
disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year, and are
not available for new obligations. Funds made available under
section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, 7 U.S.C.
1524(b), in fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008
shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations
made in fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008
respectively, and except for fiscal year 2008 funds, are not
available for new obligations.
Sec. 723. None of the funds provided in this Act may be
used for salaries and expenses to draft or implement any
regulation or rule insofar as it would require
recertification of rural status for each electric and
telecommunications borrower for the Rural Electrification and
Telecommunication Loans program.
Sec. 724. Unless otherwise authorized by existing law, none
of the funds provided in this Act, may be used by an
executive branch agency to produce any prepackaged news story
intended for broadcast or distribution in the United States
unless the story includes a clear notification within the
text or audio of the prepackaged news story that the
prepackaged news story was prepared or funded by that
executive branch agency.
Sec. 725. In addition to other amounts appropriated or
otherwise made available by this Act, there is hereby
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture $10,000,000, of
which not to exceed 5 percent may be available for
administrative expenses, to remain available until expended,
to make specialty crop block grants under section 101 of the
Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-
465; 7 U.S.C. 1621 note).
Sec. 726. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act for the Food and Drug Administration
may be used under section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act to prevent an individual not in the business of
importing a prescription drug within the meaning of section
801(g) of such Act, wholesalers, or pharmacists from
importing a prescription drug (as defined in section
804(a)(3) of such Act) which complies with sections 501, 502,
and 505 of such Act.
Sec. 727. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to study, complete a study of, or enter into a
contract with a private party to carry out, without specific
authorization in a subsequent Act of Congress, a competitive
sourcing activity of the Secretary of Agriculture, including
support personnel of the Department of Agriculture, relating
to rural development or farm loan programs.
Sec. 728. Of the amount available for Estimated Future
Needs under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935,
$63,361,000 are hereby rescinded: Provided, That in addition,
of the unobligated balances under section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935, $147,000,000 are hereby rescinded.
Sec. 729. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to--
(1) grant a waiver of a financial conflict of interest
requirement pursuant to section 505(n)(4) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(n)(4)) for any
voting member of an advisory committee or panel of the Food
and Drug Administration; or
(2) make a certification under section 208(b)(3) of title
18, United States Code, for any such voting member.
Sec. 730. Of the appropriations available for payments for
the nutrition and family education program for low-income
areas

[[Page H9615]]

under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)),
if the payment allocation pursuant to section 1425(c) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)) would be less than
$100,000 for any institution eligible under section 3(d)(2)
of the Smith-Lever Act, the Secretary shall adjust payment
allocations under section 1425(c) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 to ensure that each institution receives a payment of
not less than $100,000.
Sec. 731. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to establish or implement a rule allowing poultry
products to be imported into the United States from the
People's Republic of China.
Sec. 732. Of the unobligated balances available in the High
Energy Cost Grants account, $25,740,000 is hereby rescinded.
Sec. 733. None of the funds made available to the
Department of Agriculture in this Act may be used to
implement the risk-based inspection program in the 30
prototype locations announced on February 22, 2007, by the
Under Secretary for Food Safety, or at any other locations,
until the USDA Office of Inspector General has provided its
findings to the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate on the data used in support of the development
and design of the risk-based inspection program and FSIS has
addressed and resolved issues identified by OIG.
Sec. 734. Not more than $11,166,000 of the funds made
available under section 522(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance
Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(e)) may be used for program compliance and
integrity purposes, including the data mining project, and
for the Common Information Management System.
Sec. 735. The Secretary of Agriculture shall continue the
Water and Waste Systems Direct Loan Program under the
authority and conditions (including the fees, borrower
interest rate, and the President's economic assumptions for
the 2008 Fiscal Year, as of June 1, 2007) provided by the
``Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007''.
Sec. 736. (a) Section 13(b) of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A);
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;
(C) in subparagraph (A) (as redesignated by subparagraph
(B)), striking ``(B)'' and all that follows through ``shall
not exceed'' and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B) and in
addition to amounts made available under paragraph (3),
payments to service institutions shall be'';
(D) in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by subparagraph
(B)), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
``subparagraph (A)''; and
(E) in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by subparagraph
(B)), by striking ``(A), (B), and (C)'' and inserting ``(A)
and (B)''; and
(2) in the second sentence of paragraph (3), by striking
``full amount of State approved'' and all that follows
through ``maximum allowable''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 18 of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (f); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (g) through (k) as
subsections (f) through (j), respectively.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
take effect on January 1 of the first full calendar year
following the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 737. There is hereby appropriated $21,000,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2009, of which not to
exceed 5 percent may be available for Federal and/or State
administrative expenses, as determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture, to carry out a program similar to section 18(g)
of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1769(g)) in each State not currently served by the
authorized program.
Sec. 738. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to--
(1) inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603);
(2) inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901
note; Public Law 104-127); or
(3) implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of
Federal Regulations.
Sec. 739. Of the unobligated balances available in the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children reserve account, $16,069,000 is hereby
rescinded.
Sec. 740. In addition to amounts otherwise appropriated or
made available by this Act, $2,475,000 is appropriated for
the purpose of providing Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland
Hunger Fellowships, through the Congressional Hunger Center.
Sec. 741. From the unobligated balances of funds
transferred to the Department of Homeland Security when the
Department was established pursuant to the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296), excluding mandatory
appropriations, $8,000,000 is rescinded.
Sec. 742. Effective as of May 25, 2007, section 9012 of
Public Law 110-28 (121 Stat. 218) is repealed.
Sec. 743. Section 17(r)(5) of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)(5)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``seven'' and inserting ``eight'';
(2) by striking ``five'' and inserting ``six''; and
(3) by inserting ``West Virginia,'' after the first
instance of ``States shall be''.
Sec. 744. Hereafter, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, of the funds made available for the Commodity Assistance
Program under division B of Public Law 109-148, Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf
of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006, all unexpended funds
shall be made available to support normal program operations
of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program under the
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 and of the
Emergency Food Assistance Program under the Emergency Food
Assistance Act of 1983: Provided, That any commodities
purchased with funds made available under Public Law 109-148
and remaining undistributed shall be used to support normal
program operations under the authorities cited in this
section.
Sec. 745. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and
until receipt of the decennial Census in the year 2010, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall consider--
(1) the City of Alamo, Texas; the City of Mercedes, Texas;
the City of Weslaco, Texas; the City of Donna, Texas; and the
City of La Feria, Texas, (including individuals and entities
with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and
grants funded through the rural business and cooperative
development programs in the Rural Community Advancement
Program account;
(2) the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington; and the City
of Havelock, North Carolina, (including individuals and
entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans
and grants funded through the rural community programs in the
Rural Community Advancement Program account;
(3) the City of Freeport, Illinois; Kitsap County (except
the City of Bremerton), Washington; the City of Atascadero,
California; and the City of Paso Robles, California,
(including individuals and entities with projects within the
cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program account and the Rural
Housing Assistance Grants account; and
(4) the City of Canton, Mississippi, (including individuals
and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for
loans and grants funded through the rural utilities programs
in the Rural Community Advancement Program account.
Sec. 746. No funds in this Act for the Food and Drug
Administration may be used to authorize qualified health
claims for conventional foods.
Sec. 747. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to enter into a contract with an entity that does not
participate in the basic pilot program described in section
403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).
Sec. __. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
for the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) in Thomas, West
Virginia.
Sec. __. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used--
(1) to terminate any of the 13 field laboratories that are
operated by the Food and Drug Administration as of January 1,
2007, or 20 District Offices, or any of the inspection or
compliance functions of any of the 20 District Offices, of
the Food and Drug Administration functioning as of January 1,
2007; or
(2) to consolidate any such laboratory with any other
laboratory, or any such District Office, or any of the
inspection or compliance functions of any District Office,
with any other District Office.
Sec. __. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have
the ``ENERGY STAR'' or ``Federal Energy Management Program''
designation.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008''.

The Acting CHAIRMAN. No further debate on any pending amendment being
in order, the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) to the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).
The amendment to the amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), as amended.
The amendment, as amended, was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 599, a further
period of general debate is in order.
The gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) and the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Kingston) each will control 15 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Weiner).

[[Page H9616]]

Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with my
colleagues, Mr. Fossella and Mr. Crowley of New York, and commend the
committee for increasing the APHIS budget to more vigorously attack the
national challenge of the invasive species that are ravaging our plants
and trees.
As you know, New York City is waging a war to stop the Asian
Longhorned Beetle. Yes, Madam Chair, a tree grows in Brooklyn,
thousands of them in fact, just as they do in Staten Island, the Bronx,
Queens and Manhattan. Sadly, the Asian Longhorned Beetle has been
advancing steadily.
Given that the USDA's work to defeat the ALB elsewhere has been
successful and thus will require less funding going forward, can I ask
for the commitment of the committee to endeavor in conference to grant
the metropolitan area a larger portion of the Asian Longhorned Beetle
account than it has received in the past?
Ms. DeLAURO. I pledge to work with the gentlemen from New York on
this issue.
Mr. WEINER. Thank you.
I yield now, if it is appropriate, to the gentleman from Staten
Island, Mr. Fossella.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I would just ask the gentlemen from New
York to place their material into the Record.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the time of
the gentlewoman be extended by 1 minute.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Chair may not entertain that kind of
request.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the right to object.
Mr. Chairman, I am sure that Mr. Nadler is concerned equally with Mr.
Fossella, but I wanted to make sure that Mr. Fossella wasn't being cut
out of the colloquy. So the reason why I reserved the right to object
is I just wanted a better explanation from the gentleman.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I was asking for unanimous consent so the
gentlewoman would have 1 additional minute, which I would hope she
would yield to Mr. Crowley, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Fossella and myself.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. Under the structured rule in the Committee of
the Whole, this kind of unanimous consent agreement cannot be
entertained.

Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry. Is the
unanimous consent request in order under the closed rule?
The Acting CHAIRMAN. A request to extend general debate ordered by
the House is not in order in the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, further parliamentary inquiry. In other
words, out of the 15 minutes of general debate, that is where the time
would come from?
The Acting CHAIRMAN. From the remaining 29 minutes of general debate
ordered by the House.
Ms. DeLAURO. I yield an additional 1 minute for both, not each, but
for both Mr. Crowley and Mr. Fossella to address this issue.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. Does the gentlewoman from Connecticut yield time
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley)?
Ms. DeLAURO. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Crowley).

{time} 1830

Mr. KINGSTON. Further parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Chairman.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The gentleman may state his parliamentary
inquiry.
Mr. KINGSTON. I don't have a way to say this directly to my friend
from Connecticut, but I will be glad to yield 1 minute of our time to
Mr. Fossella and that way we can bring this to 2 minutes, but I don't
know how to get there unless I ask a question like this.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. After Mr. Crowley is recognized for 1 minute,
then the gentleman from Georgia may yield to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Fossella).
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to Mr. Crowley and Mr.
Nadler, 1 minute between the two.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
this time.
The Asian Longhorned Beetle is a continuing and growing problem in
Queens County in New York. We appreciate your working for additional
resources. I have heard from my constituents, like Jimmy Lanza of
Woodside Queens, who are begging us for more resources to beat the
beetle and protect the trees and green space of Queens County and New
York City. I thank the Chair for her great work on this issue, and this
overall excellent bill.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) is
recognized for the remainder of the time.
Mr. NADLER. I just want to say that I associate myself with the
sentiments expressed by Mr. Weiner and Mr. Crowley. The Asian
Longhorned Beetle is a serious problem, and we have to devote as much
resources as possible to deal with it. I hope the committee will take
that into consideration.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Fossella).
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. Kingston and
Ms. DeLauro. And of course my colleagues, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Weiner, and
Mr. Nadler, because despite this being a national problem, as you can
imagine, are very specific to New York, and in my case, Staten Island
has been under attack by the Asian Longhorned Beetle. The beetles have
already killed 8,400 trees. Officials are expected to destroy 10,000
trees to keep the beetle from spreading throughout the U.S.
We know that 35 percent of all urban trees are at risk. Replacement
value is $669 billion. The first evidence was found on a silver maple
tree on March 22 by USDA tree climbers. This early detection gives hope
the threat can be contained before it spreads to the nearby Greenbelt,
which is an urban forest comparable to Rock Creek.
The bill before us today provides a little over $20 million to help
eradicate the beetle, a far cry from the $48 million the USDA says is
needed annually.
This a serious problem for Staten Island and the rest of New York
City. I look forward to working with you, Madam Chair, and Mr. Kingston
in an effort to provide additional funding in conference. Will you be
willing to work with me on this issue?
Ms. DeLAURO. I would be happy to work with the gentleman.
Mr. FOSSELLA. I thank the gentlewoman.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
Mr. SIMPSON. I want to take this opportunity to express my
appreciation to you, Chairman DeLauro, Ranking Member Kingston, and
both of your respective staffs for all of the hard work that has been
put in this bill, a bill I expect to support.
I would like to address an issue of great importance not only to my
constituents, but to the Nation's agricultural industry.
In 2006, the potato cyst nematode was discovered in our country for
the first time on approximately 1,000 acres in eastern Idaho. PCN is
one of the most destructive potato pests, and if left uncontrolled, can
result in devastating crop losses of up to 80 percent.
This spring, the USDA, the Idaho Department of Agriculture began an
aggressive eradication program. Due to the confined area and early
detection of the infestation, we are optimistic that the eradication
program will prove successful. However, the funding level designated
for the potato cyst nematode in this bill falls short of the necessary
funding levels to continue this eradication effort.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture recently
recommended that this program be fully funded at $12.8 million. While I
appreciate the constraints the House Agriculture Subcommittee has
worked under, I hope that the chairwoman would work with me to try to
find the necessary funds to fully fund this program.
Ms. DeLAURO. I understand the importance of the issue and will work
with you in conference to address the funding needs of this eradication
effort.
Mr. SIMPSON. I thank Chairman DeLauro.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay).
Mr. CLAY. I thank the chairwoman for yielding. I have an amendment
that

[[Page H9617]]

I will not offer today per our earlier conversation.
My amendment would allow residents of neighborhoods to purchase
properties that are vacant and, for the most part, are not suitable for
renovation. These properties would be razed, the grounds cleared,
covered with topsoil and planted with the seeds of produce to create
urban gardens.
The produce would be harvested and distributed to the residents of
the neighborhoods who would be able to purchase them at less than the
market rates. I would love to have the gentlewoman's support in the
future for this concept.
Ms. DeLAURO. I appreciate the concept and recognize its importance
and will work with the gentleman on this important issue.
Mr. CLAY. I thank the gentlewoman.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Burgess).
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time. I regret that it is necessary for me to come down and talk during
the time for general debate because this is an amendment that should
have been made in order by the Rules Committee, and I frankly do not
understand when it so significantly affects food safety and would have
been a perfecting amendment on the underlying bill, I frankly do not
understand the inattention of the Rules Committee to this important
issue.
We hear time and again the United States being besieged with
dangerous food from certain countries. According to testimony before
the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on
July 17, 2007, former FDA Associate Commissioner William Hubbard
testified that in 1999 the FDA drafted a legislative proposal that
would have given the Food and Drug Administration authority to require
certain foreign countries to take more responsibility for the foods
that they send into this country.
The agency proposal would have allowed the FDA to embargo a given
food from a given country if there were repeated instances of that food
being found contaminated when it arrived in the United States.
Countries that send safe food, they have no reason to be concerned.
They would be unaffected. But countries that demonstrated a pattern of
disregard of United States safety standards would have to increase
their oversight of foods exported from their country. Have we heard of
any examples of that in the past 6 months?
Unfortunately, Congress did not accept the recommendation, and the
situation with some imported foods from some countries has only gotten
worse. On page 96 of the committee report for H.R. 3161, it states that
``the Committee believes that the Food and Drug Administration is
failing to do what is needed to ensure the safety of our food supply.''
Furthermore, ``the Committee directs the Food and Drug Administration
to develop a performance plan that establishes measurable benchmarks
for concrete improvements in the performance of food safety missions.''
In formulating the plan, the FDA is to look at the process for
reviewing food safety systems in countries that export to the United
States, and that these proposals are not dissimilar to measures the
Food and Drug Administration has proposed in the past or may be
considering currently.
On page 97, the committee report states that ``the Committee provides
for an additional $7 million for increased activities to protect the
safety of imported foods.''
My amendment would not have allocated any new funds to the FDA. But
instead, it seeks to direct a portion of these funds already allocated
towards increased activities to protect the safety of imported foods
and on formulating an embargo plan. This plan would allow the FDA to
prohibit a specified food from a specified country from entering into
the United States if there were repeated instances that that food was
found contaminated when it arrived in the United States.
Again I submit, we have heard several news report over the last 6
months where exactly this scenario has played out. We have to stop them
from sending harmful food into our country. This would have been a good
amendment, and I don't understand why it was not taken up by the Rules
Committee.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Kansas (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I rise this evening to address two
important issues that USDA provides in serving my farmers and ranchers
in Kansas and across the country, the desire to see that those services
are provided at the local level.
The first issue, although not very glamorous, is very important. It
is the funding of nondiscretionary FSA technology expenses. This
winter, many of my producers went to their local FSA office only to
discover the computers were not working. In many instances they had to
set aside all of the other computers so they could try to allow the
farmers to access the computer system and sign up for the programs. The
delays were for months.
In the President's budget, $23.8 million was requested for fixed IT
operating expenses. Those operating expenses are required to operate
and maintain FSA's existing computer system. In this bill the committee
only appropriates $10 million. FSA does not have a choice in paying its
fixed IT operating expenses. If sufficient funding is not appropriated,
FSA will be forced to reduce its staff to keep its IT system operating,
and I believe that would adversely affect the services provided by our
local offices.
The second issue is our NRCS county offices. The bill we are
considering today has two provisions halting county office closures for
NRCS's sister agencies, FSA and Rural Development, RD. The primary
reason for delaying county office closures is we are currently in the
midst of writing a new farm bill. And while I am glad to see that this
bill addresses the FSA and RD office closures, I would also like to see
the same approach taken with NRCS.
I look forward to working with the chairwoman and the ranking member
and I would ask for the chairwoman to enter into a colloquy with me to
indicate her interest in this topic.
Ms. DeLAURO. I am very interested in working with you, as we have
talked about in the past, and will continue to do that as we move
forward.
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. I thank the chairwoman and look forward to a
successful conclusion.
Mr. KINGSTON. And I want to say, we will certainly work with the
gentleman from Kansas. I know you are an advocate on this.
Ms. DeLAURO. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Cramer).
Mr. CRAMER. First, I want to congratulate you for your work on this
bill. Sincerely, you have balanced a number of issues. Particularly, I
am concerned about the plight of my farmers in the Deep South and north
Alabama as well. Robert Aderholt might be able to be on the floor here
tonight. We share all of north Alabama.
Mr. Chairman, in the South we have experienced in many areas an
unprecedented drought. On the drought monitor, our target area in the
Deep South has been designated as a D4 drought area. That is not a
situation we have seen in many, many decades.
Consequently, the farmers are exhausting all of their resources. They
are sacrificing generations of resources that have been built up. They
need help. It is not just a matter of low-interest loans; it is a
matter of a plan.
We know we have certain areas to look to, but the safety net is not
entirely there. So as we struggle to find relief, I would like to
discuss with the gentlewoman her commitment to working with me and my
colleague on this very important issue.
Ms. DeLAURO. I want to assure the gentleman that we appreciate the
gentleman's hard work on this issue and understand and will be willing
to work with you as we proceed.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute.
On this subject, the gentleman from Alabama and the gentlewoman from
Connecticut and I have spoken about the fires we have had in south
Georgia and the fires we have had in north Florida and Mr. Boyd's
district to the tune of 580,000 acres. We have talked during the
committee discussions about the possibility of obtaining some emergency
conservation reserve program money for the private landowners

[[Page H9618]]

who lost approximately $45 million, and then also the State fire
departments and the municipalities that spent about $45 million
fighting these fires. And I wanted to ask the gentlewoman if we were
still on one accord working on our drought/fire situation as we have
discussed with Mr. Cramer earlier.
I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
Ms. DeLAURO. As we talked about in the full committee with both Mr.
Cramer and yourself, Mr. Kingston, and Mr. Aderholt, I talked about
working with you on this issue. I commend you for bringing it to our
attention.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, first let me just say to the gentlelady from
Connecticut, thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to
moving our Nation forward in the area of agriculture, nutrition, health
safety and all of the other issues that you tackle each and every day.
I come today to enter into a colloquy to raise the important issue
regarding the lifetime ban on food stamp eligibility for formerly
incarcerated persons who were convicted of drug offenses. This is a
serious moral issue of concern to me. Quite frankly, this ought to be
for each and every Member of Congress.
After they have served their time, Mr. Chairman, the formerly
incarcerated reenter society looking to improve themselves and their
lives. In these instances, however, the current policy prevents them
access to food stamps. This just makes no sense. This absurd policy is
the result of an overzealous congressional effort to appear tough on
crime in 1996.

{time} 1845

Once someone has paid their debt to society they should be able to
have the resources that will help them put their lives together. I hope
that we can work together to ensure that this inequity is addressed.
Ms. DeLAURO. If the gentlewoman would yield, I assure the gentlewoman
that we will work together on correcting the inequity.
The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Committee will rise informally.
The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Jackson of Illinois) assumed the chair.

____________________