[Senate Report 117-34]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 113
117th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 117-34
======================================================================
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2022
_______
August 4, 2021--Ordered to be printed
Ms. Baldwin, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 2599]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2599)
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes,
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
New obligational authority
Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$203,085,781,000
Amount of 2021 appropriations........................... 205,769,113,000
Amount of 2022 budget estimate.......................... 214,812,272,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2021 appropriations................................. -2,683,332,000
2022 budget estimate................................ -11,726,491,000
CONTENTS
----------
Page
Overview and Summary of the Bill................................. 4
Reports to Congress.............................................. 5
Breakdown by Title............................................... 5
Title I:
Agricultural Programs:
Production, Processing, and Marketing:
Office of the Secretary.............................. 6
Executive Operations................................. 9
Office of the Chief Economist........................ 9
Office of Hearings and Appeals....................... 10
Office of Budget and Program Analysis................ 11
Office of the Chief Information Officer.............. 11
Office of the Chief Financial Officer................ 12
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights... 12
Office of Civil Rights............................... 13
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities................. 13
Hazardous Materials Management....................... 14
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection........... 14
Office of Inspector General.......................... 14
Office of the General Counsel........................ 15
Office of Ethics..................................... 15
Office of the Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics........................... 15
Economic Research Service............................ 16
National Agricultural Statistics Service............. 17
Agricultural Research Service........................ 18
National Institute of Food and Agriculture........... 34
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs................................ 47
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service........... 47
Agricultural Marketing Service....................... 56
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety........ 61
Food Safety and Inspection Service................... 62
Title II:
Farm Production and Conservation Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conser-
vation................................................. 64
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center......... 65
Farm Service Agency...................................... 65
Risk Management Agency................................... 72
Natural Resources Conservation Service................... 74
Corporations:
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.................. 79
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund........................ 79
Title III:
Rural Development Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development...... 82
Rural Housing Service.................................... 83
Rural Community Facilities Program Account............... 88
Rural Business--Cooperative Service...................... 89
Rural Utilities Service.................................. 95
Title IV:
Domestic Food Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Services...................................... 100
Food and Nutrition Service............................... 101
Title V:
Foreign Assistance and Related Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs................................... 110
Foreign Agricultural Service............................. 111
Title VI:
Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration:
Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug
Administration......................................... 115
Independent Agency: Farm Credit Administration........... 133
Title VII: General Provisions.................................... 135
Program, Project, and Activity................................... 138
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 138
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.................................................. 139
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 140
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 143
Disclosure of Congressionally Directed Spending Items............ 144
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 180
OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill
provides funding for a wide array of Federal programs, mostly
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]. These programs
include agricultural research, education, and extension
activities; natural resources conservation programs; farm
income and support programs; marketing and inspection
activities; domestic food assistance programs; rural housing,
economic and community development, and telecommunication and
electrification assistance; and various export and
international activities of the USDA.
The bill also provides funding for the Food and Drug
Administration [FDA] and allows the use of collected fees for
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration
[FCA].
The discretionary programs and activities of USDA and FDA
that are supported by this bill include high priority
responsibilities entrusted to the Federal Government and its
partners to protect human health and safety, contribute to
economic recovery, and achieve policy objectives strongly
supported by the American people. The ability to provide for
these measures is made difficult by growing pressure on
available levels of discretionary spending as a consequence of
the overall public debate on Federal spending, revenues, and
size of the Federal debt.
Too often, the USDA programs funded by this bill are
confused with farm subsidies and other mandatory spending more
properly associated with multi-year farm bills. In contrast,
this bill provides annual funding for programs familiar to all
Americans such as protecting food safety through the Food
Safety and Inspection Service [FSIS] and the FDA, which also
plays a vital role in maintaining the safety of the Nation's
blood supply and availability of safe and effective medical
products and other components of our health system. This bill
also provides funding to fight against the introduction and
spread of noxious, infectious, or invasive pests and diseases
that threaten our plant and animal health environments, as well
as funding for many other missions of dire importance to the
American people.
In the context of overall pressures on spending and the
competing priorities that the Committee faces, this bill as
reported provides the proper amount of emphasis on
agricultural, rural development, and other programs and
activities funded by the bill. It is consistent with the
Subcommittee's allocation for fiscal year 2022.
All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to
ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided to
carry out the programs of USDA, FDA, and FCA. Details on each
of the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's
justifications for the funding levels are included in the
report.
Fiscal year 2021 levels cited in this report reflect
amounts enacted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
(Public Law 116-260) and do not include fiscal year 2021
supplemental appropriations. Accordingly, any comparisons to
fiscal year 2021 do not reflect fiscal year 2021 supplemental
appropriations. Fiscal year 2021 supplemental appropriations
are included in the comparative statement of new budget
authority at the end of this report under the heading ``Other
Appropriations''.
REPORTS TO CONGRESS
The Committee has, throughout this report, requested
agencies to provide studies and reports on various issues. The
Committee utilizes these reports to evaluate program
performance and make decisions on future appropriations. The
Committee directs that all studies and reports be provided to
the Committee as electronic documents in an agreed upon format
within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, unless
an alternative submission schedule is specifically stated in
the report.
BREAKDOWN BY TITLE
The amounts of obligational authority for each of the seven
titles are shown in the following table. A detailed tabulation,
showing comparisons, appears at the end of this report.
Recommendations for individual appropriation items, projects
and activities are carried in this report under the appropriate
item headings.
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 Committee
enacted recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs.... 7,542,086 8,313,700
Title II: Farm Production and 43,421,375 38,601,114
Conservation programs............
Title III: Rural economic and 3,236,023 3,562,431
community development programs...
Title IV: Domestic food programs.. 145,738,332 139,612,899
Title V: Foreign assistance and 2,204,020 2,246,956
related programs.................
Title VI: Related agencies and 3,518,716 3,414,716
Food and Drug Administration.....
Title VII: General provisions..... 108,561 7,333,965
Other Appropriations.............. ................. .................
-------------------------------------
Total, new budget 205,769,113 202,486,980
(obligational) authority...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, And Marketing
Office of the Secretary
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $46,998,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 86,773,000
Committee recommendation................................ 52,916,000
The Secretary of Agriculture, assisted by the Deputy
Secretary, Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Chief
Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and members of
their immediate staffs, directs and coordinates the work of the
United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. This includes
developing policy, maintaining relationships with agricultural
organizations and others in the development of farm programs,
and maintaining liaison with the Executive Office of the
President and Members of Congress on all matters pertaining to
agricultural policy.
The general authority of the Secretary to supervise and
control the work of the Department is contained in the Organic
Act (Public Law 101-624). The delegation of regulatory
functions to Department employees and authorization of
appropriations to carry out these functions is contained in 7
U.S.C. 450c-450g.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $52,916,000
for the Office of the Secretary.
The following table reflects the amount provided by the
Committee for each office and activity:
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 Fiscal year 2022 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary................................... 5,101 14,801 5,703
Office of Homeland Security............................... 1,324 13,429 4,749
Office of Tribal Relations................................ ................ 2,860 1,025
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.............. 7,002 13,294 6,044
Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration.......... 881 1,399 1,649
Departmental Administration............................... 21,440 26,001 21,782
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations 3,908 4,480 4,480
and Intergovernmental Affairs............................
Office of Communications.................................. 7,342 10,509 7,484
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 46,998 86,773 52,916
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian Wheat Grading.--The Committee is concerned about
unfair wheat grading practices that negatively affect American
wheat growers that export to Canada. Currently, the Canadian
wheat varietal registration system excludes many American
varieties, instead automatically downgrading America premium
wheat to the lowest quality designation. In the United States,
however, our grading system provides a fair examination for
wheat imported from Canada, regardless of the seed variety.
This discrepancy needs to be addressed to ensure our wheat
growers are being treated fairly. Therefore, the Committee
urges the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Department
of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to
prioritize conversations with the Canadian government to
address trade inequities resulting from Canada's current wheat
varietal registration practices.
Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] Obligations and
Commitments.--The Secretary is directed to notify the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in writing
15 days prior to the obligation or commitment of any emergency
funds from the CCC.
Farming Opportunities and Training Outreach Program.--
Creating and expanding new farming opportunities and supporting
farmer training and technical assistance are critical to the
future of American agriculture and our food system. The
Committee notes that significant funding was included in the
fiscal year 2021 Omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act for
the Farming Opportunities and Training Outreach Program [FOTO].
The Secretary is urged to support new and established training,
education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives that
address the needs of the next generation of farmers and ensure
they have access to USDA credit, commodity, conservation, and
other programs and services.
Hemp.--The Committee is concerned that the level of
allowable THC content in hemp may be arbitrary and pose a
burden on hemp producers that is not supported by scientific
evidence. The Committee directs USDA to work with the
Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug
Enforcement Administration to study and report to Congress on
whether there is scientific basis for the current limit of 3
percent THC in hemp and suggest alternative levels if
necessary.
The Committee is concerned that producers of high value,
horticultural hemp are being prevented from accessing USDA
programs designed for specialty crops, including the Specialty
Crop Block Grants and crop insurance. Within 90 days of
enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the Secretary to
establish a dual designation for hemp as a specialty crop based
on the manner and purpose for which it is grown.
Institute for Rural Partnerships.--The Committee recognizes
rural communities face unique challenges that include but are
not limited to, availability of safe and efficient
transportation systems, access to high speed telecommunications
and broadband options, implementing the latest advanced
manufacturing technologies, delivering rural health solutions,
providing safe drinking water systems, offering effective waste
water treatment options, providing affordable housing options,
and developing resilient community infrastructure systems in
the face of climate uncertainty. While costs of addressing
these issues continue to rise, available resources have not
kept pace. New partnerships and solutions are needed to tackle
these problems. Therefore, the Committee provides $30,000,000
for the establishment of three Institutes for Rural
Partnerships at established land-grant universities. The
institutes shall be geographically diverse in their placement,
and shall dedicate resources to researching the causes and
conditions of challenges facing rural areas, and to the
development of community partnerships to address such
challenges and to promulgate creative solutions that can be
replicated in similar communities within the region.
One such institute shall be established at a land-grant
university in the Northeast U.S. in a rural State where over 60
percent of the population is defined as rural by the U.S.
Census Bureau, which is connected to an associated medical
school and medical center, and which has enumerated existing
partnerships with Federal agencies that support existing
initiatives to research rural agriculture, food systems, water
quality, transit and employment needs. Another shall be
established at a comprehensive land-grant university that
includes a veterinary school of medicine, medical school, and
medical center with at least 10 satellite agricultural research
stations in rural communities in a State with a diverse rural
manufacturing base that also produces a diversity of
agricultural and forest products. The land-grant university
shall have significant, existing partnerships with Federal
agencies related to food production, food manufacturing,
community engagement and environmental stewardship. Finally,
another institute shall be established at a land-grant
university in the southeast U.S. with established programs in
agriculture and engineering, and with specific expertise in
transportation systems and asphalt roadways in rural areas,
advanced manufacturing systems and additive manufacturing,
innovative community-based solutions for rural housing,
wireless engineering and critical infrastructure security, and
water and wastewater treatment for rural communities.
Local Agriculture Market Program.--Creating and expanding
new and better markets is critical to the future of American
agriculture and our food system. The Committee notes that
substantial funding was included in the fiscal year 2021
Omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act for both the Farmers
Market and Local Food Promotion Program [FMLFPP] and the Value-
Added Producer Grant Program [VAPG]. The Secretary is urged to
continue to find innovative was to help further diversify and
increase on-farm income to strengthen our rural communities.
National Finance Center.--USDA's National Finance Center
[NFC] is the largest designated Federal Government Payroll
Shared Service Provider [SSP] that maintains and provides
integrated payroll and personnel services for over 640,000
Federal employees. To ensure that thousands of Federal
employees' pay and human resources services are not interrupted
or adversely impacted, the Committee has maintained and
modified the current law general provision regarding the NFC
payroll and shared services operations, missions, functions,
and reporting notifications. The Committee also directs USDA to
provide quarterly reports to the Committee regarding full-time
equivalent [FTE] levels for each of the current NFC divisions,
operations, or functions as well as each of the Office of the
Chief Financial Officer [OFCO] and Office of the Chief
Information Officer [OCIO] divisions, operations, or functions
currently co-located with the NFC. These quarterly reports
shall also include a detailed breakdown of the FTEs for each of
these same divisions, functions, or operations for the NFC and
the co-located OCFO and OCIO functions compared to those during
fiscal year 2018 (calendar year 2017).
Pay Costs and Federal Employees' Retirement System
[FERS].--The Committee provides the requested pay cost increase
of 2.7 percent and provides the 1.1 percent increase for FERS
benefits for fiscal year 2022.
Resource Conservation and Development Councils.--Since
1964, the Resource Conservation and Development [RC&D] Councils
have worked at the grassroots level with local leaders to plan,
develop, and carry out programs for land and water conservation
and management. The Committee encourages the Secretary to
consider the maximum practical use of RC&D Councils, where such
RC&D Councils meet agency performance requirements, in the
delivery of USDA programs and services.
Scholars Programs.--The Committee applauds the Department's
efforts to strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA
and 1890 and 1994 Land Grant Institutions to increase the
number of students studying, graduating, and pursuing careers
in in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related
fields of study. Building a diverse and strong pipeline of
future agricultural scientists and professionals in public
service can help to bring new ideas and perspectives that will
benefit agriculture and society as a whole. The Committee
encourages USDA to further expand the work of the two Scholars
Programs to allow for the selection of a greater number of
scholars and supports the participation of more agencies in
this effort in order to recruit talented students into public
service.
Executive Operations
Executive operations were established as a result of the
reorganization of the Department to provide a support team for
USDA policy officials and selected Department-wide services.
Activities under the executive operations include the Office of
the Chief Economist, the National Appeals Division, and the
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
Office of the Chief Economist
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $24,192,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 31,050,000
Committee recommendation................................ 25,499,000
The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of
Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies
and programs. The Office serves as the single focal point for
the Nation's economic intelligence and analysis, risk
assessment, and cost-benefit analysis related to domestic and
international food and agriculture issues, provides policy
direction for renewable energy development; conducts analyses
of climate change impacts on agriculture and forestry; and is
responsible for coordination and review of all commodity and
aggregate agricultural and food-related data used to develop
outlook and situation material within the Department.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $25,499,000
for the Office of the Chief Economist.
Policy Research.--The Committee provides $8,000,000 for
policy research under 7 U.S.C. 3155 for entities with existing
institutional capacity to conduct complex economic and policy
analysis and which have a lengthy and well-documented record of
conducting policy analysis for the benefit of USDA, the
Congressional Budget Office, or the Congress. Of the amount
provided for policy research activities, $3,000,000 is provided
for the Department to focus efforts on entities that have
developed models, databases, and staff necessary to conduct in-
depth analysis of impacts of agriculture or rural development
policy proposals on rural communities, farmers, agribusiness,
taxpayers, and consumers. The Department is encouraged to fund
regional and State-level baseline projections in addition to
currently available national and international outlooks.
Study of U.S. Biobased Economy.--The Committee recognizes
the global scope of the bioeconomy and its importance to our
Nation's long-term economic strength and competitiveness, so
directs the Department to study the U.S. bioeconomy's size and
scope in comparison with other nations according to available
data on direct/indirect jobs and average wages, economic
output, tax contributions, and investment. Additionally, the
study should examine the benefits per dollar of new and private
investment in expanding plant-based product production in rural
America, including how investments in worker training programs,
infrastructure, and public services could positively impact
local and State economies. Further, it should address the
opportunities and barriers to biofuels companies expanding into
advanced fuels, bioproducts or additional byproduct or value-
added production. In coordination with the Forest Service, it
should include an analysis of the potential economic
integration between forest products, pulp, and woody biomass
and markets for annual or perennial biomass. The Report should
include an analysis of market transparency in the sales of
these commodities and its impact on farmers and forest managers
who harvest feedstocks to further production sites. The
Committee directs the Secretary to submit a report detailing
the Department's findings to the Congressional Committees on
Appropriations not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $15,394,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 16,173,000
Committee recommendation................................ 16,173,000
The Office of Hearings and Appeals conducts administrative
hearings and reviews of adverse program decisions made by the
Rural Development mission area, the Farm Service Agency [FSA],
the Risk Management Agency [RMA], and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service [NRCS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $16,173,000
for the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $9,629,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 12,760,000
Committee recommendation................................ 12,310,000
The Office of Budget and Program Analysis provides
direction and administration of the Department's budgetary
functions including developing, presenting, and executing of
the budget; reviewing program and legislative proposals for
program, budget, and related implications; analyzing program
and resource issues and alternatives; preparing summaries of
pertinent data to aid the Secretary, Departmental policy
officials, and agency program managers in the decision-making
process; and providing Department-wide coordination for and
participation in the presentation of budget-related matters to
the Committees of the Congress, the media, and interested
public. The Office also provides Department-wide coordination
of the preparation and processing of regulations and
legislative programs and reports.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $12,310,000
for the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $66,814,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 101,001,000
Committee recommendation................................ 84,746,000
The Office of the Chief Information Officer was established
in the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-106), which
required the establishment of a Chief Information Officer for
major Federal agencies. This Office provides policy guidance,
leadership, coordination, and direction to the Department's
information management and information technology [IT]
investment activities in support of USDA program delivery, and
is the lead office in USDA e-gov efforts. The Office provides
long-range planning guidance, implements measures to ensure
that technology investments are economical and effective,
coordinates interagency information resources management
projects, and implements standards to promote information
exchange and technical interoperability. In addition, the
Office of the Chief Information Officer is responsible for
certain activities financed under the Department's Working
Capital Fund (7 U.S.C. 2235). The Office also provides
telecommunication and automated data processing [ADP] services
to USDA agencies through the National Information Technology
Center with locations in Fort Collins, Colorado; Kansas City,
Missouri; and Washington, D.C. Direct ADP operational services
are also provided to the Office of the Secretary, the Office of
the General Counsel, the Office of Communications, the Office
of the Chief Financial Officer, and Departmental Management.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $84,746,000
for the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,109,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 7,118,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,118,000
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible
for the dual roles of Chief Financial Management Policy Officer
and Chief Financial Management Advisor to the Secretary and
mission area heads. The Office provides leadership for all
financial management, accounting, travel, Federal assistance,
and strategic planning performance measurement activities
within the Department. The Office is also responsible for the
management and operation of the National Finance Center and the
Departmental Working Capital Fund.
National Finance Center.--The National Finance Center [NFC]
is the largest designated Federal Government Payroll Shared
Service Provider and it provides integrated payroll and
personnel services for over 640,000 Federal employees. To
ensure that thousands of Federal employees' pay and human
resources services are not interrupted or adversely impacted by
major organizational changes, the Committee has modified
requirements under current law relating to NFC payroll and
shared services operations, missions, personnel, and functions.
The Committee also directs the USDA to provide quarterly
reports on full-time equivalent [FTE] levels for each of the
current NFC divisions, operations, and functions, as well as
each of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer [OCFO] and
Office of the Chief Information Officer [OCIO] divisions,
operations, and functions currently co-located with the NFC.
The reports also are to include a detailed breakdown of the
FTEs for each and any of these same divisions, functions, or
operations for the NFC and the co-located OCFO and OCIO
functions compared to those during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
Furthermore, the Committee is pleased that the National Finance
Center was able to protect its cybersecurity infrastructure in
the wake of the SolarWinds breach. The Committee encourages the
National Finance Center to keep it apprised of its
cybersecurity needs and to immediately notify the Committee of
any major threat to its systems.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,118,000 for
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $908,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,426,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,426,000
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
provides oversight of civil rights and related functions. This
includes coordination of the administration of civil rights
laws and regulations for employees of USDA and participants in
programs of the Department and ensuring compliance with civil
rights laws.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,426,000 for
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
Office of Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $22,789,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 29,328,000
Committee recommendation................................ 29,328,000
The Office of Civil Rights provides overall leadership
responsibility for all Department-wide civil rights activities.
These activities include employment opportunity, as well as
program nondiscrimination policy development, analysis,
coordination, and compliance. The Office is responsible for
providing leadership in facilitating the fair and equitable
treatment of USDA employees and for monitoring program
activities to ensure that all USDA programs are delivered in a
nondiscriminatory manner. The Office's outreach functions
provide leadership, coordination, facilitation, and expertise
to internal and external partners to ensure equal and timely
access to USDA programs for all constituents, with emphasis on
the underserved, through information sharing, technical
assistance, and training.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $29,328,000
for the Office of Civil Rights.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $108,124,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 133,443,000
Committee recommendation................................ 313,443,000
Department headquarters presently operates in a two-
building, Government-owned complex in downtown Washington,
D.C.; the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville,
Maryland; and leased buildings in the metropolitan Washington,
D.C., area. Under an arrangement with the General Services
Administration, USDA operates, maintains, and repairs these
facilities, in lieu of rental payments. For the last several
years, the Department has implemented a strategic space plan to
locate staff more efficiently, renovate its buildings, and
eliminate safety hazards, particularly in the Agriculture South
Building.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $313,443,000
for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.
Hazardous Materials Management
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,514,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 6,545,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,545,000
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (Public Law 96-510) and the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Public Law 94-580), the
Department has the responsibility to meet the same standards
regarding the storage and disposition of hazardous materials as
private businesses. The Department is required to contain,
cleanup, monitor, and inspect for hazardous materials in areas
under the Department's jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,545,000 for
Hazardous Materials Management.
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $23,218,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 27,034,000
Committee recommendation................................ 23,306,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $23,306,000
for the Office of Safety, Security, and Protection.
Office of Inspector General
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $99,912,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 106,309,000
Committee recommendation................................ 106,309,000
The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established on
October 12, 1978, by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public
Law 95-452). This Act expanded and provided specific
authorities for the activities of OIG which had previously been
carried out under the general authorities of the Secretary.
The Office is administered by an inspector general who
reports directly to the Secretary. Functions and
responsibilities of this Office include direction and control
of audit and investigative activities within the Department,
formulation of audit and investigative policies and procedures
regarding Department programs and operations, and analysis and
coordination of program-related audit and investigation
activities performed by other Department agencies.
The activities of this Office are designed to assure
compliance with existing laws, policies, regulations, and
programs of the Department's agencies and to provide
appropriate officials with the means for prompt corrective
action where deviations have occurred. The scope of audit and
investigative activities is large and includes administrative,
program, and criminal matters. These activities are
coordinated, when appropriate, with various audit and
investigative agencies of the executive and legislative
branches of the Government.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $106,309,000
for the Office of Inspector General.
Office of the General Counsel
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $45,390,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 60,723,000
Committee recommendation................................ 60,723,000
The Office of the General Counsel provides all legal
advice, counsel, and services to the Secretary and to all
agencies, offices, and corporations of the Department. The
Office represents the Department in administrative proceedings;
non-litigation debt collection proceedings; State water rights
adjudications; proceedings before the Environmental Protection
Agency, Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Maritime
Administration, and International Trade Commission; and, in
conjunction with the Department of Justice, judicial
proceedings and litigation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $60,723,000
for the Office of the General Counsel.
Office of Ethics
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $4,184,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 4,277,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,277,000
The Office of Ethics is the centralized and consolidated
office implementing USDA's ethics program throughout the
Department. The Office provides ethics services to all
employees at the Department concerning advice, training, and
guidance about compliance with conflict of interest and
impartiality rules. This includes complying with the
requirements of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act
(Public Law 112-105) and the Office of Government Ethics
regulatory requirements (5 CFR parts 2634 through 2641).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,277,000 for
the Office of Ethics.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $809,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,327,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,327,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education,
and Economics provides direction and coordination in carrying
out the laws enacted by the Congress for food and agricultural
research, education, extension, and economic and statistical
information. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Agricultural Research Service [ARS];
National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NIFA]; Economic
Research Service [ERS]; and National Agricultural Statistics
Service [NASS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,327,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and
Economics.
Economic Research Service
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $85,476,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 90,594,000
Committee recommendation................................ 90,794,000
The Economic Research Service provides economic and other
social science research and analysis for public and private
decisions on agriculture, food, the environment, and rural
America. The information that ERS produces is available to the
general public and helps the Executive and Legislative Branches
develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and rural
policies and programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $90,794,000
for the Economic Research Service.
Agricultural Commodity Trade.--The Committee recognizes the
economic importance of international trade for U.S.
agricultural commodities and believes that producers and
markets would benefit from having access to additional data on
the country of destination or origin of those commodities.
Therefore, the Committee directs ERS to report on a quarterly
basis the top five agricultural commodity exports and imports
by State and to identify the country of destination or origin
of those commodities.
Feed Costs.--The Committee maintains funding provided in
fiscal year 2021 for ERS to expand its current feed cost
components surveys nationally.
Incentives for Voluntary Carbon Sequestration.--The
Committee directs ERS to provide, within 1 year of the
enactment of this Act, a report on incentive programs for
encouraging the voluntary adoption various agricultural
management practices that increase carbon sequestration in
soil. ERS is encouraged to consider how alternative policies or
voluntary programs would manage the tradeoff between
incentivizing new adopters and rewarding and sustaining
existing adopters of techniques that sequester soil carbon,
regional and geographic differences in incentive programs,
social and behavioral obstacles, and the differences across
program designs.
Life Cycle Analysis [LCA] for Various Biobased Products.--
The Committee recognizes the need for consumers and industry to
have better information regarding the environmental benefits
and impact of biobased products when compared with traditional
products in the marketplace. This can be accomplished through a
study detailing the most recent life cycle analyses of the main
biobased products across the specific product areas of
chemicals, plastics, and fibrous materials. The Committee
therefore directs the Department to complete a study of
existing life cycle analyses for key biobased chemicals,
polymers, plastics, and fibrous materials and environmental
impact data across various categories, and to make its findings
publicly available for consumers and industry to access. The
Secretary shall submit a report detailing the Department's
findings to the Committee not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment and provide an in-person briefing.
Organic Data Analysis.--The organic industry has grown at a
tremendous rate over the past several years and accurate data
for the production, pricing, and marketing of organic products
is essential. Therefore, the Committee encourages ERS to
continue and expand the efforts relating to organic data
analysis.
Rural Tract Codes.--The Committee recognizes the Federal
Office of Rural Health Policy's [FORHP] use of Rural-Urban
Commuting Area [RUCA] and the Frontier and Remote [FAR] codes,
developed by ERS to define rural populations. However, neither
of these codes are designed to measure the rural nature of
communities in mountainous regions, such as the Appalachian
Mountains. The Committee is pleased that ERS has taken some
steps to make corrections to secondary RUCA codes to better
reflect census tracts that should be classified as rural. The
Committee directs ERS to continue to coordinate with FORHP to
conduct research on the feasibility of identifying tracts with
difficult and mountainous terrain. Roads shall be deemed to be
located in mountainous terrain if such roads are in areas
identified as mountains on any official maps or other documents
prepared for and issued to the public by the State agency
responsible for highways or by the U.S. Geological Survey.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $183,921,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 193,662,000
Committee recommendation................................ 191,662,000
The National Agricultural Statistics Service administers
the Department's program of collecting and publishing current
national, State, and county agricultural statistics. These
statistics provide accurate and timely projections of current
agricultural production and measures of the economic and
environmental welfare of the agricultural sector, which are
essential for making effective policy, production, and
marketing decisions. NASS also furnishes statistical services
to other USDA and Federal agencies in support of their missions
and provides consulting, technical assistance, and training to
developing countries.
NASS is also responsible for administration of the Census
of Agriculture, which is taken every 5 years and provides
comprehensive data on the agricultural economy, including: data
on the number of farms, land use, production expenses, farm
product values, value of land and buildings, farm size and
characteristics of farm operators, market value of agricultural
production sold, acreage of major crops, inventory of livestock
and poultry, and farm irrigation practices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $191,662,000
for the National Agricultural Statistics Service, of which
$46,850,000 is for the Census of Agriculture.
Barley Estimates.--The Committee is encouraged that NASS
has reinstated acreage and production estimates for barley in
States that were previously discontinued in 2016 and 2017. The
Committee expects NASS to continue providing barley acreage and
production estimates for those States.
Chemical Use Data Series.--The Chemical Use Data Series
provides timely, valuable information on fertilizer and
chemical use data on major field crops and selected specialty
crops. The Committee encourages NASS to continue funding the
collection and analysis of chemical use data, as well as
practices such as integrated pest management. The Committee
supports the NASS effort to resume collecting Fruit Chemical
Use data and Vegetable Chemical Use data in alternating years
and directs the continuation of this practice to ensure equal
access to Federal statistics.
Cost of Pollination Survey.--The Committee provides
$1,500,000 for NASS to resume the Cost of Pollination survey,
which provides critical information to beekeepers and specialty
crop growers.
Floriculture Crops Report.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the Floriculture Crops Report and maintains
funding for NASS to complete the report. In compiling the
report, the Committee continues to direct NASS to include data
from Alaska.
Organic Data Initiative.--The Committee maintains the
$500,000 in funding provided in fiscal year 2021 for NASS to
coordinate with Agricultural Marketing Service for activities
related to expanding organic price reporting and organic data
collection.
Report Improvements.--The Committee is aware of concerns
regarding recent NASS reports. The Committee provides funding
for NASS to provide a customer-centric data collection
dashboard for ease of use, improving the data-user experience
with simplified access and increased usability, creating a
reimagined operating model that equips the agency with the best
tools and technology and allows the agency to recruit and
retain top talent, and other initiatives that will allow NASS
to meet future data needs. The Committee directs NASS to
provide a report not later than 120 days after the enactment of
this Act on how the agency can improve report accuracy,
including through new technology, updated methods, and better
coordination with other USDA agencies and the private sector.
Agricultural Research Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,491,784,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,849,590,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,675,040,000
The Agricultural Research Service [ARS] is responsible for
conducting basic, applied, and developmental research through
its major program areas of New Products/Product Quality/Value
Added; Livestock/Crop Production; Food Safety; Livestock/Crop
Protection; Human Nutrition; and Environmental Stewardship. The
research applies to a wide range of goals, including
commodities, natural resources, fields of science, and
geographic, climatic, and environmental conditions.
ARS is also responsible for the Abraham Lincoln National
Agricultural Library, which provides agricultural information
and library services through traditional library functions and
modern electronic dissemination to USDA agencies, public and
private organizations, and individuals.
As USDA's in-house agricultural research unit, ARS has
major responsibilities for conducting and leading the national
agricultural research effort. It provides initiative and
leadership in the following five areas: research on broad
regional and national problems, research to support Federal
action and regulatory agencies, expertise to meet national
emergencies, research support for international programs, and
scientific resources to the executive branch and Congress.
The mission of ARS research is to develop and transfer
solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority
and to provide information access and dissemination to ensure
high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; assess
the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive
agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the
environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural
citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,675,040,000
for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service.
The Committee expects extramural research to be funded at
no less than the fiscal year 2021 levels.
Advancing the Efficiency of Forage-based Beef Production.--
The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level
for the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory to conduct research
and development of economically and environmentally sustainable
forage-based beef production systems to increase the volume and
efficiency of forage-based beef production.
Agricultural Genomics.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level for agricultural genomic research to
expand the knowledge of public and private sector entities and
persons concerning genomes for species of importance to the
food and agriculture sectors in order to maximize the return on
the investment in genomics of agriculturally important species.
Agrivoltaics.--The Committee recognizes the advancement in
agrivoltaics and its potential in renewable energy and water
efficiency. The Committee encourages the Department to conduct
a study on dual-use renewable energy systems that includes an
assessment of the compatibility of different species of
livestock and different crop types with different dual-use
renewable energy system designs as well as a risk-benefit
analysis of dual-use renewable energy systems in different
regions. The Committee further encourages USDA to conduct a
demonstration program on dual-use renewable energy systems in
multiple regions of the United States, including arid, semi-
arid, and wet agricultural zones.
AgTech Cooperative Agreements.--The Committee provides
$1,000,000 to establish cooperative agreements with land grant
universities, non-profits and other entities to support the
research, development and acceleration of agriculture
technology
Alfalfa Research.--The Committee notes that research into
alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the potential to
increase yields, increase milk production, and improve
genetics, and the Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level to support research focused on alfalfa
improvement. Research should focus on using tools to accelerate
and enhance existing breeding programs focused on improving
yield and quality parameters; developing innovative harvesting
and utilization systems; developing new markets for co-
products; and quantifying environmental benefits from alfalfa-
based systems.
Alternative Technologies for Animal Waste Utilization.--The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for
the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory to conduct research and
development of technologies to recover phosphorus from manure,
transform manure into secondary byproducts, and find
alternative environmentally safe and economical usages of
manure. The research may also explore environmentally safe
methods and appropriate rates of manure application for growing
crops and vegetables and the development of alternative
feedstock for livestock by raising aquatic zooplanktons on
manure wastewater.
Ancient Crop Genetics.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of plant genetics research in enhancing yields and
reducing global food insecurity. The Committee provides an
additional $1,000,000 for utilizing ancient crop plant
ancestors to meet consumer demands and protect the global food
supply.
Animal Health and Agro-/Bio-Defense Program.--The Committee
provides an additional of $1,500,000 to ensure the development
of human and technical resources needed for the establishment
of a center of excellence for Animal Health and Agro-Bio
Defense science to advance integrated research for defending
against bio- and agro-terrorism in economically important,
large domestic animals. The Committee recognizes the need for
developing programs and facilities to conduct research that
supports the mission of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense
Facility and other Federal programs in the animal agro-defense
strategy.
Appalachian Natural Products Research.--The Committee
provides $1,000,000 to advance natural products research and
applications with a focus on plant species in Appalachia.
Aquaculture Seedstock.--The Committee remains concerned
that vital seedstock to support the development of aquaculture
in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will be sourced from
foreign aquaculture producers. Domestic on-land recirculating
aquaculture systems are highly capable of producing seedstock
to support significant domestic on-land and offshore
aquaculture industry growth, including through broodstock
acquisition and care, spawning, and larval culture techniques.
Therefore, the Committee encourages USDA to continue working
collaboratively with U.S. aquaculture producers and research
institutions that specialize in the development of aquaculture
technologies and provides an additional $1,000,000 for the
development of aquaculture technology that will ensure a steady
supply of warm water marine fish seedstock for the economic
growth of the U.S. aquaculture industry.
Aquaponics System Development.--The Committee recognizes
the need for improving the development of fresh food production
technology to address domestic food security and safety
demands. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year
2021 level and directs ARS to coordinate with academic partners
and industry to develop a model-controlled agriculture
aquaponics system that is scalable and commercially viable with
the purpose of advancing increased fresh food production,
improved food safety, decreased water usage, improved nutrient
utilization, and decreased negative environmental impacts.
Atlantic Salmon Breeding Program.--The Committee directs
ARS to continue its Atlantic salmon breeding and domestication
work. The Committee notes that domestic salmon farms are
required to only use strains of salmon that are of North
American origin and that these strains need substantial
breeding improvement in order to be competitive with strains
currently used by foreign producers. The Committee notes that
the current ARS Atlantic salmon breeding program lacks a
geneticist and supports efforts by the Department to address
this need.
Binational Agricultural Research and Development [BARD].--
The Committee is supportive of the activities carried out
through BARD and provides an increase of $1,000,000 to support
BARD's historical grant-making functions and expand BARD
programming for food and nutrition as well as artificial
intelligence.
Barley Pest Initiative.--The Committee recognizes that
insects and viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases inflict
substantial yield and quality losses to the barley crop
throughout the United States, resulting in significant economic
losses to growers and end-users. The Committee supports
research to be carried out through the Barley Pest Initiative
to address these major threats to sustainable and profitable
barley production and utilization. The Committee provides an
additional $1,000,000 to support this initiative.
Bee Genomic Sequencing.--The Committee is aware that the
genome of the honeybee, Apis mellifera, has been sequenced, but
there are more than 4,000 bee species in the United States, not
all of which are affected by colony collapse or population
declines in the same way. The Committee recognizes the critical
importance of bee species to American agriculture,
floriculture, and ecosystem biodiversity and the increasing
challenges to bee colony health related to parasites, poor
nutrition, pathogens, and pesticides. Although progress has
been made in understanding these influences on pollinator
health, additional research into a broader range of genetic
information will assist in addressing the decline in bee
pollinators. The Committee provides an additional $1,500,000
for ARS to sequence and study the genomes of all species of
bees in the United States and directs that this research be
conducted in conjunction with Midwestern land-grant
universities with established expertise in bee genomic biology.
Big Data.--The Committee is aware of ARS' effort to develop
high performance computing infrastructures for modern
agricultural research. The Committee provides $15,000,000 to
expand ARS' high-speed network, high-performance computing
capabilities, big data storage, and modern informatics
expertise to meet both current and future needs
Blueberry Breeding.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level to continue a comprehensive national
blueberry breeding research program to support research in the
areas of physiology, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology,
and fruit quality that complement breeding. The research will
apply the latest tools in molecular breeding to blueberry
improvement as well as developing cultivars suitable for
machine harvesting.
Cattle Fever Ticks.--Cattle fever ticks pose a significant
health threat to U.S. cattle and other species across the
entire Southern region of the United States. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for research
to address the spread of cattle fever ticks.
Center for Pollinator Health.--The Committee is aware that
bees play a crucial role in U.S. agriculture as pollinators and
that continued colony loss poses a serious threat to future
food production. While the Committee commends the Department
for the steps it has taken to better understand and address
this problem, the Committee is concerned that the maximum
benefits of multiagency efforts have yet to be achieved. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for
the Center for Pollinator Health in order to provide a central
Federal voice on pollinator health. The Committee encourages
ARS to collaborate with Federal and land-grant university
partners to examine the impact of pesticides, varroa mites, and
other potential contributors to bee colony declines.
Chronic Wasting Disease [CWD].--The Committee recognizes
the importance of a live test for cervids potentially affected
with CWD and provides an additional $500,000 for research
dedicated to the development of such test and research on
pathways of transmission.
Citrus Greening Disease Research.--The Committee commends
ARS on its research efforts on citrus greening disease and
encourages the agency to continue working to develop methods to
reduce transmission and enhance immunity in citrus trees, and
to work with industry, universities, growers, and other
partners to develop effective control mechanisms. The Committee
also encourages ARS to coordinate its efforts with the
Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination [HLB-MAC] group.
Climate Change.--The Committee understands the important
role ARS has on addressing climate change issues. The Committee
provides $5,000,000 to establish ARS research teams to support
regional Climate Hubs and $2,500,000 to develop methods to
reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change on pests and
pathogen infestations of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
Climate Hubs.--The Committee provides $5,000,000 for ARS to
establish a fellowship program that actively supports climate
hub research and communications.
Coffee Leaf Rust.--The recent discovery of coffee leaf rust
in the U.S. insular pacific has substantially impacted U.S.
coffee agriculture, and the Committee provides $1,200,000 to
develop science-based management strategies, provide extension
services, and research CLR resistant varieties of coffee.
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia.--The Committee continues
to support USDA's many efforts to address the threat of foreign
animal diseases and pests to prevent their introduction and
spread in the U.S. ARS participates in these efforts by
conducting research to develop improved animal diagnostic tests
and vaccines, and the Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level for research with partners on contagious
bovine pleuropneumonia, which can have a mortality rate as high
as 80 percent for infected cattle.
Cotton Blue Disease.--The Committee is aware that emerging
Cotton Blue Disease identified in Southeastern States could
have a devastating impact on the cotton industry if it
continues to spread. The Committee provides an additional
$1,500,000 and directs ARS to coordinate with the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS], academic partners, and
industry to develop a multi-State sentinel program with the
purpose of conducting research to establish biomarkers for the
disease and to determine whether there are viable extension
management strategies pertaining to aphid control and general
cotton management.
Cotton Ginning.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
pollution abatement, improving fiber quality, ginning
efficiency, cotton seed, and other byproducts and provides no
less than the fiscal year 2021 level to expand research in
cotton ginning and innovation by existing laboratories.
Cotton Seed Bug.--The Cotton Seed Bug has been identified
in certain areas of the west. The Cotton Seed Bug has been
reported to cause reduction in yield, reduction in seed weight,
and reduction in oil content of seed. The Committee provides
$1,000,000 to research further the effects of this bug.
Cover Crops and Cereal Grain Variety Selection.--The
Committee provides an additional $2,000,000 to develop soil
enhancement technologies and research cereal grains, cover
crops, and invasive weeds as they related to the northern
climates in regions dominated by permafrost.
Cover Crops Research and Outreach.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of developing profitable and
practicable cover crop options for use in dairy, grain, and
vegetable production systems, including for use in no-till
organic systems and as forages. Therefore, the Committee
provides an additional $4,050,000 to support research with the
purposes of improving measures of soil health and resiliency;
varietal development; optimal dairy forage species
combinations; timing and strategies for cover crop seeding and
termination; forage integration into organic dairy systems; and
mitigation of environmental and extreme rainfall impacts on
water quality and soil security for diverse cover crop systems.
Cranberry Research.--The Committee recognizes the need for
advancements in water conservation, pest control, disease
reduction, and fruit quality improvements in cranberry
production. The Committee provides an additional $2,000,000 for
the improvement of cranberry yields, pest and disease
management, and water resource management by developing fields
devoted to cranberry research and collection and storage of
samples for analysis in appropriate existing laboratory
facilities.
Crop Production Systems and Crop Genetics.--The Committee
recommends an additional $1,000,000 to support ARS activities
in crop production systems and crop genetics in the mid-south
region.
Dairy Forage Research.--The Committee provides $3,200,000
for research and outreach on the attributes of alternative
cropping cycles and forage systems for dairy production
systems, including evaluation of the interactions between
climate change, water quality, soil carbon, and cost-of-
production in the short and long term.
Dietary Manipulation to Improve Gut Health in Broiler
Production.--The Committee recognizes the need for the
development of alternative nutritional and managerial
strategies in domestic poultry production as a result of
broiler-fed antibiotic growth promoters. The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to support cooperative
research focused on ensuring broiler production remains
nutritional and competitive in the global marketplace.
East Coast Shellfish Breeding.--The Committee recognizes
the dangers of parasites and bacterial and viral diseases to
shellfish farmers and understands the importance of selective
breeding to combat these infections. The Committee provides an
additional $1,500,000 for shellfish breeding research focused
on the East Coast.
Emerging Cereal Rust Diseases.--The Committee is aware that
emerging cereal rust diseases are a threat to domestic and
world food supplies. Therefore, the Department should continue
to dedicate funding to accelerate efforts to combat cereal rust
disease, including development of Ug99-resistant wheat
varieties.
Feed Enhancement.--The Committee recognizes the potential
benefits of using Bromoform, currently produced by Asparagopsis
taxiformis (red seaweed), as a cattle feed enhancement to
reduce pollution. The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level for the Livestock Nutrient Management
Research Unit to examine the applicability and potential
benefits of Bromoform, whether produced by Asparagopsis
taxiformis or an alternative method, as a cattle feed
enhancement.
Floriculture and Nursery Research.--The Committee
recognizes the economic importance of the floriculture and
nursery sector of agriculture and the industry's need for
continued innovation. The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 funding level for ARS to support academic and
Federal researchers to pursue efforts in crop protection,
breeding, mechanization, and other areas through USDA's
Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.
Food Systems.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level for ARS to continue a Food Systems
Center that addresses how local, regional, and global food
systems can provide nutritious and culturally appropriate food,
regardless of individual life circumstances. Of the amount
provided, $1,000,00 is to continue a pilot program to provide
for an evaluation of improved food resource management and diet
quality in populations not now served, including the elderly,
households living below 185 percent of the poverty level, and
low-income households with children of any age.
Foodborne Pathogens.--Salmonella continues to cause serious
disease in food animals and, via transmission through
contaminated food products to people, remains the number one
bacterial foodborne pathogen in humans. The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to develop non-
antibiotic interventions to inhibit environmental movement of
Salmonella between food animal species and to reduce the
pathogen load in food animals themselves through the use of
Salmonella-targeted viruses called bacteriophages, as well as
prebiotic and probiotic supplements.
Forest Products.--The Committee recognizes the important
role of the forests products sector to the U.S. economy. The
need to create new and improved value-added products and
renewable energy from our Nation's wood supply is critical to
the sustainability of the national economy. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to support
research on wood product quality improvement and improvement in
forest products evaluation standards and valuation techniques.
ARS shall conduct this research in consultation with the Forest
Products Laboratory.
Genetic Oat Research.--The Committee recognizes the
potential genetic oat research has to improve disease
resistance (especially rusts and viruses), augment genetics,
increase yields, and develop crop rotation systems that include
oats, which will enhance the value of oats and provide benefits
to producers and consumers. The Committee provides an increase
of $1,000,000 to expand existing research focused on oat
improvement.
Genetic Resistance.--The Committee provides $500,000 for
ARS research that focuses on discovering and developing genetic
resistance and other management technologies for insect pests
and diseases of wheat, peanut, sorghum, and barley.
Genomes to Fields.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level to support the Germplasm Enhancement of
Maize project to complement existing USDA maize germplasm
programs and to support the emerging large-scale public sector
effort to investigate the interaction of maize genome variation
and environments, known as the Genomes to Fields project.
Healthy Soils Initiative.--The Committee provides an
additional $1,000,000 to support the study of enhanced food
nutritional quality through Healthy Soil-Healthy Food-Healthy
People Initiatives.
Hemp Cultivar Development.--The Committee encourages ARS to
conduct biotechnology and genomics research in collaboration
with capable institutions to elucidate the genetic control of
key production and product quality traits in hemp to facilitate
cultivar development. In addition, the Committee provides
$2,500,000 for ARS to partner with institutions already engaged
in such research to conduct hemp genetic improvement research
and breeding with new breeding and editing techniques.
Hemp Germplasm.--The Committee recognizes the increasing
demand for hemp for a variety of uses and its growing
importance as a crop for U.S. farmers. When the Nation's hemp
germplasm was destroyed in the 1980s, researchers lost access
to publicly available germplasm for plant breeding purposes.
The Committee directs ARS to establish and maintain a hemp
germplasm repository at the Plant Genetics Resources Research
Unit and provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for
this purpose. The Committee also encourages ARS and the Plant
Genetics Resources Research Unit to partner with 1890
institutions that have existing institutional capacity on hemp
germplasm research, education, and extension capabilities.
Hemp Production Systems.--The Committee recognizes the
emerging market potential for U.S. hemp and hemp-based products
for a variety of uses. The Committee directs ARS to conduct
regionally-driven research, development, and stakeholder
engagement to improve agronomic and agro-economic understanding
of effectively integrating hemp into existing agricultural
cropping, processing, and marketing systems. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for this
purpose. Research, engagement, and technology transfer shall be
conducted in strict accordance with all applicable Federal and
State authorities and regulations.
Herbicide Resistance Initiative.--The Committee supports
the creation of a regionally focused Herbicide Resistance
Initiative for the Pacific Northwest to identify and overcome
herbicide resistance associated with the crop production
pathway, reducing production losses and reducing or eliminating
pressure on trade limits due to contamination. The Committee
supports research to address weed management strongly affecting
the long-term economic sustainability of food systems in
collaboration with ARS, research institutions and stakeholder
support. The Committee recommendation includes $3,000,000 to
support the initiative.
High Performance Computing Support.--The Committee provides
an additional $3,000,000 to support high performance computing
capability to address scientific needs and directs ARS to
collaborate with appropriate partners with the technical
capacity and scientific synergy to provide cost-effective high
performance computing support.
Hops Research.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level to support hops research.
Human Nutrition Research.--Maintenance of health throughout
the lifespan, along with prevention of obesity and chronic
diseases via food-based recommendations, are the major emphases
of human nutrition research. This research supports USDA's
strategic goals of nutrition monitoring; the scientific basis
for dietary recommendations; prevention of obesity and related
diseases; and life stage nutrition and metabolism, in order to
better define the role of nutrition in pregnancy and growth of
children and for healthier aging. The Committee provides an
increase of $1,000,000 to expand research regarding life stage
nutrition and metabolism and the growth, health promotion,
disease prevention, diet, and immune function of the developing
child, especially the rural child. The Committee also provides
an increase of $1,000,000 to address the vital role that
research has on human nutrition and an aging population.
Impact of Harmful Algal Bloom [HAB] on Aquaculture.--The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for
the support of cooperative projects working on the toxicology
of HABs, including the algal species involved, the factors
mediating toxin production or release, better detection
methods, development of methods to predict release of toxins,
and new biological or chemical approaches to manage harmful
algal blooms in a cost-effective manner.
Improving Water Quality, Soil Health and Soil Carbon
Sequestration in Poultry Agricultural Fields.--The Committee
provides $2,000,000 for the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory
to conduct research on developing biomass conversion
technologies to engineer biochar for nutrient capture and heavy
metals absorption, as well as examine the role of biochar in
retaining nutrients and heavy metals in soils and develop best
management practices to apply biochar and poultry manure to
improve soil health and maximize plant nutrient uptake.
Invasive Pests.--The Committee continues to be concerned
about the threats invasive pests pose to the Pacific region,
notably to agriculture, the economy, environment, human health,
and national security. The Committee directs ARS to continue
its work with stakeholders in the Pacific region to assess
options for combatting invasive pests. Options may include
invasive pest biocontrol research and development facilities,
including appropriate containment, rearing facilities,
greenhouse quarantine, and additional agricultural research
laboratory space and administrative space.
Laboratory Staffing.--The Committee directs ARS to fully
staff laboratories even if the laboratory is proposed to be
closed in the budget request.
Little Cherry Disease.--The Committee is concerned by the
growing prevalence of Little Cherry Disease in the Pacific
Northwest and the significant threat that it poses to the
region's stone fruit. The Committee includes $2,500,000 for
research on detection and mitigation of the disease and the
vector insects involved.
Livestock Genetic Research.--The Committee is aware of the
promise that genetic engineering holds for addressing livestock
animal diseases, welfare, and production. However, the
inability to consistently produce genetically engineered
``founder animals'' in significant numbers represents the major
bottleneck for many promising animal biotechnologies. While the
National Institutes of Health [NIH] have invested in such
facilities for human biomedical research activities that
produced needed mice, rats, and pigs, the USDA has not
supported similar scale efforts. As such, the Committee
provides an additional $3,000,000 to partner with a major
university where genetic engineering expertise is already
available and to contract for such services for swine models.
The Committee encourages USDA to leverage existing investments
in this area made by the NIH.
Macadamia Tree Health Initiative.--The Macadamia Tree
Health Initiative was authorized for the purpose of developing
and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat
the macadamia felted coccid. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2021 level for this purpose.
Methyl Bromide Alternatives.--Farmers throughout the
country continue to face significant adverse economic and
operational impacts associated with the phase-out of methyl
bromide. Therefore, to meet ongoing needs for collaborative
information sources on state-of-the-art fumigant alternatives
for use by researchers, growers, food processors, legislators,
government policy officials, and other interested parties, the
Committee directs the Secretary to provide continued funding
for education and outreach regarding methyl bromide
alternatives to minimize the impacts of soil and post-harvest
pests to agriculture and maintain critical domestic and
international markets.
Missouri River Basin Water Resource Management Research.--
The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 for research on
the benefits of improving flood control on the lower Missouri
River, assessing the impact on commodity process of river
navigability, evaluating the probabilities of levee failure and
associated damage under different protection scenarios, and
utilizing biophysical simulation models to evaluate
agricultural production and minimize erosion and pollution
runoff while supporting flood control, navigation, and drinking
and cooling water supplies.
National Agricultural Library [NAL].--The Committee
strongly encourages ARS to maintain its focus on agriculture-
related legal issues within the NAL. The Committee notes that
as the agriculture sector faces increasing financial stress,
there is a necessity that agriculture-related legal issues be
addressed on an increasingly frequent basis. Further,
agricultural-related legal issues are increasingly complex and
the impact of these legal issues continues to broaden in scope.
The Committee provides an increase of $4,000,000 to support
climate science research at the NAL. Further, the Committee
provides funding at the fiscal year 2021 level to the
Agricultural Law Information Partnership, including for the
existing partner institutions, and recommends that the National
Agricultural Library continue to play an important role in
assisting all stakeholders with understanding these complex
legal issues. The Committee encourages ARS and the National
Agricultural Library to engage in multi-year cooperative
agreements with the Agricultural Law Information Partnership's
partner institutions.
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.--The Committee
provides an additional $49,000,000to continue stand-up
activities and other initial costs to operate and maintain the
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility [NBAF].
Pacific Shellfish Genetics and Breeding.--The Committee
recognizes the economic importance of shellfish aquaculture for
rural and coastal communities on the Pacific coast and the need
for resilient, healthy genetic stocks that can withstand the
region's changing ocean and coastal conditions as well as new
disease threats. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level for a shellfish genetics and breeding program
to develop genetically improved stock, promote enhanced disease
resiliency, modernize production technologies, and transfer
technology and improved stocks to shellfish farmers in Pacific
States.
Pay Costs/FERS.--The Committee provides $17,806,000 for pay
costs and FERS increases.
Pear Genetics and Genomics.--The Committee recognizes that
research into pear genetics and genomics is needed to identify
genetic sources of pest resistance and to contribute to
improved, size-controlling rootstocks to enhance orchard
efficiency and to otherwise improve cultivated pear research.
The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level
to support research into pear genetics and genomics.
Pollinator Recovery, Education, and Research.--The
Committee is aware that bees play a crucial role in U.S.
agriculture as pollinators and that colony loss poses a serious
threat to future food production. The Committee provides an
additional $1,000,000 to continue work at the Pollinator
Recovery, Education, and Research Center.
Postharvest Dairy Research.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of developing solutions to address agricultural
postharvest inefficiencies to conserve limited resources and
feed a growing population. The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level for research to develop postharvest
technologies that decrease waste and improve resource use of
protein, fat, and sugar in dairy processing.
Potato Research.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2021 level for the development of new management
strategies for potato storage that will maintain potato
quality, reduce grower and processor losses, and increase
profits.
Poultry Production Technology Development.--The Committee
recognizes the need for advancement in poultry processing as a
result of increased global competition. The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to support cooperative
research focused on advancing domestic poultry production and
processing through the development of a technology-driven,
multidisciplinary approach that will increase innovation and
discovery, particularly around animal welfare, food safety,
labor, and environmental protection.
Poultry Research.--The Committee recognizes the important
role of the poultry sector to the U.S. economy. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to expand the
research capacity for poultry production and health.
Precision Aquaculture.--The Committee recognizes that land-
based, closed-containment aquaculture provides the capacity to
raise freshwater or marine species in any locale with minimal
environmental impacts. Implementing precision agriculture
technologies in these systems will increase production
efficiencies and profitability, ultimately increasing capacity
for meeting the seafood demands of U.S. consumers through
responsible and sustainable domestic aquaculture production.
The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 to continue the
implementation of precision aquaculture in land-based, closed-
containment aquaculture systems.
Precision Viticulture for Premium Grapes.--The Committee
recognizes the rapid growth in demand for premium wine and the
industry's concurrent benefits with respect to helping numerous
rural communities generate new tourism and tax revenue.
Relevant stakeholders have identified precision viticulture and
decision support systems as the preferred path to improving
grape productivity and quality. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2021 level for a collaborative research
program focused on precision viticulture for premium grapes and
wine and to support existing ARS viticulture and enology
research programs.
Predictive Modeling Tools.--The Committee supports efforts
to develop sustainable agricultural production systems for
crops through the use of forecasting tools that incorporate
post-harvest soil testing and in-season monitoring of plant
pathogens to combat crop diseases. The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2021 level for ARS to work with
Federal and land-grant university partners in order to develop
predictive modeling tools that aid farm management decisions to
improve agricultural production of row crops.
Pulse Crop Quality.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of ARS wheat quality laboratories in researching and
advancing the quality and overall utilization of wheat and
pulse crops. The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 to
further these efforts for pulse crops by establishing quality
analysis standards, developing innovative production processes,
and evaluating crop varieties for product functionality and
market suitability.
Pulse Health Initiative.--The Committee supports the
expansion of pulse crop research and provides an additional
$1,000,000 to enhance scientific research into the health and
nutritional benefits of dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry
beans.
Rangeland Precision Livestock Management.--The Committee
recognizes the opportunity for precision livestock management
strategies and tools to promote economically efficient and
environmentally responsive livestock production systems for the
Western rangeland. The Committee no less than the fiscal year
2021 level to develop precision nutrition strategies for
rangeland-based livestock as well as technology-based rangeland
and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and
productivity of both Western rangeland-based livestock and the
rangeland ecosystem. Further, the Committee recommends this
funding to transfer new knowledge and technology strategies
into data-informed tools and decision guidance for Western
livestock and rangeland managers.
Rangeland Research.--The Committee recognizes the
demonstrated potential for cooperative partnerships to address
complex sagebrush steppe ecosystem challenges in the Great
Basin region. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level for ARS to support a regional, multi-
institutional cooperative partnership to advance collaborative
science-based conservation research, extension, and education
to address time-sensitive and shared rangeland challenges
affecting sustainable agricultural productivity, rural
communities, and ecosystem health.
Reduce Mixed Infections in Warm Water Aquaculture.--The
Committee provides $2,000,000 to conduct research to close the
gaps in knowledge regarding co-infections in catfish in order
to help develop effective prevention.
Research Facilities.--The Committee understands the
important collaboration between ARS and universities and the
impact that aging facilities have on new research
opportunities. The Committee directs ARS to submit a report
that including information on the current utilization of ARS
facilities by universities and cooperators, as well as the
extent to which ARS is housed in cooperator facilities.
Resilient Dryland Farming.--The Committee recognizes the
need for advancements in dryland production practices,
cropping, and equipment to increase profitability, conserve the
soil, enhance soil water storage, promote soil health, and
decrease reliance on herbicides. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2021 level to expand research focused on
resilient dryland farming. Research should focus on improving
yield and quality parameters; developing cropping systems
capable of tolerating drought, heat, and diseases; and
quantifying economic and environmental benefits from dryland
crop production systems.
Roseau Cane.--The Committee remains concerned with the
invasive species scale insect pest that is destroying Roseau
cane in the Mississippi River's Delta region along the Gulf of
Mexico. An estimated 225,000 acres of wetlands in the Delta
have been affected with the die-off, and Roseau cane is
important in maintaining a healthy marsh and preventing
erosion. The Committee directs ARS to continue to work with
APHIS and stakeholders to develop an integrated management
program for control of the Roseau cane scale insect pest
infestation.
Sclerotinia.--The Committee is aware of the economic
importance of controlling sclerotinia, which affects
sunflowers, soybeans, canola, edible beans, peas, and lentils
and provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for this
purpose. The Committee encourages ARS to continue both core
research and cooperative projects of the National Sclerotinia
Initiative.
Shrimp Production Research.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of increasing domestic shrimp production and
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for research
and commercial development of production technologies that will
improve shrimp health and streamline feed management regimes.
Small Farm Orchard Production Current Research Information
System [CRIS] Unit.--The Committee recognizes the critical need
for development of low-cost technology and innovative
production strategies for small farm fruit growers that enables
profitable operations on a variety of lands, including
reclaimed mines, increases overall fruit quality, reduces
production costs, and increases economic and ecological
sustainability. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level for the purpose of implementing a Small Farm
Orchard Production CRIS Unit.
Small Farms Research.--The Committee recognizes that many
small farms struggle to integrate agricultural technologies and
that ARS research has been pivotal in filling these gaps. The
Committee encourages ARS to grow research initiatives and
projects that support the development, application, assessment,
and technology transfer of agricultural technologies to small
farms.
Small Fruits.--The Committee recognizes the need to support
research to promote sustainable and organic production of berry
and grape crops with the goal of reducing pesticide use and
improving quality and yield. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2021 level to support research to improve
the ability to forecast pest and disease spread, implement
precision management strategies, and improve the overall
quality of fruit.
Small Grains Genomic Initiative.--The Committee supports
research on barley and wheat high throughput genomics and
phenotyping and recognizes its importance in improving crop
traits and developing new cultivars. The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2021 level to support the Small
Grains Genomic Initiative.
Smoke Exposure.--The Committee is concerned about the
impacts of wildfire smoke on winegrape producers and supports
research to help growers and processors establish science-based
threshold levels of smoke compounds that cause smoke-tainted
grapes, identify the compounds responsible for smoke taints,
develop mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke taint,
and conduct research into compounds that can act as a barrier
between the grapes and the smoke compounds. The Committee
provides an increase of $1,500,000 for this research.
Soft White Wheat Falling Numbers Test.--The Committee
recognizes the emerging crisis surrounding wheat starch
degradation as detected by the Hagberg-Perten Falling Numbers
[FN] Test. The quality loss was particularly devastating to
Pacific Northwest soft white wheat producers in late 2016. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 funding
level to research the accuracy of the FN test and better
understand environmental, storage, and genetic conditions
leading to this quality loss.
Soil Carbon Research.--The Committee recognizes the need
for research into current and future dryland production
practices to increase profitability, conserve soil, enhance
soil water storage, promote sequestration of carbon and soil
health, and reduce reliance on herbicides. The Committee no
less than the fiscal year 2021 level for research focused on
improving yield; assessing the level of carbon sequestration
through existing practices; developing new cropping systems
capable of tolerating drought, heat, and diseases by improving
soil health; improving sequestration of carbon; and identifying
opportunities for increasing sustainability of dryland crop
production.
Sorghum Genetic Database.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of phenotyping and genotyping that allows breeders
to understand which genes are responsible for improvements in
pest resistance, drought tolerance, and yield. The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 to further facilitate the
partnership between ARS and the Department of Energy on sorghum
genome mapping, particularly the creation of an easily-
accessible database to house the information generated from the
ongoing genetic sequencing research which will facilitate
further crop development efforts, especially in combating the
sugarcane aphid, a new and devastating invasive pest.
Southern Regional Research Center [SRRC].--The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 for the SRRC crop adaptive
resilience food program to conduct collaborative research with
research universities by exploring the value-added enhancement
of State-grown crops such as rice and other grains and pulses,
to define the role for novel approaches in crop biological
signaling and modification to yield environmentally
sustainable, adaptive and stressor resistant varieties and
interventions.
Staff Increases at ARS Facilities.--The Committee notes
that new ARS buildings have been completed over the past
several years and additional staffing is required to fully
utilize this space. The Committee provides $10,000,000 for
additional staff at these facilities.
Sudden Oak Death.--The European strain 1 [EU1] and the
North American strain 1 [NA1] of the sudden oak death pathogen
are major threats to western Douglas-fir/tanoak forests,
resulting in quarantine restrictions that threaten U.S. forests
and export markets for log shipments and lily bulbs. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for
research to improve understanding of the EU1 and NA1 strains of
the sudden oak death pathogen and treatment methods to inform
control and management techniques in wildlands.
Sugar Beet Research.--The Committee provides an additional
$1,000,000 for plant disease research to improve the quality of
sugar beet production.
Sugarcane Variety Development.--The Committee recognizes
the devastating impact wrought by invasive pests on the
domestic sugarcane industry and provides an additional
$1,000,000 to support the development of new pest and disease-
resistant varieties.
Sustainable Aquaculture.--The Committee notes that
aquaculture is the fastest growing food production industry in
the world. The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 for
a pilot Aquaculture Experiment Station in partnership with
universities to support rapid response research on sustainable
aquaculture for coldwater and warmwater production
environments, with special emphasis on workforce education.
Sustainable and Advanced Technology Systems for Poultry
Processing.--The Committee recognizes the need to address two
challenges confronting the poultry industry: animal welfare and
waste management. As such, the Committee provides $4,000,000
and directs the ARS to coordinate with academic partners to
develop technology-driven systems that will study humane
poultry stunning practices which are effective, feasible, and
commercially viable, as well as research the impacts of food
safety chemicals on wastewater systems and develop feasible
methods for water re-use, conservation, and recycling through
algae-, microbial-based systems.
Sustainable Water Use Research.--The alluvial plain within
the Lower Mississippi River Basin is one of most productive
agricultural regions in the United States. The Committee
remains concerned with the unsustainable use of water in the
Alluvial Aquifer as a result of increasing water withdrawals
and stagnant recharging. The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level for research to improve the recharge
capabilities of the Alluvial Aquifer and to develop new
conservation and irrigation techniques to reduce water usage in
agriculture production.
Tree Fruit Post-Harvest Research.--The Committee recognizes
that tree fruit production, including pear and cherry, is a
predominant supplier for domestic and international markets.
The Committee further recognizes that the tree fruit industry
faces significant economic vulnerability from variations in
post-harvest quality control. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2021 level for pear and cherry tree fruit
research to optimize yield and post-harvest quality, extend
storage life, and promote enhanced resiliency from endemic and
emerging diseases.
Tropical and Subtropical Research.--Research on Tropical
and Subtropical crops is critical as the presence of and
destruction by invasive pests such as fruit flies, coffee berry
borer, felted macadamia nut coccid, plant viruses, and fungal
diseases increasingly threaten crop security in the Pacific and
Insular Areas. The Committee encourages ARS to support this
research.
Tropical Grazing Land Pest Management.--The recent
introduction of invasive insect species such as Prosapia
bicincta has substantially impacted tropical grazing lands. The
Committee provides $1,000,000 to develop science-based pest
management strategies.
Unmanned Aerial Systems [UAS] Precision Agriculture
Applications.--The Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level to support efforts utilizing UAS in crop
production operations and to address the challenges associated
with data capture, transfer, and analysis.
U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative [USWBSI].--The
Committee recognizes that fusarium head blight is a major
threat to agriculture, inflicting substantial yield and quality
losses throughout the United States. The Committee supports
research carried out through the USWBSI. The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to conduct further
research on reducing the impact of fusarium head blight on
wheat and barley.
Warmwater Aquaculture.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level to facilitate the advancement of
technologies that improve the efficiency, profitability, and
sustainability of warmwater aquaculture production.
Wheat and Sorghum Research.--The Committee recognizes the
potential impact heat and drought can have on the yield and
quality of wheat and sorghum and the need for new cultivars to
adapt to changing climatic conditions. In addition, sorghum
crops have been hit particularly hard by the invasive sugarcane
aphid and new resistant cultivars are needed. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level for research
to improve the productivity and quality of wheat and sorghum
during uncertain growing seasons resulting from extended
droughts and increased temperatures. Within this increase,
funding is included to initiate gene flow research to advance
the durability and sustainability of fitness traits in sorghum.
Whitefly.--The Committee remains concerned with the
whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, epidemic, which is severely impacting
pecan production in the Southeastern United States. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2021 level to
continue this research.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $35,700,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 45,405,000
Committee recommendation................................ 45,405,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,405,000
for Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Section 7511(f)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-234) amends the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) by
establishing an agency to be known as the National Institute of
Food and Agriculture. The Secretary transferred to the Director
of NIFA, effective October 1, 2009, all authorities
administered by the Administrator of the Cooperative State,
Research, Education, and Extension Service. The mission is to
work with university partners and customers to advance
research, extension, and higher education in the food and
agricultural sciences and related environmental and human
sciences to benefit people, communities, and the Nation.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $992,642,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,378,416,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,057,420,000
Research and Education programs administered by NIFA are
USDA's principal entree to the U.S. university system for the
purpose of conducting agricultural research and education
programs as authorized by the Hatch Act of 1887, as amended (7
U.S.C. 361a-361i); the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry
Act of 1962, as amended (Public Law 87-788); the Competitive,
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, as amended (Public
Law 89-106); the National Agricultural, Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (Public Law 95-
113); the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
(7 U.S.C. 301 note); the Agricultural Research, Extension and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-185), as amended;
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990
(Public Law 101-624); the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171); and the Food, Conservation
and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246). Through these
authorities, USDA participates with States and other
cooperators to encourage and assist State institutions in
conducting agricultural research and education through the
State Agricultural Experiment Stations of the 50 States and the
territories; approved Schools of Forestry; the 1890 Land-Grant
Institutions, Tuskegee University, and West Virginia State
University; 1994 Land-Grant Institutions; Colleges of
Veterinary Medicine; and other eligible institutions. The
appropriated funds provide Federal support for research and
education programs at these institutions.
The research and education programs participate in a
nationwide system of agricultural research program planning and
coordination among the State institutions, USDA, and the
agricultural industry of America.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,057,420,000
for research and education activities of the National Institute
of Food and Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for research and education activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act..................................... 7 U.S.C. 361a-i................................ 275,000
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act..... 16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7..................... 40,000
Research at 1890 Institutions (Evans-Allen 7 U.S.C. 3222.................................. 73,000
Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions............. 7 U.S.C. 301 note.............................. 6,000
Education Grants for 1890 Institutions........ 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)............................... 26,000
Scholarships at 1890 Institutions............. 7 U.S.C. 3222a................................. 10,000
Centers of Excellence at 1890s Institutions... 7 U.S.C. 5926(d)............................... 10,000
Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving 7 U.S.C. 3241.................................. 14,000
Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native 7 U.S.C. 3156.................................. 5,000
Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994 Institutions......... 7 U.S.C. 3222b-2, 3362 and 3363................ 5,000
New Beginning for Tribal Students............. 7 U.S.C. 3222e................................. 5,000
Capacity Building for Non Land-Grant Colleges 7 U.S.C. 3319i................................. 5,000
of Agriculture.
Resident Instruction and Distance Education 7 U.S.C. 3362 and 3363......................... 2,000
Grants for Insular Areas.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative...... 7 U.S.C. 450i(b)............................... 445,000
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment............ 7 U.S.C. 3151a................................. 10,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program............. 7 U.S.C. 3151b................................. 3,500
Continuing Animal Health and Disease Research 7 U.S.C. 3195.................................. 4,000
Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops............ 7 U.S.C. 3319d................................. 2,000
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate Fellowship 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)............................... 10,000
and Institutions Challenge Grants.
Secondary and 2-year Post-Secondary Education. 7 U.S.C. 3152(j)............................... 1,000
Aquaculture Centers........................... 7 U.S.C. 3322.................................. 5,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education 7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812, 5831, and 5832............ 45,000
Farm Business Management...................... 7 U.S.C. 5925f................................. 2,000
Sun Grant Program............................. 7 U.S.C. 8114.................................. 3,500
Research Equipment Grants..................... 7 U.S.C. 3310.................................. 3,000
Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4)............. 7 U.S.C. 450i(e)............................... 14,500
Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 3,500
Research Program.
Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative..... 7 U.S.C. 5924.................................. 2,000
Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program........ 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 1,000
Special Research Grants:
Global Change/UV Monitoring............... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 1,400
Potato Research........................... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 3,000
Aquaculture Research...................... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 2,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Special Research Grants.......... ............................................... 6,400
=================================================================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
Activities:
Grants Management System.................. ............................................... 8,000
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 12,020
Expenses for Research and Education
Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............... ............................................... 20,020
=================================================================
Total, Research and Education Activities ............................................... 1,057,420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards.--The Committee
remains determined to see that quality research and enhanced
human resources development in the agricultural and related
sciences be a nationwide commitment. Therefore, the Committee
continues its direction that not less than 15 percent of the
competitive research grant funds be used for USDA's
agricultural research enhancement awards program, including
USDA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
[EPSCOR].
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.--The Committee
provides $445,000,000 for the Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative [AFRI].
Section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-234) specifies priority areas within AFRI,
including an emphasis on conventional (classical) plant and
animal breeding. The Committee strongly supports providing
farmers nationwide with greater access to cultivars that are
locally and regionally adapted to their soils, climates, and
farming systems. The Committee is concerned that insufficient
progress is being made in prioritizing this effort. As such,
the Committee directs the agency to make regionally adapted,
publicly held cultivar development a distinct funding priority
within AFRI for fiscal year 2022 and directs the agency to take
steps to improve its tracking of public cultivar projects
within AFRI and report its progress in meeting this goal.
Agriculture Technology.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research and development of agricultural robotics,
particularly to increase yields in vertically stacked farming
production.
Agroacoustics.--The Committee recognizes the growing field
of acoustics and the many positive impacts it may have in
agriculture, particularly with respect to pest management. The
Committee encourages AFRI to prioritize funding for
agroacoustics in its basic and applied research program, as
well as through the Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement
grants.
Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Research.--The
Committee rejects the proposal to eliminate funding for the
Alfalfa and Forage Research and provides an additional $500,000
above the fiscal year 2021 level for this important research.
The Committee notes that research into alfalfa and forage has
the potential to increase alfalfa and forage yields, increase
milk production, and improve genetics. The Committee provides
funding to support research into the improvement of yields,
water conservation, creation of new uses, and other research
areas holding the potential to advance the alfalfa seed and
alfalfa forage industry.
Algae Applications in Agriculture Research.--The Committee
encourages NIFA to support research on algae and algae
application in agriculture, including new technologies and
commercial markets for renewable and sustainable products
derived from algae.
Aquaculture Disease Research.--The Committee encourages
USDA to support aquaculture disease and vaccine research,
including research on coldwater aquaculture vaccines. There is
currently no national facility for pathogen testing. Research
into finfish vaccines and pathogens has the potential to
accelerate the growth of sustainable U.S. aquaculture, reduce
the trade deficit attributable to imported seafood, and reduce
the pressure on overfished species.
Aquaculture Research.--The Committee rejects the proposal
to eliminate funding for the Aquaculture Research. The
Committee recognizes the importance of the domestic aquaculture
industry to the U.S. economy. The Committee provides funding
for aquaculture research to address issues related to genetics,
disease, systems, and economics.
Brucellosis Research.--Federal and State animal health
officials have made eradicating livestock disease with
significant reservoirs a national animal health priority. This
need was reflected in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law
113-79), which made the research and development of
surveillance methods, vaccines, vaccination delivery systems,
and diagnostics tests a priority research area under the
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (Public
Law 89-106), particularly for bovine brucellosis and bovine
tuberculosis. The Committee recognizes the need for this
research and encourages the agency to make competitive grants
available to study improved management tools for zoonotic
livestock diseases with significant wildlife reservoirs.
Citrus Disease Research Program.--The Emergency Citrus
Disease Research and Extension Program is intended to discover
and develop tools for early detection, control, and eradication
of diseases and pests that threaten domestic citrus production
and processing and is provided $25,000,000 per year in
mandatory funding through the Emergency Citrus Disease Research
and Extension Trust Fund, as authorized in the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334). The Committee
believes research projects funded under this authority should
be prioritized based on the critical threat of citrus greening
and encourages NIFA, to the maximum extent practicable, to
follow the recommendations of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Advisory Board's citrus
disease subcommittee and to collaborate with the HLB-MAC group.
Community Food Projects.--The Committee remains concerned
that large grocer recruitment remains a problem for many
communities, particularly those experiencing higher rates of
abandoned or vacant homes, and encourages the Department to
explore innovative approaches to address access to nutritional
food options in urban food deserts. The Committee encourages
the Secretary to explore the development of community-wide
urban agriculture projects that assist in eliminating vacant
properties while providing the communities with much-needed
fresh produce.
Countering Seafood Fraud.--The Committee remains concerned
about countering economic fraud and improving the safety of the
U.S. food supply. The Committee is concerned that adequate
technology is not yet available to provide for appropriate
sampling of the food supply. The Committee believes NIFA should
conduct research to develop technologies that will provide
rapid, portable, and facile screening of fish species at port
sites, as well as wholesale and retail centers.
Diversification in Agriculture.--The Committee recognizes
the rapid evolution of U.S. agriculture, including the
diversification of practices, markets, and technologies as
farms transition from one generation to another. The Committee
encourages NIFA to prioritize investments that deliver hands-on
technical education in diversified agriculture and food systems
and to support technical colleges seeking to establish
beginning farmer programs serving diversified agriculture and
supporting farm viability.
Dual Use/Dual Benefit.--The Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit:
Research in Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally
Important Domestic Species program is an interagency
partnership grants program funded by the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development [NICHD] and USDA. The
Committee strongly urges continuation of this partnership
because it sponsors use of farm animals as dual purpose models
to better understand developmental origins of disease, fat
regulation and obesity, stem cell biology, assisted
reproductive technologies, and infectious disease, which
directly benefits both agriculture and biomedicine. This
program also strengthens ties between human medicine,
veterinary medicine, and animal sciences, which is key to
success of the One Health Initiative.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-
Serving Institutions.--The Committee continues to strongly
support the Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving
Institutions Education Program, and provides an increase of
$1,806,000 that will allow for an increase in both the
consortium and individual grant components of the program.
Expanding Nutrition Incentive Participation.--The Committee
notes that the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program
[GusNIP] plays an important role in boosting low-income
communities' abilities to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables,
which in turn improves the health of families and expands
economic opportunities for farmers. The Committee urges NIFA to
prioritize grants that would expand participation among states,
SNAP recipients, and partners that have not previously
participated in the program. The Committee further encourages
NIFA to provide technical assistance to programs to share best
practices and ways to increase partner investments and
donations.
Food Safety.--The Committee recommends that NIFA prioritize
research funding for new food safety technologies relating to
the Nation's meat supply that helps researchers, producers, and
manufacturers.
Food Safety and Defense Technology.--The Committee is
concerned that insufficient progress is being made in the
development of detection technology in the food safety sector.
The ability to rapidly, accurately, and cost effectively detect
pathogens or contaminants throughout the food supply chain is
critical to protecting the United States from food-borne
illnesses and malicious acts. As such, the Committee encourages
NIFA to increase research of novel biodetection technologies
and the implementation of mobile biodetection platforms in
real-world conditions. The Department should consider
technologies currently in use or under development in other
fields, such as medicine or homeland security, to determine
whether the technology can meet the needs in either high volume
food production or mobile food defense monitoring.
Foodborne Illness Prevention.--The Committee understands
the significant threats to public health and to the economic
viability of communities impacted by foodborne illness and
believes that coordinated and targeted resources are needed to
understand the risks and to develop effective strategies for
control. The Committee continues to encourage NIFA, in
coordination with the FDA, to establish a Center of Excellence
for Foodborne Illness to coordinate a research program to
reduce the risk of Listeria monocytogenes.
Function and Efficacy of Nutrients to Treat Obesity.--The
Committee supports research partnerships with academic entities
to research how bioactive substances help reduce obesity. Given
the persistent obesity problem in the U.S. and the associated
and growing costs to Federal healthcare programs, the Committee
strongly supports increased investment in this area, as it
holds great promise to develop new methods to tackle obesity in
our communities.
Genomes to Phenomes.--The Committee is supportive of the
multi-university crop research initiative known as Genomes to
Phenomes and encourages NIFA to support the development of
tools and datasets that can be used across multiple crop
species to improve the output and efficiency of agriculture.
The Committee recognizes that investment in this area will help
with developing advanced genome engineering tools for
integrated optimization of crop yield and livestock feed for
improved animal reproduction and nutrition and mitigation of
environmental impacts from crop and livestock production.
Inadequate Infrastructure at Colleges of Agriculture.--The
Committee notes that a recent assessment of the infrastructure
at the Nation's colleges and schools of agriculture shows that
nearly 70 percent of the buildings are at the end of their
useful life and that the cost of deferred maintenance is
estimated to be $11,500,000,000, with a replacement value of
$38,100,000,000. In future budget requests, the Committee
directs the Administration to demonstrate a commitment to this
critical research infrastructure and maintenance backlog to
ensure that America remains a global leader in agricultural
production, research, and education.
Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program.--The Committee
notes that research into laying hens and turkeys holds the
potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of
laying hen and turkey production through integrated,
collaborative research and technology transfer. The Committee
recommendation includes $1,000,000 to support research into
laying hen and turkey disease prevention, antimicrobial
resistance, nutrition, gut health, and alternative housing
systems under extreme weather conditions, all which hold the
potential to advance the laying hen and turkey industry.
Lowbush Blueberries.--The Committee directs NIFA to work
with research institutions to develop and refine predictive
models and monitoring technologies for native and invasive
pests for incorporation into integrated pest management
programs for naturally seeded, native berry crops to increase
the margin of food safety and product quality.
Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Research.--Nearly half the
seafood consumed across the world is the result of aquaculture,
and the aquaculture industry is a critical and growing part of
the U.S. economy. However, less than 1 percent of worldwide
production comes from U.S. producers. The Committee is
concerned that inefficient production technologies hinder the
ability of the domestic aquaculture industry to compete on a
global scale. The Committee supports development and
demonstration of an integrated aquaculture system that would
contain at one site a highly competitive and sustainable system
with a low environmental footprint and primary self-containment
capability. The Committee supports the development of a
``Beta'' model that would focus on developing, building,
operating, demonstrating, and teaching around this intensified,
integrated, bio-secure production technology for feed, fish-
plant, and energy products.
New Beginning for Tribal Students.--The Committee provides
funding for the New Beginning for Tribal Students program and
recognizes the importance of promoting opportunity and access
to higher education for Native American students.
Oak Mites.--The Committee directs NIFA to study the recent
infestation of oak mites and focus on suppression and
eradication possibilities.
Organic Research.--USDA's National Organic Standards Board
[NOSB] has identified key organic research priorities, many of
which would help to address challenges that have limited the
growth in organic production in this country. The Committee
encourages NIFA to give strong consideration to the NOSB
organic research priorities when crafting the fiscal year 2022
Request for Applications for AFRI and the Organic Transition
Program. Given the growing demand for organic products, the
Committee also encourages USDA to increase the number of
organic research projects funded under AFRI and the Specialty
Crop Research Initiative.
Protein Functionality.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research projects that characterize protein from crop
plants such as chickpeas, sorghum, lentils, fava beans, lupin,
rice, oats, mushrooms, and water lentils to assess their
suitability for use in food products. The Committee is
particularly interested in research projects involving plants
that can be easily cultivated in the U.S. and that are
sustainably grown and produced, such as water usage or
fertilizer and pesticide requirements.
Public Plant and Animal Breeding.--The Committee is
concerned about the decline in public plant and animal breeding
programs at our Nation's land-grant universities [LGUs] over
the last 25 years and encourages LGUs to take steps to foster
the next generation of public plant and animal breeders by
placing a higher priority on the development of publicly
available, regionally adapted cultivars and breeds. For all
regions of our Nation to optimize their productive capacity in
an environmentally sustainable manner, it is critical that the
farmers of the region have access to the most up-to-date
cultivars and breeds to meet ever-changing conditions.
Risk Management Education.--In light of the increase in
mandatory funding provided for the Risk Management Education
Program by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-334), the Committee encourages NIFA to raise the maximum
grant size in order to accommodate a wider range of project
types and scopes, including regional and national projects,
which would require a separate larger maximum grant size.
Seafood.--The Committee encourages USDA, in partnership
with universities with established domestic shrimp farming
programs, to support the development of a domestic industry
that will help ensure the safety and quality of the Nation's
seafood supply, promote environmentally sustainable
aquaculture, create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, and
forge new markets for U.S. grain and oilseed products and
technology services.
Small Fruits Research.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research to promote sustainable production of berry and
grape crops with the goal of reducing pesticide use and
improving quality and yield. The Committee is concerned about
invasive insects, such as the spotted winged drosophila and
brown marmorated stink bug, and the negative impact they have
on small fruit production and integrated pest management. The
Committee strongly encourages USDA to support research to
improve the ability to forecast pest and disease spread and
implement precision management strategies.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative.--The Committee
emphasizes the important role of the Specialty Crop Research
Initiative in addressing the critical needs of the specialty
crop industry through research and extension activities. The
Committee encourages NIFA to prioritize proposals for, and
enhance its overall commitment to, identifying and addressing
threats to pollinators from pests and diseases and the ability
of farmers to extend their growing season through the use of
winter growing techniques, including but not limited to high
tunnel vegetable production.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops.--The Committee rejects
the administration's proposed reduction for the Supplemental
and Alternative Crops research and provides an additional
$1,337,000 above the fiscal year 2021 level for this high
priority research. The Committee recognizes the importance of
nationally coordinated, regionally managed canola research and
extension programs. The Committee encourages the Secretary to
continue to seek input from stakeholders and to give priority
consideration to proposals in the peer review process that
address research needs in production areas with the greatest
potential to expand, as well as those where canola production
is established and needs to be maintained.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education [SARE].--The
Committee is strongly supportive of the SARE program and
directs USDA to ensure that research, education, and extension
activities carried out within SARE remain intact. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to support professional development
program activities such as training, grants, and resources for
agricultural professionals to build their awareness, knowledge,
and skills related to soil health and carbon sequestration.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems.--The Committee applauds
NIFA for its inclusion of artificial intelligence, machine
learning, and predictive science in AFRI and encourages NIFA to
prioritize the Sustainable Agricultural Systems program area,
particularly proposals that include a focus on digital
agriculture and the digitally augmented food supply chain.
U.S. Dairy Education and Training.--The Committee
encourages NIFA to support cooperative work with State-run
universities in the Southwest with experience in bringing
together students and young dairy professionals from multiple
States in summer programs designed to provide practical dairy
teaching with the goal of facilitating research into workforce
safety and antimicrobial stewardship.
Veterinary Corps.--Veterinarians fulfilling the terms of a
contract under USDA's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment
Program, authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services
Act (Public Law 108-161), shall be members of the National
Veterinary Medical Services Corps and members who have
fulfilled the terms of their contract shall be alumni of the
Corps.
Veterinary Shortages.--The Committee is concerned by the
critical shortage of veterinarians in the public, private,
industrial, and academic sectors, which serve on the front
lines of upholding our Nation's food safety, public health,
animal health, and homeland security. The Committee also notes
that large portions of rural America have inadequate access to
livestock and public health veterinarians. As such, the
Committee provides an increase in program funding for both the
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary
Services Grant Program.
Workforce Development.--Within the AFRI Education and
Workforce Development initiative, the Committee directs the
Secretary to prioritize applications that establish or expand
career and technical training opportunities for meat
processing.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
Appropriations, 2021.................................... ^$11,880,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... ^11,880,000
Committee recommendation................................ ^11,880,000
The Native American Institutions Endowment Fund, authorized
by the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act (Public Law
103-382), provides an endowment for the 1994 land-grant
institutions (34 tribally-controlled colleges). This program
enhances educational opportunity for Native Americans by
building educational capacity at these institutions in the
areas of student recruitment and retention, curricula
development, faculty preparation, instruction delivery systems,
and scientific instrumentation for teaching. Income funds are
also available for facility renovation, repair, construction,
and maintenance. On the termination of each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall withdraw the income from the endowment fund for
the fiscal year, and, after making adjustments for the cost of
administering the endowment fund, distribute the adjusted
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income from these
funds shall be distributed among the 1994 land-grant
institutions on a pro rata basis, the proportionate share being
based on the Indian student count; and 40 percent of the
adjusted income shall be distributed in equal shares to the
1994 land-grant institutions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,880,000
for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $538,447,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 538,447,000
Committee recommendation................................ 559,400,000
Cooperative extension work was established by the Smith-
Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended (Public Law 63-95). USDA
is authorized to provide, through the land-grant colleges,
cooperative extension work that consists of the development of
practical applications of research knowledge and the giving of
instruction and practical demonstrations of existing or
improved practices or technologies in agriculture and related
subjects, and to encourage the application of such information
by demonstrations, publications, through 4-H clubs, and other
means to persons not in attendance or resident at the colleges.
To fulfill the requirements of the Smith-Lever Act (Public
Law 63-95), State and county extension offices in each State,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Micronesia
conduct educational programs to improve American agriculture
and strengthen the Nation's families and communities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $559,400,000
for extension activities of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for extension activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b) and 3(c) and 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c) and 208(c) of Public 330,000
Cooperative Extension. Law 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 3221.................................. 62,000
Extension Services at 1994 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)............................. 10,000
Facility Improvements at 1890 Institutions.... 7 U.S.C. 3222b................................. 21,500
Renewable Resources Extension Act............. 16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.......................... 4,100
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs.... 7 U.S.C. 2662(i)............................... 5,000
Food and Animal Residue Avoidance Database 7 U.S.C. 7642.................................. 2,500
Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields........... 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 2,000
Food Safety Outreach Program.................. 7 U.S.C. 7625.................................. 10,000
Food and Agriculture Service Learning......... 7 U.S.C. 7633.................................. 2,500
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network...... 7 U.S.C. 5936.................................. 10,000
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(d):
Food and Nutrition Education.............. 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 70,000
Farm Safety and Youth Farm Safety 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 5,000
Education Programs.
New Technologies for Agricultural 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 3,600
Extension.
Children, Youth, and Families at Risk..... 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 8,600
Federally Recognized Tribes Extension 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 3,500
Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Section 3(d)..................... ............................................... 90,700
=================================================================
Necessary Expenses of Extension Activities:
Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom......... 7 U.S.C. 3152(j)............................... 1,000
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 8,100
Expenses for Extension Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............... ............................................... 9,100
=================================================================
Total, Extension Activities............. ............................................... 559,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooperative Extension System.--The Committee recognizes the
essential function that extension plays in ensuring that
farmers, ranchers, and communities of all sizes are empowered
to meet the challenges they face, adapt to changing technology
and a changing climate, improve nutrition and food safety,
prepare for and respond to emergencies, and protect our
environment. The Committee is concerned that the Federal
investment in this critical Federal, State, and local
partnership has lagged in recent years, just as extraordinary
stresses have been placed on farmers, ranchers, rural
businesses, and communities. As such, the Committee provides an
additional $15,000,000 for the Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b)
and (c) programs and Cooperative Extension, an additional
$1,500,000 for the Extension Services at 1994 Institutions, and
an additional $300,000 for the federally Recognized Tribes
Extension Program.
Extension Design Initiative.--The Committee recognizes that
for decades, the foundation of traditional farm extension
programs had researchers and educators working on the farms and
fields alongside crop and livestock producers, but that changes
are needed to develop a 21st century extension to meet the
needs of today's farmers. The Committee notes that new efforts
require USDA to use high-performance computing to develop,
test, and deploy new digital infrastructure and platforms that
can translate research into real-time interactive feedback,
online modeling, demonstration, and simulations. The Committee
directs NIFA to conduct meetings with producers, stakeholders,
and policymakers to begin developing a framework for the next
generation of farm extension programs.
Farmer Stress.--The Committee notes that farmers and
individuals who work in agriculture face highly stressful
working conditions, which can contribute to serious behavioral
health concerns. The Committee remains concerned that farmers
and ranchers face highly stressful working conditions, which
can contribute to serious behavioral health concerns,
especially during downturns in the farm economy and trade
uncertainty. The Committee continues to urge the Department to
prioritize proposals from regions that have seen high levels of
farm bankruptcies, auctions, and other signals of severe
economic distress when reviewing award applications for the
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Program. The Committee
directs the Secretary to provide annual reports to Congress
detailing changes in the indicators of stress, data on
effective stress response strategies, and emerging trends in
rural economic and healthcare needs resulting from stress
interventions, as well as any barriers to collecting or
accessing information on farmers' mental health. The report
should also describe the impact of the Farm and Ranch Stress
Assistance Network Program, the Farm and Ranch Stress
Assistance Network--State Departments of Agriculture Program,
and trends in rates of suicide and behavioral health concerns
among farmers and ranchers.
Minority Outreach.--The Committee is concerned that
extension service resources do not reach minority, socially
disadvantaged, and Tribal communities in proportion to their
participation in the agricultural sector. All institutions that
receive extension funding should seek to ensure that an
equitable percentage of their overall extension work reaches
minority, socially disadvantaged, and Tribal communities. The
Committee directs NIFA to evaluate distribution of extension
resources to these three populations and report to the
Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act.
Rural Opioid Addiction Training.--The Committee provides
$5,000,000 for Rural Health and Safety Education Programs
[RHSE] for the sole purpose of combatting opioid abuse in rural
communities. The Committee reminds USDA of the statutory
requirement in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334) for fiscal years 2019 through 2025 that the
Secretary give priority to applications addressing substance
use disorder education and treatment and the prevention of
substance use disorder. The Committee is still waiting for NIFA
to provide a report to the Committee detailing RHSE funding
awarded to projects addressing opioid abuse, projects
combatting other types of substance abuse, and projects
unrelated to substance abuse for the past three fiscal years.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $39,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 39,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 40,000,000
Section 406, as amended, of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-85)
authorizes an integrated research, education, and extension
competitive grants program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,000,000
for integrated activities of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for integrated activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program............. 7 U.S.C. 7626.................................. 2,000
Organic Transition Program.................... 7 U.S.C. 7626.................................. 7,500
Regional Rural Development Centers............ 7 U.S.C. 3157(c)(1)(B)......................... 2,500
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative....... 7 U.S.C. 3351.................................. 8,000
Crop Protection/Pest Management............... 7 U.S.C. 7626.................................. 20,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Integrated Activities............ ............................................... 40,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative.--The Committee
supports the important work being done through the publicly
funded diagnostic laboratory network and encourages NIFA to
prioritize funding to strengthen animal health diagnostic
laboratories, taking into consideration the following: the
degree to which the capacity for surveillance, monitoring,
response, and capacity is enhanced; the concentration of human
and animal populations that are directly at risk; trade,
tourism, and cultural considerations; geography, ecology, and
climate; evidence of active collaboration with and support of
the State animal health officials; those States with highest
risk for the introduction of foreign and emerging pests and
diseases; and evidence of stakeholder support and engagement.
Organic Transition.--The Committee provides an increase of
$500,000 for the Organic Transition Program and directs the
agency to use this increase to focus specifically on research
topics related to the role of organic agriculture with regard
to climate change.
Potato Research.--To minimize the application of pesticides
and to maximize the yield and quality of harvested potatoes,
the Committee directs the Secretary to support pest management
programs in potato growing States. Such programs help
scientists track potential pest outbreaks and provide growers
and industry professionals with current information on specific
and timely treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify
serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early
stages, allowing for preventive measures to be put into place
quickly to avoid crop losses.
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $809,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,327,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,577,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs provides direction and coordination in
carrying out laws with respect to the Department's marketing,
grading, and standardization activities related to grain;
competitive marketing practices of livestock, marketing orders,
and various programs; veterinary services; and plant protection
and quarantine. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service [APHIS] and Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,577,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs.
Proposed User Fees.--The Committee continues to reject past
proposals to administratively implement new user fees to cover
the government's full cost for providing services to certain
beneficiaries, including licenses for animal dealers,
veterinary biologics product approval, regulatory review of
genetically engineered organisms, checkoff programs, domestic
hemp production, livestock dealers, and grain regulatory
program. The Committee strongly believes that USDA should not
propose new user fees without taking into account the full
impact on farmers, ranchers, and beneficiaries who would be
forced to contend with rapid changes in these programs and
additional burdensome costs without prior notice.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,064,179,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,102,222,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,122,116,000
The Secretary of Agriculture established the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service on April 2, 1972, under the
authority of reorganization plan No. 2 of 1953, and other
authorities. The major objectives of APHIS are to protect the
animal and plant resources of the Nation from diseases and
pests. These objectives are carried out under the major areas
of activity, as follows:
Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/Response.--The
agency monitors plant and animal health worldwide and sets
import polices to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and
animal pests and diseases. Domestically, the agency works
cooperatively to conduct plant and animal health monitoring
programs, pursue eradication, or limit the spread of the
threat. The agency also conducts diagnostic laboratory
activities that support disease prevention, detection, control,
and eradication programs. In addition, the agency protects
agriculture from detrimental animal predators and through its
regulatory structure helps advance genetic research while
protecting against the release of harmful organisms.
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance.--The
agency helps resolve technical trade issues to ensure the
smooth and safe movement of agricultural commodities into and
out of the United States. The agency negotiates animal and
plant health certification requirements and assists U.S.
exporters in meeting foreign regulatory demands. In addition,
the agency assists developing countries in improving their
safeguarding systems to protect the United States from emerging
plant and animal pests and diseases.
Animal Care.--The agency conducts regulatory activities
that ensure the humane care and treatment of animals and horses
as required by the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-544) and
Horse Protection Acts (Public Law 91-540). These activities
include inspection of certain establishments that handle
animals intended for research, exhibition, and as pets, and
monitoring certain horse shows.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,122,116,000
for salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
The following table reflects the Committee's specific
recommendations for APHIS:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding and International Technical Assistance:
Animal Health Technical Services......................... 38,093 38,486 38,486
Aquatic Animal Health.................................... 2,272 2,306 5,756
Avian Health............................................. 63,213 63,833 63,833
Cattle Health............................................ 105,216 106,500 106,500
Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant Health................. 28,982 31,284 32,284
National Veterinary Stockpile............................ 5,736 5,751 6,751
Swine Health............................................. 25,020 25,390 25,390
Veterinary Biologics..................................... 20,570 20,898 20,898
Veterinary Diagnostics................................... 56,979 57,414 66,414
Zoonotic Disease Management.............................. 19,620 19,782 19,782
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Health................................ 365,701 371,644 386,094
==================================================
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)........ 32,893 33,849 33,849
Cotton Pests............................................. 13,597 13,725 14,725
Field crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests.................. 10,942 14,137 11,137
Pest Detection........................................... 27,733 28,218 28,218
Plant Protection Methods Development..................... 20,884 21,217 21,217
Specialty Crop Pests..................................... 196,553 209,342 210,342
Tree & Wood Pests........................................ 60,456 61,217 61,217
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Plant Health................................. 363,058 381,705 380,705
==================================================
Wildlife Damage Management............................... 111,647 113,142 115,692
Wildlife Services Methods Development.................... 21,046 24,363 33,483
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Wildlife Services............................ 132,693 137,505 149,175
==================================================
Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement............. 16,400 16,697 16,697
Biotechnology Regulatory Services........................ 19,020 19,262 19,262
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Regulatory Services.......................... 35,420 35,959 35,959
==================================================
Civilian Climate Corps................................... ............... 10,000 ...............
Contingency Fund......................................... 478 491 491
Emergency Preparedness & Response........................ 41,268 38,380 38,380
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Emergency Management......................... 41,746 48,871 38,871
==================================================
Subtotal, Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/ 938,618 975,684 990,804
Response..............................................
==================================================
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance:
Agriculture Import/Export................................ 15,722 15,928 16,928
Overseas Technical & Trade Operations.................... 24,198 24,333 24,333
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Safe Trade................................... 39,920 40,261 41,261
==================================================
Animal Welfare:
Animal Welfare........................................... 31,661 32,256 32,256
Horse Protection......................................... 2,009 2,040 2,340
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Welfare............................... 33,670 34,296 34,596
==================================================
Agency Management:
APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure.............. 4,251 4,251 4,251
Physical/Operational Security............................ 5,153 5,163 5,163
Rent and DHS Security Payments........................... 42,567 42,567 42,567
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Agency Management............................ 51,971 51,981 51,981
Congressionally Directed Spending............................ ............... ............... 3,474
==================================================
Total, Direct Appropriation............................ 1,064,179 1,102,222 1,122,116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection.--The Committee
recognizes that the prevention of infestations of pests and
diseases is significantly more cost effective than subsequent
control or eradication. This is an important Federal
responsibility, and the Committee provides $33,849,000 for the
agricultural quarantine inspections [AQI] function, including
pre-departure and interline inspections, and canine detection
and surveillance activities.
The Committee notes that assessing AQI treatment monitoring
fees on a per-enclosure basis imposes disproportionate impacts
on industry and user groups at certain key ports of entry,
including ports along the Southeastern United States. USDA is
encouraged to continue evaluating alternative and equitable
funding mechanisms in consultation with relevant stakeholder
groups.
Apple Snails.--The Committee is concerned with the invasive
apple snail (Pomaceae maculata) that is negatively impacting
the crawfish population and rice crop in Louisiana and other
affected states. The Committee directs APHIS to work with the
Agricultural Research Service [ARS] and stakeholders and
provides an additional $1,000,000 to develop an integrated
management program for control of the apple snail infestation.
Animal Welfare.--The Committee is concerned about APHIS's
Animal Care program and the steep decline in enforcement
related to violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The Committee
urges the agency to reform its current licensing and
enforcement scheme. While the agency took steps towards this
goal over the last year, the Committee believes more progress
can be made. This includes, but is not limited to: ensuring
consistent, thorough, unannounced inspections on a regular
basis; ensuring each failure to allow access for inspection and
each violation or failure to comply with animal welfare
standards is documented on an inspection report; and, requiring
that inspection reports which identify violations or failures
of compliance be shared with relevant local, State, and Federal
agencies.
The Committee is also concerned about online dog dealers
that are continuing to sell animals without the necessary USDA
licenses pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act (Public Law 89-
544). The Committee encourages APHIS to continue to conduct
robust oversight and enforcement of this statute and the 2013
rule requiring online dealers who are selling animals to
consumers sight-unseen to have the necessary license.
Avian Influenza.--The Committee recognizes the extreme
economic hardship posed to gamebird and egg farmers when flocks
are determined to be infected by high and low pathogenic avian
influenza and acknowledges the severe limitations on controlled
marketing available to producers of live game birds, as well as
the income loss from egg production. The Committee encourages
APHIS to provide full indemnity coverage for gamebird and egg
operations and cease attempts to limit coverage.
Cattle Fever Ticks.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2021 level for cattle fever tick research needs
and directs APHIS to coordinate with ARS on the development of
its long-term cattle fever tick research program.
The Committee is also concerned that the cattle fever tick
quarantine area is expanding despite efforts to constrain their
spread. To prevent movement of livestock and game animals
outside of the quarantined or high-risk premises and prevent
introduction of livestock and game animals from fever tick
infested areas, the Committee encourages APHIS to use available
funds for a cost-share program for the construction and repair
of livestock or game fencing on private, State and Federal
lands. The Committee directs USDA, in conjunction with State
animal health commissions and Federal partners, to develop a
strategy to exclude wildlife from areas at highest risk of tick
spread from quarantined areas and from infested areas and
identify properties that qualify for funds within these areas.
Chronic Wasting Disease [CWD].--The Committee provides no
less than $14,000,000 for cervid health activities. The
Committee is concerned about the growing threat of CWD and its
impact on free-ranging deer populations. Of the amount provided
for cervid health activities, $10,000,000 shall be for APHIS to
allocate funds directly to State departments of wildlife and
State departments of agriculture to further develop and
implement chronic wasting disease surveillance, testing,
management, and response activities. In allocating these funds,
APHIS shall give priority to States that have experienced a
recent incident of CWD, have a CWD monitoring and surveillance
program, and have a diagnostic laboratory system certified for
CWD testing. Within the remaining $4,000,000 provided, APHIS
should give consideration to indemnity payments if warranted.
Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Development.--The
Committee provides an additional $3,000,000 above the fiscal
year 2021 enacted level for Wildlife Services Methods
Development for CWD work at the National Wildlife Research
Center, and directs APHIS to continue working with University
collaborators to provide research support to the overall effort
to detect, combat and control CWD.
Citrus Health Response Program [CHRP].--CHRP is a national
effort to maintain a viable citrus industry within the United
States, maintain producers' continued access to export markets,
and safeguard citrus producing States against a variety of
invasive pests and diseases. These funds are designed to
partner with State departments of agriculture and industry
groups to address the challenges of citrus pests and diseases.
In addition to the funds provided in this account, the
Committee encourages APHIS to utilize the funds available in
the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention
Programs account to the greatest extent possible to sustain the
economic viability of the citrus industry.
Cogongrass Management and Control.--The Committee remains
concerned about the rapid spread of cogongrass and its impact
on forest productivity, wildlife habitat, and private
landowners. The Committee provides $3,000,000 for APHIS to
partner with State departments of agriculture and forestry
commissions in States considered to be the epicenter of
infestations to assist with the control and treatment of
cogongrass in order to slow the advancing front of this
invasive plant-pest species.
Congressionally Directed Spending [CDS].--The Committee has
provided CDS for certain activities and locations under APHIS.
While the Committee has provided the funding, recipients of CDS
are still required to apply for the funding and must meet all
statutory and regulatory requirements. The Committee expects
the agency to review the applications and fund projects in the
same manner as in previous years.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis.--The Committee remains
concerned about the capacity of States to conduct surveillance,
testing, prevention, and research relating to Eastern Equine
Encephalitis. The Committee provides $1,000,000 to support
ongoing cooperative agreements with impacted States.
Feral Cattle in the Gila National Forest Wilderness Area.--
The continued presence of feral cattle in the Gila National
Forest Wilderness Area in New Mexico is negatively impacting
both the ecosystem and recreational use of the area. The
Committee directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service--Wildlife Services and the United States Forest Service
to address this issue as expeditiously as feasible.
Huanglongbing Emergency Response.--The Committee maintains
the increased funding levels for Huanglongbing Emergency
Response within the Specialty Crop Pests line item included in
fiscal year 2021. The Committee encourages APHIS to allocate
sufficient resources in order to continue vital management,
control, and associated activities to address citrus greening.
The disease, for which there is no cure, has caused a reduction
in citrus production by over 60 percent since 2007 in Florida
alone. All citrus producing counties in Texas are under
quarantine, and California has detected the disease in some
backyard trees in the Los Angeles basin. The spread of this
disease has called the domestic citrus industry's future into
question, costing thousands of jobs and millions in lost
revenue and increased production costs per acre. In addition,
the agency is encouraged to support priorities and strategies
identified by the HLB-MAC group which will benefit the citrus
industry. The agency should appropriately allocate resources
based on critical need and maximum effect to the citrus
industry. The Committee maintains the fiscal year 2021 funding
level for citrus health to support priorities and strategies
identified by the HLB-MAC group. The MAC is focused on short-
term solutions to help the citrus industry, and the cooperative
nature of Federal, State, and industry representatives in this
group is expected to result in the development of tools and
techniques to address this devastating disease. Helping growers
explore new possible solutions, the MAC has been an effective
resource. These citrus health activities directly protect
citrus production on approximately 765,000 acres in the United
States worth more than $11,000,000,000 in total.
Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group.--The
Committee recognizes the significant economic impact of this
disease on the citrus industry, which is especially acute in
Florida and is a growing concern in both Texas and California.
The Committee also understands that growers are requesting the
right to try treatments that have begun to show success in
early stages of testing. The Committee encourages the HLB-MAC
group to explore and identify new methods to expedite the
delivery of promising treatments directly to growers. Finally,
the Committee expects that any funds which are redirected from
existing HLB-MAC projects be repurposed to other priority HLB-
MAC projects that are showing promising results to ensure these
critical funds remain committed to facilitating the design and
implementation of the rapid delivery pathway to growers.
Imported Dogs.--The Committee is aware that the USDA issued
a report that showed that over one million dogs are imported
into the United States each year. Of that number, however, less
than 1 percent are subject to thorough health screenings to
show that they are healthy, vaccinated and free of disease
prior to entering the country. The limited health requirements
and inspection has resulted in the importation of animals that
arrive in poor health, as well as the importation of animals
carrying various diseases from rabies to canine influenza to
leptospirosis, among others. Diseases such as canine rabies
have cost millions of dollars to eradicate in the United States
and unscreened animal imports threaten to undue that progress
while threatening public health. Therefore, the Committee
directs APHIS to strengthen its oversight of imported dogs,
including stronger interagency coordination to better protect
animal and public health.
Lacey Act Implementation.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. 3371-3378) in addressing
trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish, and plants,
including illegal deforestation activities. The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021
level to support the implementation of the Lacey Act within the
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance program.
National Animal Health Laboratory Network.--The Committee
provides an additional $5,000,000 for the National Animal
Health Laboratory Network.
National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.--The Committee
provides an increase of $3,450,000 to support the
implementation of the 2021-2023 National Aquaculture Health
Plan and the Comprehensive Aquaculture Health Program Standards
to protect aquatic animal health, enhance individual
biosecurity, and facilitate domestic and international commerce
in fish and shellfish.
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Human Capital Development.--
The Committee provides $3,000,000 for APHIS to ensure necessary
steps are taken to develop a qualified workforce comprised of
subject matter experts in foreign, emerging, and zoonotic
diseases and capable of developing, validating, and conducting
needed diagnostics, performing epidemiologic studies, and
completing bioinformatics analyses. The Committee encourages
APHIS to establish cooperative agreements with academic
research institutions, particularly non-land grant Hispanic-
Serving Institutions, to support the next generation of the
NBAF workforce.
National Clean Plant Network-Berries.--Of the funds made
available for the National Clean Plant Network [NCPN], the
Committee provides $300,000 for equipment purchases to ensure
the establishment of an additional diagnostic and therapy
center for the NCPN-Berries. Further, no less than the fiscal
year 2021 level should be available for the NCPN-Berries
diagnostic center. The Committee encourages APHIS to continue
establishing adequate diagnostic, therapeutic, and foundation
capacity for the NCPN-supported Berries program.
Non-lethal Strategies.--The Committee is aware that
Wildlife Services has worked with landowners to deploy non-
lethal strategies, such as fladry, electric fencing, and
livestock guardian dogs, to reduce predator depredation on
livestock. The Committee provides $2,500,000 for Wildlife
Services to hire personnel exclusively to promote and implement
non-lethal livestock-predator conflict deterrence techniques in
interested States, with a focus on reducing human-wildlife
conflicts related to predators and beavers in the Western
Region and Great Lakes States and to assist in providing
training in these techniques to agricultural producers,
landowners, and other agency personnel in collaboration with
the National Wildlife Research Center.
National Veterinary Stockpile.--Foot and Mouth Disease
[FMD] remains a grave threat to the animal agriculture industry
in the United States. The U.S. agriculture industry must remain
vigilant and be prepared in the event of an FMD outbreak. The
Committee provides an additional $1,000,000 above fiscal year
2021 enacted levels for the National Veterinary Stockpile to
protect the Nation's food supply by maintaining enough
countermeasures capable of deployment against the most damaging
animal diseases
Poultry Indemnity Payments.--The Committee directs USDA to
coordinate amongst all relevant agencies under its authority to
update, and where applicable, develop consistent, easily
replicated formulas on an annual basis to estimate market
values of livestock and poultry categories for indemnity
purposes. In developing and updating these annual values, USDA
should ensure that they reflect applicable modern production
practices, and relevant livestock and poultry markets so that
payments by USDA represent average fair market values for the
category of animal that the compensation payment is intended to
cover.
Risk Assessment for Motile Aeromonad Septicemia (MAS).--The
Committee is concerned about the risk of introduction off
foreign animal diseases associated with the importation of
farm-raised Siluriformes fish, such as catfish. Chronic
infectious diseases such as MAS pose a significant economic
risk to the long-term health of the domestic farm-raised fish
industry, and the Committee notes that MAS outbreaks like those
from virulent Aeromonas hydrophila in the U.S. have been linked
back to farmed fish in China and Southeast Asia. The Committee
also notes that, while FSIS regulates the processing of catfish
under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, there are no USDA-
Veterinary Services regulations for MAS, nor do FSIS
regulations apply regarding MAS. The Committee is displeased
with the length of time it has taken APHIS to complete its
ongoing MAS risk assessment, and directs APHIS to complete it
within 30 days of enactment of this Act.
Roseau Cane.--The Committee remains concerned with the
invasive species scale insect pest that is destroying Roseau
cane in the Mississippi River's Delta region along the Gulf of
Mexico. An estimated 225,000 acres of wetlands in the Delta
have been affected with the die-off, and Roseau cane is
important in maintaining a healthy marsh and preventing
erosion. The Committee directs APHIS to work with ARS and
stakeholders and provides no less than the fiscal year 2021
level to develop an integrated management program for control
of the Roseau cane scale insect pest infestation.
Soring.--The Committee has consistently recognized the need
for the equine industry and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Services to cooperate in order to eliminate the
soring of horses. In 2021, the National Academy of Sciences
recognized the importance of developing an objective science-
based inspection ensures accuracy and fairness. For this
reason, the Committee includes $300,000 for APHIS to begin
utilizing swabbing for prohibited substances and other science-
based inspection methods, radiology, and other objective
measures as part of its horse soring inspection protocol.
Sudden Oak Death.--The European strain 1 [EU1] and the
North American strain 1 [NA1] of the sudden oak death pathogen
are major threats to western Douglas-fir/tanoak forests,
resulting in quarantine restrictions that threaten U.S. forests
and export markets for log shipments and lily bulbs. The
Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year
2021 funding level to improve understanding of EU1 and NA1
strains of the sudden oak death pathogen and treatment methods
to inform control and management techniques in wildlands.
West Nile Virus.--The Committee remains concerned with the
threats to human and animal health posed by West Nile virus and
recognizes that a critical strategy for addressing these
threats is necessary to prevent the infection and transmission
by known vectors, including farm-raised alligators. The
Committee encourages APHIS to further investigate West Nile
virus and other infectious diseases affecting farm-raised
alligators and to develop treatments and methods to prevent
infection and transmission.
Wildlife Damage Management.--APHIS is responsible for
providing Federal leadership in managing problems caused by
wildlife. The Committee provides $115,692,000 for wildlife
damage control to maintain priority initiatives, including
preventing the transport of invasive snakes and other harmful
species. The Committee provides an additional $250,000 above
the fiscal year 2021 level for the agency to reduce blackbird
depredation in the Northern Great Plains.
The Committee maintains support for assistance to catfish
producers to help mitigate wildlife depredation, particularly
as it pertains to fish-eating and disease-carrying birds. The
Committee provides $1,300,000 above the fiscal year 2021 level
for damage management efforts and the development of methods to
assist producers in combatting the persistent threat and
economic hardship caused by cormorants, pelicans, and other
birds.
The Committee recognizes the importance of the National
Feral Swine Damage Management Program in reducing adverse
ecological and economic impacts caused by feral swine across
the country. The Committee provides an additional $1,000,000
above the fiscal year 2021 level in support of APHIS efforts to
decrease these invasive pests' damage and risk to agriculture,
natural resources, and property.
The Committee provides $28,000,000 for the National Rabies
Management Program to fortify existing barriers and advance
prevention and eradication efforts.
Wildlife Diseases.--The Committee provides an increase of
$8,000,000 for wildlife disease surveillance, diagnostics
methods development, and genetic risk assessments for wildlife
diseases impacting agriculture and human health, and directs
APHIS to conduct this research in collaboration with University
partners.
Wildlife Services Education and Training.--The Committee is
aware of the wide range of hazardous procedures and materials
utilized by APHIS personnel in the conduct of daily duties. In
addition, a recent comprehensive study noted the critical need
to provide standardized safety training, certification, and
database management for tracking to ensure the safest working
environment possible. As such, the Committee provides
$2,000,000 within Wildlife Damage Management to maintain a
National Training Academy focused on those areas of greatest
concern such as pyrotechnics, firearms, hazardous materials,
immobilization and euthanasia drugs, pesticides, animal care
and handling, land vehicles, watercraft, and zoonotic diseases.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $3,175,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 3,175,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,175,000
The APHIS appropriation for Buildings and Facilities funds
major nonrecurring construction projects in support of specific
program activities and recurring construction, alterations,
preventive maintenance, and repairs of existing APHIS
facilities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of
$3,175,000 for buildings and facilities of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
This funding is necessary to allow APHIS to maintain
existing facilities and perform critically needed repairs to
and replacements of building components, such as heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning on a prioritized basis at
APHIS facilities. The Committee notes that due to the
environmentally sensitive nature of many APHIS facilities,
closure of a facility could result if APHIS is unable to
complete the required repairs.
Agricultural Marketing Service
MARKETING SERVICES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $188,358,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 213,157,000
Committee recommendation................................ 231,063,000
The Agricultural Marketing Service was established by the
Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972. AMS carries out
programs authorized by more than 50 different statutory
authorities, the primary ones being the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638); the U.S. Cotton
Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65); the Cotton Statistics and
Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476); the Tobacco Inspection Act (7
U.S.C. 511-511q); the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
(7 U.S.C. 499a-499t); the Egg Products Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 1031-1056); and section 32 of the Act of 1935 (Public
Law 74-320, 7 U.S.C. 612c).
Programs administered by this agency include the market
news services, standardization, grading, classing, shell egg
surveillance services, transportation services, wholesale
farmers and alternative market development, grant payments to
States for marketing activities, the Federal administration of
marketing agreements and orders, commodity purchases, the
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (7 U.S.C. 499a-499t),
the Plant Variety Protection Act (Public Law 71-325), and
market protection and promotion activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $231,063,000
for Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
This includes a total increase of $2,367,000 for pay and
retirement contribution. In addition to that increase, the
Committee provides the following increases: $1,000,000 for the
Acer Access and Development Program; $3,406,000 for the
National Organic Program; $500,000 for the Organic Production
and Market Data Initiative; $2,000,000 for additional staffing,
enforcement, and rulemaking needs; and $2,000,000 for oversight
and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The Committee includes in this account $25,000,000 for the
Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, funded elsewhere in the
Act at $22,000,000 in 2021; and $6,000,000 for the Micro-grants
for Food Security Program, funded elsewhere in the Act at
$5,000,000 in 2021.
Acer Access and Development.--The Committee provides
$7,000,000 for the Acer Access and Development Program. The
Secretary shall use this funding for competitive grants that
support the promotion of research and education, natural
resource sustainability, and market development and promotion.
The Secretary shall prioritize proposals from regions with
sufficient distribution of Acer saccharum to support
commercially viable maple syrup industry.
Dairy Business Innovation.--The Committee rejects the
proposed elimination of the Dairy Business Innovation
Initiatives, as authorized by Section 12513 of the Agriculture
Improvement Act. Further, the Committee limits the use of funds
provided for this program to the three regional initiatives
funded in Fiscal Year 2020. The Secretary is encouraged to find
ways to apply this successful model to other agriculture
sectors, including meat processing, in a manner that avoids the
interruption of the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The
harsh economic losses dairy farmers have experienced in recent
years have driven thousands of farmers out of business and
delayed economic recovery for the few that remain. Given this
urgency, the Committee encourages the Secretary to use all
available resources to help these struggling farmers to
diversify, innovate, and reduce risk.
Grain Terminals.--The Committee notes the ongoing contract
negotiations between West Coast grain terminal operators and
the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and recognizes
the importance of reaching an agreement that works for both
parties. A failure to reach an agreement could result in an
interruption in grain terminal service that would negatively
impact the Nation's grain exports. The Committee urges all
parties to continue negotiating in good faith to ensure an
equitable outcome for both grain terminal operators and their
workers is expeditiously reached.
Micro-Grants for Food Security.--The Committee urges AMS to
administer the Micro-Grants for Food Security program in a
manner that will ensure that low-income, disadvantaged, and
minority individuals are able to submit applications and
receive funding for projects such as animal processing and
slaughter facilities, including reindeer herders, greenhouses,
and hydroponic growing facilities that would increase the
amount and quality of locally produced foods. When practicable,
the Committee directs AMS to waive or amend how it applies the
regulatory requirements of 2 CFR 200.206, 200.313, 200.328, and
200.329 to ensure that this program addresses food insecurity
challenges.
National Organic Program.--The Committee provides
$22,000,000 for the National Organic Program [NOP]. A healthy
market for organic products requires a clear product
distinction backed by a trusted, verified, and enforced label.
The Committee recognizes that the NOP, which enforces the
organic regulations and ensures they evolve to keep pace with
consumer expectations, is essential. In light of recent reports
of inadequate enforcement of organic standards, the Committee
directs USDA to provide all resources needed for the NOP to
deliver the strongest possible oversight before allowing the
USDA organic seal to be granted to domestic and international
operations and products, including a continued focus on
proactive risk-based investigations and oversight, enhanced
training for certifiers, and standards development.
Native American Foods and Tourism.--The Committee
recognizes that enhanced Native American tourism creates
important job opportunities in Native American communities
while showcasing their heritage, food, traditions, history, and
continuing vitality. The Committee encourages USDA to support
the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience
Act (Public Law 114-221) by prioritizing projects that market,
promote, or expand Native American foods, markets, and
enterprises.
Organic Certification for Wild Seafood.--The Committee is
aware of interest in developing organic production, handling,
and labeling standards for wild caught seafood as provided for
in Section 6506 of the Organic Foods Production Act (7 U.S.C.
6506(c)). The Committee urges USDA to reestablish the Wild
Caught Working Group under the National Organic Standards Board
to evaluate wild capture aquatic animal production systems and
assess the feasibility and appropriateness of developing
organic production and handling standards for their
certification.
Organic Dairy.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal
and notes the work that USDA has done to increase training and
certifier consistency with respect to dairy operations. The
Committee directs AMS to seek strong enforcement of organic
dairy production standards and resolve significant variations
in standard interpretation that exists among organic
certifiers, as well as among organic dairy producers. AMS shall
continue to conduct critical risk-based oversight, particularly
for large, complex dairy operations, as it has in the past
three fiscal years.
Organic Data Initiative.--The Committee recognizes that
accurate data for the production, pricing, and marketing of
organic products is essential to maintaining stable markets,
identifying fraud, creating risk management tools, tracking
production trends, and increasing exports. Therefore, the
Committee directs the Secretary to require mandatory reporting
on an annual basis by accredited certifying agents on aggregate
production areas certified by crop and location in order to
accurately calculate organic acreage and yield estimates on a
country-by-country basis. The Committee provides $1,000,000 for
AMS to coordinate with NASS for activities related to expanding
organic price reporting and organic data collection.
Pricing Concerns.--The Committee recognizes the importance
of ensuring that meat pricing mechanisms are transparent and
provide reliable price discovery for cattle producers and the
rest of the supply chain nationwide. The Committee notes that
the Nation's food supply chain is an issue of national
security, and emphasizes that our farmers, ranchers,
processors, and consumers must have a fair and competitive
marketplace. The Committee directs the Secretary, working with
the Attorney General as appropriate, to act expeditiously to
analyze these issues and to consider extending the ongoing
investigation to include economic disruptions associated with
public health emergencies.
Soil Health.--The National organic standards require
farmers that voluntarily chose to certify their operation as
meeting organic practices to use farming practices that improve
soil health, such as crop rotations, cover cropping, and
pasture-based livestock practices. By improving soil health,
these farming practices also increase the carbon sequestration
potential of the soil, and improve the farm's resilience to
extreme weather events and patterns. To maximize the climate
benefits of organic agriculture, the Committee urges the
National Organic Program to increase enforcement efforts to
ensure full compliance with the soil health and pasture
requirements of USDA organic standards.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Limitation, 2021........................................ ^$61,227,000
Budget limitation, 2022................................. ^61,786,000
Committee recommendation................................ ^61,786,000
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law
97-35) initiated a system of user fees for the cost of grading
and classing cotton and tobacco. These activities, authorized
under the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.), the
Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), and other
provisions of law are designed to facilitate commerce and
protect participants in the industry.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $61,786,000 on
administrative expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY (SECTION 32)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... ^$20,705,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... ^20,817,000
Committee recommendation................................ ^20,817,000
Under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, (Public Law
74-320), an amount equal to 30 percent of customs receipts
collected during each preceding calendar year and unused
balances are available for encouraging the domestic consumption
and exportation of agricultural commodities. An amount equal to
30 percent of receipts collected on fishery products is
transferred to the Department of Commerce. Additional transfers
to the child nutrition programs of the Food and Nutrition
Service have been provided in recent appropriations Acts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a transfer from section 32 funds
of $20,817,000 for the formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders.
The following table reflects the status of this fund for
fiscal years 2021-2022:
ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD-- FISCAL YEARS 2021-2022
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 Fiscal year 2022 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30% of Customs Receipts)................... 22,733,332 21,679,260 21,679,260
Less Transfers:
Food and Nutrition Service............................ -21,040,057 -19,961,591 -19,961,591
Commerce Department................................... -262,275 -253,669 -253,669
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Transfers.................................... -21,302,332 -20,215,260 -20,215,260
=====================================================
Budget Authority, Farm Bill....................... 1,431,000 1,464,000 1,464,000
Appropriations Temporarily Reduced--Sequestration......... -71,136 -72,789 -72,789
Budget Authority, Appropriations Act.............. 1,359,864 1,391,211 1,391,211
Less Obligations:
Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities).... 485,000 485,000 485,000
State Option Contract................................. 5,000 5,000 5,000
Removal of Defective Commodities...................... 2,500 2,500 2,500
Disaster Relief....................................... 5,000 5,000 5,000
Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases..... 206,000 206,000 206,000
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program..................... 183,000 187,000 187,000
Estimated Future Needs................................ 800,425 443,084 443,084
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Procurement........................ 1,686,925 1,333,584 1,333,584
=====================================================
Administrative Funds:
Commodity Purchase Support............................ 36,746 36,810 36,810
Marketing Agreements and Orders....................... 20,705 20,817 20,817
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Funds......................... 57,451 57,627 57,627
=====================================================
Total Obligations................................... 1,744,376 1,391,211 1,391,211
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 32 Authorities.--Under the authority described in
clause 3 of 7 U.S.C. 612c, the Secretary is able to direct
funds from the section 32 account to increase the purchasing
power of producers. This practice has been used on various
occasions to provide direct assistance to producers when market
forces or natural conditions adversely affect the financial
condition of farmers and ranchers. The Committee notes the
importance of the ability of the Secretary to utilize this
authority but believes that communication between USDA and
Congress should be improved when this practice is used.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary to provide
notification to the Committee in advance of any public
announcement or release of section 32 funds under the specific
authorities cited above.
PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,235,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,235,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,000,000
The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program is
authorized by section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638) and is also funded from
appropriations. Matching grants are awarded on a competitive
basis to State marketing agencies to identify and test market
alternative farm commodities, determine methods of providing
more reliable market information, and develop better commodity
grading standards. This program has made many types of projects
possible, such as electronic marketing and agricultural product
diversification. Current projects are focused on the
improvement of marketing efficiency and effectiveness and
seeking new outlets for existing farm produced commodities. The
legislation grants USDA authority to establish cooperative
agreements with State departments of agriculture or similar
State agencies to improve the efficiency of the agricultural
marketing chain. The States perform the work or contract it to
others and must contribute at least one-half of the cost of the
projects.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,000,000 for
Payments to States and Possessions for Federal-State marketing
projects and activities. The Committee provides an increase of
$2,765,000 to support projects focused on improved production,
processing, marketing, operations, training, and capacity for
the dairy, meat, and poultry sectors.
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES
Limitation, 2021........................................ ^$55,000,000
Budget limitation, 2022................................. ^55,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ ^55,000,000
The agency provides an official grain inspection and
weighing system under the U.S. Grain Standards Act [USGSA]
(Public Law 64-190, and official inspection of rice and grain-
related products under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638). The USGSA was amended in 1981
to require the collection of user fees to fund the costs
associated with the operation, supervision, and administration
of Federal grain inspection and weighing activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $55,000,000 on
inspection and weighing services expenses.
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $809,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,327,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,327,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety provides
direction and coordination in carrying out the laws enacted by
the Congress with respect to the Department's inspection of
meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Food Safety
and Inspection Service [FSIS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,327,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,075,703,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,165,589,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,153,064,000
The major objectives of the FSIS are to ensure that meat
and poultry products are wholesome, unadulterated, and properly
labeled and packaged, as required by the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (Public Law 59-242) and the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (Public Law 85-172), as amended; and to provide
continuous in-plant inspection to egg processing plants under
the Egg Products Inspection Act (Public Law 91-597).
The Food Safety and Inspection Service was established on
June 17, 1981, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1000-1, issued
pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.
The inspection program of the Food Safety and Inspection
Service provides in-plant inspection of all domestic plants
preparing meat, poultry, or egg products for sale or
distribution; reviews foreign inspection systems and
establishments that prepare meat or poultry products for export
to the United States; and provides technical and financial
assistance to States which maintain meat and poultry inspection
programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,153,064,000
for the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The following table represents the Committee's specific
recommendations for the FSIS as compared to the fiscal year
2021 and budget request levels:
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food safety inspection:
Federal..................................................... 957,348 1,046,692 1,034,167
State....................................................... 66,730 66,875 66,875
International............................................... 17,045 17,442 17,442
PHDCIS...................................................... 34,580 34,580 34,580
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 1,075,703 1,165,589 1,153,064
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooperative Interstate Shipment Report.--The Committee
expects USDA to deliver the report on the Cooperative
Interstate Shipment [CIS] program as outlined in Section
764(e)(2) of division N of Public Law 116-260 no later than
December 27, 2021.
Humane Slaughter.--The Committee directs FSIS to continue
to provide annual reports to the Committee on the
implementation of objective scoring methods undertaken by FSIS
to enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (Public Law 85-
765).
The Committee also directs FSIS to ensure that personnel
hired with funding previously provided specifically for Humane
Methods of Slaughter Act (Public Law 85-765) enforcement focus
their attention on overseeing compliance with humane handling
rules for live animals as they arrive and are offloaded and
handled in pens, chutes, and stunning areas and that all
inspectors receive robust training.
Public Health Veterinarians.--The Committee remains
concerned about persistently high levels of public health
veterinary [PHV] vacancies within FSIS and provides an increase
of $2,800,000 to address this issue.
Reduced User Fees.--The Committee provides an increase of
$44,100,000 to continue the reduced user fees for small and
very small establishments as established by the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021.
TITLE II
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $916,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,437,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,687,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation [FPAC] provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's commodity programs, farm loans, disaster
assistance, crop insurance, natural resources conservation and
environment programs, and certain energy programs. The Office
has oversight and management responsibilities for the Farm
Service Agency [FSA] (including the Commodity Credit
Corporation), Risk Management Agency [RMA], and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service [NRCS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,687,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation.
Supporting Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.--The Committee
recognizes that the average age of U.S. farmers continues to
increase and a majority of the Nation's farmland will change
hands in the coming years due to the aging farmer population.
It is clear that the ability of the next generation of farmers
to produce food and fiber in a sustainable way is critical to
the economy, health, and security of our Nation and rural
communities. In order to address this concern, USDA must find
new ways to meet the unique needs and barriers facing beginning
farmers and ranchers, especially diversified operations,
minority and indigenous farmers and ranchers, and returning
military veterans. The Committee has heard repeated complaints
that USDA programs, particularly the direct and guaranteed loan
programs and microloans, can be difficult for small or
beginning farmers to apply for. Those challenges are further
exacerbated when local USDA staff lack an understanding about
non-traditional operations. Therefore the Committee encourages
the Secretary to prioritize training and education for State
and county FSA, NRCS, and RMA staff on how to better serve and
support young and beginning farmers and ranchers to ensure that
they can enter and sustain farming or ranching as a viable
livelihood.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $231,302,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 238,177,000
Committee recommendation................................ 238,177,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $238,177,000
for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.
Business Center Report.--The FPAC Business Center was
created by the Secretary in 2018 with the goal of consolidating
administrative functions within the newly created FPAC mission
area, with assurances given that this would lead to reduced
inefficiencies and increased customer service. However, the
Committee is aware of reports of prolonged delays in filling
critical that has led to delays in the deployment of important
disaster assistance, conservation, and commodity programs. The
Committee once again reminds FPAC that the detailed report
required by S. Rpt. 116-110, which was due February 2021,
regarding the FPAC Business Center's efficiencies gained,
metrics, hiring plan, and potential reorganization, is now long
overdue.
Recruitment.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
recruiting a diverse and talented workforce at USDA and
applauds the FPAC Business Center and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service for their work to expand their involvement
with the Pathways and 1890s Scholars Program. The two programs
not only help to recruit the next generation of public
servants, but also boost the number of students interested in
studying agriculture, food sciences, natural resource sciences,
and other related disciplines. USDA is encouraged to also seek
out additional opportunities and partnerships with the 1994
Tribal Scholars Program to increase the number of American
Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food,
natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency was established October 13, 1994,
pursuant to the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354).
The FSA administers a variety of activities, such as the
commodity price support and production adjustment programs
financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC]; the
Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]; the Emergency Conservation
Program [ECP]; the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey
Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program [ELAP]; the Commodity
Operation Programs, including the warehouse examination
function; farm ownership, farm operating, emergency disaster,
and other loan programs; and the Noninsured Crop Disaster
Assistance Program [NAP], which provides crop loss protection
for growers of many crops for which crop insurance is not
available. In addition, FSA currently provides certain
administrative support services to the Foreign Agricultural
Service [FAS] and RMA.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers from Total, FSA,
Appropriations program salaries and
accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021......................................... 1,142,924 294,114 1,437,038
Budget estimate, 2022........................................ 1,175,670 294,114 1,469,784
Committee recommendation..................................... 1,178,324 294,114 1,472,438
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The account Salaries and Expenses, Farm Service Agency,
funds the administrative expenses of program administration and
other functions assigned to FSA. The funds consist of
appropriations and transfers from the CCC export credit
guarantees, Food for Peace loans, and Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund program accounts, as well as miscellaneous
advances from other sources. All administrative funds used by
FSA are consolidated into one account. The consolidation
provides clarity and better management and control of funds and
facilitates accounting, fiscal, and budgetary work by
eliminating the necessity for making individual allocations and
allotments and maintaining and recording obligations and
expenditures under numerous separate accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,472,438,000
for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency, including
a direct appropriation of $1,178,324,000.
Acequia Irrigated Land.--The Committee recognizes that
acequias serve as the primary method of irrigation in many
rural and underserved communities in New Mexico and that
acequias remain an integral aspect of New Mexican cultural
identity. Recent changes administered by FSA changed
eligibility of drought on farms and ranches irrigated by
acequias for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
[NAP]. Given the Farm Service Agency has historically
considered drought on acequia-irrigated land eligible for Non-
insured Crop Disaster Assistance and the ongoing severe drought
conditions in New Mexico and throughout the west, the Committee
urges the Department to issue guidance clarifying that drought
on acequia-irrigated land is an eligible cause of loss for NAP.
Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative [ACRSI].--
The Committee recognizes the significant potential of ACRSI to
reduce the time and burden of Federal reporting requirements on
farmers. The Committee notes that ACRSI was designed to allow
farmers to report data electronically and securely with both
RMA and FSA to automatically pre-populate forms, eliminate
redundant reporting, and increase data integrity. However, the
Committee recognizes that USDA's prioritization of ACRSI has
been inadequate. The Committee reminds USDA that the joint
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 116-260 directed
FSA to allocate all necessary resources to identify the
software options necessary to ensure that ACRSI technology is
adopted and deployed by the Risk Management Agency and the Farm
Service Agency within 120 days of enactment of the Act. The
USDA has failed to respond to the Committee's directives, which
raises serious questions as to the commitment and ability to
meet this obligation to producers. Therefore, the Committee
directs USDA, within 60 days of enactment, to brief the
Committee on the status of implementation of ACRSI, financial
obligations to date, and the costs and actions underway to
complete this project in time for the crop reporting cycle of
the year 2022.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program [CREP].--The
Committee recognizes that drought is now the single largest
cause of U.S. farm production losses and strongly supports the
development of creative solutions to conserve water while
maintaining the productive use of farmland. The Committee is
concerned that the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment
[PEA] for CRP published in the Federal Register on October 3,
2019 (84 FR 52868) ignores the intent of Congress and the
urgent threat of drought by immediately dismissing without
meaningful consideration the new authorization for CREP drought
and water conservation agreements to permit dryland
agricultural uses with the adoption of best management
practices. The Committee directs the Secretary to revise the
PEA to allow dryland agriculture uses on land enrolled in CREP
in accordance with section 1231A(e)(2) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831a(e)(2)). The Committee reminds USDA
that the joint explanatory statement accompanying Public Law
116-260 directed the Secretary to submit a report to the
Committee detailing a full analysis of the new CREP dryland
agricultural uses authority and what dryland farming best
management practices could make advancements to protect ground
water and surface water quality and control soil erosion while
enhancing wildlife habitat.
Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.--The Secretary is
strongly encouraged, within the total acreage made available
for enrollment in the conservation reserve program and without
reducing the periodic availability of general signup, to
enroll, to the maximum extent practicable, acreage for
activities included in the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement
practice or other similar administratively established wetland
and habitat practices that benefit priority fish and wildlife
species identified in State, regional, and national
conservation initiatives, prioritizing initiatives that provide
large blocks of cover ideal for wildlife nesting.
ELAP Farm-Raised Fish Assistance.--The Committee remains
concerned about the economic impacts of avian predation and
disease on the U.S. aquaculture industry and the lack of
meaningful protections for producers against these losses. The
Committee reminds USDA that the joint explanatory statement
accompanying the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
(Public Law 116-94) directed FSA to amend the existing
regulations under 7 C.F.R. 1416 to ensure producers of farm-
raised fish intended for human consumption are eligible to
receive payments for death losses due to disease or avian
predation within 180 days of enactment of that Act. The
Committee expects FSA to carry out this congressional
directive.
Heirs Property.--The Committee is disappointed that FSA has
yet to issue a rulemaking for the Heirs' Property Relending
Program, despite the program's authorization over two and a
half years ago and having received funds in both Fiscal Year
2021 and 2020. FSA is urged to complete this rulemaking as soon
as possible to help resolve ownership and succession on
farmland with multiple owners.
Honey Bee Loses.--For purposes of administering the
Emergency Livestock Assistance Program [ELAP] for honeybees,
the Secretary is directed to restore normal mortality rates
under the program to fifteen percent and to restore fair market
values for colonies and hives to at least the levels utilized
in the 2019 program year, $140 and $258 respectively. This
program is essential to protecting a fragile beekeeping
industry that is responsible for pollinating billions of
dollars in U.S. agricultural input.
Inaccurate Estimates.--The Committee reminds USDA that the
joint explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 116-260
directed FSA to submit a report on how it will resolve
inconsistencies in supplying Congress with estimates on funding
available for the National Organic Certification Cost-Share
Program [OCCSP] and other Farm Bill programs. The Committee is
pleased by initial announcements by USDA that it intends to
provide assistance to producers who rely on OCCSP and those
transitioning to organic. This is especially important for
small and midsized organic farmers, underserved farmers, and
those just beginning the organic certification process.
Information Technology.--The Committee remains dedicated to
ensuring FSA has reliable and functioning IT systems because it
is critical that farmers and ranchers have access to the tools
they need to succeed. The Committee has invested significant
taxpayer dollars to modernize outdated systems and continues to
provide resources above the budget request. The Committee
continues statutory language that allows funds for IT to be
obligated only after the Secretary meets certain reporting
requirements. The Committee has reviewed the third-party IT
analysis and expects the agency to follow the recommendations
where applicable. FSA is directed to provide timely updates for
future IT needs.
Panther Depredation.--The Committee is aware that livestock
producers in Florida have suffered from panther depredation. To
support the ongoing conservation and recovery of endangered
Florida panthers while minimizing conflicts with ranchers, the
Committee encourages FSA to work with ranchers to tailor the
Livestock Indemnity Program to address unique circumstances
currently preventing producers from receiving compensation for
losses stemming from Florida panther depredation events.
STATE MEDIATION GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,914,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 6,914,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,000,000
This program is authorized under title V of the
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-233).
Originally designed to address agricultural credit disputes,
the program was expanded by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-354) to include other agricultural issues such
as wetland determinations, conservation compliance, rural water
loan programs, grazing on National Forest System lands, and
pesticides. Grants are made to States whose mediation programs
have been certified by the FSA. Grants will be solely for
operation and administration of the State's agricultural
mediation program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,000,000 for
State Mediation Grants.
Obligation Delays.--The Committee is disappointed and
perplexed by the repeated annual delays by the Department for
issuing grants for this program. These funding delays have
resulted in some State mediation programs operating for the
first quarter of the fiscal year without any funding, which has
forced them to turn down new requests for mediation or to stop
paying staff. The Committee remains concerned by these
unnecessary delays and directs USDA to obligate available funds
within 30 days of enactment of this act.
GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,500,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 6,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,500,000
This program is intended to assist in the protection of
groundwater through State rural water associations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,500,000 for
Grassroots Source Water Protection.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $500,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
Under the program, the Department makes indemnification
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products
who, through no fault of their own, suffer income losses
because they are directed to remove their milk from commercial
markets due to contamination of their products by registered
pesticides. The program also authorizes indemnity payments to
dairy farmers for losses resulting from the removal of cows or
dairy products from the market due to nuclear radiation or
fallout.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2022 to be $500,000,
for indemnity payments to dairy farmers.
PFAS Contamination.--The Committee is aware that a small
number of dairy farms are unable to sell their milk as a result
of contamination from a family of synthetic chemicals, known as
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively
known as ``PFAS'' chemicals. The Committee remains concerned
that USDA's own research has shown that PFAS residues remain
detectable in contaminated livestock even after an extended
withdrawal period, which could result in potential human
exposure. Therefore, the Secretary shall utilize the Dairy
Indemnity Payment Program to purchase and remove PFAS
contaminated cows from the market, rather than paying for
prolonged monthly production indemnities. The Secretary shall
utilize the established, applicable Livestock Indemnity Program
average fair market value price to compensate for PFAS
contaminated cows at affected dairies. The Committee further
notes that the joint explanatory statement accompanying Public
Law 116-260 directed USDA to take such actions and the
Secretary has yet to issue guidance or carry out the removal of
contaminated cows.
GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... \1\$2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 3,000,000
\1\Included in a General Provision in fiscal year 2021
This program is authorized under Title I of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8792). Under the
Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, the
Department offsets a portion of the costs of transporting
agricultural inputs and products over long distances for
farmers and ranchers outside the contiguous United States that
face tremendously high costs for transporting agriculture
products and inputs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,000,000 for
the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This
includes an increase of $1,000,000 from the funding provided in
a General Provision for the last several years in order to
increase the cap on payments per producers that was has
remained unchanged since it was first established in 2010 to
ensure a fair and reasonable distribution of funds.
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account
[ACIF] is used to provide direct and guaranteed farm ownership,
farm operating, conservation, Indian highly fractioned land,
and emergency loans to individuals, as well as the following
types of loans to associations: irrigation and drainage,
grazing, Indian Tribe land acquisition, and boll weevil
eradication.
FSA is also authorized to provide financial assistance to
borrowers by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders having
a contract of guarantee from FSA as approved by the Secretary
of Agriculture and to establish Beginning Farmer and Rancher
Individual Development grant accounts.
The following programs are financed through this fund:
Boll Weevil Eradication Loans.--Made to assist foundations
in financing the operations of the boll weevil eradication
programs provided to farmers.
Credit Sales of Acquired Property.--Property is sold out of
inventory and is made available to an eligible buyer by
providing FSA loans.
Emergency Loans.--Made to producers to aid recovery from
production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other
natural disasters, or quarantine. The loans may be used to
restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of
production costs associated with the disaster year; pay
essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming
operation; and refinance certain debts.
Farm Operating Loans.--Provide short-to-intermediate term
production or chattel credit to farmers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere, to improve their farm and home operations,
and to develop or maintain a reasonable standard of living. The
term of the loan varies from one to 7 years.
Farm Ownership Loans.--Made to borrowers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere to restructure their debts, improve or
purchase farms, refinance nonfarm enterprises which supplement
but do not supplant farm income, or make additions to farms.
Loans are made for 40 years or less.
Heirs' Property Relending Program.--Provide revolving loan
funds to eligible intermediary lenders to resolve ownership and
complete a succession plan on farmland that has multiple
owners. The lenders will provide loans to qualified individuals
to resolve these ownership issues and ensure fair access to
land for farmers, ranchers, and future generations.
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.--Made to any Indian
Tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or Tribal
corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization
Act (Public Law 93-638) which does not have adequate
uncommitted funds to acquire lands or interest in lands within
the Tribe's reservation or Alaskan Indian community, as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior, for use of the
Tribe or the corporation or the members thereof.
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans.--Made to Indian
Tribal members to purchase highly fractionated lands, as
authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-234).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a total loan level of
$10,385,908,000 for programs within the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund Program Account.
Loan Programs.--The Committee continues to support FSA loan
programs that ensure farmers and ranchers have access to credit
to maintain and improve their operations. The Committee is
aware of the heightened operating loan activity in fiscal year
2021 and notes the statutory authority allowing program level
increases that do not require additional budget authority. The
Committee will continue to monitor program demand in the coming
months and directs FSA to provide timely estimates for future
needs.
The following table reflects the program levels for farm
credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year
2021 and the budget request levels:
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
Direct................................................... 2,500,000 2,800,000 2,800,000
Guaranteed............................................... 3,300,000 3,500,000 3,500,000
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................... 1,633,333 1,633,333 1,633,333
Guaranteed unsubsidized.................................. 2,118,482 2,118,482 2,118,482
Emergency Loans.............................................. 37,668 37,668 37,668
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition................................ 20,000 20,000 20,000
Conservation Loans:
Guaranteed............................................... 150,000 150,000 150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................ 5,000 5,000 5,000
Boll Weevil Eradication...................................... 60,000 60,000 60,000
Relending Program............................................ 33,693 33,693 61,425
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan Authorizations............................. 9,858,176 10,358,176 10,385,908
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
established the program account. Appropriations to this account
are used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with
the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees committed, as
well as for administrative expenses.
The following table reflects the cost of programs under
credit reform:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................... 38,710 40,017 40,017
Guaranteed unsubsidized.................................. 23,727 16,524 16,524
Emergency Loans.............................................. 207 267 267
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................ 742 407 407
Relending Program............................................ 5,000 2,743 5,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan Subsidies.................................. 68,386 59,958 62,215
==================================================
ACIF Expenses:
Salaries and Expenses.................................... 294,114 294,114 294,114
Administrative Expenses.................................. 13,230 20,658 20,658
--------------------------------------------------
Total, ACIF Expenses................................... 307,344 314,772 314,772
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk Management Agency
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $60,131,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 69,207,000
Committee recommendation................................ 67,700,000
The Risk Management Agency performs administrative
functions relative to the Federal Crop Insurance program that
is authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508), as amended by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of
2000 [ARPA] (Public Law 106-224), the Agricultural Act of 2014
(Public Law 113-79), and the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (Public Law 115-334).
ARPA authorized significant changes in the crop insurance
program. This Act provides higher government subsidies for
producer premiums to make coverage more affordable; expands
research and development for new insurance products and under-
served areas through contracts with the private sector; and
strengthens compliance. Functional areas of risk management
are: research and development; insurance services; and
compliance, the functions of which include policy formulation
and procedures and regulations development.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $67,700,000
for Risk Management Agency, Salaries and Expenses.
The Committee recognizes that there are many research
priorities that competitive funding may be used to address,
including the feasibility of insurance programs to cover
business interruption due to integrator bankruptcy and
catastrophic loss in the poultry industry. The Committee
encourages RMA to support research into these priorities.
Corn Test Weight.--The Committee is aware of concerns over
whether discount tables used by FSA and RMA accurately reflect
market conditions. The Committee directs the agency, in
consultation with relevant stakeholders, to study and update
corn test weight discount tables to improve the accuracy of
these discount factors.
Haying and Grazing of Cover Crops.--The Committee
recognizes and applauds the Department's recent efforts to
provide flexibility to producers wishing to hay or graze cover
crops on prevented planting acreage before November 1. This is
an important step forward to ensure that producers planting
decisions are based on sound agriculture practices, while also
promoting smart agricultural practices that build soil health
and resilience in our working lands.
Improved Producer Education.--The Committee recognizes that
crop insurance is a vital public-private partnership and is the
first line of defense for effectively managing risk for many
farmers. However, the Committee believes that additional
education is needed through the use of clear, comparative, and
easy to understand information on the costs of selected crop
insurance policies, the producer premium, and the Federal
premium subsidy. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary
to work with crop insurance providers and agents to ensure that
all farmers have access to that cost information on their
policies in a transparent and easy to understand manner.
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection.--The Committee remind USDA
that the joint explanatory statement accompanying Public Law
116-260 directed RMA to submit a report on the steps being
taken by the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation to consider the feasibility of the proposed change
to recognize the difference in perils at different phases of
growth for aquaculture species.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service was established
pursuant to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (Public Law 103-354). The NRCS works with conservation
districts, watershed groups, and Federal and State agencies to
bring about physical adjustments in land use that will conserve
soil and water resources, provide for agricultural production
on a sustained basis, and reduce flood damage and
sedimentation.
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $832,727,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 886,285,000
Committee recommendation................................ 937,964,000
Conservation operations are authorized by Public Law 74-46
(16 U.S.C. 590a-590f). Activities include:
Conservation Technical Assistance provides assistance to
district cooperators and other land users in the planning and
application of conservation treatments to control erosion and
improve the quantity and quality of soil resources; improve and
conserve water; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; conserve
energy; improve woodland, pasture, and range conditions; and
reduce upstream flooding to protect and enhance the natural
resource base.
Resource appraisal and program development ensures that
programs administered by the Secretary for the conservation of
soil, water, and related resources shall respond to the
Nation's long-term needs.
Plant Materials Centers assemble, test, and encourage
increased use of plant species which show promise for use in
the treatment of conservation problem areas.
Snow Survey and Water Forecasting provides estimates of
annual water availability from high mountain snow packs and
summer stream flow in the Western States and Alaska.
Information is used by agriculture, industry, and cities in
estimating future water supplies.
Soil Surveys inventory the Nation's basic soil resources
and determine land capabilities and conservation treatment
needs. Soil survey publications include interpretations useful
to cooperators, other Federal and State agencies, and local
organizations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $937,964,000
for Conservation Operations. The Committee provides $84,500,000
for Soil Surveys, $16,500,000 for Snow Survey and Water
Forecasting, $9,540,000 for Plant Materials Centers, and
$784,813,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance, of which
$3,000,000 is for soil testing and remediation, $8,000,000 is
for climate hubs, $12,000,000 is for climate smart agriculture,
and $20,000,000 is for the Grazing Lands Conservation
Initiative (16 U.S.C. 3839bb). The Committee also provides
$15,000,000 for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to
establish a Working Land Resilience Program and $8,000,000 for
the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program. The
Committee provides $19,611,000 for congressionally directed
projects, as specified in the table at the end of the report,
for new and ongoing conservation activities. Amounts
recommended by the Committee for specific conservation measures
shall be in addition to levels otherwise made available to
States.
Acre-for-Acre Wetlands Mitigation.--The Secretary is
encouraged to use mitigation with the conversion of a natural
wetland and equivalent wetlands functions at a ratio which does
not exceed 1-to-1 acreage.
Conservation Operations.--In carrying out projects on
public lands that would directly or indirectly prevent, prepare
for, or respond to economic, environmental, or public health
consequences resulting from climate change, the Secretary
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, seek out ways to
utilize qualified youth or conservation corps, as defined in
section 203(11) of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16
U.S.C. 1722(11), non-profit wilderness and trails stewardship
organizations, and consult with public lands stewardship
organizations for the purpose of identifying appropriate
projects, activities, and workforce development outcomes.
Congressionally Directed Spending [CDS].--The Committee has
provided CDS for certain activities and locations under
Conservation Operations. While the Committee has provided the
funding, recipients of CDS are still required to apply for the
funding and must meet all statutory and regulatory
requirements. The Committee expects the agency to review the
applications and fund projects in the same manner as in
previous years.
Critical Conservation Areas [CCA].--The Committee supports
CCAs and the collaborative regional approach to address common
natural resources goals while maintaining or improving
agricultural productivity. The Committee urges NRCS to provide
sufficient Conservation Technical Assistance funds to CCAs to
address conservation planning backlogs. The Committee also
encourages NRCS to leverage all possible resources to identify
nutrient loss and reduce runoff to achieve the goals of the
2015 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan.
Drought Resilience.--The Committee is particularly
concerned about the severe and prolonged drought in the West
and applauds the passage of the Colorado River Basin Drought
Contingency Plans. The Committee appreciates NRCS's efforts to
increase efficiencies in current water use and expects NRCS to
utilize all available opportunities to assist producers,
irrigators, and irrigation districts in implementing area-wide
plans to address drought resiliency and mitigation in a way
that maintains strong rural and agriculture communities and
protects our natural resources. In providing this assistance,
the Committee further expects NRCS to prioritize support for
implementation of Drought Contingency Plans, agreements, or
programs that would conserve surface or ground water, improve
drought resiliency, and address current and anticipated
conservation needs and severe drought-related resource
concerns.
Energy Efficiency Opportunities.--The Environmental Quality
Incentive Program [EQIP] is an important tool to help farmers
conserve energy, conduct energy audits, and develop
conservation plans through locally based technical service
providers. The Committee is concerned that very few farmers who
complete energy audits are able to actually utilize EQIP or
other Federal programs to help them adopt much-needed energy
efficiency measures to reduce their high energy expenses. The
Secretary is urged to seek out and implement opportunities to
encourage and support farmers to implement energy efficiency
projects.
Feral Hogs.--The Committee is concerned that the feral hog
population is rapidly expanding despite efforts to constrain
their spread. To help prevent further damages to agriculture
and urban lands, the Committee encourages NRCS to use available
funds for a cost-share program for the construction and repair
of perimeter fencing. The Committee directs NRCS, in
conjunction with State soil and water conservation boards and
agencies, to develop a strategy to exclude feral hogs from
agricultural and urban areas at risk of damage from localized
feral hog populations.
Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.--The Committee
provides $20,000,000 for the Grazing Lands Conservation
Initiative (16 U.S.C. 3839bb), of which at least $16,000,000
shall be provided through State allocations as competitive
grants to diverse partnerships, including socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and their organizations, to
provide technical assistance to producers for grazing planning
and implementation, conferences and other education,
demonstrations, producer networks, workforce training,
research, and outreach projects to improve agricultural
resilience. NRCS is directed to provide at least $2,000,000
through a cooperative agreement with a national grazing lands
conservation coalition to establish diverse State-based
coalitions and to undertake grazing education.
Innovative Water Conservation.--The Committee recognizes
the devastating impacts wrought by severe and prolonged drought
across many regions of the country. The Committee notes that
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334)
made several updates to address water conservation and drought
mitigation, including eligibility changes for water
conservation and irrigation efficiency practices. NRCS is
encouraged to work with eligible entities, including but not
limited to producers, States, irrigation districts, and
acequias, to help implement critical innovative drought
resiliency and mitigation efforts, which maintain strong rural
and agriculture communities while protecting natural resources.
Land Grants and Acequias.--The Committee recognizes that
Section 2304(e) of Public Law 115-334 allows acequias and land
grant mercedes to apply directly to the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program [EQIP], which provides Federal funding and
technical assistance to farmers throughout the Nation. The
Committee appreciates that there are hundreds of acequias and
dozens of land grants in New Mexico that can now gain direct
access to this important conservation program. The Committee
urges USDA to develop EQIP guidance that ensures timely input
from local communities, including listening sessions with land
grants and acequias.
Private Land Conservation.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of providing private land owners with ready access
to the many Federal, State, and local government and private
resources available to support conservation efforts on private
lands. The Committee directs NRCS to implement a multi-year
cooperative agreement with appropriate funding support to an
organization that can make conservation solutions and best
practices accessible daily to private land owners. This
organization should also support efforts to conserve the
lesser-prairie chicken and implement carbon sequestration
conservation programs nationwide.
Soil Health.--The Committee recognizes that improving soil
health on agricultural lands is key to achieving both
meaningful conservation and economic benefits for producers.
The Committee is pleased to see strong stakeholder interest in
the new on-farm conservation innovation trials to test new or
innovative conservation approaches and the soil health
demonstration trial, which provides incentives to producers to
implement practices that improve soil health and increase
carbon levels in the soil. The Committee encourages the
Secretary to dedicate more technical assistance funds to
establish standard protocols for measuring and testing carbon
levels to evaluate gains in soil health that will help
producers to create positive economic, environmental, and
social outcomes through ecosystem service markets. The
Committee believes the Secretary should provide additional
technical assistance related to healthy soil planning, soil
carbon sequestration, and conservation activity planning. NRCS
is urged to support the expansion of existing State soil health
programs and to assist interested states in establishing new
State soil health programs.
Technical Assistance.--The Committee directs NRCS to
maintain a record of total technical assistance dollars for the
past 3 years and annually in the future and to provide the data
to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and the
Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry. This report
should differentiate between mandatory and discretionary
allocations.
Technical Service Providers.--The Committee urges NRCS to
reevaluate the current matching requirements for the Technical
Service Provider program supporting State and Tribal soil
health programs.
Working Land Resilience Program.--The Committee provides
$15,000,000 for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
[NFWF] to establish a Working Land Resilience Program that will
collaborate with NRCS to offer technical and financial
assistance to farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private
forestland owners to adopt voluntary practices that can restore
and increase the resiliency of natural ecosystems and protect
rural communities from future adverse weather events. The
Committee believes that clear incentives are needed to
encourage landowners to adopt more nature-based infrastructure
and to increase the usage of agricultural resilience practices
for drought, flood, and fire prone communities, and that this
new program will help to address the current gaps that exist
with the mandatory Farm Bill conservation programs. The Working
Land Resilience Program shall be implemented in accordance with
the authorization for NFWF, which requires that Federal funds
be matched on at least a one-for-one basis, and the program
will help to implement a wide range of soil health practices,
strategic agricultural drainage management, wetlands,
rotational grazing, buffers, and other related management
projects to help keep working lands working.
Working Lands for Wildlife.--The Committee recognizes the
role of the Working Lands for Wildlife model in conservation
efforts to enhance both wildlife habitat and productivity on
working landscapes. In addition, the Committee is worried about
the concerning population figures for the lesser prairie-
chicken and the need to protect its habitat, particularly in
times of drought. NRCS is directed to make every effort to
strengthen and expand the work of the Working Lands for
Wildlife model and the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative.
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $175,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 175,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 198,275,000
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public
Law 83-566) (16 U.S.C. 1000-1005, 1007-1009) provides for
cooperation between the Federal Government and the States and
their political subdivisions in a program to prevent erosion,
floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds or rivers
and streams and to further the conservation, development,
utilization, and disposal of water and the conservation and
proper utilization of land in authorized watersheds.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $198,275,000
for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program
[WFPO], of which the Committee provides $23,275,000 for
congressionally directed projects, as specified in the table at
the end of the report, for new and ongoing watershed and flood
prevention activities.
The Committee recognizes the critical challenges facing
rural water resource management and protection and supports
needed investments in watershed operations. These Federal-
State-local partnerships are uniquely positioned to identify
critical watershed protection and flood prevention needs in
rural communities and implement projects that deliver multiple
streams of benefits for homes, businesses, transportation
infrastructure, and natural resources. In selecting projects
for funding, the Committee expects the agency to balance the
needs of addressing the project backlog, remediation of
existing structures, and new projects.
Congressionally Directed Spending [CDS].--The Committee has
provided CDS for certain activities and locations under
Watershed and Flood Prevention Oeprations. While the Committee
has provided the funding, recipients of CDS are still required
to apply for the funding and must meet all statutory and
regulatory requirements. The Committee expects the agency to
review the applications and fund projects in the same manner as
in previous years.
Technical Assistance Flexibility.--The Committee directs
the Secretary to provide greater flexibility to State
Conservationists to be able to utilize technical assistance
dedicated for certain WFPO funds for administration and
planning Statewide for all WFPO projects.
WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,000,000
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program account provides for
technical and financial assistance to carry out rehabilitation
of structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, approved August
4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1012, U.S.C. 1001, et seq.), as amended by
section 313 of Public Law 106-472, November 9, 2000, and by
section 2803 of Public Law 110-246.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,000,000
for the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
The Committee recognizes the large backlog of community
infrastructure projects eligible for financial and technical
assistance from the Watershed Rehabilitation Program to address
safety concerns, public health, and environmental impacts of
aging dams. NRCS is urged to prioritize the rehabilitation of
dams that pose the greatest risk to public safety.
CORPORATIONS
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $8,748,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 9,660,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,660,000,000
The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal
Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354),
authorizes the payment of expenses, which may include indemnity
payments; loss adjustment; delivery expenses; program-related
research and development; startup costs for implementing this
legislation, such as studies, pilot projects, data processing
improvements, and public outreach; and related tasks and
functions.
All program costs, except for Federal salaries and
expenses, are mandatory expenditures subject to appropriation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated to be $9,660,000,000 in fiscal year
2022, for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund
The Commodity Credit Corporation is a wholly owned
Government corporation created in 1933 to stabilize, support,
and protect farm income and prices; to help maintain balanced
and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities, including
products, foods, feeds, and fibers; and to help in the orderly
distribution of these commodities. CCC was originally
incorporated under a Delaware charter and was reincorporated
June 30, 1948, as a Federal corporation within USDA by the
Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (Public Law 80-806),
approved June 29, 1948.
The Commodity Credit Corporation engages in buying,
selling, lending, and other activities with respect to
agricultural commodities, their products, food, feed, and
fibers. Its purposes include stabilizing, supporting, and
protecting farm income and prices; maintaining the balance and
adequate supplies of selected commodities; and facilitating the
orderly distribution of such commodities. In addition, the
Corporation makes available materials and facilities required
in connection with the storage and distribution of such
commodities. The Corporation also disburses funds for sharing
of costs with producers for the establishment of approved
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land and
subsequent rental payments for such land for the duration of
CRP contracts.
Corporation activities are primarily governed by the
following statutes: the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter
Act (Public Law 80-806), as amended; the Agricultural Act of
1949 (Public Law 81-439), as amended (1949 Act); the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-430), as
amended (the 1938 Act); the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public
Law 99-198), as amended (1985 Act); the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246); the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (Public Law 113-79); and the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334).
Management of the Corporation is vested in a board of
directors, subject to the general supervision and direction of
the Secretary of Agriculture, who is an ex officio director and
chairman of the board. The board consists of seven members, in
addition to the Secretary, who are appointed by the President
of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Officers of the Corporation are designated according to their
positions in USDA.
The activities of the Corporation are carried out mainly by
the personnel and through FSA facilities and FSA State and
county committees. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the
General Sales Manager, other agencies and offices of the
Department, and commercial agents are also used to carry out
certain aspects of the Corporation's activities.
Under Public Law 87-155 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11, 713a-12),
annual appropriations are authorized for each fiscal year,
commencing with fiscal year 1961. These appropriations are to
reimburse the Corporation for net realized losses.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $31,830,731,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 25,915,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 25,915,000,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2022 to be
$25,915,000,000, for the payment to reimburse the Commodity
Credit Corporation for reimbursement for net realized losses.
CRP Wetland Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement.--The
Committee notes that agricultural commodity crops, if left
unharvested, may help reduce degradation of wetlands and
improve sediment trapping, surface and ground water supply,
erosion control, and wildlife habitat while providing winter
food for waterfowl and other wildlife. The Committee directs
CCC, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to amend its
program policies and guidelines for CRP conservation practices
CP23 and CP23A, to provide that current and future participants
are permitted to plant, but not harvest, agricultural commodity
crops as wildlife food plots on up to 10 percent of the
enrolled land to enhance waterfowl and upland bird food and
habitat.
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
(LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)
Limitation, 2021........................................ ^$15,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... ^15,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ ^15,000,000
The CCC's hazardous waste management program is intended to
ensure compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Public Law 96-510)
and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Public Law 94-
580). The CCC funds operations and maintenance costs as well as
site investigation and cleanup expenses. Investigative and
cleanup costs associated with the management of CCC hazardous
waste are also paid from USDA's hazardous waste management
appropriation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $15,000,000 for
the Commodity Credit Corporation's hazardous waste management
program.
TITLE III
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354)
abolished the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development
Administration, and Rural Electrification Administration and
replaced those agencies with the Rural Housing and Community
Development Service, (currently, the Rural Housing Service),
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (currently,
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service), and Rural Utilities
Service and placed them under the oversight of the Under
Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development,
(currently, Rural Development [RD]). These agencies deliver a
variety of programs through a network of State and field
offices.
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $812,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,330,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,580,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
provides direction and coordination in carrying out laws with
respect to the Department's rural economic and community
development activities. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Rural Housing Service [RHS], Rural
Business-Cooperative Service [RBS], and the Rural Utilities
Service [RUS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,580,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development.
Persistent Poverty Areas.--The Committee supports targeted
investments in impoverished areas, particularly in persistent
poverty counties, and directs the Department to complete the
report requested on this matter.
Rural Development
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation................................................ 264,024 367,447 363,922
Transfer from:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loan Program Account........ 412,254 412,254 412,254
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Program 33,270 33,270 33,270
Account.................................................
Rural Development Loan Program Account................... 4,468 4,468 4,468
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Development salaries and expenses......... 714,016 817,439 813,914
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of RHS, RBS, and RUS, including reviewing
applications, making and collecting loans, providing technical
assistance and guidance to borrowers, and assisting in
extending other Federal programs to people in rural areas.
Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law
101-508), administrative costs associated with loan programs
are appropriated to the program accounts. Appropriations to the
salaries and expenses account will be for costs associated with
grant programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $813,914,000 for salaries and
expenses of Rural Development, including a direct appropriation
of $363,922,000.
Collaboration with the Office of Tribal Relations.--The
Committee recognizes the difficulty that federally-recognized
Tribes experience when applying for Rural Development loan and
grant programs. The Committee directs Rural Development to
collaborate with the Office of Tribal Relations to improve
outreach and technical assistance to Tribes to improve their
ability to apply to programs.
Information Technology.--The Committee remains concerned
about IT systems within Rural Development and provides an
increase of $16,410,000 to continue making improvements and
retiring legacy systems. The Committee directs the Department
to provide a detailed IT spend plan for Rural Development and
brief the Committees on Appropriations within 45 days of the
enactment of this Act.
Staffing Increases.--The Committee provides $38,600,000 to
hire additional staff for the mission area. The Committee
directs the Department to use a portion of this increase to
hire additional staff to support the Tribal Liaison within the
Rural Development Innovation Center.
StrikeForce Initiative.--The Committee provides $32,000,000
for the StrikeForce Initiative and directs the Secretary to
submit a report that includes key performance measures to
evaluate the success of this new initiative within 90 days of
enactment of this Act.
Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service was established under the Federal
Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354).
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021 (budget authority)................. $80,020,000
Budget estimate, 2022 (budget authority)................ 77,052,000
Committee recommendation (budget authority)............. 77,051,000
This fund was established in 1965 (Public Law 89-117)
pursuant to section 517 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949
(Public Law 87-171). This fund may be used to insure or
guarantee rural housing loans for single-family homes, rental
and cooperative housing, farm labor housing, and rural housing
sites. Rural housing loans are made to construct, improve,
alter, repair, or replace dwellings and essential farm service
buildings that are modest in size, design, and cost. Rental
housing insured loans are made to individuals, corporations,
associations, trusts, or partnerships to provide low-cost
rental housing and related facilities in rural areas. These
loans are repayable in terms up to 30 years. The Multi-family
Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program [MPR] includes
revitalization tools for maintenance of existing units. The
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
established the Rural Housing Insurance Fund [RHIF] program
account. Appropriations to this account will be used to cover
the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct loans
obligated and loan guarantees committed in fiscal year 2022, as
well as for administrative expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $77,051,000
for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account.
The following table presents the loan subsidy levels as
compared to the 2021 levels and the 2022 budget request:
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 1,000,000 1,500,000 1,250,000
Guaranteed........................................... 24,000,000 30,000,000 30,000,000
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 28,000 28,000 28,000
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 40,000 40,000 92,000
Guaranteed rental housing (sec. 538)..................... 230,000 230,000 250,000
Site development loans (sec. 524)........................ 5,000 5,000 5,000
Credit sales of acquired property........................ 10,000 10,000 10,000
Self help land development loans (sec. 523).............. 5,000 5,000 5,000
Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)...................... 28,000 28,000 28,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 25,374,000 31,878,000 31,700,000
==================================================
Loan Subsidies and Grants:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 55,400 27,900 23,250
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 2,215 484 484
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 6,688 3,576 8,225
Site development loans (sec. 524)........................ 355 206 206
Self help land development loans (sec. 523).............. 269 55 55
Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)...................... 5,093 2,831 2,831
Farm labor housing grants (sec. 516)..................... 10,000 10,000 10,000
Multi-Family housing revitalization demonstration\1\..... 28,000 32,000 32,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and grants....................... 80,020 77,052 77,051
==================================================
Administrative Expenses...................................... 412,254 412,254 412,254
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses...... 492,274 489,306 489,305
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\For fiscal year 2021, the Multi-Family Revitalization Demonstration is funded under the Multi-Family
Revitalization Account, which is has been renamed to the Rural Housing Voucher Account in this bill.
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration [MPR].--
The Committee accepts the Department's proposal to realign the
MPR program under the RHIF account.
Relending Program.--The Committee applauds the initial
success of the Single Family Housing Direct relending loan
program and urges the Department to expand the pilot to other
states, particularly in the southwestern United States.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,410,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,495,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,450,000,000
Rental assistance is authorized under section 521(a)(2) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 87-171). The objective of
the program is to reduce rents paid by low-income families
living in RHS-financed rental projects and farm labor housing
projects. Under this program, low-income tenants will
contribute the higher of: (1) 30 percent of monthly adjusted
income; (2) 10 percent of monthly income; or (3) designated
housing payments from a welfare agency.
Payments from the fund are made to the project owner for
the difference between the tenant's payment and the approved
rental rate established for the unit.
The program is administered in tandem with RHS section 515
rural rental housing program and the farm labor loan and grant
programs. Priority is given to existing projects for rental
units occupied by over-burdened low-income families and
projects experiencing financial difficulties beyond the control
of the owner.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,450,000,000
for the Rental Assistance Program.
Housing vouchers are addressed in the Rural Housing Voucher
Account.
Rental Assistance Priority.--The Secretary is encouraged to
prioritize multi-family housing properties acquired by means of
a section 515 loan within the current fiscal year when
determining current rental assistance needs.
RURAL HOUSING VOUCHER ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 45,000,000
The Rural Housing Voucher Program was authorized under the
Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 81-171) to assist very low-
income families and individuals who reside in rental housing in
rural areas. Housing vouchers may be provided to residents of
rental housing projects financed by section 515 loans that have
been prepaid or paid off after September 30, 2005. Voucher
amounts reflect the difference between comparable market rents
and tenant-paid rent prior to loan pre-payment. Vouchers allow
tenants to remain in existing projects or move to other rental
housing.
The MPR program has been transferred to the Rural Housing
Insurance Fund Account.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,000,000
for the Rural Housing Voucher Program.
Multi-Family Housing Preservation.--The Committee still
awaits the report estimating the cost of providing rural
housing vouchers to all low-income households currently
receiving USDA rental assistance and residing in a property
financed with a Section 515 loan that are set to mature in the
subsequent fiscal year and subsequent 10 fiscal years. In
addition, the Secretary is reminded to provide quarterly
reports to the Committee on transfers between vouchers and the
housing preservation demonstration program within the Multi-
Family Housing Revitalization Program Account.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $31,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 32,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 32,000,000
The Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants Program is
authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law
81-171). Grants are made to local organizations to promote the
development of mutual or self-help programs under which groups
of usually six to ten families build their own homes by
mutually exchanging labor. Funds may be used to pay the cost of
construction supervisors who work with families in the
construction of their homes and for administrative expenses of
the organizations providing the self-help assistance.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $32,000,000
for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 45,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 45,000,000
The Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program consolidates
funding for rural housing grant programs. This consolidation of
housing grant funding provides greater flexibility to tailor
financial assistance to applicant needs.
Very Low-Income Housing Repair Grants.--The Very Low-Income
Housing Repair Grants Program is authorized under section 504
of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 81-171). The
rural housing repair grant program is carried out by making
grants to very low-income families to conduct necessary repairs
to their homes in order to make such dwellings safe and
sanitary and to remove hazards to the health of the occupants,
their families, or the community.
These grants may be made to cover the cost of improvements
or additions, such as repairing roofs, providing toilet
facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply,
supplying screens, repairing or providing structural supports,
or making similar repairs, additions, or improvements,
including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining
central water and sewer service. A grant can be made in
combination with a section 504 very low-income housing repair
loan.
No assistance can be extended to any one individual in the
form of a loan, grant, or combined loans and grants in excess
of $7,500, and grant assistance is limited to persons or
families headed by persons who are 62 years of age or older.
Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants.--Supervisory
and technical assistance grants are made to public and private
nonprofit organizations for packaging loan applications for
housing assistance under sections 502, 504, 514/516, 515, and
533 of the Housing Act of 1949 (Public Law 81-171). The
assistance is directed to very low-income families in
underserved areas where at least 20 percent of the population
is below the poverty level and at least 10 percent or more of
the population resides in substandard housing. In fiscal year
1994, a Homebuyer Education Program was implemented under this
authority. This program provides low-income individuals and
families with education and counseling on obtaining and/or
maintaining occupancy of adequate housing and supervised credit
assistance to become successful homeowners.
Compensation for Construction Defects.--Compensation for
construction defects provides funds for grants to eligible
section 502 borrowers to correct structural defects or to pay
claims of owners arising from such defects on a newly
constructed dwelling purchased with RHS financial assistance.
Claims are not paid until provisions under the builder's
warranty have been fully pursued. Requests for compensation for
construction defects must be made by the owner of the property
within 18 months after the date financial assistance was
granted.
Rural Housing Preservation Grants.--Rural housing
preservation grants (section 533) of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (Public Law 98-181) authorizes the
Rural Housing Service to administer a program of home repair
directed at low- and very low-income people.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,000,000
for the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program.
The following table compares the grant program levels
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2021 levels and
the budget request:
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low-income housing repair grants........................ 30,000 30,000 30,000
Housing preservation grants.................................. 15,000 15,000 15,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. 45,000 45,000 45,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Community Facilities Program Account
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $74,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 74,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 172,690,000
Community facility loans were created by the Rural
Development Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-419) to finance a
variety of rural community facilities. Loans are made to
organizations, including certain Indian Tribes and corporations
not operated for profit and public and quasi-public agencies,
to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community
facilities providing essential services to rural residents.
Such facilities include those providing or supporting overall
community development, such as fire and rescue services,
healthcare, transportation, traffic control, and community,
social, cultural, and recreational benefits. Loans are made for
facilities which primarily serve rural residents of open
country and rural towns and villages of not more than 20,000
people. Healthcare, fire and rescue facilities, and educational
facilities are the priorities of the program and receive the
majority of available funds.
The Community Facility Grant Program authorized in the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-127) is used in conjunction with the existing direct
and guaranteed loan programs for the development of community
facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, and community
centers. Grants are targeted to the lowest income communities.
Communities that have lower population and income levels
receive a higher cost-share contribution through these grants
with a maximum contribution of 75 percent of the cost of
developing the facility.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $172,690,000
for the Rural Community Facilities Program Account.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget
request levels:
RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
Community facilities direct loans........................ 2,800,000 2,800,000 2,800,000
Community facilities guaranteed loans.................... 500,000 500,000 500,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 3,300,000 3,300,000 3,300,000
==================================================
Budget Authority:
Community facilities grants.............................. 32,000 58,000 48,000
Congressionally Directed Spending........................ ............... ............... 83,690
Economic initiative grants............................... 6,000 ............... ...............
Rural community development initiative................... 6,000 6,000 6,000
Tribal college grants.................................... 5,000 10,000 10,000
Non-conforming subsidy................................... 25,000 ............... 25,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority................................ 74,000 74,000 172,690
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressionally Directed Spending [CDS].--The Committee has
provided CDS for certain activities and locations under Rural
Community Facilities Program. While the Committee has provided
the funding, recipients of CDS are still required to apply for
the funding and must meet all statutory and regulatory
requirements. The Committee expects the agency to review the
applications and fund projects in the same manner as in
previous years.
Rural Community Facilities Program Priorities.--The
Committee recognizes the important role that the Rural
Community Facilities program can play in addressing the
Nation's opioid epidemic. Community Facilities programs have
previously supported efforts to address substance use disorders
through projects such as mobile treatment clinics and
telemedicine services. The Committee encourages the Secretary
to make funds available through the Rural Community Facilities
program to provide prevention, treatment, or recovery services
for individuals with substance use disorders.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service was established by
the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354), dated October
13, 1994. Its programs were previously administered by the
Rural Development Administration, the Rural Electrification
Administration, and the Agricultural Cooperative Service.
RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $56,400,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 81,150,000
Committee recommendation................................ 81,150,000
The Rural Business and Industry Loan Program was created by
the Rural Development Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-419), and
finances a variety of rural industrial development loans. Loans
are made for rural industrialization and rural community
facilities under Rural Development Act amendments to the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 et
seq.) authorities. Business and industrial loans are made to
public, private, or cooperative organizations organized for
profit; to certain Indian tribes; or to individuals for the
purpose of improving, developing, or financing business,
industry, and employment or improving the economic and
environmental climate in rural areas. Such purposes include
financing business and industrial acquisition, construction,
enlargement, repair or modernization; financing the purchase
and development of land, easements, rights-of-way, buildings,
and payment of startup costs; and supplying working capital.
Rural business development grants were authorized by the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79) and can be made to
governmental and nonprofit entities and Indian Tribes. Up to 10
percent of appropriated funds may be used to identify and
analyze business opportunities; identify, train, and provide
technical assistance to existing or prospective rural
entrepreneurs and managers; assist in the establishment of new
rural businesses and the maintenance of existing businesses;
conduct economic development planning, coordination, and
leadership development; and establish centers for training,
technology, and trade. The balance of appropriated funding may
be used for projects that support the development of business
enterprises that finance or facilitate the development of small
and emerging private business enterprise; the establishment,
expansion, and operation of rural distance learning networks;
the development of rural learning programs; and the provision
of technical assistance and training to rural communities for
the purpose of improving passenger transportation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $81,150,000
for the Rural Business Program Account.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget
request levels:
RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Business and industry guaranteed loans loan levels....... 1,000,000 1,500,000 1,500,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 1,000,000 1,500,000 1,500,000
==================================================
Budget Authority:
Business and industry guaranteed loans................... 10,400 30,150 30,150
Rural business development grants........................ 37,000 37,000 37,000
DRA, NBRC, and ARC....................................... 9,000 9,000 9,000
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants\1\....... 5,000 5,000 5,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority................................ 56,400 81,150 81,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\RISE grants are funded under a general provision in fiscal year 2021.
Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities.--The
Committee recognizes that strong partnerships exist between RD
and Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities. The Committee
encourages RD to coordinate with the Regional Commissions to
promote efficiency during the grant planning and review
process. Additionally, the Committee encourages RD to ensure
flexible processes are available for each Regional Commission
as appropriate.
Meat Processing Facilities.--The Committee directs the
Secretary to prioritize applications that establish or expand
very small and small meat processing facilities.
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy [RISE] Grants.--The
Committee provides $5,000,000 for the RISE grant program
enacted as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-334). These grants have the potential to help
struggling communities by funding jobs accelerators in low-
income rural areas. The Committee recommends funding be
prioritized for entities leveraging next generation gigabit
broadband service to promote entrepreneurship and entities
based in geographical areas with established agriculture and
technology sectors which are focused on the development of
precision and autonomous agriculture technologies as a way to
strengthen rural economies and create jobs.
Rural Business Program Account.--The Committee recommends
$500,000 for transportation technical assistance.
The Committee directs that of the $4,000,000 recommended
for grants to benefit federally Recognized Native American
Tribes, $250,000 shall be used to implement an American Indian
and Alaska Native passenger transportation development and
assistance initiative.
INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 Fiscal year 2022 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level...................................... 18,889 18,889 18,889
Direct loan subsidy....................................... 2,939 1,524 1,524
Administrative expenses................................... 4,468 4,468 4,468
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses... 7,407 5,992 5,992
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rural Development Intermediary Relending Loan program
was originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of
1964 (Public Law 88-452). The making of rural development loans
by USDA was reauthorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014
(Public Law 113-79).
Loans are made to intermediary borrowers (small investment
groups) who in turn will reloan the funds to rural businesses,
community development corporations, private nonprofit
organizations, public agencies, et cetera, for the purpose of
improving business, industry, community facilities, employment
opportunities, and diversification of the economy in rural
areas.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 74-605)
established the program account. Appropriations to this account
will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated
with the direct loans obligated in 2022, as well as
administrative expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,992,000 for
the Intermediary Relending Program Fund.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan
level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 level................................. 50,000
Fiscal year 2022 request............................... 50,000
Committee recommendation............................... 50,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rural Economic Development Loans program was
established by the Reconciliation Act of December 1987 (Public
Law 100-203), which amended the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (7 U.S.C. 901), by establishing a new section 313. This
section of the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901)
established a cushion of credit payment program and created the
rural economic development subaccount. The Administrator of RUS
is authorized under the Act to utilize funds in this program to
provide zero interest loans to electric and telecommunications
borrowers for the purpose of promoting rural economic
development and job creation projects, including funding for
feasibility studies, startup costs, and other reasonable
expenses for the purpose of fostering rural economic
development.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a loan program level of
$50,000,000, to be funded from earnings on the Cushion of
Credit and fees on guaranteed underwriting loans made pursuant
to section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 901).
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $26,600,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 26,600,000
Committee recommendation................................ 26,800,000
Rural cooperative development grants are authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (Public Law 113-79), as amended. Grants are made to fund
the establishment and operation of centers for rural
cooperative development with the primary purpose of improving
economic conditions in rural areas. Grants may be made to
nonprofit institutions or institutions of higher education.
Grants may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of the
project and associated administrative costs. The applicant must
contribute at least 25 percent from non-Federal sources, except
1994 institutions, which only need to provide five percent.
Grants are competitive and are awarded based on specific
selection criteria.
Cooperative research agreements are authorized by 7 U.S.C.
2204b. The funds are used for cooperative research agreements,
primarily with colleges and universities, on critical
operational, organizational, and structural issues facing
cooperatives.
Cooperative agreements are authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2201
to any qualified State departments of agriculture,
universities, and other State entities to conduct research that
will strengthen and enhance the operations of agricultural
marketing cooperatives in rural areas.
The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas [ATTRA]
program was first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985
(Public Law 99-198). The program provides information and
technical assistance to agricultural producers to adopt
sustainable agricultural practices that are environmentally
friendly and lower production costs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $26,800,000
for Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
Of the funds recommended, $3,000,000 is for the Appropriate
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program.
The Committee includes bill language directing that not
more than $3,000,000 be made available to cooperatives or
associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide
assistance to small, minority producers.
Agriculture Innovation Centers.--The Committee recommends
$3,000,000 for Agriculture Innovation Center funding, as
authorized in section 6402 of Public Law 107-171, to be
available as grants to States authorized to host, and that have
previously hosted, a USDA Agriculture Innovation Center and
where the State continues to demonstrate support and provide
non-Federal grant funding to producers developing, producing,
and marketing value-added agricultural and food products. Prior
year or current grant awardees shall be eligible for these
funds.
Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic
Development.--The Committee is still awaiting the report on
implementation of Section 6306 of the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334), including a projected
timeline for full implementation of this provision.
Value-Added Producer Grants.--The Committee directs that
Value-Added Producer Grants be prioritized to support the
production of value-added agricultural products, including
dairy, with significant potential to expand production and
processing in the United States.
RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 8,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,000,000
The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program is
authorized under section 379E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s). This program provides
direct loans and grants to microentreprenuer development
organizations with the skills necessary to establish new rural
microenterprises and provide technical assistance to maintain
the successful operation of rural microenterprises.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriations of $6,000,000
for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $392,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 30,168,000
Committee recommendation................................ 22,168,000
The Rural Energy for America Program is authorized under
section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (Public Law 107-171). This program may fund energy audits,
direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers, ranchers,
and small rural businesses for the purchase of renewable energy
systems and for energy efficiency improvements.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $22,168,000
for the Rural Energy for America Program.
The following table provides the Committee's recommendation
as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget request levels:
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level............................................ 20,000 20,000 20,000
Guaranteed loan subsidy......................................... 392 168 168
Grants.......................................................... .............. 30,000 20,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Energy for America Program.--The Committee encourages
the Department to focus a portion of funding on underserved
renewable technologies. The Committee also notes that the 2018
Farm Bill provides annual mandatory funds for this program as
follows: $38,000,000 for grants and $12,000,000 in loan subsidy
for guaranteed loans, which has an estimated loan level of
$1,428,571,000 in fiscal year 2022.
HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,000,000
The Healthy Food Financing Initiative is authorized under
section 4206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. This program
provides financial and technical assistance to regional, State
and local partnerships, and helps fund projects to improve
access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved rural areas. This
program is funded under a general provision for fiscal year
2021.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriations of $6,000,000
for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The program is
funded under a general provision in fiscal year 2021.
Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service was established under the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354). RUS
administers the electric and telephone programs of the former
Rural Electrification Administration and the water and waste
programs of the former Rural Development Administration.
RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $621,567,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 716,557,000
Committee recommendation................................ 665,702,000
The water and waste disposal program is authorized by
sections 306, 306A, 309A, 306C, 306D, 306E, and 310B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Public Law 87-
128). This program makes loans for water and waste development
costs. Development loans are made to associations, including
corporations operating on a nonprofit basis, municipalities,
and similar organizations generally designated as public or
quasi-public agencies, that propose projects for the
development, storage, treatment, purification, and distribution
of domestic water or the collection, treatment, or disposal of
waste in rural areas. Such grants may not exceed 75 percent of
the development cost of the projects and can supplement other
funds borrowed or furnished by applicants to pay development
costs.
The solid waste grant program is authorized under section
310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(Public Law 87-128). Grants are made to public entities and
private nonprofit organizations to provide technical assistance
to local and regional governments for the purpose of reducing
or eliminating pollution of water resources and for improving
the planning and management of solid waste disposal facilities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $665,702,000
for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
The Committee recommends $73,000,000 for water and waste
disposal systems grants for Native Americans, including Native
Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and the Colonias. The Committee
recognizes the special needs and problems for delivery of basic
services to these populations and encourages the Secretary to
distribute these funds in line with the fiscal year 2014
distribution to the degree practicable. In addition, the
Committee makes up to $20,157,000 available for the circuit
rider program.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget
request levels:
RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2021 Fiscal year 2022 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Water and waste disposal direct loans................. 1,400,000 1,400,000 1,400,000
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans............. 50,000 50,000 50,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels.................................. 1,450,000 1,450,000 1,450,000
=====================================================
Budget authority:
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans............. 60 45 45
Water and waste disposal grants....................... 463,350 528,355 500,000
Solid waste management grants......................... 4,000 4,000 4,000
Water well systems grants............................. 5,000 5,000 5,000
Colonias, AK, HI and Native American grants........... 68,000 93,000 73,000
Water and waste water revolving funds................. 1,000 1,000 1,000
High energy cost grants............................... 10,000 10,000 10,000
Circuit rider......................................... 20,157 20,157 20,157
Emergency community water assistance grants........... 15,000 15,000 15,000
Technical assistance grants........................... 35,000 40,000 37,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority............................. 621,567 716,557 665,702
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Septic-related Pollution.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of investing in water and wastewater infrastructure
to significantly improve water quality, mitigate and reduce
environmental contamination, and promote long-term economic
growth for local rural communities. Therefore, the Committee
supports funding to facilitate the development and installation
of sanitary sewer lines and waste water lift stations in rural
communities and encourages the Department to evaluate proposed
projects giving priority to those projects whose goal is
mitigating and reducing septic-related pollution and
establishing comprehensive sewer service to homes and
businesses in rural areas where such projects would be
essential to preserving environmental health and the health,
safety and general welfare of local citizens.
Small-Scale Water and Wastewater Technologies Pilot
Program.--The Committee recognizes that small and rural
communities located within Central Appalachia can lack access
to reliable water and sanitation because they do not have the
capacity or population bases to support centralized water
systems. Within the funds provided for the Rural Water and
Wastewater Disposal program, the Committee encourages the
Department to fund pilot projects intended to provide
decentralized small-scale water and wastewater services to
communities in distressed counties within Central Appalachia.
Technical Assistance.--The Committee provides a $2,500,000
increase for technical assistance and directs no less than
$1,000,000 of the increase to be used to support manufactured
homes.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (Public Law 74-605)
provides the statutory authority for the electric and
telecommunications programs.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
established the program account. An appropriation to this
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees
committed in fiscal year 2022, as well as administrative
expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation
for the Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans
Program Account, the loan subsidy and administrative expenses,
as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget request levels:
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorization:
Electric:
Direct FFB............................................... 5,500,000 ............... ...............
Electric Direct, Treasury Rate........................... ............... 6,500,000 6,500,000
Guaranteed underwriting.................................. 750,000 ............... 750,000
Telecommunications:
Direct, Treasury Rate.................................... 345,000 690,000 690,000
Direct, FFB.............................................. 345,000 ............... ...............
Rural Energy Savings Program\1\.......................... 107,317 398,551 208,333
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorization.............................. 6,940,000 7,588,551 8,148,333
==================================================
Direct, Treasury Rate Telecomm Subsidy................... 2,277 2,070 2,070
Electric Loan Modifications.............................. ............... 400,000 ...............
Rural Energy Savings Program\1\.......................... 11,000 22,000 11,500
Telecomm. Treasury Modification.......................... ............... 25,000 ...............
Administrative Expenses.................................. 33,270 33,270 33,270
--------------------------------------------------
Total budget authority................................. 35,547 482,340 46,840
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\This Rural Energy Savings Program is funded under a general provision in fiscal year 2021.
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and grant levels:
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program:
Grants................................................... 60,000 60,000 60,000
Congressionally Directed Spending........................ ............... ............... 2,510
Broadband Program:
Treasury rate loans budget authority..................... 2,000 1,772 2,272
Grants................................................... 35,000 35,000 37,500
Re-Connect\1\............................................ ............... 650,000 ...............
==================================================
Total, DLT and Broadband budget authority.............. 97,000 746,772 102,282
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The bill continues to fund the ReConnect loan and grant program under a general provision.
The Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program
is authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade
Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624), as amended by the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
127). This program provides incentives to improve the quality
of phone services, provide access to advanced
telecommunications services and computer networks, and improve
rural opportunities.
This program provides the facilities and equipment to link
rural education and medical facilities with more urban centers
and other facilities, providing rural residents access to
better healthcare through technology and increasing educational
opportunities for rural students. These funds are available for
loans and grants.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $102,282,000
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program.
The Committee provides $3,000,000 to address critical
healthcare needs, as authorized by section 379G of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Public Law 115-
334).
Broadband Interagency Agreement.--The Committee directs the
Department to provide quarterly updates on the progress of the
interagency agreement between the Federal Communications
Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, and USDA.
Congressionally Directed Spending [CDS].--The Committee has
provided CDS for certain activities and locations under
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program. While
the Committee has provided the funding, recipients of CDS are
still required to apply for the funding and must meet all
statutory and regulatory requirements. The Committee expects
the agency to review the applications and fund projects in the
same manner as in previous years.
Mountainous Terrain.--The Committee is concerned that
States with challenging, mountainous terrain incur higher costs
when it comes to broadband deployment. The Committee recognizes
the importance of the Community Connect Program and its ability
to bring much needed broadband to rural America and requests
that the Secretary prioritize awarding funding in areas with
mountainous terrain.
ReConnect.--The Committee provides $700,000,000 for the
ReConnect pilot, which was established in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141). The Committee
recognizes that the Department is in the process of drafting
and publishing the next funding announcement and expects the
Department to address concerns related to barriers with the
application process mentioned in the fiscal year 2021
appropriations act and report. Until the announcement is
published, the Committee reiterates previous concerns on this
matter and directs the Secretary to allow entities of any
structure, including partnerships and infrastructure
applications, to apply provided sufficient assurances are given
that broadband service will be provided to the subject area
through contractual arrangements. In addition, the Committee
reminds USDA to avoid efforts that could duplicate existing
networks built by private investment or those built leveraging
and utilizing other Federal programs and to coordinate with the
National Telecommunications Information Administration and the
Federal Communications Commission to ensure wherever possible
that any funding provided to support deployment of last-mile
broadband infrastructure is targeted to areas that are
currently unserved. Further, the Committee encourages the
agency to prioritize projects financed through public-private
partnerships and projects where Federal funding will not exceed
50 percent of the project's total cost. The Committee also
supports efforts to increase transparency and encourages the
Secretary to follow the notice and comment rulemaking
procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act (Public Law 79-
404) with respect to all program administration and activities,
including publishing a written decision on RUS' website of how
challenges were decided and the agency's reasons for such
decision. In addition, the Committee intended the pilot to be
technology neutral and encourages the Secretary to eliminate or
revise the awarding of extra points under the ReConnect program
to applicants from States without restrictions on broadband
delivery by utilities service providers in order to ensure this
criteria is not a determining factor for funding awards. The
Committee also encourages the Department to allow service areas
that received CAF II funds to allow other entities to apply for
ReConnect funding for the same service area if the CAF II funds
supported satellite deployment and the entity that received CAF
II funds cannot provide terrestrial broadband. In addition, the
Committee is concerned that states and territories outside the
contiguous United States are having difficulty participating
with the USDA broadband programs, and encourages the Secretary
to consider grants or loans for satellite, or other
technologies, if such middle mile infrastructure predominantly
serves a ``rural area'' as defined in section 601(b) and do not
lead to overbuilding.
Rural in Character.--The Committee is concerned that the
current weighting scale for the ReConnect program disadvantages
rural households and communities that are not necessarily
located on farms. In addition, the Committee is concerned that
providing preference to 100mbps symmetrical service also
unfairly disadvantages these communities by limiting the
deployment of other technologies capable of providing service
to these areas. Further, the Committee is concerned that the
current program does not effectively recognize the unique
challenges and opportunities that different technologies,
including satellite, provide to delivering broadband in
noncontiguous States or mountainous terrain.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $809,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,327,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,327,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Services provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's nutrition assistance activities. The Office
has oversight and management responsibilities for the Food and
Nutrition Service [FNS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,327,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Services.
Application Process.--The Committee is concerned that the
application process for organizations which participate in both
the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care
Food Program diverts resources away from serving vulnerable
populations. The Committee directs USDA to determine ways to
streamline the application process to reduce the administrative
burden to providers. USDA is specifically directed to consider
allowing organizations in good standing for 3 years
participating in both programs to file only one application to
administer both programs each year. USDA is further directed to
provide a report to the Committee on steps they have taken to
address this issue, including any additional streamlining
actions the agency would recommend but lacks the authority to
execute.
Mobile Food Services Support.--The Committee applauds the
work that the department has done during the COVID-19 pandemic
to address the increase in need for emergency food assistance.
The Committee urges FNS to focus efforts on providing support
to states with high levels of food insecurity, including high
density vulnerable populations in areas without adequate
transportation most affected by unemployment due to the
pandemic. The Committee encourages FNS to assess gaps in
current feeding programs in order to reduce inadequacies that
lead to nutrition gaps.
Food Security in Frontier Communities.--The Committee
appreciates the intent of FNS to focus on implementing locally-
designed initiatives to increase food security in frontier
communities within its area of responsibility. Helping these
communities adapt to changing growing conditions and
subsistence food availability and develop the capacity to grow
more food locally will improve their tenuous food security and
provide opportunities for economic development in extremely
low-income regions. Therefore, the Committee strongly
encourages FNS to continue to work closely with relevant
stakeholders in States with frontier communities to support
activities and policies that will result in increased food
security. The Committee directs FNS to collaborate with AMS in
implementing Micro-Grants for Food Security.
Nutrition Program Efficiency.--The Committee encourages the
Secretary to focus process and technology improvement grants
within FNS to expand public-private partnerships to increase
food security in a cost-efficient and accountable manner.
Online Purchasing.--The Committee recognizes that online
purchasing provides flexibility to low-income families who lack
access to reliable transportation and is an important option to
mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. USDA should make
every effort to expand the acceptance of program benefits
through online transactions, including at virtual farmers'
markets and farm stores, to all States across the Nation as
quickly as possible.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]
Eligibility.--The Committee understands that there are frequent
changes to SNAP eligibility criteria to best serve those most
in need. The Committee is concerned about the effects specific
changes in SNAP eligibility can have on children, seniors,
individuals with disabilities, and rural and poor communities
that are not always looked at on a State-by-State level. The
Committee encourages the Secretary to include these State-by-
State demographic profiles in the regulatory impact analysis
for any newly proposed or currently pending eligibility
criteria changes.
Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service represents an organizational
effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in this country.
Nutrition assistance programs provide access to a nutritionally
adequate diet for low-income individuals and families and
encourage better eating patterns among the Nation's children.
These programs include:
Child Nutrition Programs [CNP].--The National School Lunch
and School Breakfast, Summer Food Service, and Child and Adult
Care Food programs provide funding to the States, Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam for use in serving
nutritious lunches and breakfasts to children attending schools
of high school grades and under, to children of preschool age
in child care centers, and to children in other institutions in
order to improve the health and well-being of the Nation's
children and broaden the markets for agricultural food
commodities. Through the Special Milk Program, assistance is
provided to the States for making reimbursement payments to
eligible schools and child care institutions which institute or
expand milk service in order to increase the consumption of
fluid milk by children. Funds for this program are provided by
direct appropriation and transfer from section 32.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children [WIC].--This program safeguards the health of
pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women, and infants and
children up to age five who are at nutritional risk because of
inadequate nutrition and income by providing supplemental
foods. The delivery of supplemental foods may be done through
health clinics, vouchers redeemable at retail food stores, or
other approved methods which a cooperating State health agency
may select. Funds for this program are provided by direct
appropriation.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP].--This
program seeks to improve nutritional standards of needy persons
and families. Assistance is provided to eligible households to
enable them to obtain a better diet by increasing their food
purchasing capability, usually by furnishing benefits in the
form of electronic access to funds. The program includes
Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico [NAP]. The program also
includes the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
[FDPIR], which provides nutritious agricultural commodities to
low-income persons living on or near Indian reservations who
choose not to participate in SNAP.
Commodity Assistance Program [CAP].--This program provides
funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP], the
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program [FMNP], Disaster Assistance,
Pacific Island Assistance, and administrative expenses for the
Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP]. CSFP provides
supplemental foods to low-income elderly persons age 60 and
over. TEFAP provides commodities and grant funds to State
agencies to assist in the cost of storage and distribution of
donated commodities. Nutritious agricultural commodities are
provided to residents of the Federated States of Micronesia and
the Marshall Islands. Cash assistance is provided to
distributing agencies to assist them in meeting administrative
expenses incurred. CAP also provides funding for use in non-
presidentially declared disasters and for FNS's administrative
costs in connection with relief for all disasters. Funds for
this program are provided by direct appropriation.
Nutrition Programs Administration.--Most salaries and
Federal operating expenses of FNS are funded from this account.
Also included is the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion,
which oversees improvements in and revisions to the food
guidance systems and serves as the focal point for advancing
and coordinating nutrition promotion and education policy to
improve the health of all Americans.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $25,118,440,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 26,887,922,000
Committee recommendation................................ 26,878,922,000
Child Nutrition Programs, authorized by the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (Public Law 79-396) and the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-642), provide
Federal assistance to State agencies in the form of cash and
commodities for use in preparing and serving nutritious meals
to children while they are attending school, residing in
service institutions, or participating in other organized
activities away from home. The purpose of these programs is to
help maintain the health and proper physical development of
America's children. Milk is provided to children either free or
at a low cost, depending on their family income level. FNS
provides cash subsidies to States for administering the
programs and directly administers the program in the States
which choose not to do so. Grants are also made for nutritional
training and surveys and for State administrative expenses.
Under current law, most of these payments are made on the basis
of reimbursement rates established by law and applied to
lunches and breakfasts actually served by the States. The
reimbursement rates are adjusted annually to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index for food away from home.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $26,878,922,000 for the Child
Nutrition Programs.
The Committee's recommendation provides for the following
annual rates for the child nutrition programs.
TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Child nutrition programs recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Lunch Program................................... 14,665,855
School Breakfast Program............................... 5,188,750
Child and Adult Care Food Program...................... 4,314,605
Summer Food Service Program............................ 581,074
Special Milk Program................................... 6,250
State Administrative Expenses.......................... 332,000
Commodity Procurement.................................. 1,567,663
Team Nutrition/HUSSC/CMS............................... 3,048
Food Safety Education.................................. 10,000
Coordinated Review..................................... 26,753
Computer Support....................................... 41,498
Training and Technical Assistance...................... 15,607
CNP Studies and Evaluation............................. 11,656
Farm to School Team.................................... 6,159
Payment Accuracy....................................... 20,004
School Meal Equipment Grants........................... 35,000
Summer EBT Demonstration............................... 45,000
Child Nutrition Training............................... 2,000
School Breakfast Expansion Grants...................... 6,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee expects FNS to utilize the National Food
Service Management Institute to carry out the food safety
education program.
Crediting System.--The Committee recognizes that the
current crediting system used by FNS in administering the
School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program has not
been updated to keep pace with products in the marketplace.
Specifically, Greek yogurt receives the same protein crediting
as other products with less protein. The Committee directs the
Secretary to update the system of crediting high-protein yogurt
to accurately reflect scientifically demonstrated higher
protein content in strained yogurt.
Farm to School Program.--Successful implementation of Farm
to School programs requires broad-based knowledge of best
practices regarding coordination among farmers, processors,
distributors, students, teachers, dietary and food preparation
staff, and USDA professionals. Since the scope of some Farm to
School projects has expanded in recent years, the Committee has
included language to allow maximum grant amounts to increase to
$500,000. Of the grant funds provided, the Committee directs
the Secretary to use $500,000 to form at least one cooperative
agreement with an established entity, such as regional a Farm
to School institute, for the creation and dissemination of
information on farm to school program development and to
provide practitioner education, training, ongoing school year
coaching, and technical assistance.
Pulse Crops.--The Committee recognizes the nutritional
value of pulse crops for children and encourages FNS to support
school food authorities in sourcing and serving pulse crops.
School Breakfast Commodities.--Of the $485,000,000
appropriated for Child Nutrition Programs Entitlement
Commodities under Section 714 of this Act, $20,000,000shall be
proportionally offered to States based on the number of
breakfasts served in the preceding school year.
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer [EBT].--The Committee
understands that Summer EBT has been proven to lower food
insecurity among children during the summer months when school
is not in session. The Committee is displeased that the Food
and Nutrition Service changed the methodology for funding this
program in fiscal year 2019. Therefore, the Committee directs
the Secretary to fund this program in fiscal year 2022 in the
same manner, including the same States and tribal
organizations, as it was funded in fiscal year 2018.
Summer Food Service Program.--The Committee recognizes that
in many rural and frontier areas of the country where homes are
widely scattered, children and youth are unable to access
congregate feeding sites that participate in the Summer Food
Service Program and that existing mobile food delivery efforts
are not able to meet the need. The Committee supports FNS
allowing State Agencies to enable Summer Food Service Program
service institutions that serve such areas where eligible
children and youth have barriers to access or limited access to
a congregate feeding site to use their customary reimbursement
payments to develop and implement innovative methods to deliver
or otherwise make available foods to eligible children and
youth by non-congregate means or in non-congregate settings.
The Committee also supports USDA extending the pilot of meal
delivery directly to the homes of rural and frontier children
by providing available funding through a grant or cooperative
agreement to a non-profit provider that works with local
service institutions to enroll eligible low-income children. In
addition, the Committee requests USDA submit a report within 1
year of enactment of this Act describing how many Summer Food
Service Program grantees, in which States, put in place
innovative methods of food delivery by non-congregate means and
in non-congregate settings, what innovative methods were used,
and how many additional youth were served as a result.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN
[WIC]
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,000,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 6,000,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,278,000,000
The WIC program is authorized by section 17 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966. Its purpose is to safeguard the health
of pregnant, breast-feeding, and postpartum women and infants
and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk because
of inadequate nutrition and inadequate income.
The WIC program food packages are designed to provide foods
which studies have demonstrated are lacking in the diets of the
WIC program target population. The authorized supplemental
foods are iron-fortified breakfast cereal, fruit or vegetable
juice which contains vitamin C, dry beans, peas, and peanut
butter.
There are three general types of delivery systems for WIC
foods: (1) retail purchase in which participants obtain
supplemental foods through retail stores; (2) home delivery
systems in which food is delivered to the participant's home;
and (3) direct distribution systems in which participants pick
up food from a distribution outlet. The food is free of charge
to all participants.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,278,000,000
for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants,
and Children.
The Committee recommendation fully funds estimated WIC
participation in fiscal year 2022. The Committee provides
$90,000,000 for breastfeeding support initiatives and
$13,600,000 for infrastructure.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Recommendations.--WIC
designated Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome [NAS] as a nutrition
risk factor in 2017, and WIC agencies across the country
actively screen for symptoms of substance use, referring
mothers who may be struggling with substance use disorder to
appropriate services. The Committee encourages USDA to
collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services on
the development of uniform, evidence-based nutrition education
materials in order to best serve WIC-eligible pregnant women
and caregivers to infants impacted by NAS. Uniform materials
will enhance WIC's ongoing efforts to screen and support
infants exhibiting symptoms of NAS.
WIC Food Package.--The Committee appreciates the work of
the National Academies of Science to review and make
recommendations for updating the WIC food packages to reflect
current science and cultural factors. The Committee notes,
however, that while all revised packages now allow some fish,
the amounts remain low and, in some cases, sporadic, compared
to the recommendations of authoritative agencies such as the
World Health Organization. The Committee strongly encourages
the Department to prioritize the health and cultural benefits
of fish consumption as regulations are revised to implement the
NAS recommendations and to increase the amount of healthful
fish above the amounts recommended by the NAS. The Committee
also strongly encourages the Department to allow States to
prioritize fish over legumes and peanut butter to respond to
the cultural preferences of WIC participants in States like
Alaska.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021....................................$114,035,578,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 105,797,197,000
Committee recommendation................................ 105,829,347,000
SNAP attempts to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among
low-income persons by increasing their food purchasing power.
Eligible households receive SNAP benefits with which they can
purchase food through regular retail stores.
Other programs funded through SNAP include Nutrition
Assistance to Puerto Rico and American Samoa, the Food
Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Emergency Food
Assistance Program, and the Community Food Projects program.
SNAP is currently in operation in all 50 States, the
District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Participating households receive food benefits, the value of
which is determined by household size and income. The cost of
the benefits is paid by the Federal Government. As required by
law, FNS annually revises household benefit allotments to
reflect changes in the cost of the thrifty food plan.
Administrative Costs.--All direct and indirect
administrative costs incurred for certification of households,
issuance of benefits, quality control, outreach, and fair
hearing efforts are shared by the Federal Government and the
States on a 50-50 basis.
State Antifraud Activities.--Under the provisions of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246), States are
eligible to be reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs of their
fraud investigations and prosecutions.
States are required to implement an employment and training
program for the purpose of assisting members of households
participating in SNAP in gaining skills, training, or
experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular
employment. USDA has implemented a grant program to States to
assist them in providing employment and training services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $105,829,347,000 for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Of the amount
recommended, $3,000,000,000 is made available as a contingency
reserve.
Data Matching.--The Committee continues to support the
implementation of the National Accuracy Clearinghouse [NAC].
The Committee directs the Department to move forward with the
NAC to prevent duplicative issuances of SNAP benefits and
improve program integrity. When the USDA implements and expands
the NAC, the Committee urges the Department to allow States to
use a blended workforce including contractors and
subcontractors that have the capability to use complex match
technology with multiple data elements and administer a robust
appeals process to ensure individuals are not automatically
removed from receiving benefits.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Food
Package.--The Committee commends the Department for convening
the FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group, which includes Tribal
representatives and staff from FNS, to increase the amount and
variety of traditional foods included in FDPIR food packages
and to increase the amount of foods purchased from American
Indian and Alaska Native producers and businesses. The
Committee directs the Department to provide a report detailing
its plans to include a greater variety of traditional foods as
regular components of FDPIR food baskets; its plans to identify
additional Native American and Alaska Native producers of
traditional foods, including wild salmon, caribou, reindeer,
elk, and other foods; and its plans to purchase additional
traditional foods from a greater number of indigenous producers
and businesses.
SNAP Fraud.--A January 2017 OIG report entitled ``Detecting
Potential SNAP Trafficking Using Data Analysis'' found that FNS
lacked methods to reconcile data discrepancies across its
administration systems and that retailers were providing
benefits to individuals using fraudulent credentials. The
Committee directs FNS to provide an update on the
implementation of controls to address these problems, as well
as data demonstrating whether the controls have reduced error
rates.
SNAP Payment Integrity.--The Committee encourages the
Secretary to implement an electronic data matching solution
using third party income databases. The data matching solution
should be made available to all States to assist with the
verification of SNAP program applicant earned income at
certification and recertification, as required by law. The
Committee encourages FNS to make an electronic data matching
solution available in fiscal year 2022, with a single
negotiated price that reduces costs by taking advantage of
economies of scale, and will facilitate greater efficiency and
streamlined service delivery at the State level.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $426,700,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 442,070,000
Committee recommendation................................ 447,070,000
The Commodity Assistance Program includes funding for the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and funding to pay expenses
associated with the storage and distribution of commodities
through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program.--Authorized by
section 4(a) of the Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act of
1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note), as amended in 1981 by Public Law 97-
98 and in 2014 by Public Law 113-79, this program provides
supplemental food to low-income senior citizens and, in some
cases, low-income infants and children up to age six and low-
income pregnant and postpartum women. The Agricultural Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-79) discontinued the admission of new
pregnant and postpartum women and children into the program.
Those already in the program can continue to receive assistance
until they are no longer eligible.
The foods for CSFP are provided by USDA for distribution
through State agencies. The authorized commodities include
iron-fortified infant formula, rice cereal, cheese, canned
juice, evaporated milk and/or nonfat dry milk, canned
vegetables or fruits, canned meat or poultry, egg mix,
dehydrated potatoes, farina, peanut butter, and dry beans.
Elderly participants may receive all commodities except iron-
fortified infant formula and rice cereal.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--Authorized by the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.),
as amended, the program provides nutrition assistance to low-
income people through prepared meals served on site and through
the distribution of commodities to low-income households for
home consumption. The commodities are provided by USDA to State
agencies for distribution through State-established networks.
State agencies make the commodities available to local
organizations, such as soup kitchens, food pantries, food
banks, and community action agencies, for their use in
providing nutrition assistance to those in need.
Funds are administered by FNS through grants to State
agencies which operate commodity distribution programs.
Allocation of the funds to States is based on a formula which
considers the States' unemployment rate and the number of
persons with income below the poverty level.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program provides WIC or WIC-eligible participants
with coupons to purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared foods,
such as fruits and vegetables, from farmers' markets. This
benefits both participants and local farmers by increasing the
awareness and use of farmers' markets by low-income households.
Pacific Island and Disaster Assistance.--This program
provides funding for assistance to the nuclear-affected islands
in the form of commodities and administrative funds. It also
provides funding for use in non-presidentially declared
disasters and for FNS's administrative costs in connection with
relief for all disasters.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $447,070,000
for the Commodity Assistance Program. The Committee continues
to encourage the Department to distribute Commodity Assistance
Program funds equitably among the States, based on an
assessment of the needs and priorities of each State and the
State's preference to receive commodity allocations through
each of the programs funded under this account.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program.--The Committee
recommends $332,000,000 for CSFP. This amount fully funds
participation in fiscal year 2022.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Committee is aware
that FMNP provides fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income
mothers and children, benefiting not only WIC participants, but
local farmers as well. Therefore, the Committee recommends
$24,000,000 for FMNP and directs the Secretary to obligate
these funds within 45 days of enactment of this Act.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--The Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334) provides
$337,000,000 for TEFAP commodities to be purchased with SNAP
funds. The Committee provides $90,000,000 in discretionary
funding for TEFAP transportation, storage, and program
integrity. In addition, the Committee recommendation grants the
Secretary authority to transfer up to an additional 20 percent
from TEFAP commodities for this purpose and urges the Secretary
to use this authority.
The Committee encourages the Secretary to identify
opportunities for increasing the supply of TEFAP commodities in
the coming fiscal year through bonus and specialty crop
purchases. The Department shall make available to the States
domestically produced catfish fillets for distribution to local
agencies.
NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $156,805,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 191,533,000
Committee recommendation................................ 178,233,000
The Nutrition Programs Administration appropriation
provides for most of the Federal operating expenses of FNS,
which includes CNP, the Special Milk Program, WIC, SNAP, NAP,
and CAP.
The major objective of Nutrition Programs Administration is
to efficiently and effectively carry out the nutrition
assistance programs mandated by law. This is to be accomplished
by the following: (1) giving clear and consistent guidance and
supervision to State agencies and other cooperators; (2)
assisting the States and other cooperators by providing
program, managerial, financial, and other advice and expertise;
(3) measuring, reviewing, and analyzing the progress being made
toward achieving program objectives; and (4) carrying out
regular staff support functions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $178,233,000
for Nutrition Programs Administration. The Committee provides
funding of $2,998,000 for pay costs and FERS; $10,300,000 to
ensure the scientific integrity of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans [DGA]; $5,630,000 for expanded staffing needs;
$1,800,000 for administrative expenses of the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program; $1,700,000 for civil rights
staffing; and a decrease of $1,000,000 for DGA review.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural
Affairs
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $887,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,408,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,408,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's international affairs (except for foreign
economic development). The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Foreign Agricultural Service [FAS].
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,408,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs.
Food Chain Systems.--The Committee is aware that the lack
of comprehensive cold food chain systems is one of the main
causes of food loss and results in a significant percentage of
food spoilage from farm-to-market. Preventing food loss and
implementing a robust cold food chain results in substantial
benefits such as increased nutrition, a safer food supply,
greater economic opportunity, and increased resilience. In
order to maximize the benefit investment in the agricultural
productivity of the developing world, the Committee encourages
the Department to give strong consideration to the use of cold
chain technologies and include the development of appropriate
cooling technologies in programs, policies, and strategic plans
aimed at hunger prevention and food security in developing
agricultural markets.
Food for Progress.--The Committee is concerned with the
recent fiscal year 2021 Food for Progress award, which granted
$100,000,000 to a single entity. Granting the entirety of
funding to a single entity runs counter to Congressional
intent, is detrimental to the continuity of the international
value chain development, and could prevent the global
objectives of the Food for Progress program from being fully
realized. The Committee urges USDA to ensure this does not set
a precedent for future awards and to report on steps the
Department will take for future awards to ensure this anomaly
does not set a precedent.
Market Access Program [MAP] and Foreign Market Development
Program [FMD] Reporting.--The Committee directs the Department
to publish an annual report describing the recipients of funds,
including the quantity and specific uses of such funding
awards, granted through MAP and FMD for the purpose of
promoting agricultural sales in Cuba, to ensure compliance with
Sec. 3201 of Public Law 115-334.
Tariffs.--The Committee is concerned about the long-term
impacts of tariffs on the domestic farm economy. Within 180
days of enactment of this Act, USDA is directed to submit a
report that examines the impact that tariffs imposed pursuant
to sections 232 and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and associated
retaliatory tariffs are having and have had on: (1) the rate at
which farms, particularly small and medium sized operations, go
into bankruptcy; (2) the ability of farmers and ranchers to
receive loans; and (3) the overall size of the agriculture
workforce. The report should include projections on each of
these impacts should these tariffs continue without relief for
the next 5 years, an assessment of how much market share has
been lost by the American agriculture sector as a result of
ongoing trade disputes, and how long USDA expects it will take
to reestablish export markets that have been lost or diminished
due to the imposition of tariffs.
OFFICE OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $4,805,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 4,841,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,841,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,841,000 for
the Office of Codex Alimentarius.
Foreign Agricultural Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers from
Appropriations loan accounts Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021......................................... 221,835 6,063 227,898
Budget estimate, 2022........................................ 228,644 6,063 234,707
Committee recommendation..................................... 229,644 6,063 235,707
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foreign Agricultural Service was established March 10,
1953, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1320, supplement 1. Public
Law 83-690, approved August 28, 1954, transferred the
agricultural attaches from the Department of State to FAS.
The mission of FAS overseas is to represent U.S.
agricultural interests, promote export of domestic farm
products, improve world trade conditions, and report on
agricultural production and trade in foreign countries. FAS
staff are stationed at 98 offices around the world, where they
provide expertise in agricultural economics and marketing, as
well as attache services.
FAS carries out several export assistance programs to
counter the adverse effects of unfair trade practices by
competitors on U.S. agricultural trade. The Market Access
Program [MAP] conducts both generic and brand-identified
promotional programs in conjunction with nonprofit agricultural
associations and private firms financed through reimbursable
CCC payments.
The General Sales Manager was established pursuant to
section 5(f) of the charter of the Commodity Credit Corporation
and 15 U.S.C. 714-714p. The funds allocated to the General
Sales Manager are used for conducting the following programs:
(1) CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), including
facilities financing guarantees; (2) Food for Peace; (3)
section 416b Overseas Donations Program; (4) Market Access
Program; and (5) programs authorized by the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act (Public Law 87-155) including barter,
export sales of most CCC-owned commodities, export payments,
and other programs as assigned to encourage and enhance the
export of U.S. agricultural commodities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $235,707,000 for the Foreign
Agricultural Service, including a direct appropriation of
$229,644,000.
The Committee provides $1,198,000 for International
Cooperative Administrative Support Services; $481,000 for
Capital Security Cost Sharing; $1,800,000 for pay costs for
Locally Employed Staff; $3,330,000 for pay costs and FERS; and
$1,000,000 for the International Agricultural Education
Fellowship program.
Borlaug Fellows Program.--The Committee provides 3.5
million for the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and
Technology Fellows Program. This program provides training for
international scientists and policymakers from selected
developing countries. The fellows work closely with U.S.
specialists in their fields of expertise and apply that
knowledge in their home countries. The Committee recognizes the
importance of this program in helping developing countries
strengthen their agricultural practices and food security.
Cochran Fellowship Program.--The Committee provides
$6,500,000 for the Cochran Fellowship Program. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to continue to provide additional
support for the program through the CCC Emerging Markets
Program.
FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,740,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,570,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,760,000,000
Commodities Supplied in Connection with Dispositions Abroad
(Title II) (7 U.S.C. 1721-1726).--Commodities are supplied
without cost through foreign governments to combat malnutrition
and to meet famine and other emergency requirements.
Commodities are also supplied for non-emergencies through
public and private agencies, including intergovernmental
organizations. The CCC pays ocean freight on shipments under
this title and may also pay overland transportation costs to a
landlocked country, as well as internal distribution costs in
emergency situations. The funds appropriated for title II are
made available to private voluntary organizations and
cooperatives to assist these organizations in meeting
administrative and related costs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,760,000,000
for Food for Peace title II grants.
MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION
PROGRAM GRANTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $230,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 230,112,000
Committee recommendation................................ 245,000,000
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child
development, and food security for some of the world's poorest
children. The program provides for donations of U.S.
agricultural products, as well as financial and technical
assistance, for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition
projects in low-income, food-deficit countries that are
committed to universal education. Commodities made available
for donation through agreements with private voluntary
organizations, cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations,
and foreign governments may be donated for direct feeding or
for local sale to generate proceeds to support school feeding
and nutrition projects.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $245,000,000
for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program.
Local and Regional Procurement.--The Committee provides an
appropriation of $24,000,000 for efforts to build long-term
agriculture sustainability and establish a local investment in
school feeding programs. With direct U.S. commodity
contributions, projects supported by the McGovern-Dole Food for
Education and Child Nutrition Program have significantly
improved the attendance, nourishment, and learning capacity of
school-aged children in low-income countries throughout the
impoverished world. New funding authorities would enable school
feeding programs to proactively transition from direct
commodity assistance to locally sourced agriculture products.
The Committee directs the Secretary to conduct the Local and
Regional Food Aid Procurement Project Program in accordance
with the priorities of the McGovern-Dole International Food for
Education and Child Nutrition Program.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT [LOANS]
CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed loan Administrative
levels expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021.................. 6,063 318
Budget estimate, 2022................. 6,063 ...............
Committee recommendation.............. 6,063 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1980, the CCC instituted the Export Credit Guarantee
Program (GSM-102) under its charter authority. With this
program, CCC guarantees, for a fee, payments due U.S. exporters
under deferred payment sales contracts (up to 36 months) for
defaults due to commercial as well as noncommercial risks. The
risk to CCC extends from the date of export to the end of the
deferred payment period covered in the export sales contract
and covers only that portion of the payments agreed to in the
assurance agreement. Operation of this program is based on
criteria which will assure that it is used only where it is
determined that it will develop new market opportunities and
maintain and expand existing world markets for U.S.
agricultural commodities. The program encourages U.S. financial
institutions to provide financing to those areas where the
institutions would be unwilling to provide financing in the
absence of the CCC guarantees. CCC also provides facilities
financing guarantees.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
establishes the program account. The subsidy costs of the CCC
export guarantee programs are exempt from the requirement of
advance appropriations of budget authority according to section
504(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law
101-508). Appropriations to this account will be used for
administrative expenses.
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Department of Health and Human Services
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] is a scientific
regulatory agency whose mission is to promote and protect the
public health and safety of Americans. FDA's work is a blend of
science and law. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments
Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-85) reaffirmed the responsibilities
of the FDA: to ensure safe and effective products reach the
market in a timely way and to monitor products for continued
safety while they are in use. In addition, the FDA is entrusted
with two critical functions in the Nation's war on terrorism:
preventing willful contamination of all regulated products,
including food; and improving the availability of medications
to prevent or treat injuries caused by biological, chemical,
radiological, or nuclear agents.
The FDA Foods program has the primary responsibility for
assuring that the food supply, quality of foods, food
ingredients, and dietary supplements are safe, sanitary,
nutritious, wholesome, and honestly labeled and that cosmetic
products are safe and properly labeled. The variety and
complexity of the food supply has grown dramatically while new
and more complex safety issues, such as emerging microbial
pathogens, natural toxins, and technological innovations in
production and processing, have developed. This program plays a
major role in keeping the U.S. food supply among the safest in
the world.
In January 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act [FSMA]
(Public Law 111-353) was signed into law. This law enables the
FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food
safety system. It enables the FDA to focus more on preventing
food safety and feed problems rather than relying primarily on
reacting to problems after they occur. The law also provides
the FDA with new enforcement authorities designed to achieve
higher rates of compliance with prevention- and risk-based food
and feed safety standards and to better respond to and contain
problems when they do occur. The law also gives the FDA
important new tools to hold imported food and feed to the same
standards as domestic food and feed and directs the FDA to
build an integrated national food safety system in partnership
with State and local authorities.
The FDA Drugs programs are comprised of four separate
areas: Human Drugs, Animal Drugs, Medical Devices, and
Biologics. The FDA is responsible for the lifecycle of
products, including premarket review and post-market
surveillance of human and animal drugs, medical devices, and
biological products to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
For Human Drugs, this includes assuring that all drug products
used for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease
are safe and effective. Additional procedures include reviewing
and evaluating investigational new drug applications;
evaluation of market applications for new and generic drugs and
labeling and composition of prescription and over-the-counter
drugs; monitoring the quality and safety of products
manufactured in, or imported into, the United States; and
regulating the advertising and promotion of prescription drugs.
The Animal Drugs and Feeds program ensures only safe and
effective veterinary drugs, intended for the treatment and/or
prevention of diseases in animals and the improved production
of food-producing animals, are approved for marketing.
The FDA Biologics program assures that blood and blood
products, blood test kits, vaccines, and therapeutics are pure,
potent, safe, effective, and properly labeled. The program
inspects blood banks and blood processors; licenses and
inspects firms collecting human source plasma; evaluates and
licenses biologics manufacturing firms and products; lot
releases licensed products; and monitors adverse events
associated with vaccine immunization, blood products, and other
biologics.
The FDA Devices and Radiological program ensures the safety
and effectiveness of medical devices and eliminates unnecessary
human exposure to man-made radiation from medical,
occupational, and consumer products. In addition, the program
enforces quality standards under the Mammography Quality
Standards Act (Public Law 108-365). Medical devices include
thousands of products from thermometers and contact lenses to
heart pacemakers, hearing aids, and MRIs. Radiological products
include items such as microwave ovens and video display
terminals.
The FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research [NCTR]
in Jefferson, Arkansas, serves as a specialized resource,
conducting peer-review scientific research that provides the
basis for the FDA to make sound, science-based regulatory
decisions through its premarket review and post-market
surveillance. The research is designed to define and understand
the biological mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of
products and lead to developing methods to improve assessment
of human exposure, susceptibility, and risk of those products
regulated by the FDA.
In 2009, Congress granted the FDA new authority to regulate
the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco
products. The FDA exercises this responsibility by protecting
the public health from the health effects of tobacco, setting
scientific standards and standards for tobacco product review,
conducting compliance activities to enforce its authority over
tobacco, and conducting public education and outreach about the
health effects of tobacco products.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation User fees Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021......... 3,201,928 2,674,097 5,876,025
Budget estimate, 2022........ 3,526,928 2,723,229 6,250,157
Committee recommendation..... 3,399,428 2,723,229 6,122,657
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,399,428,000
for salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration.
The Committee also recommends $2,723,229,000 in definite
user fees, including: $1,141,861,000 in Prescription Drug user
fee collections; $241,431,000 in Medical Device user fee
collections; $33,836,000 in Animal Drug user fee collections;
$23,137,000 in Animal Generic Drug user fee collections;
$712,000,000 in Tobacco Product user fee collections;
$527,848,000 in Generic Drug user fee collections; and
$43,116,000 in Biosimilar user fee collections. The Committee
recommendation does not include permanent, indefinite user fees
for the Mammography Quality Standards Act; Color Certification;
Export Certification; Priority Review Vouchers Pediatric
Disease; Food and Feed Recall; Food Reinspection; Voluntary
Qualified Importer Program; the Third Party Auditor Program;
Outsourcing Facility; or Over-the-Counter Monograph. The
Committee includes bill language that prohibits the FDA from
developing, establishing, or operating any program of user fees
authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701. The Committee recommendation does
not include proposed user fees requested in the President's
budget for food facility registration and inspection, food
import, food contact substance notification, cosmetics, and
international courier imports. None of these user fee proposals
have been authorized by Congress. The Committee will continue
to monitor any action by the appropriate authorizing Committees
regarding these proposed user fees.
The Committee expects the FDA to continue all projects,
activities, laboratories, and programs as included in fiscal
year 2021 unless otherwise specified. The Committee provides a
net increase of $17,900,000 for pay costs; $7,500,000 for
infrastructure; $8,000,000 for Data Modernization and Enhanced
Technology [DMET] New Era for Smarter Food Safety; $3,000,000
for New Era for Smarter Food Safety; $7,000,000 for Animal Food
Safety Oversight; $14,050,000 for Maternal and Infant Health;
$12,750,000 for Emerging Chemical and Toxicology Issues;
$2,000,000 for Animal Feed Reviews; $5,000,000 for Standards of
Identity; $10,000,000 for Device Shortages and Supply Chain;
$2,300,000 for Medical Product Supply Chain; $2,000,000 for
Drug Safety Surveillance and Oversight; $24,000,000 for
Opioids; $7,500,000 for Predictive Toxicology Roadmap;
$5,000,000 for DMET Medical Product Safety; $25,000,000 for
DMET Enterprise Wide; $15,000,000 for Inspections; $4,700,000
for the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity; $3,000,000
for Laboratory Safety; $3,000,000 for the Office of the Chief
Counsel; $500,000 for BioFilm Regulatory Research; $5,000,000
for Rare Cancers; $5,000,000 for Rare Diseases; and $8,300,000
for Essential Services.
The following table reflects the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2021 and budget
request levels:
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2022 budget Committee
2021 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field activities:
Foods.................................................... 1,099,160 1,182,085 1,153,405
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN]. 343,789 398,906 382,149
Field Activities..................................... 755,371 783,179 771,256
Human Drugs.............................................. 689,195 774,469 740,401
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER]....... 510,226 573,081 542,772
Field Activities..................................... 178,969 201,388 197,629
Biologics................................................ 254,138 270,114 271,376
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER].. 212,132 222,145 222,119
Field Activities..................................... 42,006 47,969 49,257
Animal Drugs............................................. 192,369 231,946 211,135
Center for Veterinary Medicine [CVM]................. 123,599 146,204 134,838
Field Activities..................................... 68,770 85,742 76,297
Medical and Radiological Devices......................... 408,108 452,046 431,758
Center for Devices and Radiological Health........... 323,103 360,827 342,582
Field Activities..................................... 85,005 91,219 89,176
National Center for Toxicological Research............... 66,712 76,945 75,180
Other Activities............................................. 194,951 222,528 211,378
Rent and related activities.................................. 130,176 150,509 138,509
Rental payments to GSA....................................... 167,119 166,286 166,286
--------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA salaries and expenses, new budget authority. 3,201,928 3,526,928 3,399,428
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
501(k) Guidance.--The Committee expresses concern that the
510(k) guidance for menstrual products has not been updated
since 2005. The Committee directs the FDA to update its
guidance, and if necessary, to publish new guidance inclusive
of additional categories of menstrual products not currently
covered by the existing guidance. This guidance should include
recommendations that intentionally added ingredients, including
fragrances, for menstrual products covered under the guidance
be disclosed on the label; that products be tested for common
contaminants, and that steps be taken to eliminate sources of
contamination when found; and to implement testing to assess
the impact of product use on the body and microbiomes,
including through testing methods approved or recommended by
the agency.
Added Sugar Labeling.--The Committee remains concerned
about potential consumer confusion over FDA nutritional
labeling requirements and guidelines for added sugar for single
ingredient products like maple syrup and honey, where sugar is
naturally occurring in the product rather than added to the
product. The Committee notes that the FDA issued guidance to
the industry on June 18, 2019, to verify that the phrase
``added sugar'' is not required in the regulated portion of the
nutrition facts label for these products. This guidance
instructed producers that the percent daily value would be
required to appear on the label and allowed for the voluntary
use of a footnote to explain that this refers to a percent
daily value of ``added sugar.'' The Committee is concerned, and
industry- conducted consumer studies suggest, that continued
use of the term ``added sugar'' in relation to percent daily
value will mislead consumers to think that sugar has been added
to a pure single-ingredient maple or honey product, and directs
the FDA to continue working with impacted industries to ensure
clear and appropriate labeling.
Animal Drug Compounding.--The Committee is concerned that
the Guidance for Industry [GFI] #256, Compounding Animal Drugs
from Bulk Drug Substances, issued on November 20, 2019, raises
similar issues to the GFI #230, which has been withdrawn. The
Committee encourages the FDA to draft and finalize guidance on
compounding animal drugs that is consistent with statutory
authority and will ensure access to appropriate treatment is
available for veterinarians, animal shelters, zoos and other
stakeholders.
Animal Food Ingredients.--The Committee is concerned about
the time associated with the ingredient review and approval
process, and uniform acceptance of animal food ingredients by
the delegated authorities. The Committee is also concerned that
the Center for Veterinary Medicine Policy and Procedures Manual
Guide 1240.3605 has not been updated since 1998 and has not
kept pace with science, prohibiting manufacturers of animal
food ingredients from making certain marketing claims about the
product's use because the Guide's outdated policy
interpretation classifies the claim to be associated with an
animal drug. The Committee directs the agency to review the
Policy and Procedures Manual Guide 1240.3605 for solutions on
how these ingredient claims can be regulated as animal food and
report back to the Committee within 120 days with their
findings. To address these concerns, the Committee includes
$2,000,000 to improve animal food ingredient reviews to enable
innovation and address challenges and opportunities in the
animal food industry.
Animal Product Terminology.--The Committee is concerned
about the increase of products, which do not include meat or
egg products, that are labeled and marketed using animal food
product terminology and related iconography. As the FDA works
to modernize standards of identity, the Committee encourages
the agency to coordinate with USDA to prevent misleading
labeling of these food products.
Autoantibody Qualification.--The appearance of certain
islet autoantibodies in the serum of individuals increases the
chance of developing type 1 diabetes at some point in the
future. Therefore, the Committee encourages the FDA to work
with the Type 1 diabetes community on the assessment of
potential diabetes biomarkers related to islet autoimmunity,
which might help inform the design of clinical studies.
Biofilm Regulatory Science Research.--As previously
mentioned, the Committee provides a $500,000 increase for
Biofilm Research and encourages the FDA to continue to invest
in research to improve the understanding of biofilms and the
regulatory science of biofilms associated medical devices
(especially devices that may be used multiple times within a
healthcare setting), drug delivery, and public health. The
Committee encourages the FDA to meet its objectives to reduce
healthcare associated infections as described in the FDA Center
for Devices and Radiological Health Regulatory Science
Priorities report and to continue to support the domestic
manufacture of novel medical products that are safe and
effective. The Committee also encourages FDA to engage with
institutes of higher education with research and engineering
expertise.
Botanical Dietary Supplements.--The Committee encourages
the FDA to further invest in the science base for regulatory
decisions on botanical dietary supplements. Expanding outreach
and broadening safety evaluations of botanical supplements will
help further that work. Studies of the interactions between
botanical supplements and prescription drugs would help further
patient safety and help inform the FDA's scientific review of
botanical dietary supplements.
Botanical Drugs and Drug Interactions.--The Committee
encourages FDA to further invest in research to identify
potential drug interactions with botanical drugs.
Cancer Clinical Trials.--The Committee encourages the FDA
to identify opportunities to make participation in clinical
trials less burdensome for individuals and families, and
increase opportunities to make clinical trials more
representative of the overall population. The Committee
requests that FDA provide this information within 180 days of
enactment.
Cancer Immunotherapy.--The Committee commends the FDA for
its continued efforts to accelerate the review and approval of
cell and gene therapies for cancer, which have provided hope
for many patients when more traditional treatments have failed.
Research suggests that therapies that combine cellular products
and other cancer drugs may prove more effective for some
patients, including those who do not benefit from single-drug
treatments. These combination treatments increase the
complexity of trial design, especially regarding treatment
sequencing and the number of treatment arms per trial.
Therefore, the Committee urges the FDA to work with and provide
guidance to industry and the broader research community on how
to standardize clinical trial designs for cellular therapy
treatments combined with other cancer therapies. This will
allow sponsors to streamline trial designs, while still
ensuring adequate safety and maximizing efficacy for patients.
Cannabis and Cannabis Derivatives.--The Committee notes
that budget did not request additional resources for Cannabis
and Cannabis Derivatives activities, and therefore directs the
FDA to maintain funding levels to support regulatory
activities, including developing policy, and for the FDA to
continue to perform its existing regulatory responsibilities,
including review of product applications, inspections,
enforcement, and targeted research for cannabis-derived
substances, such as cannabidiol [CBD]. Within 90 days of
enactment of this Act, the FDA shall issue a policy of
enforcement discretion with regard to certain products
containing CBD meeting the definition of hemp as defined by
section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1964 (7
U.S.C. 1639). Such enforcement discretion shall be in effect
until the FDA establishes a process for stakeholders to notify
the FDA of use of CBD in products that include safety studies
for intended use per product and 112 makes a determination
about such product. In addition, the FDA is encouraged to
consider existing and ongoing medical research related to CBD
that is being undertaken pursuant to an Investigational New
Drug application in the development of a regulatory pathway for
CBD in products under the jurisdiction of the FDA and to ensure
that any future regulatory activity does not discourage the
development of new drugs. The Committee also encourages the FDA
to partner with an academic institution to expand sampling
studies of CBD products currently on the market.
Centers for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Centers of
Excellence.--The Committee is aware of the important
contribution of the FDA CFSAN Centers of Excellence [COEs]
program in supporting critical basic research as well as
facilitating FSMA implementation. The Committee encourages the
agency to continue to fully utilize the COEs to accomplish
these goals and instructs that it enhance its level of support
for FDA FSMA activities.
Complex Generics.--The Committee continues to be aware of
the challenges associated with the approval of complex
generics. To help reduce the burden of the approval process,
the Committee believes FDA should consider the use of advanced
analytic techniques such as artificial intelligence [AI].
Specifically, AI technology should be considered that reduces
the number of review cycles for generic drugs by (a) using text
analytics to identify deficiencies in drug applications faster
and earlier, and (b) automating the review of complex
supporting materials (both structured data and supporting
narrative).
Conflicts of Interest.--The Committee is concerned with
reports on the FDA's objectiveness in approving new drug
applications and potential conflicts of interest. The FDA
exists to be a trusted regulatory body to review the merits of
drug applications, and as such, the Committee instructs the
Inspector General to review conflicts of interest between
agency employees and companies, including consulting firms,
interested in receiving drug approvals and the FDAs review of
these drugs, and report back to the Committee on the results of
this review.
Corneal Crosslinking.--The Committee remains concerned
about the marketing and use of unapproved drug and device
products for corneal crosslinking procedures and directs the
FDA to provide a briefing on the development of the 503B Bulks
List and regulation of devices intended for corneal
crosslinking procedures.
Cyclospora Cayetanensis.--Cyclosporiasis, a severe gastro-
enteric disease affecting roughly 150,000 Americans annually,
is caused by the protozoan parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and
continues to be a U.S. public health concern with seasonal
reported cases rising during spring and summer months. Compared
to other foodborne pathogens, it's thought that only a few
cells of the parasite can cause an infection. Once considered a
``tropical'' pathogen, Cyclospora has now been detected in
several produce items grown in the United States, requiring
growers to take risk mitigation measures as appropriate.
However, there are no known mitigation measures, and the
current inability to grow the organism limits the ability for
researchers to provide answers. Therefore, the Committee
encourages FDA to work with USDA to coordinate and increase
research directed at identifying mitigation strategies for
Cyclospora as well as increasing basic Federal research on this
disease.
Decentralized Trials.--The Committee is encouraged by the
development of novel health digital technologies to facilitate
the use of virtual decentralized clinical trials [DCTs],
sometimes referred to as virtual trials, that would make it
easier for patients to participate in trials, regardless of
where they live. Through telemedicine and digital health
technologies, (e.g. connected sensors and direct data capture
tools), DCTs are conducted geographically near the patient.
Direct contact with the patient is still maintained remotely,
but, when appropriate, reducing or eliminating on-site visits
has the potential to increase patient convenience and
operational efficiencies in trial conduct. The Committee
recommends that the FDA develop the necessary policy to advance
the use of DCTs while still maintaining quality data necessary
for FDA approval.
Dietary Supplements.--The Committee applauds the FDA's
inspection of and enforcement actions against manufacturers of
dietary supplement products that are adulterated or misbranded
products that are contaminated, either intentionally or
unintentionally, with unsafe ingredients. The Committee has
been pleased with ongoing interagency collaborations and urges
the FDA to continue working with the Department of Justice to
remove illegal dietary supplements from the market. As
previously noted, the Committee provides a $3,000,000 increase
for Dietary Supplements to be used for enforcement of the
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (Public Law
103-417), including inspection and enforcement activities.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--Several clinical trials for
potential Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy therapies have
demonstrated a small effect over a 1 year period. In order to
increase study power and minimize time on placebo in trials
longer than 1 year, the Committee urges FDA to convene a multi-
stakeholder meeting to evaluate the use of external controls.
The Committee encourages FDA to explore the use of external
control arms in novel trial design.
The Committee is aware of the 2018 Guidance on developing
therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and related
Dystrophinopathies. Given the potential that gene therapies may
hold to treat these devastating diseases, the Committee urges
FDA to consider whether the 2018 Guidance should be modified to
reflect these developments. Any such effort should involve the
relevant experts at both CBER and CDER.
Essential Medicines.--The Committee is concerned about
Americans' access to essential medicines, as defined by the
FDA's October 2020 essential medicines and medical
countermeasures list. As the agency in charge of approving
drugs, reporting drug shortages, and protecting public health,
the Committee directs the FDA to produce a report by the end of
fiscal year 2022 on domestic and foreign manufacturing of drugs
included on FDA's list of Essential Medicines and Medical
Countermeasures published in October 2020 pursuant to Executive
Order 13944 based on the manufacturing amount data submitted by
manufacturers pursuant to section 510(j (3) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Food Mislabeling.--The Committee is concerned about the
proliferation of products marketed using standards of identity
for dairy products that do not contain dairy ingredients and
the lack of enforcement of these products. The Committee
directs the FDA to provide clarity around the appropriate
naming of plant-based dairy alternatives. The Committee further
directs the FDA to implement an updated enforcement approach
and report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this
Act on steps taken to enforce against dairy imitation products
marketed using dairy names.
Food Labeling Accuracy.--The Committee encourages the FDA's
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to use technology-
driven audit tools in assessing food labeling accuracy.
Food Traceability.--The Committee recognizes that the
ability to trace back contaminated products is critical to
containing food safety outbreaks, but that challenges
associated with tracing these products through the supply chain
continue to persist. While the traceability from origin holds
potential for a range of advancements in food safety, the
Committee recognizes the substantial technological, logistical,
and resource demands underlying this concept. Therefore, it
encourages FDA to engage with stakeholders to evaluate
currently available and emerging technologies, barriers to
their widespread adoption, and to utilize pilots, studies, and
technology development competitions to further explore, enhance
and expedite traceability while minimizing the burden of new
systems on the supply chain.
Foreign High Risk Inspections.--Ensuring that the global
supply chain for products regulated by the FDA entering the
United States is complying with U.S. laws and regulations
related to safety and good manufacturing practices is a high
priority. Due to limited resources, the Committee encourages
the FDA to focus its inspection activities on the highest risk
foreign suppliers. The Committee maintains funding for the
evaluation of foreign high-risk sites to allow the FDA to
continue efforts to develop and utilize targeted, risk-based,
and efficient models that incorporate commercially available
information as appropriate, including onsite facility
verification, about all foreign establishments for the purpose
of regulatory compliance and surveillance of manufacturing
practices. The FDA is directed to provide the Committee with an
update on these efforts, including estimated efficiencies and
concerns and plans to continue or expand these efforts in the
future. The funding can be used to support the Centers' ongoing
effort to improve the scientific evaluation of manufacturing
for risk-based surveillance. The Committee expects this effort
to provide the FDA with data-driven models that will help it
target its overseas inspection activities in a global economy.
FSMA Outreach for Small Farms.--The Committee expects FDA
to prioritize efforts to provide outreach, training, and
technical assistance to farmers for compliance with the FSMA
Produce Safety Rule. The Committee expects CFSAN to provide
funding for critical outreach and training services at not less
than the fiscal year 2021 level as the Produce Safety Rule
continues to be implemented.
Heavy Metals in Baby Food.--The Committee is concerned that
lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury are often present in dangers
quantities in foods intended for consumption by infants and
toddlers. As previously mentioned the Committee provided
funding for Maternal and Infant Health, including $12,930,000
for FDA's Closer to Zero plan. FDA is encouraged to coordinate
with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that a wide
variety of healthy nutritious foods remain available to
participants of Federal nutrition programs.
Human Drug Review Committee.--The Committee encourages the
FDA to work diligently to include no less than two members with
an expertise in the indication the drug is intended to treat or
other relevant rare diseases on each Advisory Committee when
that Committee is reviewing a drug that has been designated as
an Orphan Drug. The Committee also requests that the FDA report
the percentage of recommendations made by Advisory Committees
with respect to orphan drugs that include at least two members
with expertise in the indication the drug is intended to treat
or other relevant rare diseases.
Imported Poppy Seeds.--The Committee is concerned with
reports of positive drug tests, addiction, overdose, and death
related to contaminated imported poppy seeds, and directs the
agency to establish a maximum permissible threshold of opiate
alkaloid content for poppy seeds and carry out appropriate
regulatory or enforcement measures to ensure the safety of
poppy seeds.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapies.--The Committee
understands that the incidence of IBD in pediatric patients is
on the rise and recognizes that there are currently limited
FDA-approved treatments for this population. This lack of
treatments creates barriers to effective care, which can lead
to worse health outcomes for children and adolescents impacted
by these conditions. The Committee is aware of and encourages
the FDA to participate in ongoing efforts within the IBD
community to streamline the development and approval of new
pediatric IBD therapies and expand the indications for
therapies approved to treat IBD in adults to children,
particularly through innovative trial designs that minimize the
burden to pediatric patients and their caregivers and through
the use of real-world evidence to support regulatory decision-
making.
Infant Formula Reviews.--The Committee is aware that before
a new infant formula (including any infant formula that has had
a major change in its formulation or processing) can be
marketed in the United States, the infant formula manufacturer
must provide FDA with a notification about the proposed infant
formula as required under section 412 of the FFDCA. In late
2020 and early 2021, there was an increase in the number and
complexity of infant formula submissions, resulting in the FDA
notifying manufacturers in early 2021 that an additional 60
days would be necessary to review the submissions, delaying
market entry. The Committee is concerned about these delays and
understands that the number of infant formula notifications
continues to rise as well as the complexity of information FDA
is requesting to review as part of the submission, potentially
exacerbating the issue and extending the delays for an
unspecified period of time. Therefore, within the previously
mention funds for Maternal and Infant Health, the Committee
provides $1,120,000 for Infant Formula Reviews.
Innovative Glass Packaging.--The Committee directs the FDA
to work with glass packaging suppliers and pharmaceutical
manufacturers to evaluate and promote streamlined approval
requirements designed to expedite the adoption and use of
innovative glass packaging technologies with the capacity to
improve product quality, reduce product recalls, reduce drug
shortages, and protect public health. Such streamlined approval
requirements should address stability testing and other
relevant types of data to be submitted in support of product
approval.
International Mail Facilities.--The Committee remains
concerned about the opioid epidemic that has taken the lives of
thousands of Americans. The Committee provides an additional
$10,000,000 and continues to support FDA's investments in
International Mail Facilities and Ports of Entry to prevent
illicit drugs, including unapproved and counterfeit
pharmaceuticals, from entering the United States.
Inspections.--The Committee is concerned that the ongoing
pandemic has forced the FDA to postpone hundreds of facility
inspections, creating a backlog that may delay new drug
approvals and lead to possible shortages of existing medicines.
When practicable, the Committee urges the FDA use the
authorities provided to them under Sec. 704 of the Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act [FDCA] to conduct remote inspections and
evaluations to help ensure drug application approvals
assessments are not delayed by limitations on in-person
inspections. As previously noted, the Committee provides a
$15,000,000 increase for inspection activities.
ISTAND.--The Committee supports the assessment of non-
animal approaches for qualification within the Innovative
Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs [ISTAND] pilot
program. The Committee is pleased that ISTAND provides a
pathway for regulatory acceptance of innovative non-animal
methods that may better protect public health, improve the
safety and efficacy of drug development, and reduce animal
testing.
Lupus.--The Committee is aware of barriers that have long
affected the development of therapeutics for lupus, a disease
that primarily targets women. A chronic and complex autoimmune
disease, lupus can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs,
kidneys, and blood vessels, causing widespread inflammation and
tissue damage in the affected organ. The Committee is pleased
that FDA participated in an externally-led patient-focused drug
development meeting with the lupus community and identified
some of these barriers and that potential treatments are now in
clinical trials. The Committee urges FDA to expedite its
ongoing work with the lupus community to develop solutions to
identified barriers that will accelerate development of new
therapies.
Margarine Definition.--The Committee is aware that the FDA
continues to review standards of identity. The Committee
therefore encourages the FDA to consider revisions to the
definition of margarine which will serve consumers by removing
outdated and obsolete descriptive terminology and allow for the
inclusion of additional nutrients and ingredients, while
maintaining a description that is clear and consistent with FDA
intent.
Medical Foods.--The Committee recognizes the unique role
medical foods play in the nutritional management of inborn
errors of metabolism and encourages a flexible regulatory
process that would enhance access to safe medical foods for
individuals with serious or life-threatening inborn errors of
metabolism. The Committees encourages the FDA to continue
focusing on this issue.
Medical Gas.--The Committee is concerned that healthcare
providers, consumers, and medical gas manufacturers have been
waiting for 42 years for the FDA to follow through on its
commitment to issue separate regulations for medical gases
since it first committed to doing so in the 1978 final
rulemaking on current good manufacturing practices. The FDA has
missed the statutory deadlines for medical gas rulemaking
required in section 1112 of Food and Drug Administration Safety
and Innovation Act (Public Law 112-144) and section 756 of the
Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law
115-31). Therefore, the Committee directs the FDA to issue the
final separate regulations required by the Fiscal Year 2017
Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 115-31). Should the
FDA not issue proposed regulations by December 31, 2021, the
agency shall submit a report to the Committee explaining the
status of the rulemaking and reasons for delay.
Menthol Cigarettes.--The Committee understands that FDA
responded to a Citizen Petition calling for the prohibition of
menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes on April 29,
2021. In 2018, FDA indicated that the agency would initiate a
rulemaking to prohibit menthol cigarettes. The Committee
encourages the agency to take action on this issue.
Nanotechnology.--The Committee recognizes the increased
capabilities that the FDA has developed to study environment,
health, and safety of nanomaterials within FDA's Jefferson
Laboratory Campus, including NCTR, and its consolidated
headquarters at White Oak, Maryland. The Committee expects the
FDA to continue to support collaborative research with
universities and industry on the toxicology of nanotechnology
products and processes in accordance with the National
Nanotechnology Initiative Environment, Health, and Safety
Research Strategy, as updated in October 2011.
New Era of Smarter Food Safety.--The Committee applauds the
FDA for launching the initiative to bring together data from
several agencies to enable the agency to identify and predict
vulnerabilities in the food supply chain and inform resource
allocation decisions to keep facilities open and workers safe.
As previously mentioned, the Committee provides an additional
$3,000,000 to support this initiative.
Opioid Epidemic.--For the past two decades, the FDA has
approved new drug applications for opioids following completion
of clinical trials using enriched enrollment, randomized,
withdrawal [EERW] designs. EERW studies exclude patients who do
not tolerate or respond well to the investigational drug prior
to randomization. After randomization, patients remain on the
investigational drug or they are tapered to placebo. FDA should
ensure that scientific experts have the opportunity to review
the methodology EERWs use to approve new opioids for uses that
are both safe and effective. The Commissioner is directed to
conduct a study to review EERW study designs used in the
approval of new prescription opioids for chronic pain.
OTC Switch.--The Committee is concerned with the multiple
delays in FDA's promulgation of a proposed regulation that may
broaden the types of products that may be approved for use in a
nonprescription setting. The Agency initiated its
Nonprescription Drug Safe Use Regulatory Expansion initiative
in 2013 and issued draft guidance in 2018 as a first step,
promising sponsors and patients additional regulatory options
through rulemaking in the near future. The Committee strongly
encourages the Agency to issue this important proposed rule as
soon as possible
Oversight Activities.--The Committee provides $1,500,000
for the HHS Office of Inspector General specifically for
oversight of FDA activities.
Pancreatitis Guidance Document.--The Committee notes the
important ongoing work to ensure safe and effective therapies
become available for patients impacted by pancreatitis. The
Committee urges FDA to build on recent community engagement
efforts, including the externally-led Patient-Focused Drug
Development meeting on this topic by continuing engagement with
stakeholders in this area with the aim of developing and
releasing Guidance for Industry in this area to help stimulate
additional activity and to further guide ongoing efforts,
including those facilitated by meaningful scientific progress
at NIH and NIDDK
Pathogen Reduction and Deferral Policies for Blood
Donation.--The Committee is pleased that FDA plans to continue
to expand its use of real-world evidence, including the
Transfusion Transmissible Infections Monitoring System [TTIMS],
and encourages greater investment in real-world evidence to
inform its policies concerning blood donor deferral policies
and the safety of the U.S. blood supply. The Committee also
encourages FDA to prioritize further investments in pathogen
reduction technologies to reduce the risk of transfusion-
transmitted infections and safeguard the blood supply. The
Committee directs the FDA to swiftly collect, analyze, and act
on the necessary scientific data to update its blood product
donor deferral policies to ensure that its recommendations are
based on current science and on individualized risk assessment
rather than community-wide prevalence while maintaining the
safety of the blood supply and not impeding HIV prevention
efforts including uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
(PrEP], and to work with the Secretary and appropriate agency
and stakeholder partners to ensure that any revisions to its
policies are appropriately communicated to stakeholders and
potential donors.
Patient Experience Information.--The Committee supports the
FDA's efforts to implement policies to promote public access to
information about how patient experience information is
factored into the review of approved products. The Committee
requests that within 60 days of enactment of this Act, FDA
submit to the Committee a report providing an update on the
agency's efforts to develop and issue guidance documents to
provide uniform methodologies to capture and measure patient
experiences in clinical trials, as required under Sec. 3004 of
Public Law 114-255. The Committee urges the FDA to expedite the
completion and release of all relevant guidance documents. The
Committee directs the FDA to collaborate with stakeholders by
holding no less than two stakeholder meetings within 90 days
from the enactment of the Act to identify specific tools for
screening, identification, reporting, consideration, and
labeling of patient experience data in clinical trials of a
drug or biological product.
Not later than 1 year after enactment of this Act, the FDA
shall submit to the Committee a report describing FDA's efforts
to engage stakeholders and solicit feedback on patient
experience data in research, including the current definition
of patient experience data used by industry; patient experience
measures that are acceptable to the FDA; the extent to which
patient experience data informs clinical trial design, trial
endpoint development and selection, and regulatory reviews; and
the feasibility and impact of requiring the inclusion of
patient experience data in clinical trials of a drug or
biological development.
Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.--Pediatric Device
Consortia grants fund consortia to assist innovators in
developing medical and surgical devices designed for the unique
needs of children, which often go unmet by devices currently
available on the market. The Committee is pleased that the FDA-
funded Pediatric Device Consortia have assisted in advancing
the development of more than 1,400 potential pediatric medical
devices since 2009. The Committee encourages the FDA to fund
the program at its authorized level in fiscal year 2022.
Pediatric Labeling.--The Committee continues to be
concerned that Over-the-Counter [OTC] single-ingredient
acetaminophen does not contain weight-based dosing instructions
for children ages 6 months to 2 years despite the
recommendations of the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory
Committee and Pediatric Advisory Committee in 2011 that data
supported this information being added to the labeling. The
Committee is concerned that the lack of dosing information for
this vulnerable population may lead to dosing errors, adverse
events, and inadequate treatment of fever and pain. As such,
the FDA is urged to provide to the Committee with an update no
later than 240 days after enactment of this Act on the timing
and progress of developing a plan and timetable for updating
the monograph labeling for acetaminophen-containing products
under the OTC Drug Review to include weight-based dosing
instructions for children ages 6 months to 2 years.
Pesticide Residues in Imported Foods.--The Committee is
concerned that imported human food continues to have
significantly higher pesticide violation rates than
domestically produced food. The most recent FDA report for
fiscal year 2017 found that violation rates for imported food
were 2.5 times higher than domestic food, which is consistent
with fiscal year 2012 through 2016 trends and is an outcome of
the FDA targeting specific commodities and countries that might
warrant special attention based upon historically high
violations rates and trends. The Committee directs the FDA to
continue to partner with State inspection services and develop
emerging technologies to enhance the imported food sampling
efforts. Additionally, the Committee encourages the FDA to
conduct a multi-year data review to better identify imported
food samples that are more likely to have pesticide violations.
The FDA shall treat products that are among those that are more
likely to have pesticide violations as warranting special
attention with higher priority for increased inspections. The
Committee notes that, while some imported products may not have
the 10 percent violation rate that may cause FDA to select the
commodities for special attention in the annual pesticide
report, certain imported products in the 2017 report had
disproportionately higher violation rates than domestic
products. The FDA shall review data in its 2019 report to
determine whether it is appropriate to modify the special
attention list to include imported products that have a
violation rate of less than 10 percent but for which imported
products have significantly higher violation rates than
identical domestic products. Therefore, the Committee
encourages the FDA to work with partners such as the U.S.
International Trade Commission and to conduct a multi-year data
review to better identify imported food samples that are more
likely to have pesticide violations.
PFAS in Cosmetics.--The Committee is concerned about the
presence of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl [PFAS] substances
in cosmetics. The Committee directs the FDA to develop a plan
outlining research needed to inform regulatory decisionmaking,
including potential development of a proposed rule to ban
intentionally added PFAS substances in cosmetics. Not later
than 90 days after enactment, FDA will brief the committee on
the research plan, potential regulatory options, and discuss
considerations and anticipated challenges with issuing such a
proposed rule.
Predictive Toxicology Roadmap.--The Committee is aware
that, pursuant to its Predictive Toxicology Roadmap, FDA is
offering training in new predictive toxicology methods and
encouraging sponsors to submit scientifically valid approaches
for using a new method early in the regulatory process. The
Committee directs FDA to produce a report no later than 180
days after enactment of this Act detailing metrics regarding
the number of trainings held, the number of participants that
attended each training, and the agendas corresponding with each
training. Additionally, the Committee directs the FDA to
include in the report any methods used to measure the success
of the trainings and continuous learning programs.
Premium Cigars.--The Committee notes that the issuance of
regulations under the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco
Control Act may place burdens on the legal production of
premium cigars that were in production before this rule was
finalized. The Committee directs FDA to periodically report
back to Congress on the status of premarket review with regard
to premium cigars. The Committee encourages the FDA to re-
evaluate these regulations. Further, the agency may want to
develop recommendations that consider the concerns of premium
cigar manufacturers while taking a risk based approach to
public health. The Committee directs the FDA to provide a
report to the Committee with its recommendation within 90 days,
including a recommendation on whether or not to exempt premium
cigars from this rule.
Promoting Domestic Manufacturing.--The Committee supports
the agency's work to promote the domestic manufacturing of drug
and biological products and encourages the FDA to increase its
efforts to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to adopt
advanced manufacturing technologies that have the potential to
improve product quality. The Committee directs the FDA to brief
the Committee on its efforts to promote advanced manufacturing
technologies.
Rare Cancers.--The FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence is
commended for its leadership in streamlining the development of
cancer therapies and promoting adaptive clinical trials and use
of real world evidence. However, there continues to be very few
rare cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials and a
significant development gap for rare cancer therapies as almost
80 percent of all patients who lack an FDA-targeted therapy are
rare cancer patients. As previously noted, the Committee
provides an additional $5,000,000 to address these gaps,
streamline resources, hire rare cancer experts, improve
recruitment of rare cancer patients through clinical trials
that reduce barriers to participation uniquely faced by rare
cancer patients, low-income patients, those living in rural
communities and people of color, facilitate the use of novel
small patient population clinical trial strategies, conduct
natural history studies, and advance the field of research
overall, mirroring the efforts of the National Cancer
Institute's Developmental Therapeutics Program. FDA is directed
to build lines of communications and process with NCI to
expedite rare cancer therapeutic development. Further, the
Committee directs the Agency to issue a report no later than 60
days after enactment on what the Agency has done to address
rare cancer, the participation of rare cancer patients in
clinical trials, work with the NCI National Clinical Trial
Network, and recommendations on what is needed to increase
patient enrollment and accelerate rare cancer drug development.
Rare Diseases.--The Committee is concerned that FDA's
efforts to harness the revolutionary potential of cell and gene
therapy are not sufficient to meet the expectations of patients
or keep pace with global competition for this cutting edge
science. As previously noted, the Committee included a
$5,000,000 for Rare Diseases, including funding for the CBER
Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies to increase staff
capacity and leverage internal CDER expertise to close this gap
in understanding the science and challenges in rare disease and
precision medicine drug development, and to engage in active
dialogue, timely responses and product specific guidance as
necessary to efficiently advance products all the way through
later stages of development via the most appropriate
facilitative regulatory approaches.
Ready-to-Eat [RTE] Foods.--The Committee is aware that the
FDA is in the process of finalizing guidance regarding Listeria
monocytogenes [Lm] in RTE foods. Reducing incidents of
listeriosis is an important health goal, and the Committee
supports efforts to accomplish this objective. The Committee
urges the FDA to consider all available information relevant to
the risk of listeriosis, including available exposure models,
outbreak data, dose-response models, and existing risk
assessments in determining a reliable and achievable Lm action
level for frozen foods.
Shellfish Safety.--The Committee urges the FDA to complete
the single laboratory validation of the liquid chromatography
mass spectrometry [LC-MS]-based method for detecting
brevetoxins association with neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in
molluscan shellfish. The Committee further urges the Interstate
Shellfish Sanitation Conference to adopt the FDA's proposal for
the LC-MS method for brevetoxin testing of shellfish as an
Approved Method under the National Shellfish Sanitation
Program.
Shrimp Importation Inspections.-- The Committee maintains
funding for the Shrimp Importation Pilot Program and directs
the FDA to provide the annual reports to the Committee related
to FDA's oversight of the safety of shrimp products imported
into the United States.
Sodium.--As the agency considers next steps in finalizing
short-term sodium reduction guidance, the Committee urges FDA
to monitor progress towards the short-term targets and engage
with industry stakeholders on implementation of the guidance.
The Committee acknowledges the investment and technology
challenges that exist for food manufacturers in reaching the
proposed long-term reduction targets, including those that
jeopardize food safety and integrity of food products, and
believes it is critical that FDA demonstrate the feasibility
and effectiveness of the long-term targets before moving
forward.
Sunscreen Labeling Regulations.--The Committee is
encouraged that the FDA has proposed regulations dealing with
the sunscreen monograph and urges the FDA to issue a revised
sunscreen order in accordance with the procedures described in
section 505G(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(Public Law 75-717) as required by section 3854(c) of the CARES
Act The Committee is pleased that the proposed sunscreen
monograph aims to make sunscreens more effective and safer, and
that the proposal addresses issues related to maximum Sun
Protection Factor [SPF] and sunscreen sprays. The Committee
encourages FDA to educate stakeholders about its administrative
order process and ensure that any final order related to
sunscreen ingredients balances the value of currently marketed
sunscreens as a proven skin cancer prevention tool. The
Committee also encourages FDA to coordinate with the National
Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Math [NASEM] in
coordination with EPA as directed by House Report 116-446 to
help inform its upcoming study on sunscreen's effects on the
environment and the public health as authorized under the
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, and to
communicate its jurisdiction over the regulatory status of
over-the-counter drug products.
Temporomandibular Disorder.--The Committee is encouraged by
the work of the TMJ Patient-Led RoundTable, which took the
first steps in formalizing a proposed interagency research plan
and has called repeatedly for a transformation of TMD research.
The Committee supports ongoing collaborations among medical
product centers and with external stakeholders related to the
development of treatments for TMD, and urges FDA to work with
Federal partners, including the National Institutes of Health,
to improve care for individuals with TMD.
Tobacco Issues.--The Committee remains deeply concerned
about underage nicotine vaping and data from the National Youth
Tobacco Survey showing increase in e-cigarette use among youth,
and urges FDA to use its full authority to address this serious
public health problem. The Committee is concerned about the
continued lack of effective tobacco cessation products, less
harmful alternatives, and Electronic Nicotine Delivery System
[ENDS] cessation treatments for adolescents. Not later than 180
days after enactment of this Act, the FDA shall provide an
update to the Committee on its effort to provide additional
guidance to drug manufacturers on developing tobacco cessation
and ENDS cessation products for youth and its premarket reviews
of e-cigarette and other deemed tobacco product applications,
as well as provide an analysis of proven, effective programs to
support underage tobacco prevention and adolescent cessation.
The Committee urges FDA to deny authorization for any product
whose public health risks outweigh the benefits, including
initiation by youth or non-tobacco consumers.
Vibrio.--The Committee is aware of the public health
challenge related to the naturally occurring bacteria called
Vibrio parahaemolyticus that can accumulate in shellfish and
believes that more scientific research is necessary to develop
proper controls that will reduce the risk to consumers and
sustain a healthy domestic shellfish industry. The Committee
encourages the FDA to increase funding for research into Vibrio
illnesses associated with the consumption of raw molluscan
shellfish, improve risk assessment models, and develop improved
rapid detection methods for virulent Vibrio strains.
White Oak.--The FDA's growing staff will require the GSA to
lease additional office locations for the FDA until GSA can
implement the 2018 Federal Research Master Plan for the White
Oak Campus expansion. To determine the lowest cost technically
acceptable for a prospectus lease, The GSA and FDA should
consider the effect of local travel on staff productivity,
adjacency to existing FDA-occupied leases, and the cost of lost
productivity when evaluating the costs of lease proposals.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $12,788,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 30,788,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,288,000
FDA maintains offices and staff in 49 States and in the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including field
laboratories and specialized facilities, as well as the
National Center for Toxicological Research complex. Repairs,
modifications, improvements, and construction to FDA
headquarters and field facilities must be made to preserve the
properties, ensure employee safety, meet changing program
requirements, and permit the agency to keep its laboratory
methods up to date.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,288,000
for FDA buildings and facilities.
This funding shall be used to upgrade FDA facilities and
laboratories which are currently below public safety standards
and incapable of performing agency requirements. The Committee
is aware that several FDA-owned facilities need significant
renovations and repairs. The Committee understands that high-
quality, reliable buildings are a necessity to support the
FDA's mission-critical work.
FDA INNOVATION ACCOUNT, CURES ACT
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $70,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 50,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for the FDA as
authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255).
INDEPENDENT AGENCY
Farm Credit Administration
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Limitation, 2021........................................ $80,870,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 84,200,000
Committee recommendation................................ 84,200,000
The Farm Credit Administration [FCA] is the independent
agency in the executive branch of the Government responsible
for the examination and regulation of the banks, associations,
and other institutions of the Farm Credit System.
Activities of FCA include the planning and execution of
examinations of Farm Credit System institutions and the
preparation of examination reports. FCA also promulgates
regulations, establishes standards, enforces rules and
regulations, and approves certain actions of the institutions.
The administration and the institutions under its
jurisdiction now operate under authorities contained in the
Farm Credit Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-181), effective December
10, 1971. Public Law 99-205, effective December 23, 1985,
restructured FCA and gave the agency regulatory authorities and
enforcement powers.
The Act provides for the farmer-owned cooperative system to
make sound, adequate, and constructive credit available to
farmers and ranchers and their cooperatives, rural residences,
and associations and other entities upon which farming
operations are dependent, and to modernize existing farm credit
law to meet current and future rural credit needs.
The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-233)
authorized the formation of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation [FAMC] to operate a secondary market for
agricultural and rural housing mortgages. FCA, under section
8.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-181), as
amended, is assigned the responsibility of regulating this
entity and assuring its safe and sound operation.
Expenses of FCA are paid by assessments collected from the
Farm Credit System institutions and by assessments to the FAMC.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $84,200,000 on
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.
Eligibility Criteria for Outside Directors.--The Committee
is concerned with the FCA final rule on eligibility criteria
for outside directors, which expands the list of persons who
are excluded from serving as outside directors. The Farm Credit
Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-181) specifies that outside
directors must not be a director, officer, employee, agent, or
stockholder of a System institution. This is accurately
reflected under FCA's existing regulations at 12 CFR 611.220.
The Committee believes the new rule extends unnecessarily
beyond the requirements of the Act and creates a number of
unnecessary restrictions and implementation challenges that
must be addressed. The new rule would prevent many qualified
individuals from serving and would even exclude a number of
currently serving outside directors from being reappointed.
These individuals have valuable skills and give voice to
underrepresented communities of borrowers. As such, the
Committee expects FCA to pause to reconsider the rule in light
of these and other concerns expressed since the rule was
initially approved by the Board of Directors. One of the
concerns the Committee expects FCA to consider is ensuring that
those currently serving in outside director positions are not
adversely impacted by the rule, including future reappointment
by their respective stockholder-elected boards.
Hemp-Based Products.--The Committee recognizes the growing
interest for U.S. hemp and hemp-based products for a variety of
uses and directs FCA to work with the institutions under its
jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp
producers and businesses.
TITLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Committee recommends the following provisions:
Section 701. This section includes language regarding
passenger motor vehicles.
Section 702. This section includes language regarding the
Working Capital Fund.
Section 703. This section limits the funding provided in
the bill to 1 year, unless otherwise specified.
Section 704. This section includes language regarding
indirect costs.
Section 705. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development programs.
Section 706. This section includes language regarding new
information technology.
Section 707. This section includes language regarding
conservation programs.
Section 708. This section includes language regarding Rural
Utilities Service program eligibility.
Section 709. This section includes language regarding
information technology expenses.
Section 710. This section includes language regarding
first-class travel.
Section 711. This section includes language regarding the
Commodity Credit Corporation.
Section 712. This section includes language regarding
advisory committees.
Section 713. This section includes language regarding
information technology systems.
Section 714. This section includes language regarding
section 32 activities.
Section 715. This section includes language regarding user
fee proposals without offsets.
Section 716. This section includes language regarding the
reprogramming of funds and notification requirements.
Section 717. This section includes language regarding fees
for the guaranteed business and industry loan program.
Section 718. This section includes language regarding the
appropriations hearing process.
Section 719. This section includes language regarding
prepackaged news.
Section 720. This section includes language regarding
details and assignments of Department of Agriculture employees.
Section 721. This section includes language regarding
spending plans.
Section 722. This section includes language regarding a
rescission of funds.
Section 723. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development programs.
Section 724. This section includes language regarding loans
and loan guarantees.
Section 725. This section includes language regarding
credit card refunds.
Section 726. This section includes language regarding SNAP.
Section 727. This section includes language regarding
housing loan programs.
Section 728. This section includes language regarding new
user fees.
Section 729. This section includes language regarding dried
spent grain products.
Section 730. This section includes language regarding
disclosure of information for pharmaceuticals.
Section 731. This section includes language regarding APHIS
inspections.
Section 732. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development programs.
Section 733. This section includes language regarding
animal welfare.
Section 734. This section includes language regarding
domestic preference.
Section 735. This section includes language regarding
lobbying.
Section 736. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development programs.
Section 737. This section includes language regarding Farm
to School programs.
Section 738. This section includes language regarding the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 739. This section includes language regarding a
NIFA pilot program.
Section 740. This section includes language regarding
school meals program.
Section 741. This section includes language regarding hemp.
Section 742. This section includes language regarding gene
editing.
Section 743. This section includes language regarding
Agricultural Research Service.
Section 744. This section includes language regarding FDA
seafood advisory.
Section 745. This section includes language regarding
matching requirement.
Section 746. This section includes language regarding
housing.
Section 747. This section includes language regarding fluid
milk.
Section 748. This section includes language regarding
Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.
Section 749. This section includes language regarding
tribal demonstration.
Section 750. This section includes language regarding Water
Bank.
Section 751. This section includes language regarding REAP.
Section 752. This section includes language regarding
potable water.
Section 753. This section includes language regarding
mitigation banking.
Section 754. This section includes language regarding the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 755. This section includes language regarding
watershed programs.
Section 756. This section includes language regarding
school meals.
Section 757. This section includes language regarding
school meals.
Section 758. This section includes language regarding
broadband.
Section 759. This section includes language regarding
pollinator research.
Section 760. This section includes language regarding hemp.
Section 761. This section includes language regarding SNAP.
Section 762. This section includes language regarding NOAA
working group.
Section 763. This section includes language regarding
school meals.
Section 764. This section includes language regarding
flavored milk.
Section 765. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development.
Section 766. This section includes language regarding the
Goodfellow Federal Center.
Section 767. This section includes language regarding
congongrass.
Section 768. This section includes language regarding meat
and poultry facilities.
Section 769. This section includes language regarding a
technical fix.
Section 770. This section includes language regarding
Institute for Rural Partnership.
Section 771. This section includes language regarding a
library.
Section 772. This section includes language regarding
University of Vermont.
Section 773. This section includes language regarding
disaster assistance.
Section 774. This section includes language regarding horse
slaughter.
Section 775. This section includes language regarding the
Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Section 776. This section includes language regarding the
Southwest Border Regional Commission.
PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
During fiscal year 2022, for purposes of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law
99-177) or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following
information provides the definition of the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The
term ``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most
specific level of budget items identified in the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022, and the accompanying report.
If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2022 pursuant to
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to
all items specified in the explanatory notes submitted to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in support
of the fiscal year 2022 budget estimates, as amended, for such
departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action,
and in addition:
For the Agricultural Research Service the definition shall
include specific research locations as identified in the
explanatory notes.
For the Natural Resources Conservation Service the
definition shall include individual flood prevention projects
as identified in the explanatory notes and individual
operational watershed projects as summarized in the notes.
For the Farm Service Agency the definition shall include
individual, regional, State, district, and county offices.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously
passed by the Senate during that session.
The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the
spirit of full disclosure.
The Committee recommends funding for the following programs
or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal
year 2022:
--Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program
--Broadband Loan and Grant Pilot Program
--Child Nutrition Programs
--Child Nutrition Program State Administrative Expenses
--Summer Food Service Program
--Access to Local Food: Farm to School Program
--National School Lunch Act-Information Clearinghouse
--School Meals Program-Compliance and Accountability
--Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants
and Children
--Farmers Market Nutrition Program
--Livestock Mandatory Reporting
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(C), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on August 4, 2021,
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill (S.
2599) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other
purposes, provided, that the bill be subject to amendment and
that any amendment increasing budget authority be offset by a
reduction of equal or greater budget authority, by a recorded
vote of 25-5, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chairman Leahy Mr. McConnell
Ms. Murray Mr. Kennedy
Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Braun
Mr. Durbin Mr. Hagerty
Mr. Reed Mr. Rubio
Mr. Tester
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
Mr. Manchin
Mr. Van Hollen
Mr. Heinrich
Mr. Shelby
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mrs. Hyde-Smith
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by
the Committee.''
In compliance with this rule, changes in existing law
proposed to be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing
law to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is
printed in italic; and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman.
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
Chapter 38--Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products
Subchapter I--General Provisions
Sec. 1632b. Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program
(a) Purpose
* * * * * * *
(f) Use of funds
An eligible entity to which a grant is made under the
Program may use the grant only for the following purposes (but
only to the extent that the use is not described in [section
210A(d)(2)] section 210A(d)(5)(D) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946.
* * * * * * *
Chapter 51--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Sec. 2018. Approval of retail food stores and wholesale food concerns
(a) Authorization to accept and redeem benefits
* * * * * * *
(i) Review of program operations
(1) Review by the Secretary
* * * * * * *
(2) Limitation
Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the Secretary to
deny any application for continued authorization, any
application for authorization, or any request to withdraw the
authorization of any such facility, program, or arrangement
based on a determination that residents of any such facility or
entity are residents of an institution prior to [December 31,
2021] December 31, 2022.
* * * * * * *
Chapter 88--Research
Subchapter VII--Miscellaneous Research Provisions
Sec. 5940. Legitimacy of industrial hemp research
* * * * * * *
Editorial Notes
Effective Date of Repeal
Pub. L. 115-334, title VII, 7605(b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132
Stat. 4829 , as amended by Pub. L. 116-159, div. A, 122, Oct.
1, 2020, 134 Stat. 714 ; Pub. L. 116-260, div. A, title VII,
782, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1230 , provided that:
``Effective on [January 1, 2022] January 1, 2023, section 7606
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is repealed.''
------
TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
Chapter 13--School Lunch Programs
Sec. 1758. Program requirements
(a) Nutritional requirements
* * * * * * *
(h) Food safety
(1) In general
* * * * * * *
(3) Audits and reports by States
[For fiscal year 2021] For fiscal year 2022, each State
shall annually--
* * * * * * *
(4) Audit by the Secretary
[For fiscal year 2021] For fiscal year 2022, the Secretary
shall annually audit State reports of food safety inspections
of schools submitted under paragraph (3).
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1769g. Information clearinghouse
(a) In general
* * * * * * *
(d) Funding
Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the
Secretary to provide to the organization selected under this
section, to establish and maintain the information
clearinghouse, $200,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996,
$150,000 for fiscal year 1997, $100,000 for fiscal year 1998,
$166,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2004, and
$250,000 for each of fiscal years [2010 through 2022] 2010
through 2023. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the
funds and shall accept the funds, without further
appropriation.
------
CONSOLIDATION APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021,
PUBLIC LAW 116-260
DIVISION N--ADDITIONAL CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF
TITLE I--NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE RELIEF
Subtitle B--Agriculture
CHAPTER 1--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
SEC. 764. GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO MEAT AND POULTRY FACILITIES TO
ALLOW FOR INTERSTATE SHIPMENT.
* * * * * * *
(d) Grant Requirements.
(1) Amount.--* * *
* * * * * * *
(3) Matching funds.--
(A) In general.--* * *
(B) Exception.--The Secretary shall not
require any recipient of a grant under this
section to provide matching funds with respect
to a grant awarded in fiscal year 2021 and
fiscal year 2022.
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
---------------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount in Committee Amount in
allocation\1\ bill allocation\1\ bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the
subcommittee allocation for 2022: Subcommittee on
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies:
Mandatory......................................... .............. 156,104 .............. \2\142,759
Discretionary..................................... .............. 25,855 .............. \2\25,102
Defense....................................... .............. ........... .............. NA
Non-defense................................... .............. 25,855 NA NA
Projection of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2022.............................................. .............. ........... .............. \3\151,397
2023.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 8,535
2024.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 1,947
2025.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 885
2026 and future years............................. .............. ........... .............. 760
Financial assistance to State and local governments NA 48,446 NA \2\34,697
for P2022............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\As of the date that this bill was reported, there is no section 302(a) allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations for fiscal year 2022.
\2\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\3\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NA: Not applicable.
NOTE.--Pursuant to section 1002(b)(3)(B) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), $50,000,000 in
budget authority and the resulting outlays do not count for the purposes of estimates under the Congressional
Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Pursuant to section 4112(b) of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for
fiscal year 2018, $7,045,000,000 in budget authority and the resulting outlays do not count for the purposes
of section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
DISCLOSURE OF CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
The Constitution vests in the Congress the power of the
purse. The Committee believes strongly that Congress should
make the decisions on how to allocate the people's money. As
defined in Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
term ``congressionally directed spending item'' means a
provision or report language included primarily at the request
of a Senator, providing, authorizing, or recommending a
specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit
authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan,
loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure
with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality
or congressional district, other than through a statutory or
administrative, formula-driven, or competitive award process.
For each item, a Member is required to provide a certification
that neither the Member nor the Member's immediate family has a
pecuniary interest in such congressionally directed spending
item. Such certifications are available to the public on the
website of the Senate Committee on Appropriations (https://
www.appropriations.senate.gov/congressionally-directed-
spending-requests). Following is a list of congressionally
directed spending items included in the Senate recommendation
discussed in this report, along with the name of each Senator
who submitted a request to the Committee of jurisdiction for
each item so identified. Neither the Committee recommendation
nor this report contains any limited tax benefits or limited
tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
Account Recipient Location Description Provided Requestor(s)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Arkansas Department of Arkansas............. Feral Swine Management... 650,000 Boozman
Service. Agriculture.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Nevada Department of Nevada............... Horse Management......... 500,000 Cortez Masto, Rosen
Service. Agriculture.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection City of Chicago........... Illinois............. O'Hare Federal Inspection 250,000 Durbin
Service. Station.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection New York Farm Viability New York............. New York Dairy Farms 180,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Service. Institute. Antimicrobial
Stewardship.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Hawaii Department of Land Hawaii............... Invasive Species 600,000 Hirono, Schatz
Service. and Natural Resources. Surveillance.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Oklahoma Department of Oklahoma............. Biorepository............ 594,000 Inhofe
Service. Agriculture.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Alaska Division of Alaska............... Statewide Pest Surveys... 100,000 Murkowski
Service. Agriculture.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Maui Office of Economic Hawaii............... Kula Agricultural Fencing 600,000 Schatz
Service. Development.
Conservation Operations............. Natural Resources Connecticut.......... Long Island Sound Coastal 5,000,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Conservation Service. Zone Soil Survey.
Conservation Operations............. Western Reserve Land Ohio................. Tree Restoration......... 1,500,000 Brown
Conservancy.
Conservation Operations............. Ohio Energy and Advanced Ohio................. Reduce Runofff 263,000 Brown
Manufacturing Center. Contamination in the
Great Lakes.
Conservation Operations............. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Pennsylvania......... Susquehanna River Basin 2,184,000 Cardin, Casey
Restoration Pequea Creek
Watershed Plan.
Conservation Operations............. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Pennsylvania......... Halfmoon Creek Watershed 1,063,000 Casey
Management Plan.
Conservation Operations............. John G. Shedd Aquarium.... Illinois............. River Habitat Restoration 1,000,000 Durbin
and Conservation
Initiative.
Conservation Operations............. One Generation-Indigenous New Mexico........... Sustainable and 100,000 Heinrich
Farm Hub. Regenerative agriculture
practices.
Conservation Operations............. New Mexico State New Mexico........... Carbon Management and 995,000 Heinrich, Lujan
University. Soil Health.
Conservation Operations............. The National Latino New Mexico........... Education and 50,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Farmers and Ranchers agricultural training
Trade Assoc.. outreach.
Conservation Operations............. Vermont Land Trust........ Vermont.............. Farmland Futures Fund.... 5,000,000 Leahy
Conservation Operations............. Northern Forest Center.... Vermont.............. Infrastructure Projects.. 500,000 Leahy
Conservation Operations............. Richmond Land Trust....... Vermont.............. Gillett Dam Replacement.. 250,000 Leahy
Conservation Operations............. Rio de Chama Acequia New Mexico........... Water Irrigation 82,000 Lujan
Association. Infrastructure.
Conservation Operations............. Deschutes River Oregon............... McKay Irrigation 750,000 Merkley, Wyden
Conservancy. Efficiency Project.
Conservation Operations............. Scituate Rhode Island Land Rhode Island......... Esek Hopkins 290,000 Reed
Trust. Reforestation.
Conservation Operations............. Interlace Commons......... Vermont.............. Regenerative Soil 500,000 Sanders
Capacity and Improved
Soil Health.
Conservation Operations............. African Alliance of Rhode Rhode Island......... Technical Assistance for 84,000 Whitehouse
Island. Beginning Farmers.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and West Virginia University.. West Virginia........ Distance Learning........ 328,000 Capito
Broadband Program.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Illini Community Hospital. Illinois............. Rural Telemedicine 115,000 Durbin
Broadband Program. Initiative.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Ben Archer Health Center.. New Mexico........... Ben Archer Health Center 104,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Broadband Program. Telemedicine.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and New Mexico State Library.. New Mexico........... Library.................. 890,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Broadband Program.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Shepherd University....... West Virginia........ Dual Enrollment Hub Sites 111,000 Capito, Manchin
Broadband Program.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Pocahontas County Board of West Virginia........ Distance Learning........ 462,000 Capito, Manchin
Broadband Program. Education.
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Vermont Program for Vermont.............. Telehealth Services...... 500,000 Sanders
Broadband Program. Quality Health Care.
General Provision................... University of Wisconsin... Wisconsin............ Plant Germplasm Research 39,700,000 Baldwin
Facility.
General Provision................... Shelburne Farms........... Vermont.............. National Farm to School 5,000,000 Leahy
Institute.
General Provision................... University of Vermont..... Vermont.............. Institute for Rural 10,000,000 Leahy
Partnerships.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Southwestern Wisconsin Wisconsin............ Food Pantry Upgrades..... 54,000 Baldwin
Community Action Program.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Glidden Area Ambulance Wisconsin............ Ambulance Services....... 151,000 Baldwin
Service.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Memorial Hospital of Wisconsin............ Hospital Replacement 4,000,000 Baldwin
Lafayette County. Facility.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Wisconsin............ College Student Housing.. 5,000,000 Baldwin
College.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Friends of the Sparta Free Wisconsin............ Library.................. 250,000 Baldwin
Library.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Frederic Arts............. Wisconsin............ Accessibility Updates.... 23,000 Baldwin
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.... Colorado............. Kwiyagat Community 2,000,000 Bennet
Academy K Through 5
Education Building.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Moffat County............. Colorado............. Moffat County Courthouse. 4,650,000 Bennet
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Lake County Board of Colorado............. Community Justice Center. 3,575,000 Bennet, Hickenlooper
County Commissioners.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Norwescap Foodbank........ New Jersey........... Foodbank Expansion....... 1,050,000 Booker
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Borough of Penns Grove.... New Jersey........... Facility Improvements.... 413,000 Booker
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Mead Township............. Ohio................. Government Services 75,000 Brown
Building.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Great Lakes Community Ohio................. Fremont Senior Center 184,000 Brown
Action Partnership. Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Arrowhead Joint Fire Ohio................. Fire District Expansion.. 74,000 Brown
District.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Sandy Creek Joint Fire Ohio................. Fire District Ladder 195,000 Brown
District. Truck.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Montville Fire Department. Ohio................. Fire Department Upgrades. 637,000 Brown
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Carroll Township Police Ohio................. Police Department 160,000 Brown
Department. Building Project.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Fremont........... Ohio................. Fremont Community 1,608,000 Brown
Amphitheater Project.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Dylan Jude Harrell DIPG Washington........... Community Center......... 1,275,000 Cantwell
Foundation.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe Washington........... Computer Lab............. 210,000 Cantwell
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Columbia County Health Washington........... Childcare Center......... 413,000 Cantwell
System.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Port Angeles Food Bank.... Washington........... Foodbank Expansion....... 175,000 Cantwell
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Calliope Project Inc...... Delaware............. Capital Improvements..... 100,000 Carper, Coons
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Commission on Economic Pennsylvania......... Foodbank Expansion....... 250,000 Casey
Opportunity.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Corinna........... Maine................ Fire Station Improvements 1,725,000 Collins
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Washburn.......... Maine................ Public Safety Building 750,000 Collins
Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Machiasport....... Maine................ Public Works Building 1,125,000 Collins
Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Rumford........... Maine................ Fire Station Improvements 1,000,000 Collins
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Harrison Food Bank........ Maine................ Foodbank Expansion....... 388,888 Collins, King
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Katherine Shaw Bethea Illinois............. Facility Improvements.... 334,000 Duckworth, Durbin
Hospital.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Los Amigos de Guadalupe... California........... Facility Improvements.... 1,700,000 Feinstein
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Del Norte County Board of California........... Facility Improvements.... 3,080,000 Feinstein
Supervisors.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. County of Nevada.......... California........... North San Juan Fire 1,050,000 Feinstein, Padilla
Suppression System.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. County of Inyo............ California........... Inyo County Eastern 205,000 Feinstein, Padilla
Sierra Small Business
Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Essex County Board of New York............. County Agriculture and 270,000 Gillibrand
Supervisors. Youth Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Hunter Foundation Inc..... New York............. Food and Agriculture 500,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Culinary Hub.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Royalton-Hartland Central New York............. Outdoor Learning Lab..... 268,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
School.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Glens Falls....... New York............. City Hall Restoration.... 439,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Sunland Park...... New Mexico........... Public Safety Complex.... 950,000 Heinrich
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Village of Questa......... New Mexico........... Fire Station............. 1,000,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Fort Lewis College........ Colorado............. Regional Agriculture and 159,999 Hickenlooper
Food Security.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Montrose County........... Colorado............. Courthouse Renovation.... 7,725,000 Hickenlooper
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Wai'anae Community Re- Hawaii............... Post Harvest Processing 896,000 Hirono, Schatz
Development Corporation. Facility.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Blue Ridge Discovery Virginia............. Historic Konnarock 50,000 Kaine
Center. Training School.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Superior.......... Arizona.............. Workforce, 1,988,000 Kelly, Sinema
Entrepreneurship, and
Innovation Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Maine 4-H Foundation...... Maine................ Innovation Lab and 450,000 King
Learning Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Millinocket Memorial Maine................ Library.................. 56,000 King
Library.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of St. Albans........ Maine................ Town Hall Improvements... 23,000 King
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of New London........ Minnesota............ Library and City Hall.... 665,000 Klobuchar
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Dilworth.......... Minnesota............ Dilworth Fire Hall....... 975,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Grand Portage Band of Lake Minnesota............ Community Center Upgrades 157,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Superior.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Chisholm.......... Minnesota............ Public Safety Building... 3,500,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Prairie Pines Childcare Minnesota............ Childcare Facility....... 418,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Southwestern Vermont Vermont.............. Downtown Child Care 750,000 Leahy
Medical Center. Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Groton............ Vermont.............. Community Center Waste 200,000 Leahy
Water Project.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Rupert Village Trust...... Vermont.............. The Sheldon Store 120,000 Leahy
Restoration.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of St. Johnsbury..... Vermont.............. Three Rivers Lamoille 543,000 Leahy
Valley Rail Trail.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Jeudevine Memorial Library Vermont.............. Library.................. 600,000 Leahy
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Catamount Film and Arts... Vermont.............. Facility Improvements.... 109,000 Leahy
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Village of Questa......... New Mexico........... Municipal Building 350,000 Lujan
Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Village of Wagon Mound.... New Mexico........... Senior Center............ 164,000 Lujan
Rural Community Facilities Program.. The Ridgeley Volunteer West Virginia........ Fire Station............. 875,000 Manchin
Fire Company No. 1.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Anmoore........... West Virginia........ Safety Complex Stair 55,000 Manchin, Capito
Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Detroit Lake Foundation... Oregon............... Community Center in 500,000 Merkley, Wyden
Response to Wildfire
Recovery.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Sherman County Court...... Oregon............... Broadband Solar Trailers. 50,000 Merkley, Wyden
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Friends of Fossil Library. Oregon............... Library.................. 50,000 Merkley, Wyden
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Warm Springs Community Oregon............... Warm Springs Commissary 450,000 Merkley, Wyden
Action Team. Project.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Community Connection of Oregon............... Food Bank................ 50,000 Merkley, Wyden
Northeast Oregon.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Oregon Food Bank.......... Oregon............... Food Bank................ 100,000 Merkley, Wyden
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Main Street Development... Kansas............... Public Building 100,000 Moran
Renovations.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Matsu Food Bank........... Alaska............... Food Bank Renovations.... 1,500,000 Murkowski
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Sitka Sound Science Center Alaska............... Educational Facility 840,000 Murkowski
Renovations.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Flint River Fresh......... Georgia.............. Community Food Space 299,000 Ossoff
Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. North San Joaquin Water California........... South System Groundwater 395,000 Padilla
Conservation District. Recharge Improvement.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Cass County............... Michigan............. Cass County Courthouse 1,500,000 Peters
Renovation.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Three Rivers...... Michigan............. Hospital Redevelopment... 750,000 Peters
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Warren............ Rhode Island......... Fire and EMS Center...... 2,000,000 Reed
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Richmond.......... Rhode Island......... Police Station 150,000 Reed
Renovations.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Central Falls..... Rhode Island......... Central Falls Ralph 2,000,000 Reed, Whitehouse
Holden Community Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Alburgh Family Clubhouse.. Vermont.............. Childcare and Early 189,000 Sanders
Education Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Castleton......... Vermont.............. Library.................. 125,000 Sanders
Rural Community Facilities Program.. The Center for Discovery.. New York............. Greenhouse............... 605,000 Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Waverly Central School New York............. Chemung Center for 2,750,113 Schumer
District. Innovation.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of North Collins..... New York............. Community Center......... 89,000 Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. YMCA of Plattsburgh....... New York............. Family YMCA.............. 1,973,000 Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. M-ARK Project Inc......... New York............. Child Care Facility...... 88,000 Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. BluePrint Geneva.......... New York............. Healthy Neighborhoods 44,000 Schumer
Project.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Herkimer County........... New York............. Day Care................. 315,000 Schumer
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Mid-State Community New Hampshire........ Children's Learning 200,000 Shaheen
Development Corporation. Center.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Mt. Washington Valley New Hampshire........ Facility Improvements.... 200,000 Shaheen
Economic Council.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Northumberland.... New Hampshire........ Northumberland Public 200,000 Shaheen
Safety Building.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Swanzey........... New Hampshire........ Swanzey Center Fire 200,000 Shaheen
Station.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Campton........... New Hampshire........ Campton Emergency 175,000 Shaheen
Communications
Initiative.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Claremont......... New Hampshire........ Fire Sprinkler System.... 100,000 Shaheen
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Chino Valley...... Arizona.............. Rodeo Drive Improvements. 240,000 Sinema
Rural Community Facilities Program.. The Link of Northern Minnesota............ Food Pantry.............. 193,000 Smith
Kandiyohi County.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Little Falls...... Minnesota............ Childcare Facility....... 825,000 Smith
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Capital Area United Way... Michigan............. Mobile Wi-Fi Unit........ 76,000 Stabenow
Rural Community Facilities Program.. The Good Stuff............ Maryland............. Job Training and 138,000 Van Hollen
Technical Assistance.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Town of Pulaski........... Virginia............. Calfee Community Center.. 38,000 Warner
Rural Community Facilities Program.. City of Eatonton.......... Georgia.............. Eatonton City Center 250,000 Warnock
Community Facility.
Rural Community Facilities Program.. County of Warren.......... Georgia.............. Volunteer Fire Department 1,400,000 Warnock
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Fuerza Laboral............ Rhode Island......... Cooperative Hub.......... 157,000 Whitehouse
Rural Community Facilities Program.. Cowden Street Rhode Island......... Modular Building 250,000 Whitehouse
Collaborative dba Segue Construction.
Institute.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Mississippi Watershed Mississippi.......... Flood mitigation......... 8,400,000 Hyde-Smith
Operations. Operations.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Ochoco Irrigation District Oregon............... Ochocco Irrigation 4,875,000 Merkley, Wyden
Operations. District Watershed
Projects.
Watershed and Flood Prevention East Fork Irrigation Oregon............... East Fork Irrigation 2,500,000 Merkley, Wyden
Operations. District. Modernization.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Wallowa Lake Irrigation Oregon............... Wallowa Lake Dam 2,000,000 Merkley, Wyden
Operations. District. Rehabilitation Project.
Watershed and Flood Prevention North Sector Upper Walnut Kansas............... Flood mitigation......... 450,000 Moran
Operations. Floodwater Retarding Dam
No. 21.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Kickapoo Tribe Water Kansas............... Preliminary studies of 50,000 Moran
Operations. Supply Project. new water supply
reservoir.
Watershed and Flood Prevention City of Cranston and Town Rhode Island......... Pocasset River Flood 5,000,000 Reed
Operations. of Johnston. Damage Reduction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2022
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2021 Budget Committee ---------------------------------
appropriation estimate recommendation 2021 Budget
appropriation estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, and Marketing
Staff Offices
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Secretary............................................ 5,101 14,801 5,703 +602 -9,098
Office of Homeland Security........................................ 1,324 13,429 4,749 +3,425 -8,680
Office of Tribal Relations......................................... ............... 2,860 1,025 +1,025 -1,835
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement....................... 7,002 13,294 6,044 -958 -7,250
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration............... 881 1,399 1,649 +768 +250
Departmental Administration........................................ 21,440 26,001 21,782 +342 -4,219
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal....................................................... 22,321 27,400 23,431 +1,110 -3,969
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations and 3,908 4,480 4,480 +572 ...............
Intergovernmental Affairs.........................................
Office of Communications........................................... 7,342 10,509 7,484 +142 -3,025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Office of the Secretary................................. 46,998 86,773 52,916 +5,918 -33,857
====================================================================================
Executive Operations
Office of the Chief Economist...................................... 24,192 31,050 25,499 +1,307 -5,551
Office of Hearings and Appeals..................................... 15,394 16,173 16,173 +779 ...............
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.............................. 9,629 12,760 12,310 +2,681 -450
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal....................................................... 49,215 59,983 53,982 +4,767 -6,001
Office of the Chief Information Officer............................ 66,814 101,001 84,746 +17,932 -16,255
Office of the Chief Financial Officer.............................. 6,109 7,118 7,118 +1,009 ...............
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights................. 908 1,426 1,426 +518 ...............
Office of Civil Rights............................................. 22,789 29,328 29,328 +6,539 ...............
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection......................... 23,218 27,034 23,306 +88 -3,728
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities............................... 108,124 133,443 313,443 +205,319 +180,000
Hazardous materials management..................................... 6,514 6,545 6,545 +31 ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................ 99,912 106,309 106,309 +6,397 ...............
Office of the General Counsel...................................... 45,390 60,723 60,723 +15,333 ...............
Office of Ethics................................................... 4,184 4,277 4,277 +93 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Executive Operations.................................... 433,177 537,187 691,203 +258,026 +154,016
====================================================================================
Total, Staff Offices........................................... 480,175 623,960 744,119 +263,944 +120,159
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 809 1,327 1,327 +518 ...............
Economics.........................................................
Office of the Chief Scientist.................................. ............... 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000
Economic Research Service.......................................... 85,476 90,594 90,794 +5,318 +200
National Agricultural Statistics Service........................... 183,921 193,662 191,662 +7,741 -2,000
Census of Agriculture.......................................... (46,300) (46,300) (46,850) (+550) (+550)
Agricultural Research Service
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 1,491,784 1,849,590 1,675,040 +183,256 -174,550
Buildings and facilities........................................... 35,700 45,405 45,405 +9,705 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Research Service........................... 1,527,484 1,894,995 1,720,445 +192,961 -174,550
====================================================================================
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture......................... ............... 1,955,863 ............... ............... -1,955,863
Research and education activities.................................. 992,642 ............... 1,057,420 +64,778 +1,057,420
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund........................ (11,880) (11,880) (11,880) ............... ...............
Extension activities............................................... 538,447 ............... 559,400 +20,953 +559,400
Integrated activities.............................................. 39,000 ............... 40,000 +1,000 +40,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.............. 1,570,089 1,955,863 1,656,820 +86,731 -299,043
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs 809 1,327 1,577 +768 +250
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 1,064,179 1,102,222 1,118,642 +54,463 +16,420
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests..................... ............... ............... 3,474 +3,474 +3,474
Buildings and facilities........................................... 3,175 3,175 3,175 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.............. 1,067,354 1,105,397 1,125,291 +57,937 +19,894
====================================================================================
Agricultural Marketing Service
Marketing Services................................................. 188,358 213,157 231,063 +42,705 +17,906
(Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees collected)....... (61,227) (61,786) (61,786) (+559) ...............
Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (Section 32):
Permanent, Section 32.......................................... 1,359,864 1,391,211 1,391,211 +31,347 ...............
Marketing agreements and orders (transfer from Section 32). (20,705) (20,705) (20,817) (+112) (+112)
Payments to States and Possessions............................. 1,235 1,235 4,000 +2,765 +2,765
Limitation on inspection and weighing services................. (55,000) (55,000) (55,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Marketing Service program................ 1,665,684 1,722,389 1,743,060 +77,376 +20,671
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety...................... 809 1,327 1,327 +518 ...............
Food Safety and Inspection Service................................. 1,075,703 1,165,589 1,153,064 +77,361 -12,525
Lab accreditation fees......................................... (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title I, Agricultural Programs........................ 7,542,086 8,644,644 8,312,700 +770,614 -331,944
====================================================================================
(By transfer)................................................ (20,705) (20,705) (20,817) (+112) (+112)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)...................... (116,227) (116,786) (116,786) (+559) ...............
====================================================================================
TITLE II--Farm Production and Conservation Programs
Farm Production Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. 916 1,437 1,687 +771 +250
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center................... 231,302 238,177 238,177 +6,875 ...............
(by transfer from CCC)......................................... (60,228) (60,228) (60,228) ............... ...............
(by transfer from Food for Peace (Public Law 480))............. (112) ............... ............... (-112) ...............
(by transfer from export loans)................................ (318) ............... ............... (-318) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FPAC Business Center (including transfers)............ 291,960 298,405 298,405 +6,445 ...............
====================================================================================
Farm Service Agency
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 1,142,924 1,175,670 1,178,324 +35,400 +2,654
(by transfer from ACIF)........................................ (294,114) (294,114) (294,114) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, transfers.......................................... (294,114) (294,114) (294,114) ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Total, Salaries and expenses (including transfers)........... 1,437,038 1,469,784 1,472,438 +35,400 +2,654
====================================================================================
State mediation grants............................................. 6,914 6,914 7,000 +86 +86
Grassroots source water protection program......................... 6,500 6,500 6,500 ............... ...............
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers............................... ............... ............... 3,000 +3,000 +3,000
Dairy indemnity program............................................ 500 500 500 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Farm Service Agency.................................. 1,156,838 1,189,584 1,195,324 +38,486 +5,740
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund [ACIF] Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct................................................. (2,500,000) (2,800,000) (2,800,000) (+300,000) ...............
Guaranteed............................................. (3,300,000) (3,500,000) (3,500,000) (+200,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................................. (5,800,000) (6,300,000) (6,300,000) (+500,000) ...............
Farm operating loans:
Direct................................................. (1,633,333) (1,633,333) (1,633,333) ............... ...............
Unsubsidized guaranteed................................ (2,118,482) (2,118,482) (2,118,482) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................................. (3,751,815) (3,751,815) (3,751,815) ............... ...............
Emergency loans............................................ (37,668) (37,668) (37,668) ............... ...............
Indian tribe land acquisition loans........................ (20,000) (20,000) (20,000) ............... ...............
Conservation loans:
Guaranteed............................................. (150,000) (150,000) (150,000) ............... ...............
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans.................. (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............... ...............
Boll weevil eradication loans.......................... (60,000) (60,000) (60,000) ............... ...............
Relending program loans................................ (33,693) (33,693) (61,425) (+27,732) (+27,732)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations................................. (9,858,176) (10,358,176) (10,385,908) (+527,732) (+27,732)
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Farm operating loans:
Direct..................................................... 38,710 40,017 40,017 +1,307 ...............
Unsubsidized guaranteed.................................... 23,727 16,524 16,524 -7,203 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. 62,437 56,541 56,541 -5,896 ...............
Emergency Loans............................................ 207 267 267 +60 ...............
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans...................... 742 407 407 -335 ...............
Relending program loans.................................... 5,000 2,743 5,000 ............... +2,257
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants......................... 68,386 59,958 62,215 -6,171 +2,257
====================================================================================
ACIF administrative expenses:
Administrative Expenses........................................ 307,344 314,772 314,772 +7,428 ...............
(Program Loan Cost Expenses)............................... (13,230) (20,658) (20,658) (+7,428) ...............
(Transfer out to FSA Salaries and expenses)................ (-294,114) (-294,114) (-294,114) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account...... 375,730 374,730 376,987 +1,257 +2,257
(Loan authorizations).......................................... (9,858,176) (10,358,176) (10,385,908) (+527,732) (+27,732)
====================================================================================
Total, Farm Service Agency..................................... 1,532,568 1,564,314 1,572,311 +39,743 +7,997
====================================================================================
Risk Management Agency
RMA Salaries and Expenses.......................................... 60,131 69,207 67,700 +7,569 -1,507
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Production Programs................................ 1,824,917 1,873,135 1,879,875 +54,958 +6,740
====================================================================================
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Private Lands Conservation Operations.......................... 832,727 886,285 918,353 +85,626 +32,068
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests................. ............... ............... 19,611 +19,611 +19,611
Farm Security and Rural Investment Program:
Administrative expenses-FPAC Business Center (transfer out) (-60,228) (-60,228) (-60,228) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Conservation operations........................... 832,727 886,285 937,964 +105,237 +51,679
====================================================================================
Watershed flood and prevention operations.................. 175,000 175,000 175,000 ............... ...............
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests............... ............... ............... 23,275 +23,275 +23,275
Watershed rehabilitation program........................... 10,000 10,000 10,000 ............... ...............
Healthy forests reserve program............................ ............... 20,000 ............... ............... -20,000
Urban Agriculture Program.................................. ............... 9,458 ............... ............... -9,458
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service.................. 1,017,727 1,100,743 1,146,239 +128,512 +45,496
====================================================================================
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation:
Federal crop insurance corporation fund........................ 8,748,000 9,660,000 9,660,000 +912,000 ...............
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
Reimbursement for net realized losses.......................... 31,830,731 25,915,000 25,915,000 -5,915,731 ...............
Hazardous waste management (limitation on expenses)............ (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Corporations.......................................... 40,578,731 35,575,000 35,575,000 -5,003,731 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title II, Farm Production and Conservation Programs... 43,421,375 38,548,878 38,601,114 -4,820,261 +52,236
====================================================================================
(By transfer)................................................ (354,772) (354,342) (354,342) (-430) ...............
(Transfer out)............................................... (-354,342) (-354,342) (-354,342) ............... ...............
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development................ 812 1,330 1,580 +768 +250
Rural Development
Rural development expenses:
Salaries and expenses.......................................... 264,024 367,447 363,922 +99,898 -3,525
(by transfer from RHIF).................................... (412,254) (412,254) (412,254) ............... ...............
(by transfer from RDLFP)................................... (4,468) (4,468) (4,468) ............... ...............
(by transfer from RETLP)................................... (33,270) (33,270) (33,270) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, transfers from program accounts................ 449,992 449,992 449,992 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural development expenses.............................. 714,016 817,439 813,914 +99,898 -3,525
====================================================================================
Rural Housing Service
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family direct (Sec 502)............................. (1,000,000) (1,500,000) (1,250,000) (+250,000) (-250,000)
Unsubsidized guaranteed................................ (24,000,000) (30,000,000) (30,000,000) (+6,000,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Single family.............................. 25,000,000 31,500,000 31,250,000 +6,250,000 -250,000
Housing repair (Sec 504)................................... (28,000) (28,000) (28,000) ............... ...............
Rental housing (Sec 515)................................... (40,000) (40,000) (92,000) (+52,000) (+52,000)
Multi-family housing guarantees (Sec 538).................. (230,000) (230,000) (250,000) (+20,000) (+20,000)
Site development loans (Sec 524)........................... (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............... ...............
Single family housing credit sales......................... (10,000) (10,000) (10,000) ............... ...............
Self-help housing land development housing loans (Sec 523). (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............... ...............
Farm Labor Housing (Sec 514)............................... (28,000) (28,000) (28,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations................................... 25,346,000 31,846,000 31,668,000 +6,322,000 -178,000
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Single family direct (Sec 502)............................. 55,400 27,900 23,250 -32,150 -4,650
Housing repair (Sec 504)................................... 2,215 484 484 -1,731 ...............
Rental housing (Sec 515)................................... 6,688 3,576 8,225 +1,537 +4,649
Multi-family housing revitalization program................ ............... 32,000 32,000 +32,000 ...............
Farm labor housing (Sec514)................................ 5,093 2,831 2,831 -2,262 ...............
Self-Help Land Development Housing Loans (Sec523).......... 269 55 55 -214 ...............
Site Development Loans (Sec524)............................ 355 206 206 -149 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies........................................ 70,020 67,052 67,051 -2,969 -1
====================================================================================
Farm labor housing grants...................................... 10,000 10,000 10,000 ............... ...............
RHIF administrative expenses................................... 412,254 412,254 412,254 ............... ...............
(transfer out to Rural Development)............................ (-412,254) (-412,254) (-412,254) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund program.................. 492,274 489,306 489,305 -2,969 -1
====================================================================================
(Loan authorization)......................................... (25,346,000) (31,846,000) (31,668,000) (+6,322,000) (-178,000)
Rental assistance program:
Rental assistance (Sec 521)................................ 1,410,000 1,450,000 1,450,000 +40,000 ...............
Rural housing vouchers..................................... ............... 45,000 ............... ............... -45,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Rental Assistance Program...................... 1,410,000 1,495,000 1,450,000 +40,000 -45,000
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account:
Rural housing voucher program.................................. 40,000 ............... ............... -40,000 ...............
Multi-family housing revitalization program.................... 28,000 ............... ............... -28,000 ...............
Rural Housing Vouchers......................................... ............... ............... 45,000 +45,000 +45,000
Mutual and self-help housing grants............................ 31,000 32,000 32,000 +1,000 ...............
Rural housing assistance grants................................ 45,000 45,000 45,000 ............... ...............
Rural community facilities program account:
Loan authorizations:
Community facility:
Direct............................................. (2,800,000) (2,800,000) (2,800,000) ............... ...............
Guaranteed......................................... (500,000) (500,000) (500,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations............................... 3,300,000 3,300,000 3,300,000 ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Community facility:
Non-conforming Subsidy................................. 25,000 ............... 25,000 ............... +25,000
Grants................................................. 32,000 58,000 48,000 +16,000 -10,000
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests......... ............... ............... 83,690 +83,690 +83,690
Rural community development initiative................. 6,000 6,000 6,000 ............... ...............
Economic impact initiative grants...................... 6,000 ............... ............... -6,000 ...............
Tribal college grants.................................. 5,000 10,000 10,000 +5,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Loan subsidies and grants...................... 74,000 74,000 172,690 +98,690 +98,690
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, grants and payments................................... 150,000 151,000 249,690 +99,690 +98,690
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Housing Service................................. 2,120,274 2,135,306 2,233,995 +113,721 +98,689
====================================================================================
(Loan authorization)......................................... (28,646,000) (35,146,000) (34,968,000) (+6,322,000) (-178,000)
====================================================================================
Rural Business--Cooperative Service
Rural Business Program Account:
(Guaranteed business and industry loan authorization).......... (1,000,000) (1,500,000) (1,500,000) (+500,000) ...............
Loan subsidies and grants:
Guaranteed business and industry subsidy................... 10,400 30,150 30,150 +19,750 ...............
Rural business development grants.......................... 37,000 37,000 37,000 ............... ...............
Delta Regional Authority and Appalachian Regional 9,000 9,000 9,000 ............... ...............
Commission................................................
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program............ ............... 5,000 5,000 +5,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBP loan subsidies and grants......................... 56,400 81,150 81,150 +24,750 ...............
====================================================================================
Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (18,889) (18,889) (18,889) ............... ...............
Loan subsidy............................................... 2,939 1,524 1,524 -1,415 ...............
Administrative expenses.................................... 4,468 4,468 4,468 ............... ...............
(transfer out to Rural Development)........................ (-4,468) (-4,468) (-4,468) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Intermediary Relending Program Account............ 7,407 5,992 5,992 -1,415 ...............
====================================================================================
Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) ............... ...............
Limit cushion of credit interest spending.................. (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) ............... ...............
Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
Cooperative development.................................... 5,800 2,800 5,800 ............... +3,000
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas............ 2,800 2,800 3,000 +200 +200
Grants to assist minority producers........................ 3,000 3,000 3,000 ............... ...............
Value-added agricultural product market development........ 12,000 15,000 12,000 ............... -3,000
Agriculture innovation centers............................. 3,000 3,000 3,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Cooperative development grants.............. 26,600 26,600 26,800 +200 +200
====================================================================================
Healthy Food Financing Initiative.............................. ............... 5,000 6,000 +6,000 +1,000
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program:
Loan authorization......................................... ............... (150,000) (150,000) (+150,000) ...............
Loan subsidies and grants.................................. 6,000 6,000 6,000 ............... ...............
Rural Energy for America Program:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (20,000) (20,000) (20,000) ............... ...............
Loan subsidy and grants.................................... 392 30,168 22,168 +21,776 -8,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service................ 96,799 154,910 148,110 +51,311 -6,800
(Loan authorizations).................................... (1,088,889) (1,738,889) (1,738,889) (+650,000) ...............
====================================================================================
Rural Utilities Service:
Rural water and waste disposal program account:
Loan authorizations:
Direct................................................. (1,400,000) (1,400,000) (1,400,000) ............... ...............
Guaranteed............................................. (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................... 1,450,000 1,450,000 1,450,000 ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Guaranteed subsidy......................................... 60 45 45 -15 ...............
Water and waste revolving fund............................. 1,000 1,000 1,000 ............... ...............
Water well system grants................................... 5,000 5,000 5,000 ............... ...............
Colonias and AK/HI grants.................................. 68,000 93,000 73,000 +5,000 -20,000
Water and waste technical assistance....................... 35,000 40,000 37,500 +2,500 -2,500
Circuit rider program...................................... 20,157 20,157 20,157 ............... ...............
Solid waste management grants.............................. 4,000 4,000 4,000 ............... ...............
High energy cost grants.................................... 10,000 10,000 10,000 ............... ...............
Water and waste disposal grants............................ 463,350 528,355 500,000 +36,650 -28,355
306A(i)(2) grants.......................................... 15,000 15,000 15,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants......................... 621,567 716,557 665,702 +44,135 -50,855
====================================================================================
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Electric:
Direct, FFB................................................ (5,500,000) ............... ............... (-5,500,000) ...............
Electric Direct, Treasury Rate............................. ............... (6,500,000) (6,500,000) (+6,500,000) ...............
Guaranteed underwriting.................................... (750,000) ............... (750,000) ............... (+750,000)
Rural Energy Savings Program............................... ............... (398,551) (208,333) (+208,333) (-190,218)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Electric....................................... 6,250,000 6,898,551 7,458,333 +1,208,333 +559,782
Telecommunications:
Telecomm Direct, Treasury.................................. (345,000) (690,000) (690,000) (+345,000) ...............
Direct, FFB................................................ (345,000) ............... ............... (-345,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Telecommunications............................. 690,000 690,000 690,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations............................... 6,940,000 7,588,551 8,148,333 +1,208,333 +559,782
====================================================================================
Loan Subsidy:
Rural electric modifications................................... ............... 400,000 ............... ............... -400,000
Rural Energy Savings Program................................... ............... 22,000 11,500 +11,500 -10,500
Telecommunications Direct, Treasury Rate....................... 2,277 2,070 2,070 -207 ...............
Treasury modifications......................................... ............... 25,000 ............... ............... -25,000
RETLP administrative expenses.................................. 33,270 33,270 33,270 ............... ...............
(transfer out to Rural Development)........................ (-33,270) (-33,270) (-33,270) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 35,547 482,340 46,840 +11,293 -435,500
Program Account...............................................
(Loan authorization)........................................... (6,940,000) (7,588,551) (8,148,333) (+1,208,333) (+559,782)
====================================================================================
Broadband Program:
Loan authorizations:
Broadband telecommunications........................... (11,869) (11,869) ............... (-11,869) (-11,869)
Loan subsidies and grants:
Distance learning and telemedicine:
Grants............................................. 60,000 60,000 60,000 ............... ...............
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests......... ............... ............... 2,510 +2,510 +2,510
Broadband telecommunications:
Direct............................................. 2,000 1,772 2,272 +272 +500
Grants............................................. 35,000 35,000 37,500 +2,500 +2,500
Broadband E-Connect:
Loan subsidies and grants.......................... ............... 650,000 ............... ............... -650,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants............................... 97,000 746,772 102,282 +5,282 -644,490
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Utilities Service................................. 754,114 1,945,669 814,824 +60,710 -1,130,845
(Loan authorization)........................................... (8,401,869) (9,050,420) (9,598,333) (+1,196,464) (+547,913)
====================================================================================
Total, title III, Rural Development Programs................... 3,236,023 4,604,662 3,562,431 +326,408 -1,042,231
(By transfer).............................................. (449,992) (449,992) (449,992) ............... ...............
(Transfer out)............................................. (-449,992) (-449,992) (-449,992) ............... ...............
(Loan authorizations)...................................... (38,136,758) (45,935,309) (46,305,222) (+8,168,464) (+369,913)
====================================================================================
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer 809 1,327 1,327 +518 ...............
Services..........................................................
Food and Nutrition Service:
Child nutrition programs....................................... 25,046,440 26,800,922 26,790,922 +1,744,482 -10,000
School breakfast program equipment grants...................... 30,000 35,000 35,000 +5,000 ...............
Demonstration projects (Summer EBT)............................ 42,000 45,000 45,000 +3,000 ...............
School Breakfast Expansion Grants.............................. ............... 6,000 6,000 +6,000 ...............
Farm to School................................................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Child Nutrition Training....................................... ............... 1,000 2,000 +2,000 +1,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Child nutrition programs.............................. 25,118,440 26,887,922 26,878,922 +1,760,482 -9,000
====================================================================================
Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,278,000 +278,000 +278,000
children (WIC)................................................
Supplemental nutrition assistance program:
(Food stamp program)....................................... 111,034,580 102,792,199 102,828,349 -8,206,231 +36,150
Reserve................................................ 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 ............... ...............
FDPIR nutrition education services..................... 998 998 998 ............... ...............
Forward funding........................................ ............... 17,805,255 ............... ............... -17,805,255
Healthy Fluid Milk..................................... ............... 1,000 ............... ............... -1,000
Tribal Demonstration Projects.......................... ............... 3,000 ............... ............... -3,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food stamp program............................ 114,035,578 123,602,452 105,829,347 -8,206,231 -17,773,105
====================================================================================
Commodity assistance program:
Commodity supplemental food program........................ 325,000 332,000 332,000 +7,000 ...............
Farmers market nutrition program........................... 21,000 24,000 24,000 +3,000 ...............
Emergency food assistance program.......................... 79,630 85,000 90,000 +10,370 +5,000
Pacific island and disaster assistance..................... 1,070 1,070 1,070 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity assistance program...................... 426,700 442,070 447,070 +20,370 +5,000
====================================================================================
Nutrition programs administration.............................. 156,805 191,533 178,233 +21,428 -13,300
Congressional Hunger Center................................ (2,000) (2,000) ............... (-2,000) (-2,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Nutrition Service............................ 145,737,523 157,123,977 139,611,572 -6,125,951 -17,512,405
====================================================================================
Total, title IV, Domestic Food Programs...................... 145,738,332 157,125,304 139,612,899 -6,125,433 -17,512,405
====================================================================================
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 887 1,408 1,408 +521 ...............
Affairs...........................................................
Office of Codex Alimentarius....................................... 4,805 4,841 4,841 +36 ...............
Foreign Agricultural Service
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 221,835 228,644 229,644 +7,809 +1,000
(By transfer from export loans)................................ (6,063) (6,063) (6,063) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Salaries and expenses (including transfers)........... 227,898 234,707 235,707 +7,809 +1,000
====================================================================================
Food for Peace Title I Direct Credit and Food for Progress Program
Account:
Administrative expenses........................................ 112 ............... ............... -112 ...............
FPAC Business Center Salaries and expenses (transfer out)...... (-112) ............... ............... (+112) ...............
Food for Peace Title II Grants:
Expenses....................................................... 1,740,000 1,570,000 1,760,000 +20,000 +190,000
Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans Program Account:
Administrative expenses........................................ 6,381 6,063 6,063 -318 ...............
Foreign Agriculture Service, Salaries and expenses (-6,063) (-6,063) (-6,063) ............... ...............
(transfer out)............................................
FPAC Business Center Salaries and expenses (transfer out).. (-318) ............... ............... (+318) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account.................. 6,381 6,063 6,063 -318 ...............
====================================================================================
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition 230,000 230,112 245,000 +15,000 +14,888
program grants....................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title V, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs........ 2,204,020 2,041,068 2,246,956 +42,936 +205,888
(By transfer).............................................. (6,063) (6,063) (6,063) ............... ...............
(Transfer out)............................................. (-6,493) (-6,063) (-6,063) (+430) ...............
====================================================================================
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Salaries and expenses:
Direct appropriation........................................... 3,201,928 3,526,928 3,399,428 +197,500 -127,500
Transfer to OIG (transfer out)................................. (-1,500) (-1,500) (-1,500) ............... ...............
Spending from appropriated user fees:
Prescription drug user fees.................................... 1,107,199 1,141,861 1,141,861 +34,662 ...............
Medical device user fees....................................... 236,059 241,431 241,431 +5,372 ...............
Human generic drug user fees................................... 520,208 527,848 527,848 +7,640 ...............
Biosimilar biological products user fees....................... 42,494 43,116 43,116 +622 ...............
Animal drug user fees.......................................... 33,340 33,836 33,836 +496 ...............
Animal generic drug user fees.................................. 22,797 23,137 23,137 +340 ...............
Tobacco product user fees...................................... 712,000 712,000 712,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, user fees (appropriated)........................... 2,674,097 2,723,229 2,723,229 +49,132 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal (including appropriated user fees).................. 5,876,025 6,250,157 6,122,657 +246,632 -127,500
Mammography user fees.......................................... 18,618 18,991 18,991 +373 ...............
Export user fees............................................... 4,886 4,983 4,983 +97 ...............
Color certification user fees.................................. 10,469 10,678 10,678 +209 ...............
Food and Feed Recall user fees................................. 1,492 1,522 1,522 +30 ...............
Food Reinspection fees......................................... 6,673 6,805 6,805 +132 ...............
Voluntary qualified importer program fees...................... 5,514 5,624 5,624 +110 ...............
Pharmacy compounding fees...................................... 1,581 1,613 1,613 +32 ...............
Priority review vouchers (PRV) pediatric disease............... 7,997 8,156 8,156 +159 ...............
Priority review vouchers (PRV) tropical disease................ 2,556 2,608 2,608 +52 ...............
Priority review vouchers (PRV) medical countermeasures......... 2,556 2,608 2,608 +52 ...............
Third party auditor............................................ 741 755 755 +14 ...............
Over-the-Counter Monograph fees................................ 28,400 28,968 28,968 +568 ...............
Increased export certification fees (legislative proposal)..... ............... 4,366 ............... ............... -4,366
Expand tobacco products fees (legislative proposal)............ ............... 100,000 ............... ............... -100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, spending from FDA user fees........................ 2,765,580 2,920,906 2,816,540 +50,960 -104,366
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Salaries and expenses (including user fees)........... 5,966,008 6,446,334 6,214,468 +248,460 -231,866
====================================================================================
HHS Office of Inspector General (by transfer)...................... (1,500) (1,500) (1,500) ............... ...............
Buildings and facilities........................................... 12,788 30,788 15,288 +2,500 -15,500
FDA Innovation account............................................. 70,000 50,000 50,000 -20,000 ...............
Offset of appropriation pursuant to Section 1002 (b)(3)(B) of the -70,000 -50,000 -50,000 +20,000 ...............
21st Century Cures Act (PL 114-255)...............................
Spending of FDA innovation account (transfer)...................... (70,000) (50,000) (50,000) (-20,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA (w/user fees, including proposals).................. 5,980,296 6,478,622 6,231,256 +250,960 -247,366
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA (w/enacted user fees only).......................... 5,980,296 6,374,256 6,231,256 +250,960 -143,000
====================================================================================
FDA user fees...................................................... -2,765,580 -2,920,906 -2,816,540 -50,960 +104,366
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Drug Administration (excluding user fees)...... 3,214,716 3,557,716 3,414,716 +200,000 -143,000
====================================================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission\1\............................ 304,000 278,000 ............... -304,000 -278,000
CFTC fees (legislative proposal)................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Futures Trading Commission.................... 304,000 278,000 ............... -304,000 -278,000
====================================================================================
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative expenses). (80,400) (84,200) (84,200) (+3,800) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug 3,518,716 3,835,716 3,414,716 -104,000 -421,000
Administration................................................
====================================================================================
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Rural Energy Savings Program....................................... 11,000 ............... ............... -11,000 ...............
Farm to School..................................................... 12,000 12,000 17,000 +5,000 +5,000
Healthy Food Financing Initiative.................................. 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Citrus Greening.................................................... 8,500 ............... ............... -8,500 ...............
Broadband Pilot.................................................... 531,000 ............... 650,000 +119,000 +650,000
Section 313 funds.............................................. (104,000) (50,000) (50,000) (-54,000) ...............
NIFA Military Veteran Grants....................................... 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
Centers of Excellence.............................................. 10,000 ............... ............... -10,000 ...............
Rural Hospital Technical Assistance................................ 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
Protecting Animals with Shelter Grants............................. 2,500 ............... ............... -2,500 ...............
Tribal Demonstration Projects...................................... 3,000 ............... 3,000 ............... +3,000
International Agricultural Education Fellowship.................... 1,000 ............... ............... -1,000 ...............
School Breakfast Expansion Grants.................................. 6,000 ............... ............... -6,000 ...............
Urban Agriculture Office........................................... 7,000 ............... ............... -7,000 ...............
Food Loss Liaison.................................................. 500 ............... ............... -500 ...............
Healthy Fluid Milk................................................. 1,000 ............... 3,000 +2,000 +3,000
Pollinator Research Coordinator.................................... 400 ............... 400 ............... +400
Farm Opportunities Training and Outreach........................... 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
Tribal Student Scholarships........................................ 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Genome to Phenome.................................................. 1,000 ............... ............... -1,000 ...............
Micro-grants for Food Security..................................... 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Water Bank program................................................. 4,000 ............... 4,000 ............... +4,000
Geographic Disadvantaged farmers................................... 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
Maturing mortgage pilot............................................ 2,000 ............... 2,000 ............... +2,000
WIC (rescission)................................................... -1,250,000 ............... -514,660 +735,340 -514,660
Dairy innovation................................................... 22,000 ............... ............... -22,000 ...............
RISE grants........................................................ 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Mitigation banking................................................. 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
Waste water pilot program.......................................... 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Agriculture Business Innovation Center............................. 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
Child nutrition training........................................... 1,000 ............... ............... -1,000 ...............
Renewable energy................................................... 10,000 ............... ............... -10,000 ...............
NOAA working group................................................. 1,000 ............... 1,000 ............... +1,000
Goodfellow facility................................................ 45,861 ............... 24,525 -21,336 +24,525
Broadband program (rescission)..................................... -12,000 ............... ............... +12,000 ...............
WI Germplasm Facility.............................................. ............... ............... 39,700 +39,700 +39,700
Institute for Rural Partnership.................................... ............... ............... 30,000 +30,000 +30,000
VT Institute for Rural Partnership................................. ............... ............... 10,000 +10,000 +10,000
FDA Seafood Safety................................................. 1,000 ............... ............... -1,000 ...............
Cogongrass Pilot................................................... 3,000 ............... 3,000 ............... +3,000
Blue Ribbon Panel.................................................. 300 ............... ............... -300 ...............
Farm of the Future................................................. 4,000 ............... ............... -4,000 ...............
Livestock Library.................................................. ............... ............... 1,000 +1,000 +1,000
Open Data Standards................................................ 500 ............... ............... -500 ...............
Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Services (emergency)............. 635,000 ............... ............... -635,000 ...............
Crop Insurance Requirements........................................ ............... ............... 15,000 +15,000 +15,000
Southwest Regional Border Commission............................... ............... ............... 1,000 +1,000 +1,000
Disaster Assistance................................................ ............... ............... 7,030,000 +7,030,000 +7,030,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VII, General Provisions........................... 108,561 12,000 7,334,965 +7,226,404 +7,322,965
====================================================================================
Grand total........................................................ 205,769,113 214,812,272 203,085,781 -2,683,332 -11,726,491
Appropriations................................................. (209,161,693) (217,733,178) (199,332,281) (-9,829,412) (-18,400,897)
Emergency appropriations....................................... (635,000) ............... (7,045,000) (+6,410,000) (+7,045,000)
Offsetting collections......................................... (-2,765,580) (-2,920,906) (-2,816,540) (-50,960) (+104,366)
Rescissions.................................................... (-1,262,000) ............... (-474,960) (+787,040) (-474,960)
(By transfer)...................................................... (1,623,154) (1,622,294) (1,622,294) (-860) ...............
(By transfer) (emergency).......................................... (104,000) (50,000) (50,000) (-54,000) ...............
(Transfer out)..................................................... (-1,623,154) (-1,622,294) (-1,622,294) (+860) ...............
(Loan authorization)............................................... (47,994,934) (56,293,485) (56,691,130) (+8,696,196) (+397,645)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)............................ (211,627) (215,986) (215,986) (+4,359) ...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Funding for CFTC is included here for comparability. Actual fiscal year 2021 appropriation was provided in the Financial Services and General
Government Appropriations Act.
[all]