[Senate Report 118-193]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 437
118th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2nd Session } { 118-193
======================================================================
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2025
_______
July 11 (legislative day July 10), 2024--Ordered to be printed
Mr. Heinrich, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 4690]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 4690)
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 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.................$211,514,864,000
Amount of 2024 appropriations........................... 211,801,076,000
Amount of 2025 budget estimate.......................... 213,634,202,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2024 appropriations................................. -286,212,000
2025 budget estimate................................ -2,119,338,000
C O N T E N T S
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Page
Overview and Summary of the Bill................................. 4
Reports to Congress.............................................. 4
Breakdown by Title............................................... 5
Title I:
Agricultural Programs:
Production, Processing, and Marketing:
Office of the Secretary.............................. 6
Executive Operations................................. 10
Office of the Chief Economist........................ 10
Office of Hearings and Appeals....................... 11
Office of Budget and Program Analysis................ 11
Office of the Chief Information Officer.............. 12
Office of the Chief Financial Officer................ 12
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights... 13
Office of Civil Rights............................... 13
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities................. 14
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..................................... 16
Office of the Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics........................... 16
Economic Research Service............................ 17
National Agricultural Statistics Service............. 18
Agricultural Research Service........................ 19
National Institute of Food and Agriculture........... 35
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs................................ 44
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service........... 44
Agricultural Marketing Service....................... 56
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety........ 64
Food Safety and Inspection Service................... 64
Title II:
Farm Production and Conservation Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation........................................... 67
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center......... 68
Farm Service Agency...................................... 68
Risk Management Agency................................... 74
Natural Resources Conservation Service................... 76
Corporations:
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.................. 83
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund........................ 84
Title III:
Rural Development Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development...... 86
Rural Development........................................ 87
Rural Housing Service.................................... 88
Rural Business-Cooperative Service....................... 94
Rural Utilities Service.................................. 101
Title IV:
Domestic Food Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Services...................................... 107
Food and Nutrition Service............................... 107
Title V:
Foreign Assistance and Related Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs................................... 118
Foreign Agricultural Service............................. 119
Title VI:
Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration:
Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug
Administration......................................... 123
Independent Agency: Farm Credit Administration........... 151
Title VII:
General Provisions........................................... 153
Program, Project, and Activity................................... 156
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 156
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.................................................. 157
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate..................................................... 158
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 165
Disclosure of Congressionally Directed Spending Items............ 166
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 176
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.
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 2024 levels cited in this report reflect
amounts enacted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Public Law 116-260) and do not include fiscal year 2024
supplemental appropriations. Accordingly, any comparisons to
fiscal year 2024 do not reflect fiscal year 2024 supplemental
appropriations. Fiscal year 2024 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 2024 Committee
enacted recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs...... 8,437,466 8,603,282
Title II: Farm Production and 30,790,897 30,302,557
Conservation programs..............
Title III: Rural economic and 3,571,608 3,773,305
community development programs.....
Title IV: Domestic food programs.... 163,337,292 163,394,516
Title V: Foreign assistance and 2,098,354 2,209,854
related programs...................
Title VI: Related agencies and Food 3,892,150 3,553,150
and Drug Administration............
Title VII: General provisions....... -326,691 -321,800
Other Appropriations................ ................ ................
Scorekeeping Adjustments............ -449,801 (506,000)
-----------------------------------
Total, new budget 211,351,275 211,008,864
(obligational) authority.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $58,292,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 103,025,000
Committee recommendation................................ 63,038,000
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 $63,038,000
for the Office of the Secretary. This includes an increase of
$2,000,000 for a Polyfluoroalkyl Substances [PFAS] initiative.
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 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary................................... 7,000 20,669 9,650
Office of Homeland Security............................... 1,896 3,174 2,621
Office of Tribal Relations................................ 5,190 6,613 6,561
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.............. 7,500 9,339 7,500
Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration.......... 1,706 1,737 1,706
Departmental Administration............................... 23,500 45,207 23,500
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations 4,500 4,709 4,500
and Intergovernmental Affairs............................
Office of Communications.................................. 7,000 11,577 7,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 58,292 103,025 63,038
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian Variety Registration.--The Committee is concerned
about unfair wheat variety registration practices that
negatively affect American wheat growers that export to Canada.
Currently, the Canadian wheat varietal registration system is
overly burdensome to many American-developed varieties,
requiring multiple years of Canadian test plot data and
considering agronomic factors that are not relevant to the end
use attributes of the grain. This results in U.S. farmers
growing very few acres of registered varieties and has limited
the opportunity to increase export trade. While the relevant
provisions of USMCA regarding wheat grading made important
changes, additional work is needed to ensure American growers
can benefit from those changes. Therefore, the Committee urges
the Secretary 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.
Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives.--The Committee
requests an update on the Department's effort to streamline and
coordinate existing Federal programs serving colonias and
farmworkers, including housing, healthcare, water
infrastructure, and broadband programs, and the consideration
of establishing an ``Office of Colonias and Farmworker
Initiatives''.
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.
The Committee also reminds USDA that while the Secretary
has broad authority to utilize the CCC for emergencies such as
the recent outbreak of high pathogen avian influenza, creating
programs with CCC funds that then cannot be implemented without
utilizing the interchange authority, requiring additional
appropriated dollars, or that will take years to obligate
funding is not an appropriate use. As such, the plan required
to be submitted as part of the CCC notification shall also
include outyear costs for implementation and how the Department
intends to operationalize the program.
Communications Services for Limited English Proficient
Communities.--The Committee is supportive of efforts the
Department is taking to improve communications, which should
include mediums such as television and radio, to reach limited
English proficient [LEP] communities. However, to improve
implementation, the Committee encourages the Department to
review its practices and create uniform applications across all
Department agencies to strengthen communication practices to
include digital, television, and radio advertising when working
with limited English proficient communities. The Committee
further directs each Department and agency funded by this act
with annual advertising budgets to include a report on
expenditures related to local media advertising to include
digital, television, and radio no more than 30 days after the
enactment of this act. The Committee also mandates that a
portion of the advertising expenditures for LEP communications
is dedicated to minority-focused media outlets to ensure
equity.
Coordination.--The Committee encourages additional
coordination within the Department, specifically between NRCS,
FSA, and APHIS, on matters related to non-lethal wildlife
conflict management methods, techniques, and resources.
Cover Crops.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Risk
Management Agency, shall submit a written report, within 1 year
of enactment of this act, on how the Department can streamline
opportunities for farmers to insure primary and secondary crops
with revenue streams resulting from biofuel use, with
particular reference tocarinata, pennycress, camelina, and
other oilseeds.
Farm and Food System Workforce.--The Committee encourages
department to establish an ``Office of the Farm and Food System
Workforce'' to improve awareness and access to Federal programs
for farm and food system workers, ensure inclusive
communication between the Federal Government and these workers,
and to provide recommendations and technical assistance across
the Federal Government as it relates to these workers. The
Secretary shall submit a report within 180 days of the
enactment of this act regarding departmental actions, policies,
and methods for: (1) establishing goals and objectives of the
department to increase participation in established programs
for farm and food system workers; (2) assessing the
effectiveness of department outreach programs targeted towards
these workers; (3) collaborating with and providing input to
the agencies and offices of the department on programmatic and
policy decisions affecting these workers; and (4) determining
the barriers that farm and food system workers face to
accessing department programs.
Federal Trust and Treaty Responsibilities.--The Committee
reminds agencies funded by this act of their obligation to
uphold the Federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribes
and Federal obligations to the Native Hawaiian Community. This
includes upholding treaty and reserved rights, and any other
rights and obligations under Federal law; supporting self-
determination efforts by Native communities; fulfilling
obligations under Presidential Memoranda and Executive Orders;
and conducting early and robust government-to-government
consultation with Tribes, and meaningful outreach and
engagement with Native Hawaiians.
Fertilizer Production Expansion Program [FPEP].--The
Committee appreciates the work the Department has done though
the FPEP to expand domestic production of fertilizer and other
inputs to increase competition and drive costs down for
producers. In future FPEP funding rounds and any other programs
or mechanisms to support domestic fertilizer production
expansion, the Committee encourages the Secretary to prioritize
the production of nitrogenous fertilizers with low- to no-
carbon emissions.
Institute for Rural Partnerships.--The Committee recognized
the unique challenges faced by rural communities when it
provided funding in fiscal year 2024 to continue three
Institutes for Rural Partnerships in geographically diverse
locations to identify and support community, statewide and
regional partnership to address these challenges. As rural
challenges evolve, the continued need for these Institutes is
clear. Therefore, the Committee provides $6,000,000 to be
divided equally to continue the Institute for Rural
Partnerships at established land-grant universities including
the Auburn University Partnership Institute at Auburn
University, the Wisconsin Rural Partnership Institute at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Leahy Institute for
Rural Partnerships at the University of Vermont, which were
originally funded in fiscal year 2022. Funding will support
focused research and applied transitional needs locally and
regionally.
Office of Tribal Relations.--The Committee supports
elevating the Office of Tribal Relations to an Assistant
Secretary level and encourages the Secretary to evaluate the
resources needed.
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.
School Meals.--The Committee recognizes that many rural and
virtual public schools may otherwise qualify for school meal
programs but lack a congregate setting. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to consider allowing rural and virtual
public school students to access their meals in non-congregate
settings.
Seafood Industry Liaison.--The Committee provides $650,000
to establish a position in the Office of the Secretary solely
responsible for the effective coordination of seafood policies
and activities within the Department, and in coordination with
the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade
Representative, relating to the support of domestically
harvested and processed wild and farmed seafood.
Soil Carbon Monitoring.--The Committee supports the
department's efforts to establish a Soil Carbon Monitoring
Network. The Committee notes that additional details on program
structure and plans--such as standardized methodologies, data
sets to be used, plans to harmonize data sets, and more--are
necessary and currently lacking. The Committee directs the
department, in close collaboration with experts, to conduct a
systematic review of existing USDA and Federal Government soil
carbon monitoring methodologies, such as, methodologies that
may have been developed by the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research
Network, Long-Term Ecological Research Network, the National
Ecological Observatory Network, or other networks, in order to
develop a standardized soil carbon monitoring methodology that
is reflective of current best practices and ensures the
scientific rigor necessary to accurately measure and monitor
soil carbon stocks and fluctuations over time and across
regions, soil types, and various production systems. The
Committee encourages USDA to utilize the standardized
methodology developed from this review to ensure that the Soil
Carbon Monitoring Network is grounded in shared data
measurements and standards to enable large-scale data analysis
and insights.
Tribal Self-Determination.--The Committee directs the
Secretary to submit a plan for expanding Tribal self-
determination beyond the Food Distribution Program on Indian
Reservations and Tribal Forestry program pilots, including,
where possible, through expanding 638 contract authority.
Tropical and Sub-Tropical Agriculture.--The Committee notes
the unique value of tropical agricultural crops, and directs
the Department to protect the branding of processed crops, such
as macadamia nuts and coffee, under the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946, and its implementing regulations. The Committee is
also concerned that these tropical crops are vulnerable to
invasive disease entities, and directs the Department to
provide a report on the resources needed to improve enforcement
of 7 CFR 319.73-2 in order to protect domestic tropical and
subtropical agriculture.
Voting-Related Activities.--The Committee notes that the
Department has not yet provided the briefing required under
this heading in the explanatory statement accompanying Public
Law 118-42. The Committee directs the Secretary to provide to
the Committee a briefing, no later than 90 days after enactment
of this act, regarding any strategic plans developed by the
department since January 20, 2021 outlining the ways the
department has promoted voter registration and voter
participation.
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, 2024.................................... $30,500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 31,504,000
Committee recommendation................................ 31,150,000
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 $31,150,000
for the Office of the Chief Economist. The Committee provides
$650,000 for the Office of Pest Management Policy.
Pest Management.--The Committee recognizes the need for
Federal pesticide policy to be science-based and keep in mind
the needs of agricultural producers and encourages the Office
of Pest Management Policy to evaluate the impact on industry.
Policy Research.--The Committee provides $10,000,000 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, $2,000,000 shall be
for a center based at an upper Midwest land grant university
focused on agricultural policy relevant to the region,
including crop insurance, livestock risk management, and
disaster programs, and $3,000,000 shall be for the Department
to focus efforts on entities that have information, analysis,
research and staff necessary to provide objective, scientific
information to support and enhance efficient, accurate
implementation of Federal drought preparedness and drought
response programs, including interagency thresholds used to
determine eligibility for mitigation or emergency assistance.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $16,703,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 17,127,000
Committee recommendation................................ 16,703,000
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 $16,703,000
for the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $14,967,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 17,321,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,467,000
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 $15,467,000
for the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $91,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 95,871,000
Committee recommendation................................ 91,400,000
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 $91,400,000
for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The Committee
provides an increase of $400,000 for artificial intelligence
and machine learning implementation.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $6,867,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 8,225,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,867,000
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.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,867,000 for
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,466,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,501,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,466,000
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 $1,466,000 for
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
Office of Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $37,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 38,362,000
Committee recommendation................................ 37,000,000
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 $37,000,000
for the Office of Civil Rights.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $22,603,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 54,882,000
Committee recommendation................................ 22,906,000
Department headquarters presently operates in a two-
building, Government-owned complex in downtown Washington, DC;
the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland;
and leased buildings in the metropolitan Washington, DC, 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 $22,906,000
for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.
Hazardous Materials Management
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 7,615,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,000,000
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 $3,000,000 for
Hazardous Materials Management.
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $20,800,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 21,952,000
Committee recommendation................................ 20,800,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $20,800,000
for the Office of Safety, Security, and Protection.
Office of Inspector General
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $111,561,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 114,024,000
Committee recommendation................................ 111,561,000
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 $111,561,000
for the Office of Inspector General.
Animal Welfare.--The Committee is concerned about illegal
animal fighting activity that subjects animals to cruel
conditions and has the potential to spread illnesses such as
virulent Newcastle disease and avian flu. The OIG is encouraged
to combat this illegal activity and to increase its efforts to
investigate dogfighting and cockfighting operations as soon as
there is any evidence of such illegal activity. The OIG is also
encouraged to work with Federal partners like the U.S. Postal
Service and U.S. Department of Justice to examine the
prevalence of the illegal shipment of game-fowl used in
cockfighting.
The Committee also encourages the OIG to audit and
investigate USDA enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and the
Horse Protection Act to help improve compliance with these
important laws. This should include the completion of an in-
depth examination of APHIS' oversight of dog breeders with the
number of in-person visits originally planned. Additionally,
the Committee is concerned about the lack of meaningful
enforcement of the AWA and HPA and requests that these audits
should also examine what barriers exist to full enforcement of
both Acts, and what if any steps can be taken to ensure that
the regulated community is held accountable for violations of
these Acts.
Office of the General Counsel
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $60,537,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 66,581,000
Committee recommendation................................ 61,981,000
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 $61,981,000
for the Office of the General Counsel. The Committee provides
an increase of $1,444,000 for additional legal services.
Organic Standard Integrity.--To keep pace with new research
and changing consumer demands, organic standards should be
updated expeditiously to maintain integrity. The Committee
encourages the Office of the General Counsel to prioritize the
hiring of staff with expertise in the Organic Foods Production
Act to address the backlog of organic standards updates within
the National Organic Program.
Office of Ethics
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $4,500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 7,229,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,500,000
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 $4,500,000 for
the Office of Ethics.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,384,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,421,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,384,000
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 $2,384,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and
Economics.
Economic Research Service
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $90,612,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 98,068,000
Committee recommendation................................ 90,612,000
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 $90,612,000
for the Economic Research Service.
Data Collection on Religiously Informed Diets.--The
Committee appreciates Department's efforts to improve access to
kosher and halal food for Americans with religiously informed
diets. However, the Committee remains concerned about the gaps
that still exist between the need and the products currently
available. While studies to collect data in this area have been
conducted in individual States, there is a lack of data
available at the National level. The Committee encourages ERS
to track and report on the scope, scale and location of the
needs of Americans with religiously informed diets.
International 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. The
Committee appreciates that ERS has begun work on the top five
agricultural commodity exports and imports by State and to
identify the country of destination or origin of those
commodities. The Committee directs ERS to publish this data on
a quarterly basis in language that is clear, concise, well-
organized, and user-friendly, avoiding unnecessary complexity
so that it is easier for members of the general public to
understand.
Midwest Center of Agricultural Policy.--The Committee
encourages the Secretary to continue standing up the new
Midwest policy center and continues providing support for the
existing regional centers.
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.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $187,513,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 195,964,000
Committee recommendation................................ 193,513,000
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 $193,513,000
for the National Agricultural Statistics Service, of which
$48,230,000 is for the Census of Agriculture.
Alfalfa Price Reporting.--The Committee recognizes alfalfa
as the Nation's fourth most valuable field crop. In order to
provide critical data for this crop to better participate in ad
hoc programs and the creation of a revenue alfalfa crop
insurance policy to ensure producers have a safety net they
need to produce alfalfa, the Committee directs NASS to report
``premium grade alfalfa price'' in addition to the ``all
alfalfa hay price'' currently being reported for all States.
Additionally, the Committee directs NASS to include the
Southeast in its crop production reporting.
Cancelled Reports.--The Committee recognizes that NASS was
faced with budgetary challenges in fiscal year 2024 within the
Ag Estimates line. However, its decisions to cancel critical
reports without any consultation or engagement with the
Committee was problematic. Given the critical importance of
these reports to stakeholders across the country, the Committee
includes $4,000,000 to restore the reports cancelled in fiscal
year 2024 and includes a proviso requiring NASS to notify the
Committee at least 30 days prior to cancelling any report.
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 efforts 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.
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.
Reports.--The Committee encourages NASS to prioritize the
continued publication of all periodically published reports.
The Committee recognizes that producers rely on NASS reports to
make sound marketing and investment decisions in the
agricultural market. The reports are vital for market
transparency and market anticipation for the entire
agricultural sector.
Vineyard and Orchard Acreage Survey.--The Committee
provides an increase of $2,000,000 to resume data collection
and reporting so grape, wine, and juice producers can remain
competitive and respond to challenges in the industry.
Agricultural Research Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,788,063,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,755,512,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,826,709,000
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 $1,826,709,000
for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service.
The Committee expects extramural research to be funded at
no less than the fiscal year 2024 levels.
6PPD.--The Committee is concerned with the impact that 6p-
phenylene-diameine (6PPD) and its transformant, 6PPD-quinone
(6PPD-q), are having on aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater runoff
containing 6PPD-q has been linked to mass die-offs of
endangered and threatened salmon across the Puget Sound and San
Francisco Bay areas. The Committee supports the Service's work
to assess, analyze, and develop potential alternatives to 6PPD
and provides an increase of $500,000 to continue research to
identify an alternative. The Committee directs ARS to continue
coordinating across Federal and State agencies on shared
priorities, and to engage in robust government-to-government
consultation with impacted Tribes. ARS is directed to provide a
report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this act
on 6PPD-related activities, including the ARS's current
strategy, an overview of research work completed to date, a
plan for addressing potential data gaps, recommendations for
future research activities, and potential funding sources.
Aflatoxin Mitigation Research.--The Committee recognizes
the increasing economic and food safety threat that aflatoxin
poses to corn and other affected agricultural crops and
products. Aflatoxin has historically been a regional concern in
the southeast but is currently spreading to other parts of the
country due to more frequent extreme weather events. As such,
the Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level
for ARS to expand research into methods of mitigating the risk
of aflatoxin, particularly regarding responsive agriculture,
human nutrition, and food safety.
Agricultural Data Security.--The Committee recognizes the
critical need for agricultural data security advancements
alongside increased use of autonomous systems and new
technologies. To prepare for these needs, the Committee
provides an increase of $1,000,000 for ARS to collaborate with
a land-grand university to research these data security needs
and solutions. The partnership should involve a university with
expertise in both agricultural technology cybersecurity.
Agricultural Genomics.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2024 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 directs ARS 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. Further, the Committee directs 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. In picking locations for the
demonstration programs, the Department shall prioritize
cooperative agreements with land-grant universities and ARS
climate hubs. The Committee also encourages USDA to enter into
a multiyear cooperative agreement to provide education,
outreach and technical assistance materials for producers. The
Committee provides an increase of $3,000,000.
AgTech Cooperative Agreements.--The Committee provides an
increase of $3,000,000 for cooperative agreements 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 2024 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.
Ancient Crop Genetics.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of crop genetics research conducted at public-
private consortiums to enhance yields, fight diseases and
pests, adapt to changing climates, and reduce global food
insecurity. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year
2024 level for research focused on utilizing ancient crop plant
ancestors to mobilize genetic diversity, meet consumer demands,
and protect the global food supply.
Animal Research.--The Committee directs ARS to provide a
report on steps the agency can take to transition away from
animal research.
Appalachian Native Tree Crop.--The Committee provides an
increase of $800,000 for the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research
Station to study and expand native fruit tree breeding
including the pawpaw, American persimmon, and hazelnut to
expand new market opportunities for Appalachian farmers.
Appalachian Natural Products Research.--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to advance
natural products research and applications with a focus on
plant species in Appalachia.
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.
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 increase of $750,000 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.
Biochar Research.--The Committee is aware that biochar
provides recalcitrant carbon to soils that can last hundreds to
thousands of years, improving carbon sequestration and crop
yields. The Committee provides $2,500,000 for biochar research
for new research to test a common set of biochar types across
multiple sites to advance understanding of the impact of
diverse types of biochar in varying soils and circumstances on
soil health, productivity, and carbon sequestration, research
that will help inform farmers and ranchers on which types of
biochar have the most positive impacts in their soils and
circumstances.
Biologics.--The Committee is aware that increased meat
processing results in increased meat processing byproducts.
This increasing volume of waste streams from animal agriculture
poses problems in the areas of environmental protection and
sustainability, placing the burden of elevated disposal costs
on meat producers and processors. The Committee provides
$1,000,000 for a research framework and development of novel
uses for animal byproducts.
Center for Soil Health Research.--The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support comprehensive
soil testing in additional to critical research on emerging
contaminants and biological characteristics of soil.
Chronic Wasting Disease [CWD].--The Committee recognizes
the importance of a live test for cervids potentially affected
with CWD and provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level
for research dedicated to the development of such test and
research on pathways of transmission.
Circular Economy that Reimagines Corn Agriculture
[CERCA].--The Committee provides $1,000,000 for CERCA
activities.
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 Hubs.--The Committee understands the important role
ARS has on addressing climate related issues. The Committee
provides an increase of $250,000 for ARS research teams to
support regional Climate Hubs.
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 no less than the
fiscal year 2024 level to develop science-based management
strategies, provide extension services, and research CLR
resistant varieties of coffee.
Controlled Environment Agriculture.--The Committee provides
an increase of $1,000,000 for research on nutrient and water
management, best practices, logistics, the agriculture-energy
nexus, and economic feasibility for controlled environment
agriculture. Work should specifically include research on
solutions to Tribal food sovereignty and access to traditional
foods including viability for controlled environment
cultivation of such crops and medicines.
Cover Crops and Cereal Grain Variety Selection.--The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level 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 an increase of $1,000,000 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 no less than the fiscal year
2024 level 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, Bees, and Pollination.--The Committee
provides $1,000,000 for the National Program 305 to study
treatments and tools for managing threats posed by diseases and
pests, particularly parasitic mites, and thereby improving
pollination capacity.
Crop Production Systems and Crop Genetics.--The Committee
recommends no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support
ARS activities in crop production systems and crop genetics in
the mid-south region.
Dairy Forage Research.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2024 level 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.
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
increase of $500,000 for shellfish breeding research focused on
the East Coast.
Enteric Methane Reduction.--The Committee provides
$1,000,000 to reduce enteric methane emissions through novel
mitigation strategies to support sustainability in Western and
Central Great Plains beef and dairy productions systems.
Federal Invasive Species Control Lab.--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.
Fish Meal from Woody Biomass.--The Committee recognizes
that the continued growth of the aquaculture industry in the
U.S. and globally depends upon the development of sustainable
fish meal. ARS is encouraged to accelerate work on fish meal
from woody biomass, such as yeast from woody biomass that have
the ability to convert low-grade wood into high-value (high-
quality protein source) fish meal with economic yields.
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 2024 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 2024 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.
Forest Products.--The Committee provides continued funding
at the fiscal year 2024 level to support research and
innovation for wood product quality improvement and to inform
further advancements in forest products evaluation standards
and valuation technique.
Fusion of Machine Learning and Electromagnetic Sensors.--
The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 for research
on fusing machine learning and enhanced multi-spectrum sensors
for the purpose of collecting real-time environmental data at
the site of food production.
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 no less than
the fiscal year 2024 level to expand existing research focused
on oat improvement.
Genomes to Fields.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 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.
Grape Genomics.--The Committee understands the importance
of the National Grape Improvement Center that, when complete,
will be the world's leading facility for grape genomics and
gene expression research. The Committee provides an increase of
$750,000 for ARS to recruit and hire scientists necessary to
operate the center.
Healthy Soils Initiative.--The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2024 level to support the study of
enhanced food nutritional quality through Healthy Soil-Healthy
Food-Healthy People Initiatives.
Healthy Soils in Semi-Arid Locations.--The Committee
provides an increase of $750,000 to conduct research on soil
health in the semi-arid west within integrated cropland and
rangeland ecosystems.
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 no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level 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 2024 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 2024 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 provides no
less than fiscal year 2024 funding level to support the
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.
High Performance Computing Support.--The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2024 level 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.
Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research.--The
Committee recognizes that critical research is needed to
mitigate against threats posed by landscape use, pests, and
pathogens to the beekeeping and specialty crop industries, and
to the health of pollinators in general. ARS shall prioritize
Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research to study
breeding resistance in bees from mites, diseases, and various
other threats.
Hops Research.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 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
no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to address the vital
role that research has on human nutrition and an aging
population.
ICASS/CSCS.--The Committee understands that ARS locations
overseas are required to pay International Cooperative
Administrative Support Services and Capital Security Cost
Sharing. The Committee provides $500,000 to assist in covering
these mandatory costs for overseas facilities.
Improving Efficiency of Catfish Aquaculture.--The Committee
provides an increase of $500,000 for Improving Efficiency of
Catfish Aquaculture.
Improvements in Broiler Production.--The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2024 level and directs ARS to
coordinate with academic partners to understand the
interactions between parasites and viruses in antibiotic free
poultry production for improved vaccination strategies and
products that are able to mitigate against coinfections in
poultry products.
Integrative Precision Agriculture.--The Committee
encourages ARS to prioritize projects that create or improve
precision agricultural technologies to reduce specialty crop
growers' manual labor requirements and increase the efficiency
of crop production, resource management, harvesting,
processing, post-harvest technologies, and packaging through
mechanization, automation, and other innovations and
technologies.
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 provides an increase of
$250,000 for research on detection and mitigation of the
disease and the vector insects involved.
Livestock Infrastructure Contracting and Procurement.--The
Committee is concerned that centralization of procurement and
contracting in the USDA and Federal construction requirements
have added significant costs and greatly reduced administrative
efficiency at working farm- and ranch-scale livestock research
facilities. USDA should identify and implement contracting and
procurement practices for livestock facilities to ensure costs
for livestock related infrastructure is brought in line with
industry estimates.
LTAR Program.--The Committee is aware of the Long-Term
Agroecosystem Research [LTAR] Network's work to support
sustainable intensification of agricultural production;
however, the Committee is concerned about the lack of
geographic diversity and the absence of specialty crop work in
the program, especially in the Northeastern United States.
Therefore, the Committee strongly encourages the Department to
include more geographic and crop diversification in the
selection of additional LTAR sites.
Malignant Catarrhal Fever.--The Committee provides
$2,000,000 for the development of a vaccine and improved
diagnostics for Malignant Catarrhal Fever, which is the leading
cause of death in American Bison.
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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 level
to support climate science research at the NAL. Further, the
Committee provides funding at the fiscal year 2024 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 increase of $4,000,000 to continue stand-up
activities and other initial costs to operate and maintain the
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility [NBAF].
Nematodes.--The Committee recognizes that one of the
biggest trade, quality, and condition irritants for potato
research in the Pacific Northwest are nematodes. The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support
research into sampling methods and suppression strategies for
nematodes.
Onion Breeding.--The Committee understands the challenges
facing the onion industry including perishability, disease and
pest management, and low yield. The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2024 level for ARS to research onion
breeding and genetics. The research should work to develop new
onion varieties, resiliency against disease and pests, as well
as adoption of automation and mechanization technology.
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 2024 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.
PFAS Solutions Throughout Agricultural and Food Systems.--
The Committee provides an increase of $3,000,000 to continue a
Center of Excellence for PFAS solutions throughout Agricultural
and Food Systems in conjunction with a university partner.
Funding shall be used on research to address PFAS issues in the
agricultural landscape, animal uptake, adsorption,
distributions, metabolism, and excretion, as well as the fate
of PFAS residues in meat and dairy products as well as in
animal urine and feces and subsequent distribution in the
environment.
Plant Associated Microbes.--The Committee recognizes that
plant associated microbes can play a critical role in promoting
plant health and growth. The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2024 level for the National Soil Dynamics
Laboratory for additional research and storage and plant
associated microbes to characterize key attributes that benefit
plant production.
Potato Plant Pathologist.--The Committee is concerned by
the growing prevalence of insect vectors of pathogens in the
Columbia River Basin and the significant threat they pose to
the region's sustainable production of vegetable and seed
crops. The Committee provides $1,400,000 for the establishment
of a Potato Plant Pathologist for research on detection and
mitigation of insect vector pathogens in the region.
Poultry Processing Research and Innovation.--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support
research focused on novel poultry processing approaches and
methods that drive transformational innovation in intelligent
systems, automation, robotics, data science, and artificial
technologies that could enable greater efficiencies, better
resilience, and viable poultry enterprises at various scales of
production.
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 no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level to continue work at the
Pollinator Recovery, Education, and Research Center.
Potato Research.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 level for the development of new management
strategies for potato storage that will maintain potato
quality, reduce grower and processor losses, and increase
profits.
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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 level
to continue the implementation of precision aquaculture in
land-based, closed-containment aquaculture systems.
Precision Management of Live Broiler Production.--The
Committee directs ARS to support research focused on improving
animal welfare and health, food safety and food security
through novel broiler chicken live production approaches and
methods that drive transformational innovation in intelligent
systems, automation, robotics, data science, and artificial
technologies that could enable greater efficiencies, better
resilience, and viable poultry enterprises at various scales of
production.
Precision Nutrition.--The Committee provides $1,500,000 for
precision nutrition.
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 2024 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.
Predictive Crop Performance.--The Committee is aware of the
growing need for crop varieties whose performance minimizes
risks associated with severe year-to-year fluctuations in
weather patterns. As such, the Committee provides an increase
of $1,000,000 for additional research that integrates high-
throughput performance data collected with drone, robot, and
on-tractor technologies with genome data to accurately predict
which advanced lines have economic value and environmental
stability.
Promoting Innovation in Ag Machines.--Continued innovation
in ag machines and equipment has the ability to significantly
improve productivity and portability of agriculture production
systems. The Committee provides $2,500,000 for collaborative
research with the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory to address
the development of advanced technologies to meet the complex
agricultural challenges facing farmers.
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 no less than the fiscal
year 2024 level 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 no less than the
fiscal year 2024 level 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 provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 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 2024 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.
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Research.--The Committee
remains concerned with the significant trade deficit in
consumed seafood and aquacultured products and therefore
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems to expand production and
resilience in domestic finfish aquaculture.
Research Facilities.--The Committee directs ARS to work
cooperatively with land-grant universities to better utilize
available state-of-the-art laboratory space to effectively
address important agricultural research issues, including
obstacles to increasing food production. These challenges
include diseases which affect the blueberry, potato, apple, and
marine finfish aquaculture production. The Committee again
directs ARS to study ways in which the Federal labs could be
better utilized, in cooperation with land-grant universities,
to explore new scientific opportunities that benefit the
Nation's food and agriculture system, and to submit a report
with recommendations to the Committee no later than 180 days
after enactment of this act. The report should include
information on the current utilization of ARS facilities by
universities and other cooperators, as well as the extent in
which ARS is housed in cooperator facilities.
Resilient Barley Initiative.--The Committee recognizes the
need to build resiliency within the barley production system in
order to maintain a sustainable and high-quality supply for its
many value-added end uses. The Committee directs ARS to
coordinate research efforts focused on strengthening barley's
resilience to climate stressors that threaten that supply
through improved genetics and management. The Committee
provides $2,000,000 to support this initiative.
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 2024 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.
Resilient Livestock Initiative.--The Committee recognizes
the importance of livestock as a main source of sustainability
of food production systems to remain globally competitive and
nourish a growing global population. In the face of increasing
severe weather events, exponentials expansion of the human
population, and reductions in natural resources, livestock
production needs to be more efficient and resilient to provide
products for human consumption. The Committee support the ARS's
Animal Disease Research Unit increasing its collaborative work
to devise functional genomics strategies for developing traits
in livestock to address disease resistance and improve
resiliency in harsher weather conditions and provides an
increase of $1,700,000 to continue the Resilient Livestock
Initiative.
Salmonella.--The Committee recognizes the need to support
additional research and monitoring with respect to mitigating
salmonella in beef production. The Committee provides
$1,500,000 for research to mitigate salmonella in beef.
Activities should include surveying feedlots, longitudinal
surveillance, and the characterization of salmonella types.
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 2024 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 2024 level for research
and commercial development of production technologies that will
improve shrimp health and streamline feed management regimes.
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 2024 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 2024 level to support the Small
Grains Genomic Initiative.
Smart Plants.--The Committee provides $2,000,000 for the
Smart Plants 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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 level 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 2024 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 2024 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 Crop Improvement.--The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2024 level for sorghum research to address
increased drought pressure and erratic climate patterns through
trait-based sorghum breeding, phenotyping, and associated
genomic resources. This research will help develop varietals
which respond to plant stress and deliver increased yield
potential in these harsh semi-arid conditions.
Southern Regional Research Center [SRRC].--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level 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.
Strawberry Production.--The Committee recognizes that the
highly perishable, delicate, and labor-intensive nature of
strawberry production makes this crop an ideal test bed for
innovative automation technologies. The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level to utilize
innovativeautomatic technologies to enhance strawberry
production.
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 2024 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 no less than
the fiscal year 2024 level for plant disease research to
improve the quality of sugar beet production.
Sugarcane Variety Development.--The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support research to
shorten the conventional sugarcane breeding timeline, break
through the current plateau in sugar content, and predict
improvement in other traits such as cold tolerance, ratooning
ability, and disease resistance.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of nationally coordinated, regionally
managed canola research and extension programs. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to seek input from stakeholders and
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 Aquaculture.--The Committee notes that
aquaculture is the fastest growing food production industry in
the world. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year
2024 level 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.
Tree Fruit Post-Harvest Research.--The Committee recognizes
that the tree fruit industry faces significant economic
vulnerability from variations in post-harvest quality control.
The Committee provides funding at fiscal year 2024 levels for
cherry and pear fruit physiology and pathology research that is
needed to promote enhanced quality and 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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to
develop science-based pest management strategies.
Unmanned Aerial Systems [UAS] Precision Agriculture
Applications.--The Committee provides no less than the fiscal
year 2024 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
an increase of $1,000,000 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 2024 level to facilitate the advancement of
technologies that improve the efficiency, profitability, and
sustainability of warmwater aquaculture production.
Water Quality Management Systems.--The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to asses, develop, and
disseminate novel water resource monitoring systems that
promote sustainability practices for watershed and rangeland
management necessary for small communities to prepare for a
changing climate.
Wheat Resiliency Initiative.--The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level for a Wheat Resiliency
Initiative that supports additional research into Wheat Stem
Sawfly and Hessian Fly. This funding would allow researchers to
build capacity to address underfunded and emerging challenges
to wheat production throughout the United States.
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 2024 level to
continue this research.
Wind Erosion Research Network.--The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 levelto develop infrastructure
to predict wind erosion effects and target erosion mitigation
measures in response to fire and vegetation loss and a changing
climate.
Woody Biomass for Recyclable Packaging.--The Committee
recognizes the potential for biobased thermoplastics made from
woody biomass as more recyclable packaging material and
encourages ARS to accelerate research and technology deployment
in this space.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $57,164,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 28,405,000
Committee recommendation................................ 47,663,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $47,663,000
for Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities, of
which $43,663,000 is for Congressionally Directed Spending.
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, 2024.................................... $1,075,950,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,106,070,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,078,950,000
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 $1,078,950,000
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................................ 265,000
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act..... 16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7..................... 38,000
Research at 1890 Institutions (Evans-Allen 7 U.S.C. 3222.................................. 89,000
Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions............. 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382................ 7,000
Education Grants for 1890 Institutions........ 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)............................... 30,000
Scholarships at 1890 Institutions............. 7 U.S.C. 3222a................................. 10,000
Centers of Excellence at 1890's Institutions.. 7 U.S.C. 5926(d)............................... 10,000
Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving 7 U.S.C. 3241.................................. 16,000
Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native 7 U.S.C. 3156.................................. 5,000
Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994 Institutions......... 536 of Public Law 103-382...................... 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................................. 6,000
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)............................... 445,200
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment............ 7 U.S.C. 3151a................................. 13,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program............. 7 U.S.C. 3151b................................. 4,000
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)............................... 750
Aquaculture Centers........................... 7 U.S.C. 3322.................................. 5,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education 7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812, 5831, and 5832............ 48,000
Farm Business Management...................... 7 U.S.C. 5925f................................. 2,000
Sun Grant Program............................. 7 U.S.C. 8114.................................. 3,000
Research Equipment Grants..................... 7 U.S.C. 3310.................................. 5,000
Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4)............. 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 15,000
Alfalfa Forage and Research Program........... 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 4,000
Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative..... 7 U.S.C. 5924.................................. 2,000
Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program........ 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 500
Open Data Standards for Neutral Data ............................................... 1,000
Repository.
Research Facilities Act....................... ............................................... 1,000
Special Research Grants:
Global Change/UV Monitoring............... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 1,000
Potato Research........................... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 4,000
Aquaculture Research...................... 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 2,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Special Research Grants.......... ............................................... 7,000
=================================================================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
Activities:
Grants Management System.................. ............................................... 7,000
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 11,500
Expenses for Research and Education
Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............... ............................................... 18,500
=================================================================
Total, Research and Education Activities ............................................... 1,078,950
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $445,200,000 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 2025 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 Defense in Poultry.--The Committee encourages
NIFA to seek opportunities for innovative and holistic
approaches to food and agriculture defense, specifically in
poultry, including approaches that may include farm level
surveillance and testing. The Committee further encourages
utilization of cutting-edge lab instruments with advanced data
analytics systems to better protect food systems. The agency
should prioritize having access to objective, holistic data to
better understand what is working and what is not working in
poultry production systems.
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 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 no
less than fiscal year 2024 level 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.
Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes.--The Committee
supports the collaboration between USDA and the National
Science Foundation to pursue advances in precision agriculture
and food system security. The ability to meet the critical
needs of the future agricultural workforce, provide tools for
resilient agriculture and food security are within the mission
of the agency in providing opportunity through innovation. The
Committee encourages NIFA to continue supporting the work of
the Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes funded through
USDA.
Brucellosis Research.--Federal and State animal health
officials have made eradicating livestock disease with
significant reservoirs a national animal health priority. This
need is reflected in the Agriculture Act of 2014 which made the
research and development of surveillance methods, vaccines,
vaccination delivery systems or diagnostics tests a priority
research area under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act 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. The program receives $25,000,000 per year in
mandatory funding through the Specialty Crop Research
Initiative. The Committee believes that 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. A report shall be submitted to the
Committee on these efforts within 60 days of enactment.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-
Serving Institutions.--The Committee continues to strongly
support and maintains funding for the Alaska Native-Serving and
Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Program.
Enhanced Rock Weathering Research.--The Committee notes
that projects that focus on researching enhanced rock
weathering and related monitoring, reporting, and verification
efforts are eligible for Agriculture and Food Research
Initiative [AFRI] awards. The Committee directs NIFA to
prioritize funding for projects addressing carbon removal
through enhanced rock weathering, including on monitoring,
reporting, and verification [MRV] of carbon and non-climate
agricultural benefits, among other priorities.
Enteric Methane Innovation.--The Committee recognizes the
value of public research in supporting innovation. The
Committee encourages AFRI to prioritize applications that focus
on the advancement of enteric fermentation solutions, such as
cattle feed additives, methane-inhibiting vaccines, and
breeding for low-methane cattle, and direct-fed microorganisms.
Food Safety.--The Committee continues its recommendation
that NIFA prioritize research on technologies to rapidly and
effectively detect pathogens or contaminants in order to
address foodborne illnesses and improve the safety of our
Nation's supply, including research of novel biodetection
technologies.
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.
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
directs NIFA to support research on wood quality improvement
and improvement in forest products evaluation standards and
valuation techniques.
Genome to Phenome.--The Committee supports the Agricultural
Genome to Phenome Initiative to support the development of
tools and datasets for the analysis of phenotypes that can be
used across multiple livestock and crop species to improve the
output and efficiency of agriculture.
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
provides $500,000 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.
New Beginning for Tribal Students.--The Committee is
concerned that matching requirements often prevent Tribes,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Organizations from
applying for programs and grants at NIFA. The Committee directs
the Secretary to waive matching requirements for New Beginning
for Tribal Students in NIFA in order to reduce the burden on
Tribal Communities and to increase Tribal participation in USDA
programs and grants.
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 2025
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.
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, these programs help
identify serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in
their early stages, allowing for preventive measures to be put
in place quickly to avoid crop losses.
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 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
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 appreciates the work SARE has done to improve soil
health through cutting edge research, education, and extension
on cover crops, diversified rotations, and managed grazing. The
Committee expects the funding provided to be focused on
increasing agricultural resilience, including, where
appropriate, interdisciplinary systems research and education,
farmer and rancher research and demonstration grants, and
graduate student research grants.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $11,880,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 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, 2024.................................... $561,700,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 610,605,000
Committee recommendation................................ 561,700,000
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 $561,700,000
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 325,000
Cooperative Extension. Law 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 3221.................................. 72,000
Extension Services at 1994 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)............................. 11,000
Facility Improvements at 1890 Institutions.... 7 U.S.C. 3222b................................. 21,500
Renewable Resources Extension Act............. 16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.......................... 4,000
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs.... 7 U.S.C. 2662(i)............................... 4,000
Food and Animal Residue Avoidance Database 7 U.S.C. 7642.................................. 2,000
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.................................. 1,000
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network...... 7 U.S.C. 5936.................................. 10,000
Ag Vets....................................... ............................................... 3,000
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)................................ 1,600
Extension.
Children, Youth, and Families at Risk..... 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 8,000
Federally Recognized Tribes Extension 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 4,000
Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Section 3(d)..................... ............................................... 88,600
=================================================================
Necessary Expenses of Extension Activities:
Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom......... ............................................... 500
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 7,100
Expenses for Extension Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............... ............................................... 7,600
=================================================================
Total, Extension Activities............. ............................................... 561,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.--The Committee
recognizes the farmers, ranchers, and individuals working in
agriculture who face highly stressful working conditions. NIFA
is encouraged to coordinate with the Department of Health and
Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration to assess the feasibility of a national
farmer and farm worker crisis line. Within 180 days of
enactment of this act, NIFA is directed to provide a report
detailing the program?s evolution since inception, types of
programming provided, and FRSAN's strategy for continuing
outreach and services.
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 statuatory
requirement in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334) for fiscal years 2019 through 2026 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.
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program [VMLRP].--The
Committee recognizes the importance of the VMLRP in meeting the
needs rural ranchers, farmers, and rural communities across the
country by incentivizing licensed veterinarians to practice in
USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas. As such, the
Committee includes an increase of $3,000,000 to increase the
number of veterinaries receiving loan repayment grants. Within
90 days of enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter, NIFA
is directed to provide a report to the Committee on the number
of declared shortage areas, by state, and how many positions,
by shortage area, remain unfilled.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $41,100,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 15,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 41,100,000
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 $41,100,000
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. 450i(c)............................... 2,600
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative....... 7 U.S.C. 3351.................................. 8,000
Crop Protection/Pest Management............... 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 21,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Integrated Activities............ ............................................... 41,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 maintains funding 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.
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,617,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,852,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,617,000
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 $1,617,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,163,026,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,178,046,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,176,596,000
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 $1,176,596,000
for salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service [APHIS], including $8,889,000 for
Congressionally Directed Spending.
The following table reflects the Committee's specific
recommendations for APHIS:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding and International Technical Assistance:
Animal Health Technical Services...................... 40,000 39,686 50,000
Aquatic Animal Health................................. 4,500 7,625 4,500
Avian Health.......................................... 65,000 65,722 65,000
Cattle Health......................................... 111,000 112,066 111,103
Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant Health.............. 35,000 23,205 35,000
National Veterinary Stockpile......................... 6,000 6,520 6,500
Swine Health.......................................... 26,500 30,767 26,500
Veterinary Biologics.................................. 21,000 21,898 21,000
Veterinary Diagnostics................................ 63,000 64,429 63,000
Zoonotic Disease Management........................... 21,000 21,773 21,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Health............................. 393,000 393,691 403,603
=====================================================
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)..... 35,500 40,763 35,500
Cotton Pests.......................................... 15,500 15,613 15,500
Field crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests............... 12,000 10,242 12,500
Pest Detection........................................ 29,000 29,694 29,000
Plant Protection Methods Development.................. 21,500 22,990 21,500
Specialty Crop Pests.................................. 215,000 218,927 215,500
Tree & Wood Pests..................................... 59,000 63,534 59,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Plant Health.............................. 387,500 401,763 388,500
=====================================================
Wildlife Damage Management............................ 122,500 124,031 128,000
Wildlife Services Methods Development................. 25,500 26,663 25,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Wildlife Services......................... 148,000 150,694 153,500
=====================================================
Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement.......... 18,500 19,121 18,500
Biotechnology Regulatory Services..................... 19,500 23,681 19,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Regulatory Services....................... 38,000 42,802 38,000
=====================================================
Contingency Fund...................................... 250 531 250
Emergency Preparedness & Response..................... 44,500 48,723 46,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Emergency Management...................... 44,750 49,254 46,750
=====================================================
Subtotal, Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/ 1,011,250 1,038,204 1,030,353
Response...........................................
=====================================================
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance:
Agriculture Import/Export............................. 18,750 19,572 18,750
Overseas Technical & Trade Operations................. 25,500 26,544 26,354
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Safe Trade................................ 44,250 46,116 45,104
=====================================================
Animal Welfare:
Animal Welfare........................................ 37,250 38,372 40,250
Horse Protection...................................... 3,500 4,166 3,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Welfare............................ 40,750 42,538 43,750
=====================================================
Agency Management:
APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure........... 4,000 4,251 4,000
Physical/Operational Security......................... 5,000 5,195 5,000
Rent and DHS Security Payments........................ 42,500 38,567 39,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Agency Management......................... 51,500 48,013 48,500
=====================================================
Congressionally Directed Spending......................... 14,276 ................ 8,889
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Direct Appropriation......................... 1,162,026 1,174,871 1,176,596
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advocating for Reciprocity.--The Committee recognizes that
the Chinese Government provides subsidies and incentives for
Chinese companies that give them an unfair advantage over U.S-
based agricultural companies without reciprocal treatment or
access to China's market. Therefore, the Committee directs the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to report on all
``Confirmation Request'' or ``Regulatory Status Review''
submissions by any entity subject to the ownership, or control,
of the People's Republic of China [PRC] over the past five
fiscal years. Additionally, the Committee directs the Secretary
of Agriculture to report to Congress on whether the PRC has
abided by the agricultural biotechnology commitments made under
the Phase One economic and trade agreement signed by the United
States and the PRC on January 15, 2020.
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 $35,500,000 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.
The Committee is concerned that the Department, in the
final rule entitled User Fees for Agricultural Quarantine and
Inspection Services published on May 7, 2024, chose to remove
the longstanding small aircraft exemption. The Committee is
concerned about the potential loss of air service on short haul
international flights and reiterates its previously expressed
concern that the removal of this exemption and the restructured
commercial aircraft fees for the APHIS Agricultural Quarantine
Inspection [AQI] program may not be equitable to small aircraft
operators. As such, APHIS is encouraged to work with small
aircraft operators to identify the risk factors associated with
the international movement of small aircraft in order to ensure
that all fees charged are equitable.
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 and provides an
increase $3,000,000 to address these concerns. 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 continues to encourage APHIS to use its full
enforcement capabilities under the AWA against chronic
violators of the AWA. The Committee directs the agency to
update the Committee within 60 days of enactment of the Act on
AWA enforcement activities, including the number of cases
referred to the Office of the General Counsel, the Department
of Justice, or both, when appropriate. The Secretary of
Agriculture shall continue the March 2024 memorandum of
understanding with the U.S. Attorney General to encourage
greater collaboration on Animal Welfare Act enforcement and
ensure that the Department of Justice has access to evidence
needed to initiate cases.
Biotechnology Regulatory Reviews.--The Committee recognizes
the significant role APHIS' Biotechnology Regulatory Services
[BRS] plays in advancing biotechnology innovation. Since APHIS
published a final rule in May 2020 to update biotechnology
regulations under 7 CFR Part 340 for certain organisms
developed using genetic engineering, developers continue to
experience significant delays when applying for regulatory
status reviews and, to a lesser degree, permits. The Committee
encourages BRS to complete reviews as expeditiously as possible
and reduce regulatory burdens for developers of organisms that
are unlikely to pose plant pest risks.
Brucellosis.--Federal and State animal health officials
have made eradicating livestock disease with significant
reservoirs a national animal health priority. This need was
first reflected in the Agricultural Act of 2014, and
subsequently reaffirmed in the Agricultural Act of 2018, which
made the research and development of surveillance methods,
vaccines, vaccination delivery systems or diagnostics tests a
priority research area under the Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act, particularly for bovine
brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. The Committee recognizes
the need for this research and encourages the agency to
continue to identify improved management tools for zoonotic
livestock diseases with significant wildlife reservoirs.
Cattle Fever Ticks.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2024 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
directs APHIS to continue to coordinate with ARS, CBP,
Department of the Interior, the International Boundary and
Water Commission, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation
board, and other stakeholders on control efforts to manage non-
native Carrizo cane, which is a favorable habitat for the
cattle fever tick. The Committee still awaits a report on the
progress of this effort.
Chronic Wasting Disease [CWD].--The Committee is concerned
about the growing threat of CWD and its impact on wild and
farmed deer populations. As such, the Committee provides
$17,500,000 to implement section 603 of Public Law 117-392, the
Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act.
Specifically, of the amount provided for cervid health
activities, $12,500,000 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. Of the amount provided for Wildlife Service Methods
Development, $5,000,000 shall be for CWD work at the National
Wildlife Research Center, and the Committee 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 maintains
the fiscal year 2024 level to assist States with cogongrass
management and control efforts.
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. 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 continues to provide $1,000,000 to
support ongoing cooperative agreements with impacted States.
Electronic Identification Tags.--The Committee recognizes
the importance of the electronic identification tags for
certain cattle and bison moving across state lines for disease
traceability. The Committee includes an increase of $10,000,000
for APHIS to procure and distribute the requisite number of
tags associated with the implementation of this rule. APHIS is
directed to provide the Committee an update on the use of these
funds within 90 days of enactment of this Act and quarterly
thereafter.
Foreign Trading Partners.--The Committee encourages APHIS
and the Foreign Agricultural Service to engage with foreign
trading partners, international organizations and others to
create a global environment that's conducive to agricultural
trade in forest products by addressing trade barriers related
to fumigation, and establishing transparent and predictable
rules and standards.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [HPAI].--The Committee
remains concerned with the spread of highly pathogenic avian
influenza and appreciates the Department's ongoing efforts to
contain spread of the virus. The Committee encourages the
Department to continue coordination with State animal health
officials in order to proactively mitigate spread of the virus.
The Committee also urges the Department to increase outreach
and engagement with poultry producers to educate on proactive
measures individuals can take to further mitigate the spread of
highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Additionally, 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.
While the Committee agrees that the transfer of CCC funds
to APHIS to address HPAI was warranted to continue to address
the ongoing outbreak among poultry and the transmission to
dairy cattle, to ensure that these funds are used effectively,
APHIS is directed to brief the Committee within 30 days of the
date of enactment of this act and monthly thereafter on the use
of these funds. This brief shall include both budgetary and
operational data on APHIS efforts to address HPAI both in dairy
cattle and poultry, as well as how APHIS is working with other
Federal partners such as the Centers for Disease Control and
the Food and Drug Administration, as well as State and local
entities.
Horse Protection.--The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 level for enforcement of the Horse Protection
Act of 1970, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1831), and reminds the
Secretary that Congress granted the agency primary
responsibility to enforce this law, including the training of
all inspectors. The Committee directs APHIS to ensure that all
official warning letters, administrative complaints,
stipulations, and consent decisions are made publicly available
in a searchable format, consistent with 7 U.S.C. 2146a.
Huanglongbing Emergency Response.--The Committee maintains
the funding level for Huanglongbing Emergency Response within
the Specialty Crop Pests line item. 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 2024 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.
Inspection of Research Facilities.--The Committee is aware
that Veterinary Medical Officers [VMOs] and Improved Training
for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees [IACUC]
members play a significant role in the administration of animal
protection programs at research facilities. Therefore, proper
training of such personnel is essential. The Committee directs
APHIS to provide on-demand, publicly available training for
IACUC members and VMOs on how to perform adequate inspections
of research facilities. The training should inform VMOs and
IACUC members, as relevant to their respective roles in
providing oversight of research facilities, how to review,
monitor, and approve research facilities' protocols; verify the
accuracy of annual reports submitted by research facilities to
confirm the correct number of animals used in every experiment
and that animals are reported in the correct pain category; and
review and monitor experiments performed on animals by research
facilities to ensure the humane care and use of animals in
compliance with the AWA and IACUC-approved protocols.
APHIS shall report to the Committee on an annual basis
about the trainings it has offered to VMOs and IACUC members on
how to perform adequate research facility inspections. In
addition, all training materials used and distributed by APHIS
should be publicly accessible online.
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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support the
implementation of the Lacey Act within the Safe Trade and
International Technical Assistance program. Additionally, APHIS
is directed to complete a report 6 months after Lacey Act phase
7 becomes effective on the status of efforts to address
composite materials, which will be phase 8 of the declaration
enforcement process.
Los Alamitos Sterile Insect Release Facility.--The
Committee urges APHIS and local and State cooperators to
develop a comprehensive plan for much needed facility
enhancements at the Sterile Insect Release Facility in Los
Alamitos, California.
Marine Mammals in Captivity.--The Committee is concerned
that USDA's handling, care, treatment, and transportation
standards for marine mammals in captivity are outdated. Marine
mammal science has progressed significantly in the almost 40
years since the most important of these regulations were last
updated, and the current standards do not adequately protect
the welfare of captive marine mammals. The Committee directs
APHIS to prioritize the development and finalization of a
humane and science-based rule to modernize its marine mammal
regulations and directs the agency to report back within 90
days on its progress in achieving that goal.
National Animal Health Laboratory Network.--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level for the
National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to support the
continued implementation of the 2024-2026 National Aquaculture
Health Plan and the Comprehensive Aquaculture Health Program
Standards.
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, including facilities and equipment.
National Detector Dog Training Center.--The Committee
supports the work of the National Detector Dog Training Center
in protecting the domestic agriculture sector from invasive
pests and diseases. The Committee requests USDA, within 1 year
after enactment, to submit a report to Congress regarding the
Center's role in protecting the domestic agriculture sector
from pests and diseases. The Committee requests that the report
include a description of domestic pest and disease programs
that use canine detector teams, coordination between APHIS and
U.S. Customs and Border Protection on use of canine teams for
agricultural quarantine inspections, and the Center's current
capacity level.
Additionally, the Committee encourages USDA Animal Plant
Health Inspection Service to consider and prioritize the
growing use of canine teams nationally and within territories
of the U.S. by exploring ways to expand the number of canine
detection training facilities across the country, to include
areas on the West Coast with high detection needs.
National Clean Plant Network.--APHIS is directed to
allocate no less than fiscal year 2024 levels to the National
Clean Plant Network.
Navel Orangeworm.--The Committee recognizes the challenges
the navel orangeworm poses to tree nut production and provides
a $500,000 increase to continue managing the pest.
Nitrogen-Based Deopopulation Methods.--The Committee
directs the USDA to continue to utilize available funds through
the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program
to facilitate and invest in research and development of large-
scale depopulation technologies, including whole house gassing
with nitrogen and high expansion nitrogen gas-filled foam as
methods of large-scale depopulation during animal disease
emergency response events. Further, the Committee directs the
Secretary to provide a report to the Committee within 90 days
on inclusion of the method in the American Veterinarian Medical
Association [AVMA] Depopulation Guidelines and on the barriers
to widespread use of nitrogen-based depopulation methods during
animal disease emergency response events.
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 $5,000,000 for Wildlife
Services to hire personnel exclusively to promote and implement
non-lethal human-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.
Additionally, APHIS is directed to provide an annual report
within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year, detailing how
these additional funds were dispersed; including regional
distribution, wild and domestic species impacted, number and
size of livestock/agricultural operations impacted, and
nonlethal tools and methods implemented and supported.
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 $6,500,000 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.
Online Dog Dealers.--The Committee is concerned about the
lack of enforcement of the law with respect to online dog
dealers and other types of pet dealers, which has allowed many
online operations to continue selling puppies without the
necessary USDA licensing under the Animal Welfare Act. The
Secretary is directed to prioritize the enforcement of the 2013
rule that requires that dealers who APHIS has determined to be
selling animals sight-unseen to consumers must have the
necessary license to do so.
Pale or Potato Cyst Nematode Eradication.--The Committee
supports the work of the Pale Cyst Nematode eradication program
and recognizes that if left untreated, this pest could spread,
affecting crops other than potatoes. The Committee provides no
less than the fiscal year 2024 level in order to continue with
successful efforts to eradicate this pest.
Port of Entry Process for Imported Wood Products.--The
Committee recognizes the majority of U.S. manufactured finished
wood products require a combination of domestically grown
species with international species, the latter of which cannot
be grown in the U.S. APHIS, Fish and Wildlife Service, and
Customs and Border Protection are jointly responsible for
overseeing processes with respect to clearing imported wood
products at U.S. ports of entry. The Committee supports further
coordination across the agencies with respect to wood product
imports and directs APHIS to provide a report within 180 days
of enactment of this act detailing USDA's current role in the
wood importation declaration process, how it interacts with
other agencies, and concrete steps that can be taken to
expedite shipments that are delayed.
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.
Public/Private Partnerships.--The health and safety of our
Nation's livestock population are paramount to maintaining food
security. With the ongoing, escalating threat of Avian
Influenza, the Committee urges USDA to also pursue public/
private partnerships to utilize technologies, including AI
platforms that can rapidly create effective, shelf-stable
therapeutics designed to swiftly counteract virus mutations.
The Committee further urges USDA to ensure that such cutting-
edge antivirals are efficiently distributed nationwide with
private sector collaboration.
Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Program.--The
Committee recognizes the importance of APHIS' Rangeland
Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Program and includes an increase
of $500,000 to administer this program. APHIS is encouraged to
administer these funds based on need and infestation severity
rather than on a first-come, first-serve basis due the season
variation of grasshopper infestations across the West.
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 2024
level to develop an integrated management program for control
of the Roseau cane scale insect pest infestation.
Rotary Fleet.--The Committee recognizes the increasing
demands on the aging APHIS Wildlife Services rotary aircraft
fleet to assist the agricultural and livestock sectors. As a
result, the Committee is concerned about the safety,
effectiveness and operating efficiency of the existing fleet.
The Committee directs APHIS to submit a report assessing the
fleet's current status and future rotary aircraft needs to
operate efficiently and effectively to the Committees on
Appropriations of the House and Senate no later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this act.
Soring.--The Committee has consistently recognized the need
for the equine industry and APHIS to cooperate in order to
eliminate the soring of horses. In 2021, the National Academy
of Sciences [NAS] recognized the importance of continuing to
develop an objective science-based inspection to ensure
accuracy and fairness. The Committee directs APHIS to continue
swabbing and other proven objective science-based inspection
techniques for its horse soring inspection protocol and to
address remaining findings of the NAS report as the agency
deems warranted.
The Committee also includes an additional $3,000,000 in
Wildlife Damage Management line item for APHIS fleet
management, including the modification, refitting, and/or
acquisition of air assets.
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
2024 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.
Twenty-Eight Hour Law.--The Committee is concerned that the
regular feeding, watering, and rest required, by 49 U.S.C.
80502, to be provided by animal carriers is not being
effectively enforced. The Committee still awaits the report on
barriers to successful implementation of this law.
Wildlife Damage Management.--APHIS is responsible for
providing Federal leadership in managing problems caused by
wildlife. The Committee provides $128,000,000 for wildlife
damage control to maintain priority initiatives, including
preventing the transport of invasive snakes and other harmful
species. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year
2024 funding 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 no less than the fiscal year 2024 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 increase of $2,000,000
in support of APHIS' efforts to decrease these invasive pests'
damage and risk to agriculture, natural resources, and
property, and to include the use of new technologies to control
feral hogs. The Committee also encourages the use of all
approved measures as a force multiplier and to prioritize areas
with the most populous swine population.
The Committee provides $28,000,000 for the National Rabies
Management Program to fortify existing barriers and advance
prevention and eradication efforts.
Wildlife Services Cost Share.--The Committee is concerned
about the increasing inequitable Federal amount of cost share
in cooperative service agreements between APHIS-Wildlife
Services and/or political subdivisions of States responsible
for Wildlife Service programs that protect agriculture,
property, human life, and natural resources. The Committee
expects Wildlife Services to strive for an equitable 50/50 cost
share to the extent that funding is available to do so.
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, 2024.................................... $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 3,175,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,000,000
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
$5,000,000 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, 2024.................................... $222,887,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 234,888,000
Committee recommendation................................ 231,387,000
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 $231,387,000
for Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
The Committee provides the following amounts: $6,000,000 for
the Acer Access and Development Program; $1,500,000 for the
Cattle Contract Library; $2,000,000 for Cotton Classing
Modernization; and a $1,000,000 increase for oversight and
enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The Committee includes in this account $17,000,000 for the
Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives and $5,000,000 for the
Micro-grants for Food Security Program.
Cattle Contract Library.--Smaller cattle producers often
find themselves to be price takers in the market for fed cattle
and lack the volume of large producers to negotiate unique and
advantageous marketing agreements with large meatpackers. The
Cattle Contracts Library helps bring transparency into the
marketplace.
Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives.--The Committee is
concerned about the uptake of existing resources directed to
dairy farmers for the purpose of mitigating the spread of
highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows. The Committee
urges AMS to direct Commodity Credit Corporation investments
into innovative and existing dairy programs that capture both
dairy farmers and dairy processors through the Dairy Business
Innovation Initiatives.
Dairy Sanitary Export Certificate Software.--The Committee
is concerned with the USDA dairy sanitary export certificate
program software ATLAS has caused US dairy exporters
significant export delays and detentions in foreign ports. USDA
is directed to report to the Committee on the status of its
improvements to the ATLAS program including reporting on the
quantity errors in certificates issued by the end of this
fiscal year and to include in such report, status of Department
and AMS funding from existing and relevant funds, such as CCC
funds, and if necessary, inclusion within the Department's
fiscal year 2026 budget request.
Domestic Shrimp.--The Committee is concerned that the
domestic shrimp fishing and processing industry is on the brink
of collapse due to the overproduction and oversupply of
imported shrimp to the U.S and global markets at unprecedented
levels. The Committee recognizes that this surplus of imported
shrimp in U.S. inventory has driven prices offered to U.S.
shrimp fishermen to historically low levels that fall below
that which can sustain shrimp fishing operations. The Committee
is also aware that a substantial portion of the U.S. shrimp
fishing fleet remains tied to the dock and many small, family-
owned shrimp businesses are going out of business. To help
reduce this unprecedented surplus of shrimp in the U.S. market,
the Committee encourages AMS to maximize its section 32 program
purchases of domestic warm-water shrimp.
Dry Edible Beans.--The Committee is aware that dry edible
beans are an important part of a nutritious and well-balanced
diet. However, the Committee is concerned that dry edible beans
have not played an adequate role in addressing nutrition needs
under U.S. international food aid programs as well as domestic
feeding programs, and encourages the Department to enhance the
amount and frequency of dry edible bean purchases for use in
such programs.
Effective Food Procurement.--The Committee encourages the
Department to use its existing framework and funding for food
procurement to target procurement of food products that support
socially marginalized producers and worker well-being; increase
market opportunities for small-scale producers and address food
system consolidation; meet the needs of people who follow
restricted, religious, or culturally specific diets; are
environmentally friendly and use climate-smart agricultural
practices; support resilient and transparent food supply
chains.
Honey.--The Committee directs the department to provide a
report on the necessary resources and authorities needed to
ensure a fairer market for domestic honey producers and more
transparent market for American consumers. The Department is
encouraged to collaborate with Customs and Border Protection,
the Food and Drug Administration, and domestic commercial honey
producer stakeholders.
Local Agriculture Market Program.--The Committee continues
to urge the Department to simplify the application and
reporting process for the Local Agriculture Market Program. The
Committee is aware AMS implemented a turnkey grant application
in fiscal year 2023 for Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion
Grants but that applications were restricted to specific
project types and the list was not inclusive of common needs in
direct marketing and intermediary local market settings. The
Committee encourages the agency to expand the turnkey
application to include other common activities, including
vendor and customer outreach activities, farmers market manager
staff time, regional food chain coordination, and special
purpose equipment.
Local Meat Processing.--The Committee recognizes and
supports investments in local meat processing. These
investments are an opportunity to combat agricultural market
concentration and increase market access for American farmers
and ranchers. The Committee directs the Department to submit a
report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this act
that includes the total amount of Federal investments made in
local meat processing across departmental programs, the current
status of plants receiving funding, whether the Department has
reviewed any potential sales of plants receiving funding, and,
to the extent practicable, an assessment of the economic impact
of departmental programs on local meat processing.
Meat 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,
to analyze these issues including economic disruptions
associated with public health emergencies.
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 recognizes that
organic regulations are a valuable market development tool for
U.S. agriculture and provides no less than the fiscal year 2024
level for the National Organic Program [NOP]. A healthy market
for organic products requires a clear product distinction
backed by a trusted, verified, and consistently enforced label.
The Committee also recognizes that regular updates to the
regulations are crucial. 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 practice standards development. In addition, within 60 days
of enactment of this act, AMS is directed to provide a full
report outlining the breakdown of the National Organic
Program's key expenditures such as compliance and enforcement
activities, practice standards development, and technology
upgrades.
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 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 four
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.
Regional Food Business Centers.--The Committee recognizes
the important role the North Coasts Region plays for various
seafood products in the National and regional food systems
across the country and supports efforts to strengthen supply
chains and increase and diversify market access for North
Coasts Region industry partners, who are responsible for
seventy percent of the Nation's seafood. Therefore, the
Committee encourages the Secretary to explore the establishment
of a North Coasts Regional Food Business Center and where
practicable, direct the existing Regional Food Business Centers
to identify ways to strengthen seafood networks, increase
market access for small and mid-sized food entities, and
improve the viability of the industry and its products.
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.
Sugar Inspection.--The Committee is concerned about
possible circumvention with respect to imported molasses and
certain northern border ports of entry. Therefore, the
Committee directs AMS to carry out testing to verify and
validate the methodology and protocols of the inspection of all
imported molasses at these northern border ports of entry, or
other ports as appropriate, including whether the molasses
meets each statutory requirement without the use of additives
or blending, relevant definitional explanatory notes, and each
property typical of molasses in the United States. The
Committee includes $1,000,000 for this effort and directs AMS
to brief the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this act
on this effort, to include an evaluation of whether the method
of processing actually employed to produce the inbound product
does practicably yield molasses, whether the volume of raw cane
sugar available and utilized to produce the inbound product is
sufficient to have practicably yielded the volume of product
sought to be imported if the product met all of the
requirements, and whether the inbound product is intended to be
marketed and sold in the United States in the condition in
which it is classified for entry.
West Virginia Apple Surplus.--The Committee directs AMS to
initiate a study focusing on the surplus of apples in West
Virginia, resulting from insufficient refrigerated storage
capacity within processing facilities. AMS shall submit a
report within 180 days, encompassing its findings and
recommendations to prevent future surpluses. Additionally, the
USDA should include an analysis in the report if there have
been notable increases in foreign apple imports into the United
States, with special attention to imports from China.
Wild Game Processing Technical Assistance.--The Committee
recognizes the important role of wild game processing in rural
food supply chains, especially in the business models of small
and very-small processors. The Committee encourages AMS to
expand the scope of the existing Meat and Poultry Processing
Capacity--Technical Assistance Program to include assistance
for processors interested in opening or expanding facilities
that conduct custom-exempt wild game processing.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Limitation, 2024........................................ $62,596,000
Budget limitation, 2025................................. 62,596,000
Committee recommendation................................ 62,596,000
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 $62,956,000 on
administrative expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY (SECTION 32)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $21,501,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 22,701,000
Committee recommendation................................ 22,701,000
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 $22,701,000 for the formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders.
The following table reflects the status of this fund for
fiscal years 2024-2025:
ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARDPFISCAL YEARS 2024-2025
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation--30% of Customs Receipts....... $27,123,377,552 $30,801,280,267 $24,678,696,684
Prior Year Appropriation, Available.......... 15,546,365 18,089,395 ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Appropriation:...................... 27,138,923,917 30,819,369,662 24,678,696,684
==============================================================
Less Transfers:.............................. (25,199,766,588) (28,766,533,228) (22,592,333,480)
Food and Nutrition Service--Current Year.....
Food and Nutrition Service--Prior Year....... (15,546,365) (18,089,395) ...................
Commerce Department--Current Year............ (362,610,964) (377,363,204) (377,363,204)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Transfers........................... (25,577,923,917) (29,161,985,827) (22,969,696,684)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Available Funds:..................... 1,561,000,000 1,657,383,835 1,709,000,000
==============================================================
Accounting Adjustment........................ -14,000,000 ................... ...................
Budget Authority, Farm Bill:................. 1,547,000,000 1,657,383,835 1,709,000,000
Sequester Reduction.......................... (77,292,000) (83,355,879) (86,070,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Funding Availability:.................. 1,469,708,000 1,574,027,956 1,622,930,000
==============================================================
Unavailable for Obligations under Enacted (2,478,202) ................... ...................
Budget level................................
Budget Authority, Appropriations Act:........ 1,467,229,798 1,574,027,956 1,622,930,000
Unobligated Balance Brought Forward.......... 430,948,281 229,053,281 ...................
Recoveries of unpaid obligations and recovery 14,961,130 ................... ...................
of prior year obligations...................
Unobligated bal brought forward, adj......... 445,909,411 229,053,281 ...................
Change in Mandatory Program (CHIMP).......... ................... -90,000,000 ...................
Net Spending authority Collections........... 7,291,133 ................... ...................
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Program (FFVP) (191,000,000) (195,000,000) (199,000,000)
transfer....................................
Hemp Production Program transfer............. ................... ................... ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Spending Authority--After Transfers:... 1,729,430,342 1,518,081,238 1,423,930,000
==============================================================
Less......................................... ................... ................... ...................
Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement 484,849,129 485,000,000 485,000,000
Commodities)................................
12% Commodity Floor Requirement (CNP)........ ................... ................... ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, CNP (Entitlement Commodities)...... 484,849,129 485,000,000 485,000,000
==============================================================
Farm Bill Specialty Crop Purchases (Remaining ................... ................... 206,000,000
Funds)......................................
State Option Contract........................ ................... 5,000,000 5,000,000
Removal Defective Commodities................ 399,707 1,660,000 2,500,000
Disaster Relief.............................. ................... 5,000,000 5,000,000
Direct Payments.............................. ................... ................... ...................
Emergency Surplus Removal Prior Year ................... ................... ...................
Adjustments.................................
Emergency Surplus Removal:................... ................... ................... ...................
Fruit and Vegetables......................... 730,741,086 355,500,000 ...................
Meat and Fish................................ 237,787,160 131,840,000 ...................
Poultry...................................... ................... ................... ...................
Dairy........................................ ................... ................... ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Purchases:........................... 968,528,246 487,340,000 ...................
==============================================================
Future Needs Remaining Funds................. ................... 246,348,957 659,999,662
Carryin Balance.............................. ................... 229,053,281 ...................
Remaining Funds.............................. ................... 475,402,238 ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Commodity Purchases.............. 1,453,777,082 1,459,402,238 1,363,499,662
==============================================================
Accounting Adjustment........................ 7,035,459 ................... ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Purchases................. 1,460,812,541 1,459,402,238 1,363,499,662
==============================================================
Commodity Procurement Services............... 35,833,820 37,178,000 37,728,828
Marketing Agreements and Orders.............. 17,730,699 21,501,000 22,701,510
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Funds................ 53,564,519 58,679,000 60,430,338
==============================================================
Total Direct Obligations:.................. 1,514,377,060 1,518,081,238 1,423,930,000
==============================================================
Unavailable Prior Year Recoveries-- 473,767 ................... ...................
Unavailable.................................
Current Year--Unavailable.................... 5,635,758 ................... ...................
Accounting Adjustment........................ -2,020,130 ................... ...................
Prior Year Recoveries--Available............. 12,876,172 ................... ...................
Current Year--Unobligated within spending 215,053,282 ................... ...................
limitation..................................
Reimbursable UOB and other adj............... 1,123,827 ................... ...................
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Unavailable Resources................. 4,089,395 ................... ...................
==============================================================
Unobligated Balance Carrying Forward*........ 229,053,281 ................... ...................
Reimbursements............................... 1,139,804 ................... ...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*FY22 point in time and adjusted to reflect FY23 SOY balance ($430,764,696 v. $430,948,281)
*As of 4/3/2024, AMS has received over $2,400,000,000 in requests.
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, 2024.................................... $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,000,000
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 $1,000,000 for
Payments to States and Possessions for Federal-State marketing
projects and activities.
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES
Limitation, 2024........................................ $55,000,000
Budget limitation, 2025................................. 60,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 60,000,000
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 $60,000,000 on
inspection and weighing services expenses.
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,117,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,152,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,117,000
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 $1,117,000 for
the Office of theUnder Secretary for Food Safety.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,190,009,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,244,231,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,232,840,000
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 $1,232,840,000
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
2024 and budget request levels:
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food safety inspection:
Federal............................................... 1,066,390 1,115,908 1,102,907
State................................................. 67,462 71,051 72,661
International......................................... 20,885 22,000 22,000
PHDCIS................................................ 35,272 35,272 35,272
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 1,190,009 1,244,231 1,232,840
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brazilian Beef.--The Committee urges FSIS to maintain
current rates of reinspection tasks for raw beef imports from
Brazil and to adjust rates of import inspection as necessary
and consistent with import compliance history. The Committee
also requests FSIS to continue conducting routine onsite
verification audits of the Brazilian inspection system.
Holistic Approaches to Food Safety.--The Committee
encourages FSIS to seek opportunities for innovative and
holistic approaches to food and agriculture safety, especially
in poultry. The Committee further encourages utilization of
cutting-edge lab instruments with advanced data analytics
systems to better protect food systems. Data will help inform
what is working and what is not working in production systems.
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.
Invasive Blue Catfish.--The Committee continues to provide
$1,000,000 to cover overtime fees for inspectors at
Siluriformes facilities and directs the Department to expand
the eligible use of these funds to include equipment and
infrastructure to support Siluriformes processing, with a
priority for plants that process invasive species.
Non-Ambulatory Livestock.--The Secretary of Agriculture
shall submit to Congress, 90 days after enactment of this Act,
a report on the scope of non-ambulatory livestock at slaughter
establishments; the causes that render livestock non-ambulatory
at slaughter establishments; the humane treatment of non-
ambulatory livestock at slaughter establishments; the public
health threat of non-ambulatory pigs entering the food system,
including, at minimum, the impact on public health from
pathogens associated with non-ambulatory pigs including, but
not limited to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
TITLE II
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,527,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,964,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,527,000
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 $1,527,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation.
Communication.--The Committee is committed to supporting
the mission and values of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, including through critical investments to protect our
land, water, and soil. The Committee directs NRCS to continue
to brief the Committee on ongoing and upcoming initiatives on a
monthly basis, as well as resources necessary for continued
success of the Service.
Emergency Conservation Program.--The Committee is
encouraged by the Department's work to provide advance cost-
share payments under the emergency conservation loan program
and emergency forest restoration program. The committee
encourages USDA to further expand advance cost share payments
as well as clarify that wildfires which are not caused
naturally but the spread of the wildfire is due to natural
causes or which are caused by the Federal Government are
eligible for the program. Additionally, the Department should
explore flexibility in the timeline for utilizing funding to
implement necessary conservation work following a disaster.
Internships.--The Committee understands the importance of
recruiting the next generation of staff for both FSA and NRCS.
The Committee directs the department to provide a report on how
interns can be better utilized, including converting interns
that work for third-party partners and any statutory or
regulatory changes that may be necessary.
USDA-Customer and Producer Farm Delivery Systems
Modernization.--The Committee directs the Secretary to submit a
plan within 60 days of enactment of this act that accelerates
the continued implementation and expansion of the Farmers.gov
application and Enterprise Data Analytics Platform and Toolset
[EDAPT]. Despite the continued direction and funding provided
by Congress in previous fiscal years for these modernization
applications, the Committee is aware that the Farm Service
Agency, the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center,
and the Office of the Chief Information Officer continue to
maintain numerous legacy mission support systems that should be
decommissioned and transitioned to applications and mission
support services systems that are interoperable, facts-based,
data driven, and are provided efficiently, effectively, and
professionally with a commitment to excellent customer service
for USDA customers, including farmers, ranchers, and forest
landowners.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $244,183,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 246,250,000
Committee recommendation................................ 244,183,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $244,183,000
for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.
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]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FSA,
Appropriations Transfers from salaries and
program accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2024...................................... 1,209,307 305,803 1,515,110
Budget estimate, 2025..................................... 1,240,703 311,546 1,552,249
Committee recommendation.................................. 1,215,307 311,546 1,526,853
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $1,526,853,000
for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency, including
a direct appropriation of $1,215,307,000.
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
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance and the ongoing severe
drought conditions in New Mexico and throughout the west, the
Committee urges the Department to maintain their position that
drought on acequia-irrigated land is an eligible cause of loss
for NAP.
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act.--USDA is
responsible for monitoring foreign purchases of agricultural
land under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act
[AFIDA] and for assessing penalties on entities that have
failed to make disclosures as required. The Committee is
concerned that USDA failed to assess penalties for a failure to
disclose foreign investments in American agricultural land. The
Committee directs the Secretary to report to the Committee
within 90 days of enactment of this act on USDA's efforts to
ensure that foreign investments are being accurately disclosed,
including an analysis of any barriers USDA faces in conducting
oversight of these purchases and planned steps for overcoming
these challenges.
Agricultural Production and Farms.--The Committee is
concerned about the loss of agricultural production and farms,
particularly in New England. Within 180 days of enactment, FSA
is directed to provide a report to the Committee on what
factors are leading to agricultural production and farm loss in
New England, to include historical and projected data on
acreage and crops types.
Aquaculture Training.--The Committee encourages FSA to
dedicate resources to train all county staff on aquaculture
farming practices and aquaculture product eligibility for USDA
programs, as applicable. The Committee also encourages FSA to
dedicate resources to assist county staff with aquaculture data
and information collection necessary to inform disaster
assistance determinations.
Conservation Loan Program.--The Committee notes the
underutilization of the guaranteed conservation loan program
and as such, recommends providing $300,000,000 in direct
conservation loans while zeroing out the guaranteed loan
program. Given the underutilization of the guaranteed loan
program, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, the
Committee directs FSA to provide a report on why the loan
program was so underutilized, to include an assessment of
barriers for producers and recommended statutory and regulatory
changes to make the program more accessible to producers.
Additionally, the Committee notes the importance of precision
agricultural technologies to assist producers in making more
informed decisions that improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and
improve environmental quality in a manner that benefits both
nature and the financial well-being of the producer. As part of
the report, FSA shall include how it intends to utilize the
program to assist in the adoption of precision agriculture
technologies.
Disaster Preparedness.--The Committee recognizes that
millions of farm animals die each year due to the effects of
adverse weather. The Committee is also aware that veterinary
and agricultural trade associations recognize the importance of
disaster planning in preventing the extent of livestock deaths.
Therefore, the Committee encourages USDA to educate producers
on the benefits of written disaster preparedness plans.
FSA Staffing.--The Committee commends FSA for the
analytical and data-driven work that it has done to identify
the appropriate staffing levels at county offices and how to
most effectively serve their constituents. As such, the
Committee provides an increase of $6,000,000 for program
technician recruitment and retention efforts. The Committee
looks forward to continuing to work with FSA on ensuring county
offices are staffed accordingly. Within 90 days of enactment of
this Act and quarterly thereafter, FSA is directed to brief the
Committee on its workload analysis and staffing, and to include
planned versus actual hires.
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 expects the agency to follow the
recommendations of the third party IT analysis 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, 2024.................................... $6,500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 7,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,500,000
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 $6,500,000 for
State Mediation Grants.
GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 7,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,500,000
This program is intended to assist in the protection of
groundwater through State rural water associations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,500,000 for
Grassroots Source Water Protection.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 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 2025 to be $500,000,
for indemnity payments to dairy farmers.
GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $3,500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 4,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,500,000
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 $3,500,000 for
the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.
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
$9,088,196,000 for programs within the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund Program Account.
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
2024 and the budget request levels:
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS-LOAN LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
Direct................................................ 3,100,000 1,966,970 2,000,000
Guaranteed............................................ 3,500,000 3,500,000 3,500,000
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................ 1,633,000 1,100,000 1,100,000
Guaranteed unsubsidized............................... 2,118,491 2,118,491 2,118,491
Emergency Loans........................................... 37,667 37,000 37,000
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition............................. 20,000 20,000 20,000
Conservation Loans:
Direct................................................ ................ 300,000 300,000
Guaranteed............................................ 150,000 ................ ................
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans..................... 5,000 ................ ................
Boll Weevil Eradication................................... 60,000 5,000 5,000
Relending Program......................................... 61,426 7,705 7,705
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan Authorizations.......................... 10,685,584 9,055,166 9,088,196
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
Direct................................................... ............... 35,602 36,200
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................... 27,598 2,860 2,860
Guaranteed unsubsidized.................................. 1,483 ............... ...............
Emergency Loans.............................................. 3,507 4,488 4,488
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................ 1,577 ............... ...............
Relending Program............................................ 19,368 2,661 2,661
Boll weevil eradication loans................................ 258 18 18
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan Subsidies.................................. 53,790 45,629 46,227
==================================================
ACIF Expenses:
Salaries and Expenses.................................... 305,803 311,546 311,546
Administrative Expenses.................................. 20,250 20,658 20,658
--------------------------------------------------
Total, ACIF Expenses................................... 326,053 332,204 332,204
Total subsidies and expenses........................... 379,843 377,833 378,431
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk Management Agency
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $65,637,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 65,950,000
Committee recommendation................................ 65,637,000
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 $65,637,000
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.
Administrative and Operating Expenses.--The Committee
encourages the RMA to provide an annual inflation adjustment to
administrative and operating [A&O] reimbursements and to
provide equitable relief for specialty crop policies in a
manner similar to a previous adjustment that was initiated
without renegotiation of the Standard Reinsurance Agreement.
Alfalfa.--The Committee recognizes alfalfa to be an
important domestic forage crop valued for nitrogen fixation,
soil conservation, crop rotation, and as a natural habitat.
From 2004 through 2024, alfalfa acreage has declined 27.8
percent. The Committee encourages RMA to explore the creation
of a revenue and/or quality alfalfa crop insurance policy to
ensure producers have a safety net that they need to produce
this important crop.
Aquaculture.--The Committee notes that the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334) directed the Board
of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to
consider treating the different growth stages of aquaculture
species as separate crops for the Whole Farm Diversified Risk
Management Insurance Plan. RMA is directed to report to the
Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this act
regarding the steps taken by the Board to consider the
feasibility of this proposed change to recognize the difference
in perils at different phases of growth for aquaculture
species.
Biofuels.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
Agriculture, within 12 months after the date of the enactment
of this act, and in consultation with the Risk Management
Agency, the Farm Service Agency, and the Natural Resource
Conservation Service, submit to Congress a written report on
how the Department can streamline opportunities for farmers to
insure primary and secondary crops with revenue streams
resulting from biofuel use, including but not limited to
sustainable aviation fuel, with particular reference to
carinata, pennycress, camelina, and other oilseeds.
Crop Insurance in New England.--The Committee is concerned
that growers in New England are underserved by the Federal crop
insurance program. The Committee emphasizes RMA's authority to
design actuarially sound crop insurance policies that reflect
regional differences in growing practices and conditions, as
well as crop diversity and marketing practices. The Committee
appreciates RMA's decision to convene a working group of New
England apple growers to help better inform future policies and
encourages RMA to consider convening similar working groups for
regional growers of other crops.
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.
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, 2024.................................... $914,899,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 985,203,000
Committee recommendation................................ 965,754,000
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 $965,754,000
for NRCS Conservation Operations. The Committee provides
$88,257,000 for Soil Surveys; $16,751,000 for Snow Survey and
Water Forecasting; $10,751,000 for Plant Materials Centers; and
$839,995,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance.
The Committee provides the following increases for
Conservation Operations: $48,500,000 to expand staff and
technical assistance; $8,000,000 for Climate Hubs; $2,000,000
for Snow Survey and Water Forecasting; $1,500,000 for Soil
Surveys; and $10,000,000 for Grazing Lands Conservation
Initiative (16 U.S.C. 3839bb).
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.
Alfalfa Utilization.--The Committee recognizes alfalfa as
one of the most environmentally friendly crops which can be
grown on the landscape. Alfalfa is valued for its ability to
fix atmospheric nitrogen, protect, and conserve soil, protect
water quality, provide a habitat for pollinators, and generate
a multitude of ecosystem benefits. The Committee recognizes
alfalfa as a 'climate-smart' commodity with an exceptional
capacity for carbon sequestration and decreased reliance on
synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. However, alfalfa is not well-
utilized in conservation programs at USDA's NRCS. The Committee
urges the Secretary to incentivize the use and integration of
alfalfa in NRCS programs to capitalize on the unique
environmental and conservation benefits it brings to the
agricultural landscape.
Bio-Diverse Microbial Soil Health.--The Committee
recognizes that research and data continue to show that
improved soil health via bio-diverse microbial soil amendments
has a significant positive impact for American farm and ranch
lands, supporting an essential domestic asset in a global
market. The Committee encourages USDA to support the expanded
and continued use of these multi-kingdom biologic soil health
solutions across a broad range of Natural Resources
Conservation Service programs, including the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program, to address soil health benefits
related to yield increase, advanced root development, input
efficiency, improved water efficacy, catastrophic soil damage
restoration, and catalysts to other soil health practices such
as reduced tillage.
Chesapeake Bay States' Partnerships Initiative.--The
Committee recognizes the important role of voluntary
conservation practices in protecting and restoring waterways,
especially when deployed at scale. The Committee supports the
Department's continuation of the Chesapeake Bay States'
Partnership Initiative, and encourages continued leveraging of
conservation resources for agricultural producers in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed. Additionally, NRCS is encouraged to
target additional Conservation Technical Assistance funds in
the most effective basin areas of the watershed.
Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry.--NRCS received
nearly $19,000,000,000 in additional funding to RCPP, EQIP, CSP
and ACEP prior to fiscal year 2025. NRCS is reminded to submit
to the Committee a report outlining how the agency allocated
funding to ensure that programmatic goals were met in a timely,
optimized, and efficient manner. This report should include
consideration of whether priority practice eligibility choices
included Western practices to secure water and forestry co-
benefits, as well as information on staff hiring, technology
systems utilized, contracting strategies, practice eligibility
lists, and departmental directives to NRCS.
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 applauds the passage of
the Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plans, appreciates
efforts to increase efficiencies, and expects NRCS to utilize
all available opportunities to assist producers, irrigators,
and irrigation districts in addressing drought resiliency and
mitigation while maintaining strong rural and agriculture
communities and protecting natural resources. NRCS is expected
to prioritize implementation of Drought Contingency Plans,
agreements, or programs that conserve surface or ground water,
improve drought resiliency, and address current and anticipated
conservation needs and 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.
Fencing.--The Committee directs the agency to explore ways
to maximize assistance to producers with wildlife exclusion
fencing within the authority provided by the Environmental
Quality Incentive Program.
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 $15,000,000
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 $5,000,000
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.
Interagency Coordination.--The Committee directs the
Natural Resources Conservation Service to work with the Bureau
of Reclamation to expand interagency coordination of Federal
investments in communities that need help addressing water
conservation and drought resilience issues.
Additionally, the Committee encourages NRCS to work more
closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service for all volunteer
programs that promote fish and wildlife conservation efforts,
through cooperative agreements, to continue to provide free
technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers,
tribes, corporations, schools, and nonprofits interested in
improving wildlife habitat on their land. Both agencies should
continue to collaborate on streamlining ESA listings and
consultations especially for large-ranged species and for
geographies where multiple listed species overlap in their
ranges.
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.
Migratory Big Game Initiative.--The Committee recognizes
that working farms and ranches can provide important migratory
habitat for big game and other wildlife species and commends
NRCS and FSA on their collaboration with State Governments and
other partners to conserve these important working lands. The
innovative application of Grassland CRP and EQIP in tandem is
especially important. Leveraging the unique payments, cost-
share, and technical assistance that these programs provide
against one another--as is being done through the USDA
Migratory Big Game Initiative in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho--
provides expanded support and management flexibility for
producers stewarding wildlife habitat while keeping lands in
production. The NRCS and FSA are encouraged to cooperate in
expanding this innovative model to other States. The Committee
directs NRCS to submit a report to the Committee within 90 days
of enactment of this act on the progress made in implementing
the Migratory Big Game Initiative, outlining plans for
expanding the Migratory Big Game Initiative into additional
States, and identifying barriers to achieving the goals
outlined by the initiative.
National Resources Inventory.--In reinstating the National
Resources Inventory in Alaska, the Committee expects NRCS to
take into account sample design, data collection software, and
data processing capability in order to collect and produce
scientifically credible information on the status, condition,
and trends of Alaska's lands, soils, waters, and related
resources.
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.
SNOTEL.--The Committee continues to be concerned by
documented changes in winter weather across the country, and
the impact of those changes on local ecologies and economies.
The Committee continues to fund the NRCS Snow Telemetry Network
and provides an additional $2,000,000 to finalize the report on
feasibility of expansion to the Northeast and to begin
implementation of this expansion.
Streamlined Conservation Planning.--The Committee directs
NRCS to develop a streamlined conservation planning and
application process for small acreage operations to reduce the
time and effort required by both the applicant and local NRCS
staff to process conservation program applications.
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.
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants.--It is
the Committee's understanding that grant recipients may offer
subawards to agricultural producers so long as they meet
relevant regulatory requirements. The committee supports this
usage of grant funds and encourages the agency to inform
potential applicants of this approved use in all relevant
application materials using plain language.
Western States Conservation Partnership Initiative.--The
Committee recognizes the value of collaborative, locally-led
conservation practices and remains concerned about the ongoing
extreme drought and related water issues in the American West.
NRCS is encouraged to explore the creation of a partnership
initiative, similar to the recently created Chesapeake Bay
States' Partnership Initiative, to allow Western States and
partners to leverage financial and technical assistance to
address regional water issues and help build resilience to
drought. Within 90 days of enactment of this act, NRCS is
directed to brief the Committee on the feasibility of such an
initiative, as well as efforts undertaken to this end.
Western Water and Working Lands.--The Committee welcomes
the recently announced Western Water and Working Lands
Framework for Conservation Action, and encourages NRCS to
dedicate financial and technical assistance resources to
support the framework, with a priority on projects with
multiple benefits. The Secretary is directed to keep the
Committee apprised of progress toward this end, beginning with
a briefing 90 days after enactment of this act.
Wildlife Habitat on Private Lands.--The Committee
recognizes that conservation of wildlife habitat on private
lands is essential for the recovery of many threatened and
endangered species. While Federal programs that provide direct
conservation assistance can be important contributors to
species recovery efforts, such programs might not be available
to, or appropriate for, all private landowners. Private
landowners interested in habitat conservation must be empowered
with access to the full range of conservation resources that
exist across the Federal Government, State and local
governments, non-profit organizations, and private entities.
The Committee encourages NRCS to provide grants to, or enter
into cooperative agreements with, non-profit organizations with
expertise and experience in amalgamating and providing public
access to information and resources pertaining to the
conservation of wildlife habitat on private lands.
Working Lands for Wildlife.--The Committee reminds NRCS
that supporting wildlife habitat is an important part of its
mission, and encourages NRCS to continue expanding the Working
Lands for Wildlife [WLFW] Initiative. The Committee directs
NRCS to dedicate sufficient staff positions to WLFW, and to
coordinate with the Farm Service Agency on WLFW. The Committee
further directs the Under Secretary of Farm Production and
Conservation to provide a report to the Committee within 120
days of enactment of this act on the current activities and
expansion of WLFW, including identification of barriers or
challenges to further expansion in areas such as western
migratory big game, northeastern deciduous forests, Southern
pines, SE aquatics, and overall habitat connectivity across
framework geographies. The report should cover work within
existing biome frameworks and identify a path towards expanding
to new biomes in the United States where priority resource
concerns are identified.
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $35,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 70,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 51,255,000
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 $51,255,000
for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program
[WFPO], of which the Committee provides $26,255,000 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 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.
Multiple Benefit Projects.--The Committee is concerned with
the funding distribution of Watershed and Flood Prevention
Operations, in particular NRCS' resistance to supporting
drought resiliency and mitigation in the western United States.
Therefore, the Committee continues to support funding for
irrigation modernization projects that provide multiple
benefits which are primarily found in the West, including but
not limited to reduction of drought impact, improvement of
water quality or in-stream flow, off-channel renewable energy
production, and increased fish or wildlife habitat. NRCS is
directed to keep the Committee apprised of streamlining and
modernization efforts for the watershed planning process, and
of efforts to coordinate with stakeholders and other agencies
to ensure that this program is utilized in an efficient and
equitable manner to maximize its effect.
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, 2024.................................... $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 2,003,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,000,000
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 $2,000,000 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, 2024.................................... $15,484,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 14,710,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 14,710,000,000
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 $14,710,000,000 in fiscal
year 2025, 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, 2024.................................... $12,438,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 12,650,463,000
Committee recommendation................................ 12,650,463,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2025 to be
$12,650,463,000, 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, 2024
$15,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 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, 2024.................................... $1,620,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,656,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,620,000
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 $1,620,000 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, which is now several years
overdue. The report shall include both the historic data
requested in the original directive as well as data for fiscal
years 2024 and 2025.
Rugged Terrain in the United States.--The Committee directs
USDA Rural Development [RD] to review the report
``Characterizing Rugged Terrain in the United States,''
specifically the Road Ruggedness Scale [RRS], and how
ruggedness may help capture rural mountainous regions, which
have previously been unable to benefit from rural economic
resources. This review should include geospatial analysis of
grant investments over a period time compared to RRS scores to
determine if RD investments are in fact not benefiting more
rural rugged areas.
The Committee also directs the Department to review the
unique challenges faced by rugged areas and how they may be
able to support economic development in these regions and shall
provide a report to the Committees within 90 days of enactment
of this act.
Substantially Underserved Trust Area [SUTA].--The Committee
directs Rural Development to define the term 'substantially
underserved trust area' in the State of Hawaii to include land
located within the same county as a community located on trust
lands as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States
Code. The term 'substantially underserved trust area' means a
community in trust land (as defined in section 3765 of title
38, United States Code) with respect to which the Secretary
determines has a high need for the benefits of an eligible
program. SUTA related investments within the same county as a
community located on trust lands must primarily benefit Native
Hawaiians.
Rural Development
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation................................................ 351,087 428,206 351,087
Transfer from:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loan Program Account........ 412,254 412,254 412,254
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Program 4,468 4,468 4,468
Account.................................................
Rural Development Loan Program Account................... 33,270 33,270 33,270
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Development salaries and expenses......... 801,079 878,198 801,079
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $801,079,000 for salaries and
expenses of Rural Development, including a direct appropriation
of $351,087,000.
Quarterly Reviews.--The Committee directs the Department to
continue to provide quarterly briefings to the Committees and
to send reports ahead of the briefings covering the following
topics: information technology report with updates on retiring
legacy systems, making improvements to existing systems, and
moving programs away from paper-based applications; staffing
report that breaks out staffing by program, including planned
versus actual hiring by pay period; a commitment and obligation
report; and Congressionally Directed Spending obligation
report. The quarterly reports should also include key
operational metrics to ensure the Committee receives a complete
picture of how RD is implementing its programs and using its
funding to do so.
Rural Partners Network.--The Committee provides $1,500,000
for the Rural Partners Network. The Committee is encouraged by
the impact the Rural Partners Network has had in 10 States and
Puerto Rico. The Committee directs the Secretary, in
coordination with other Federal partners, to submit a report
within 180 days of enactment on the metrics used to gauge
success within the Rural Partner Network communities and how
the program is meeting its goals.
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, 2024 (budget authority)................. $572,184,000
Budget estimate, 2025 (budget authority)................ 734,570,000
Committee recommendation (budget authority)............. 615,572,000
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 2025, as
well as for administrative expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $203,318,000,
excluding the transfer of funds, for the Rural Housing
Insurance Fund Program Account.
The following table presents the loan subsidy levels as
compared to the 2024 levels and the 2025 budget request:
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 880,000 1,250,000 1,000,000
Direct Tribal Relending Pilot........................ 5,000 7,501 7,501
Guaranteed........................................... 25,000,000 30,000,000 25,000,000
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 25,000 28,000 25,000
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 60,000 70,000 65,000
Guaranteed rental housing (sec. 538)..................... 400,000 400,000 400,000
Site development loans (sec. 524)........................ 5,000 5,005 5,005
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)...................... 15,000 25,000 25,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 26,405,000 31,800,501 26,542,506
==================================================
Loan Subsidies and Grants:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 84,480 174,000 118,000
Direct Tribal Relending Pilot........................ 2,288 3,704 3,704
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 4,338 5,992 5,350
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 20,988 27,713 25,734
Site development loans (sec. 524)........................ 477 491 491
Self help land development loans (sec. 523).............. 637 726 726
Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)...................... 5,222 9,690 5,814
Farm labor housing grants (sec. 516)..................... 7,500 10,000 7,500
Multi-Family housing revitalization demonstration........ 34,000 90,000 36,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and grants....................... 159,928 322,316 203,318
==================================================
Administrative Expenses...................................... 412,254 412,254 412,254
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses...... 572,184 734,570 615,572
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Housing Protections.--The Committee supports efforts
to strengthen the protections of the Fair Housing Act, but
understands that more action is needed to ensure these
protections reach every community. The Committee is still
awaiting information on what resources are needed to ensure
Rural Development has the resources to collaborate with the
Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to conduct
outreach and raise awareness of the rights and protections
under the Fair Housing Act for all protected classes.
Farm Labor Housing.--The Committee urges the Rural Housing
Service [RHS] to release farm labor housing funding
announcements on an annual basis and expects RHS to increase
consultation with stakeholders.
Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance.--The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 for the multifamily housing
technical assistance pilot and directs the Department to
prioritize maturing mortgages.
Relending Program.--The Committee provides $7,501,000 for
the Section 502 Direct Tribal Relending Pilot, and to the
extent practicable, encourages the Rural Housing Service to
expand the current pilot to the Southwest and to Native CDFIs
that are partnered with Regional Housing Authorities which
receive block grant funds under Public Law 104-330. The
Committee recognizes that there is a tremendous need for safe
and affordable housing in American Indian and Alaska Native
communities, and Native American CDFIs have deep ties to the
local communities they serve, and are better equipped to more
effectively reach potential homebuyers.
Tribal Property Valuation Project.--The Committee directs
the Secretary to increase outreach to Tribal, Alaska Native,
and Native Hawaiian communities to increase awareness and
utilization of the 502 Guaranteed Loans Tribal Property
Valuation Project. The Committee directs the Secretary to
report to Congress before the pilot program is terminated,
including on the pilot program's impacts on breaking down
barriers in lending on Tribal lands and in assisting more
eligible very low to moderate income applicants seeking to
purchase or rehabilitate affordable housing on Tribal lands.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,608,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,728,376,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,691,376,000
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 $1,691,376,000
for the Rental Assistance Program. Housing vouchers continue to
be addressed in the Rural Housing Voucher Account.
Decoupling of Rental Assistance.--The Committee continues
to provide authority for the Department to decouple the rental
assistance program from Section 515 direct loans. The Committee
reminds the Department that this strategy should only be used
when all other methods of preservation are exhausted and
directs the Department to continue to provide the Committee
with monthly updates on the implementation of this policy.
Additionally, the Committee provides $1,000,000 for the
Department to make the necessary information technology
upgrades to facilitate its decoupling efforts.
Multifamily Housing Preservation Strategy.--The Committee
directs the Department to consider all preservation tools at
its disposal and to develop a report within 6 months of
enactment of this act with its multifamily housing preservation
strategy including goals, objectives, timeline, resources
required, and tools to be utilized.
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, 2024.................................... $48,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 50,400,000
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.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $50,400,000
for the Rural Housing Voucher Program. The Committee continues
to reject the Department's proposal to combine the rural
housing voucher program under the rental assistance account.
The Committee requests historic data and projections of dollars
and units served for rural housing vouchers and rental
assistance with the assumption that the decoupling authority
will continue to stay in place.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $25,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 32,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 25,000,000
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 6 to 10 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 $25,000,000
for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $35,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 46,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 40,000,000
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 $7,500,000, 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 $40,000,000
for the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program.
The following table compares the grant program levels
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2024 levels and
the budget request:
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low-income housing repair grants........................ 25,000 30,000 30,000
Housing preservation grants.................................. 10,000 16,000 10,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. 35,000 46,000 40,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2024 *.................................. $18,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 62,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 254,338,000
* CF CDS were funded under a general provision in FY24.
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 $254,338,000
for the Rural Community Facilities Program Account, of which
$222,013,000 is for Congressionally Direct Spending.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget
request levels:
RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
Community facilities direct loans........................ 2,800,000 1,250,000 1,250,000
Community facilities guaranteed loans.................... 650,000 650,000 650,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 3,450,000 1,900,000 1,900,000
==================================================
Budget Authority:
Community facilities direct loans........................ ............... 14,000 14,000
Community facilities grants.............................. 5,000 32,000 5,000
Congressionally directed spending*....................... 505,024 ............... 226,338
Rural community development initiative................... 5,000 6,000 1,000
Tribal college grants.................................... 8,000 10,000 8,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority................................ 523,024 62,000 254,338
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* FY24 CDS were funded in a general provision.
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. The Committee expects the agency to review the
applications and fund projects in the same manner as in
previous years.
Income-based Matches.--The Committee awaits the
Department's analysis of its methodology to calculate income-
based matches for the Community Facilities Grant program and
its development of three alternative methodologies. The
Department is directed to brief the Committees upon completion
of this analysis. If warranted, the Department is directed to
make changes to its methodology based on this analysis.
Rural Community Development Initiative Grants.--The
Committee encourages the Department to increase the maximum
grant amount for this program from $250,000 to $500,000 and to
allow an advance of 25 percent of grant funds prior to a match
being supplied.
Technical Assistance.--The Committee encourages RHS to
allow national organizations to participate in the Community
Facilities Technical Assistance program and to increase the
grant cap to ensure that the technical assistance need in rural
areas is met.
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
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $76,080,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 54,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 31,847,000
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 $31,847,000
for the Rural Business Program Account.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget
request levels:
RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Business and industry guaranteed loans loan levels....... 1,600,000 2,250,000 1,900,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 1,600,000 2,250,000 1,900,000
==================================================
Budget Authority:
Business and industry guaranteed loans................... 28,080 4,500 3,800
Rural business development grants*....................... 30,000 37,000 30,000
DRA, NBRC, and ARC....................................... 8,000 9,000 8,000
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants.......... ............... 4,000 ...............
--------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority................................ 66,080 54,500 31,847
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* RBDG grants in FY24 and FY25 Cmt. Recommendation includes supplemental funds in a general provision.
Collaboration with the Small Business Administration.--The
Committee supports efforts to better help rural small
businesses and encourages the Department to continue
collaborating with the Small Business Administration to improve
service delivery, advice, and assistance for small businesses,
especially those in rural areas, including through the
activities outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed
November 20, 2023. The Committee encourages the Department, in
collaboration with the SBA, to report on the activities
undertaken as a result of the memorandum of understanding. The
report should include an update on the identification of
synergies between business loan programs and opportunities to
collaborate on technical assistance, especially with respect to
exportation and procurement.
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.
High Energy Cost Grants.--The Committee directs the Rural
Utilities Service to permit the repair or replacement of bulk
fuel storage tanks under the High Energy Cost Grants program.
The Committee notes that such fuels are the only source of
electricity generation in certain rural and Native communities
where energy costs are excessively high and there is a
significant deferred maintenance cost for Bulk Fuel in Tribal
communities. The longstanding purpose of the program is to
assist families and individuals in communities with extremely
high per-household energy costs that are 275 percent of the
National average or higher. The Committee directs the Secretary
to make $2,000,000 available for Indian Tribes for the repair
or replacement of bulk fuel storage tanks under the Grants
program, in addition to providing no less than fiscal year2024
levels for the Denali Commission.
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentives Program [HBIIP]
Support for Small Retailers.--The Committee recognizes the
financial constraints many small fuel retailers face when
contemplating an Underground Storage Tank [UST] system upgrade.
The Committee appreciates that USDA recognizes this and has
implemented a practice whereby HBIIP applicants with 10 or
fewer gas stations and/or home heating oil distribution
facilities are eligible for an increased Federal cost share of
up to 75 percent. The Committee is encouraged by the
Department's preference for small business HBIIP applicants and
encourages the Department to explore additional avenues to
incentivize small businesses to upgrade fueling infrastructure.
Infant Formula Manufacturing.--The Committee directs the
Secretary to ensure that small infant formula manufacturing
facilities located in rural areas are aware of their
eligibility for the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
Program.
Rural Business Program Account.--The Committee recommends
$500,000 for transportation technical assistance.
The Committee directs that of the $400,000 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. Additionally, the Committee encourages
the Department to improve information sharing about Rural
Development's business support programs with local small
business advisory organizations.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels.--The Committee notes that
sustainable aviation fuel [SAF] has the potential to
decarbonize the aviation industry by utilizing several
feedstocks, such as ethanol, soy, tallow, wood biomass,
agricultural residue, and cover crops. The cultivation of these
feedstocks could provide a significant economic opportunity in
rural communities across the Nation. The Biorefinery, Renewable
Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance
Program, also known as the 9003 Program, has tremendous
potential to scale up the volume of SAF by providing loans and
financial support to burgeoning enterprises in rural America.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Agriculture
to provide a report to Congress that includes 9003 program loan
metrics and if converting current loan authority into grants
could be used to accelerate and scale SAF research and
development and biorefinery construction.
Tribal Buffalo Restoration.--The Committee encourages the
Department to set aside a portion of the rural business
development grants to benefit federally-chartered Tribal
organizations with demonstrable expertise in Tribal buffalo
restoration efforts, for the purchase and operation of mobile
buffalo meat processing units to support federally recognized
Native American Tribes' activities related to buffalo meat
production.
INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level...................................... 10,000 18,890 10,000
Direct loan subsidy....................................... 3,035 6,434 3,406
Administrative expenses................................... 4,468 4,468 4,468
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses... 7,503 10,902 7,874
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2025, as well as
administrative expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,874,000 for
the Intermediary Relending Program Fund, including $4,468,000
to be merged with salaries and expenses.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
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 and $10,000,000 in grants 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 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
level request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level...................................... 50,000 75,000 50,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $24,600,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 28,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 25,300,000
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 5 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 following table provides the Committee's recommendation
as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget request levels:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
level request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural cooperative development grants...................... 5,800 5,800 5,800
Appropriate technology transfer........................... 2,800 3,500 3,500
Grants to assist minority producers....................... 3,000 3,000 3,000
Value-added procuer grants................................ 11,500 13,000 11,500
Agriculture innovation centers............................ 1,500 3,000 1,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses... 24,600 28,300 25,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $25,300,000
for Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
Of the funds recommended, $3,500,000 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
$1,500,000 for Agriculture Innovation Center funding, as
authorized in section 6402 of Public Law 107-171. Prior year or
current grant awardees shall be eligible for these funds.
Value-Added Producer Grants [VAPG].--The Committee directs
that Value-Added Producer Grants be prioritized to support the
production of value-added agricultural products, including
dairy and small farms, with significant potential to expand
production and processing in the United States.
The Committee encourages USDA to promote awareness among
potential applicants of the availability of VAPG funds for
eligible projects that modify animal housing systems to comply
with state requirements, such as States that require animal
products to come from cage-free and crate-free housing systems,
or facilitate the sale of compliant products to new markets.
RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 6,518,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,713,000
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 appropriation of $3,713,000 for
the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level...................................... 20,000 8,504 8,504
Direct loan subsidy....................................... 3,140 1,853 1,853
Grants.................................................... 1,860 4,665 1,860
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and grants.................... 5,000 6,518 3,713
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024....................................................
Budget estimate, 2025...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................
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 does not recommend a discretionary
appropriation for the Rural Energy for America Program.
The following table provides the Committee's recommendation
as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget request levels:
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan
level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 enacted.............................. 50,000
Fiscal year 2025 budget request....................... 1,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 250,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Energy for America Program [REAP].--The Committee
encourages the Department to focus a portion of funding on
underserved renewable technologies.
The Committee also acknowledges the potential of the Rural
Energy for America Program in helping rural agricultural
producers and small businesses diversify on-farm income and
promote energy efficiency through renewable energy production.
However, the Committee recognizes financial barriers to program
utilization by small agricultural producers and small
businesses due to matching fund requirements and reimbursement-
based grant funding. As such, the Committee encourages the
Department to make REAP grants more accessible to socially
disadvantaged groups and low income applicants to ensure the
program's feasibility and accessibility for applicants of all
demographics.
HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $500,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 3,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
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.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $500,000 for
the Healthy Food Financing Initiative and notes the funding
provided through the American Rescue Plan Act.
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, 2024.................................... $595,972,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 794,850,000
Committee recommendation................................ 496,490,000
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 $496,490,000
for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
The Committee recommends $65,000,000 for water and waste
disposal systems grants for Native Americans, including Native
Alaskans, Hawaiian Homelands, 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 $22,470,000 available for the circuit rider
program. The Committee commends Circuit Riders, who have
provided assistance to small communities for the operation of
safe and clean drinking water supplies and compliance with
water regulations since 1980. The Circuit Rider Program has
long been one of USDA's most successful public-private
partnerships and one of the most efficient and effective use of
appropriated funds.
Black Belt Region Water Systems.--The Committee commends
the work of Rural Development for beginning the implementation
of the pilot program to support Black Belt Region Water Systems
funded in fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. Within 90 days
of enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter, Rural
Development is directed to brief the Committee on the use of
these funds.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget
request levels:
RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Water and waste disposal direct loans................. 850,000 1,350,000 850,000
Water and waste disposal direct one percent loans..... 10,000 20,000 10,000
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans............. 50,000 50,000 50,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels.................................. 910,000 1,420,000 910,000
=====================================================
Budget authority:
Water and waste disposal direct loans................. 70,975 139,590 87,890
Water and waste disposal direct zero percent loans
Water and waste disposal direct one percent loans..... 2,695 6,260 3,130
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans
Water and waste disposal grants....................... 255,000 385,000 255,000
Lead pipe replacement................................. ................ 100,000 ................
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........... 65,000 66,000 65,000
Water and waste water revolving funds................. 1,000 1,000 1,000
High energy cost grants............................... 8,000 10,000 8,000
Circuit rider......................................... 21,817 25,000 22,470
Emergency community water assistance grants........... 10,000 15,000 10,000
Technical assistance grants........................... 35,000 38,000 35,000
Congressionally directed spending..................... 117,485 ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority............................. 595,972 794,850 496,490
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical Assistance.--The Committee provides $35,000,000
for technical assistance and directs no less than $1,000,000 to
be used to support manufactured homes.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $42,568,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 47,696,000
Committee recommendation................................ 43,407,000
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 2025, 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 2024 and budget request levels:
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorization:
Electric:
Direct FFB........................................ 2,167,000 2,167,000 2,167,000
Electric Direct, Treasury Rate.................... 4,333,000 4,333,000 4,333,000
Guaranteed underwriting........................... 900,000 ................ 900,000
Telecommunications:
Direct, Treasury Rate............................. 550,000 335,676 550,000
Direct, FFB....................................... ................ ................ ................
Rural Energy Savings Program...................... 20,000 53,075 20,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorization........................... 7,970,000 6,888,751 7,970,000
=====================================================
Direct, Treasury Rate Telecomm Subsidy................ 5,720 3,726 6,105
Electric Loan Modifications
Rural Energy Savings Program.......................... 3,578 10,700 4,032
Telecomm. Treasury Modification
Administrative Expenses............................... 33,270 33,270 33,270
-----------------------------------------------------
Total budget authority.............................. 42,568 47,696 43,407
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $169,959,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 207,400,000
Committee recommendation................................ 135,105,000
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 $135,105,000
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program,
including $105,000 for congressionally directed spending.
The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program,
as compared to fiscal year 2024 and the budget request levels:
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2024 Fiscal year 2025 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and grant levels:
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program:
Grants................................................ 40,000 60,000 40,000
Congressionally Directed Spending..................... 9,574 ................ 105
Broadband Program:
Grants............................................ 20,000 35,000 20,000
Re-Connect........................................ 90,000 112,400 75,000
Congressionally Directed Spending............. 10,385 ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, DLT and Broadband budget authority........... 169,959 207,400 135,105
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
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. The Committee expects
the agency to review the applications and fund projects in the
same manner as in previous years.
ReConnect.--The Committee provides $75,000,000 for the
ReConnect pilot, which was established in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141), and again
reminds USDA that funding should not be used in areas that are
already largely served and should be focused in areas where at
least 90 percent of households lack access. In doing so, the
Committee intends that USDA should avoid efforts that could
duplicate existing or planned broadband networks, including
avoiding granting funding in areas where another provider
already has received funding from another Federal, State or
local funding program to build, has otherwise committed to a
government entity to build, or has invested private risk
capital to build in an area and has obtained necessary permits
to do so, even if construction is not yet complete. To achieve
these goals, we urge USDA to continue coordinating closely with
the National Telecommunications Information Administration and
the Federal Communications Commission in a transparent manner
to ensure that there is a common agreement about which areas
are currently unserved, to utilize a common map to reach those
conclusions that is updated each time a new funding decision is
announced, and to have a clear and understandable challenge
process.
To avoid waste, funding should be given only to applicants
that can and will follow through with their commitments by
prioritizing applications from applicants that have
demonstrated the technical and financial experience required to
construct and operate broadband networks. To incentivize
participation, applications should be as streamlined as
possible, including allowing all providers to offer proof of
financial capability through bond ratings instead of submitting
financial documentation, and to offer collateral for loans as
well as security for performance under grants using alternate
forms of security instead of providing a first lien on assets.
Applications should only require the data strictly necessary to
evaluate the application and post-award burdens should be
minimized.
The Committee remains concerned that the application
process for Reconnect is often too burdensome for small
providers to successfully apply, and requires documentation
beyond what is applicable to the proposed funded service area.
Additionally, Reconnect applicants do not have the ability to
submit missing documents after an application has been accepted
and certified by the Department. The Committee therefore
encourages USDA to review the application process to ensure
that it is not overly burdensome and difficult for small
applicants to navigate.
In addition, while the pilot is intended to be technology
neutral, it is critical that Federal broadband investments
support projects that are both scalable and adequate for both
current and future technological requirement and consumer
needs. In carrying out the Reconnect program, the Committee
directs USDA to support qualified projects that will provide
the highest upload and download speeds possible to ensure rural
America is receiving the same quality broadband services as
their non-rural counterparts.
The Committee also remains concerned that States and
territories outside the contiguous United States are having
difficulty utilizing this program and directs the agency to
report back to the Committee with recommendations to address
these concerns.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $1,127,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,416,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,127,000
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 $1,127,000 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.
Meals-to-You.--The Committee recognizes the benefits the
Meals-to-You [MTY] demonstration program has had in reducing
food insecurity, particularly for children and youth in rural
and frontier areas who are unable to access congregate feeding
sites. The Committee encourages FNS to continue providing meal
delivery services through the MTY demonstration project through
a grant or cooperative agreement to a non-profit provider that
works with local service institutions to enroll eligible low-
income children.
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, 2024.................................... $33,266,226,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 31,799,851,000
Committee recommendation................................ 31,775,179,000
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 $31,775,179,000 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................................... 14,500,000
School Breakfast Program............................... 6,409,860
Child and Adult Care Food Program...................... 4,432,743
Summer EBT (benefits).................................. 2,635,052
Summer EBT (admin)..................................... 264,505
Summer Food Service Program............................ 878,304
Special Milk Program................................... 6,668
State Administrative Expenses.......................... 482,880
Commodity Procurement.................................. 1,960,069
Team Nutrition......................................... 18,004
Food Safety Education.................................. 4,196
Coordinated Review..................................... 10,000
Computer Support....................................... 41,240
Training and Technical Assistance...................... 65,000
CNP Studies and Evaluation............................. 21,005
Farm to School Team.................................... 6,433
Payment Accuracy....................................... 21,220
School Meal Equipment Grants........................... 12,000
Child Nutrition Training............................... 1,000
Farm to School Grants.................................. 5,000
----------------
Total............................................ 31,775,179
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee expects FNS to utilize the National Food
Service Management Institute to carry out the food safety
education program.
Costs of Producing School Meals in Outlying Areas.--The
Committee acknowledges that USDA provided a temporary increase
in the National average payment rate for the outlying areas at
a rate equal to the National average payment rate for Alaska
until the School Nutrition Cost Study II is completed and
updated adjustments for school meal reimbursements for these
areas are subsequently made, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1760(f). The
Committee directs USDA to provide technical assistance and
flexibility to school food authorities and school staff in the
outlying areas to ensure the collection of complete and
accurate data for the School Nutrition Cost Study II.
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.
Local School Wellness Policies.--The Committee acknowledges
that difficulty accessing a variety of foods can cause
significant issues, including poor physical health and eating
disorders. The Committee directs the Secretary to update local
school wellness policy guidance to incorporate eating disorder
prevention and education into the existing local school
wellness policy framework. The Committee requests a report
within 120 days of the enactment of this act on the agency's
progress to update State Education Agencies on the inclusion of
eating disorders education and prevention within Local School
Wellness Policies.
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.
Seafood Consumption in the National School Lunch Program.--
The Committee directs the department, in coordination with
NOAA, to address factors limiting seafood consumption in school
per the recommendations in GAO report ``National School Lunch
Program: USDA Could Enhance Assistance to States and Schools in
Providing Seafood to Students'' (GAO-23-105179).
Summer Food Service Program.--The Committee supports the
FNS' proposed implementation of summer meal programs as part of
its December 2023 interim final rule in response to Congress's
direction in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The
Committee appreciates the interim final rule's recognition that
the nutritional needs of children in the summer cannot be
addressed through a one-size-fits-all approach, and States
should include the use of non-congregate meal programs where
necessary. To ensure States have the resources needed to
properly implement the rule, the Committee encourages USDA to
set aside funding to provide technical assistance for up to
five States interested in implementing non-congregate meal
delivery options for children and families in rural areas. The
Committee encourages USDA to prioritize this funding for States
interested in partnering with a non-profit entity that has
experience in implementing meal delivery options in rural areas
and to uphold program integrity as required in the interim
final rule.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN
[WIC]
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $7,030,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 7,730,873,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,697,000,000
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 $7,697,000,000
for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants,
and Children.
The Committee recommendation fully funds estimated WIC
participation in fiscal year 2025. The Committee provides
$90,000,000 for breastfeeding support initiatives and
$16,000,000 for infrastructure.
Allergenic Foods.--The Committee recognizes that section 17
of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1786(c)(11)(C)) directs
the Secretary to conduct a scientific review of the WIC food
packages no fewer than every 10 years, and that the next
scientific review is set to be released in 2027. Given the 2020
Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of early
introduction of potentially allergenic foods to infants,
especially peanuts and egg, to prevent allergies later in life,
the Committee directs the Secretary to include a review and
recommendations for the early introduction of food allergens in
the upcoming review of the WIC infant food packages.
Dairy.--The Committee remains concerned with the impact of
reducing the maximum monthly allowance with respect to milk in
a final rule to the proposed rule entitled ``Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
[WIC]: Revisions to the WIC Food Packages''. Within 1 year of
implementation of the final rule, the Secretary is directed to
submit a report to the Committee with a comparison of overall
redemptions and percentage of redemption rates within the WIC
food package's milk and dairy categories under implementation
of this rule compared to overall redemptions and percentage of
redemption rates in the WIC food package's milk and dairy
categories in one or more years prior to implementation of the
final rule.
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 is pleased that the
Department issued regulations for public comment to update the
WIC food package. The Committee encourages FNS to pay
particular attention to comments received regarding the
inclusion of low-mercury fish.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024....................................$122,382,521,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 123,324,961,000
Committee recommendation................................ 123,227,792,000
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 $123,227,792,000 for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Of the amount
recommended, $3,000,000,000 is made available as a contingency
reserve.
TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:
Benefits.......................................... 108,730,689
Contingency....................................... 3,000,000
Administrative Costs:
State Administrative Costs.................... 6,040,792
Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention 538,000
Grant Program................................
Employment and Training....................... 680,192
Mandatory Other Program Costs................. 441,990
Discretionary Other Program Costs............. 6,998
-----------------
Administrative Subtotal................... 7,706,974
=================
Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico (NAP)........ 2,983,775
American Samoa.................................... 11,983
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.. 242,000
TEFAP Commodities................................. 472,250
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands...... 60,123
Community Food Project............................ 5,000
Program Access.................................... 5,000
-----------------
Subtotal........................................ 3,780,131
=================
Tribal Demonstration...................... 5,000
Healthy Fluid Milk........................ 4,000
-----------------
Total........................................... 123,227,792
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disaster SNAP.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is
encouraged to coordinate food benefit allotments under section
412 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179) and section 5(h) of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(h)) with respect to
individuals and households adversely affected by a major
disaster to minimize delays in receiving temporary food
assistance, improve information sharing, and prevent redundancy
of assistance.
FDPIR Pilot Program.--The Committee is concerned that FNS
has prohibited tribes and Tribal organizations that participate
in the FDPIR pilot program from including traditional food
items unless such items replace a USDA-provided item, and
prohibited such substitutions unless the producer of the
traditional food is able to provide sufficient quantities for
all FDPIR participants nationwide. Allowing tribes
participating in the pilot to source new traditional foods from
small, indigenous producers without requiring a substitution
will result in the inclusion of more traditional foods and help
small, indigenous producers to expand. The Committee therefore
directs FNS to allow tribes participating in the pilot program
to include traditional foods without substitutions and to allow
participating tribes to purchase traditional foods from
producers that may not be able to provide sufficient quantities
to serve all participating tribes across the Nation.
Hot Foods.--The Committee directs the Secretary to study
the impact of allowing hot foods to be purchased with SNAP
benefits at different types of SNAP retail food stores,
including retail food stores with co-located entities.
National Accuracy Clearinghouse.--The Committee supports
the full implementation of the National Accuracy Clearinghouse
[NAC] that uses a third-party electronic data matching system,
data analytics, and public data to determine the correct state
to issue SNAP benefits. The Committee encourages FNS to expand
NAC to all SNAP agencies. In addition, the Committee reiterates
that States must administer a robust appeals process to ensure
individuals are not automatically removed from receiving
benefits.
Online Purchasing Pilot.--The Committee is concerned that
the retailer onboarding process for the SNAP Online Purchasing
Pilot is creating a backlog of applicant retailers. The
Committee directs the Secretary to conduct a review of the SNAP
Online retailer onboarding process to identify ways to
streamline onboarding for independently-owned retailers and
franchisees, options to scale simultaneous retailer testing and
provide applicants with testing queue status information, and
better document submission management and receipt confirmation
tracking. The Committee directs the Department to submit a
report on its progress to identify and implement these process
improvements.
The Committee also encourages the department to make SNAP
Online permanent in order to provide certainty for the
retailers and recipients who rely on SNAP assistance.
Senior Hunger.--The Committee remains concerned about high
rates of food insecurity and hunger among those 55 years of age
and older. The Committee directs the department to coordinate
with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS] and
the Social Security Administration [SSA] to increase enrollment
in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] by
identifying and conducting outreach to Seniors who meet the
eligibility requirements of all these programs.
Skimming.--The Committee understands USDA's efforts to
support States in efforts to make whole SNAP recipients after
they are victims of skimming. The Committee recognizes that
authority for States to repay skimming victims expires on
September 30, 2024. No later than 30 days after enactment of
this act, the Committee directs USDA to provide a report on
progress toward making skimming victims whole.
SNAP Fraud.--The Committee remains concerned about data
discrepancies that allowed retailers to provide benefits to
individuals using fraudulent credentials, as outlined in a
January 2017 OIG report. The Committee encourages FNS, as part
of their work to implement controls to address these problems,
to consider how advanced analytics is used to improve analysis
across multiple systems mentioned in the report. This could
include integrating data mining and machine learning into
source systems such as STARS and ALERT, applying computer
vision to enhance FNS investigations, and deploying new
predictive analytics to help detect emerging fraud schemes. The
Committee requests USDA to continue to update Congress on its
progress in addressing the issues outlined in the report.
SNAP Pilot.--The Committee directs the Secretary to submit
a report, within 180 days of enactment, to the Committee,
compiled in consultation with stakeholders and the appropriate
State and Federal officials, describing how any waiver or pilot
program will improve SNAP participant experience. The report
shall include the approximate cost, to include the
administration, of the implementation of and SNAP authorized
retailer compliance with any waiver or pilot program. The
report shall also include an explanation of how the Department
will communicate to States and SNAP authorized retailers which
foods are SNAP eligible and ensure retailers can implement and
comply with food restriction requirements in their point-of-
sale [POS] systems and ongoing technical support.
Thrifty Food Plan.--The Committee is concerned that USDA's
Thrifty Food Plan adjustment for Hawaii omits the price of food
in rural and remote regions of the state. The Committee directs
USDA to update 7 CFR 273.10(e)(4) to include the price of food
throughout the state of Hawaii.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $480,070,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 536,070,000
Committee recommendation................................ 516,070,000
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 $516,070,000
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 $425,000,000 for CSFP. The Committee is concerned
about barriers eligible Commodity Supplemental Food Program
applicants, including those residing in smaller and more rural
communities, face in participating in the program. The
Committee directs the Secretary to submit a report to study
barriers to program participation and strategies that States
have utilized to increase CSFP participation rates. The
Committee also requests that USDA publish an update to guidance
document FNS-GD-2020-0078 reiterating that current CSFP program
flexibilities give State and local agencies discretion to allow
for home delivery, including contracting with third-party
delivery.
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
$10,000,000 for FMNP and directs the Secretary to obligate
these funds within 45 days of enactment of this act.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--The Committee
provides $80,000,000 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.
Wild Game.--The Committee recognizes that The Emergency
Food Assistance Program and the ``Farm to Food Bank Projects''
allows for the use of funds for the repackaging and processing
of donated wild game. The ``Farm to Food Bank Projects'' also
allow funds to be used for wild game. The Committee encourages
the Department to educate and publicize to State agencies on
these innovative and sustainable program to provide nutrition
assistance to low-income Americans.
NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $177,348,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 205,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 177,348,000
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 $177,348,000
for Nutrition Programs Administration.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affair
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $932,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,154,000
Committee recommendation................................ 932,000
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 $932,000 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.
International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program
[IAEFP].--The Committee urges USDA to prioritize IAEFP grants
to multi-year programs or to continue existing programs,
including programs previously awarded IAEFP funds. Further, the
Committee is concerned about regional limitations on eligible
programs in previous funding opportunities and encourages USDA
to avoid limiting eligibility of applicants to specific
countries or regions.
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.
Peanut Exports.--The Committee remains concerned with
persistent non-tariff trade barriers faced by the domestic
peanut industry when attempting to export peanuts to the
European Union. The Committee encourages the Department to
prioritize interagency coordination with the Office of the
United States Trade Representative and industry engagement in
order to develop effective and lasting solutions that will
allow increased market access for domestic peanuts into the
European Union.
Pecan Exports.--The Committee directs the Department to
prioritize interagency coordination and industry engagement to
develop effective strategies to allow for increased market
access of domestic pecans into India.
Therapeutic Food for Malnutrition.--The Committee
appreciates FAS' contributions to fighting global malnutrition
through the use of therapeutic foods and the recent funding
made available for this purpose. The Committee directs FAS to
provide a report to the committee about where therapeutic foods
funded by FAS are going by country, and if given additional
funding in future fiscal years, what countries and regions
could be served.
OFFICE OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $4,922,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 4,979,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,922,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,922,000 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, 2024......................................... 227,330 6,063 233,393
Budget estimate, 2025........................................ 244,533 6,063 250,596
Committee recommendation..................................... 227,330 6,063 233,393
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $233,393,000 for the Foreign
Agricultural Service, including a direct appropriation of
$227,330,000.
Borlaug Fellows Program.--The Committee provides no less
than the fiscal year 2024 level 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 no less
than the fiscal year 2024 level 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.
Disparate Effect of Hunger on Women and Girls.--The
Committee acknowledges the disparate impact of hunger on women
and girls and the fact of the 333 million people who are
severely hungry in the world right now, nearly 60 percent are
women and girls. Furthermore, it is recognized that women are
more likely than men to report food insecurity in almost 2/3 of
countries and are more likely to suffer health conditions due
to lack of nutrition, such as anemia. The Committee, therefore,
encourages the Secretary to make women and girls a priority in
the Food for Peace Title II program as they often eat last and
least while sacrificing for their families.
Food for Peace.--For over 60 years the Food for Peace
program has fed millions across the world and been a
stabilizing force for good in struggling countries. Not only
does the program feed vulnerable populations, it helps sustain
the U.S. agriculture community by requiring only U.S. grown
commodities be used in the program. The world is seeing
unprecedented hunger in many areas of the world and the
Committee does not believe now is the time to under fund this
vital program. The Committee also recognizes the current budget
environment is straining resources across the department but
continues to prioritize this program. Therefore, the Committee
provides an increase of $101,500,000 to the base level of
funding for the Food for Peace program to continue the long
tradition of this U.S. humanitarian assistance.
Quarterly Reports.--The Secretary is directed, in
consultation with the Administrator of USAID, to provide to the
Committee a quarterly report on obligations and current
balances of Food for Peace Title II grants. This report should
also include any supplemental funding.
FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS
Appropriations, 2024....................................* $1,687,574,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 1,800,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,720,607,000
* Includes $68,467,000 included in a general provision
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 $1,720,607,000
for Food for Peace title II grants.
MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION
PROGRAM GRANTS
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $240,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 244,533,000
Committee recommendation................................ 250,000,000
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 $250,000,000
for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program.
Local and Regional Procurement.--The Committee provides an
appropriation of $25,000,000 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
levels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2024.................................. 6,063
Budget estimate, 2025................................. 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
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation User fees Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2024......... 3,544,150 3,328,255 6,872,405
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,544,150,000
for salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration.
The Committee also recommends $3,328,255,000 in definite
user fees, including: $1,472,210,000 in Prescription Drug user
fee collections; $394,228,000 in Medical Device user fee
collections; $30,225,000 in Animal Drug user fee collections;
$27,283,000 in Animal Generic Drug user fee collections;
$712,000,000 in Tobacco Product user fee collections;
$638,962,000 in Generic Drug user fee collections; and
$53,347,000 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 2024 unless otherwise specified. The Committee provides a
net increase of $1,000,000 for Cosmetics, $15,000,000 for Food
Safety activities, $3,000,000 for Neurology Drug Program, and
$1,000,000 for antimicrobial research at NCTR. The Committee
also includes $2,000,000 for FDA to support its participation
on the recently created multi-agency task force to combat the
illegal distribution and sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes.
The following table reflects the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2024 and budget
request levels:
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2025 budget Committee
2024 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field activities:
Foods.................................................... 1,179,177 1,244,274 1,195,177
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN]. 401,265 432,476 407,305
Field Activities..................................... 777,912 811,798 787,872
Human Drugs.............................................. 716,837 754,187 716,837
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER]....... 511,802 539,613 511,802
Field Activities..................................... 205,035 214,574 205,035
Biologics................................................ 266,126 279,957 266,126
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER].. 219,022 229,503 219,022
Field Activities..................................... 47,104 50,454 47,104
Animal Drugs............................................. 228,629 240,353 228,629
Center for Veterinary Medicine [CVM]................. 148,088 156,579 148,088
Field Activities..................................... 80,541 83,774 80,541
Medical and Radiological Devices......................... 442,856 465,733 442,856
Center for Devices and Radiological Health........... 351,403 366,698 351,403
Field Activities..................................... 91,453 99,035 91,453
National Center for Toxicological Research............... 77,361 80,723 78,361
Other Activities............................................. 240,787 252,577 245,787
Rent and related activities.................................. 207,377 208,977 207,377
Rental payments to GSA....................................... 163,000 155,386 163,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA salaries and expenses, new budget authority. 3,522,150 3,682,167 3,544,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accelerated Approval Pathway.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the FDA's continued use of the Accelerated
Approval pathway to provide patients with unmet medical needs
access to new therapies, especially to patients with
neurological diseases. Further, the Committee is concerned that
the application of the regulatory flexibility offered under the
Accelerated Approval Program is not uniform between the Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER] and the Center for
Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER]. The Committee directs
the FDA to streamline processes among all centers and report to
Congress within 90 days of enactment of this act to detail the
steps the FDA has taken to ensure the Accelerated Approval
Program is being administered equally in both CDER and CBER.
Congress gave FDA the authority to ensure that the
accelerated approval pathway continues to ensure early access
to safe and effective new therapies for individuals with
serious or life-threatening illnesses. The Committee recognizes
the importance of and support for FDA's continued use of the
Accelerated Approval pathway to provide patients with unmet
medical needs access to new therapies. In particular, the
Committee supports FDA's authority to approve therapies under
the accelerated approval pathway based on surrogate endpoints
or intermediate clinical endpoints and remains concerned about
other HHS agencies discouraging the use of the pathway and thus
patient access, particularly related to Alzheimer's disease
therapies.
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.--The Committee
encourages the Commissioner to continue to facilitate the
utilization of advanced manufacturing technologies to improve
manufacturing efficiencies and dependability. The Committee
requests that the Commissioner continue to encourage
manufacturers of critical generic sterile injectable products
that commonly experience drug shortages to invest in innovative
technologies that are effective and sustainable.
Advisory Committee Conflicts of Interest.--The Committee
remains concerned with the Food and Drug Administration's
conflict of interest rules as it pertains to advisory
committees. The 2023 External Review of FDA Regulation of
Opioid Analgesics Final Report noted the need for the FDA to
address ``concerns about inappropriate industry influence on
agency decision-making''. Current conflict of interest guidance
is intended to show FDA's policies behind financial interests
held by advisory committee membership and Government employees
participating in advisory committee meetings. They do not
specifically address industry influence, impact of this
guidance on participation in meetings, or enforcement ability
of conflict of interest guidance. For this reason, the
Committee looks forward to continue engaging with the
Government Accountability Office as they review this issue as
mandated in the fiscal year 2024 report.
Agricultural Water Rule.--The Committee directs the Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to continue its Produce
Safety Network of technical agents to assist growers in
conducting environmental assessments, evaluating agricultural
water, and other crucial food safety functions. The Committee
recommends the placement of agents should take into
consideration the top U.S. States in most need of food safety
technical resources, and mixed agricultural regions.
Alzheimer's Disease.--The Committee recognizes and commends
FDA for its efforts thus far in addressing Alzheimer's and
related dementias and urges FDA to fully utilize all existing
authorities and tools to meet these critical unmet medical
needs. It is vital that FDA fully applies current science,
patient input, and available regulatory mechanisms to expedite
the development and approval of potential treatments.
Prioritizing patient access to innovative therapies is
paramount. The Committee remains committed to supporting FDA's
efforts and emphasizes the need for a proactive and
comprehensive approach in tackling this devastating family of
diseases.
ALS.--The Committee recognizes the FDA's Orphan Drug
Program is one of the few programs in the Federal Government
that funds phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials for new ALS
therapies. In addition, FDA-sponsored research can expedite ALS
drug development through innovative trial designs that can
speed the FDA regulatory processes for new ALS treatments. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level to
implement the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS
Act (Public Law 117-79), including implementation of the act
for ALS Action Plan, operation of the Public Private
Partnership, and supporting the FDA Rare Neurodegenerative
Disease Grant Program which is authorized to provide grants for
clinical trials for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Funding for this program will further scientific knowledge to
inform product development and to allow more ALS patients to
participate in the clinical testing process and have access to
experimental therapies.
Andrological Health.--The Committee encourages the FDA to
work closely with sponsors developing new technologies intended
to treat or prevent diseases or conditions impacting male
reproductive health.
Angelman Syndrome.--The Committee is aware of the promising
research and development progress in the treatment of Angelman
Syndrome [AS], a rare and devastating neurogenetic disorder. At
the same time, there are significant challenges in developing
sensitive outcome measures to use in clinical trials for
potential therapies. The FDA advanced this field in 2017
through funding for a prospective natural history study in
Angelman Syndrome. The Committee strongly encourages the FDA to
expand this support through rare disease grants, as
appropriate, including for the evaluation of assessing
developmental gains through growth scale values. The Committee
also recommends renewed FDA attention to expanding the
assessment of Angelman Syndrome clinical endpoints and novel
biomarkers, in part based on the natural history background,
and encourages broad data-sharing across investigators and
industry for this and other rare diseases in light of the
limited size of patient populations.
Animal Drug Compounding.--The Committee urges FDA to
provide public clarification on the role of Animal Drug
Compounding in outsourcing facilities registered under section
503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. While both
CVM and CDER have stated in guidance documents that 503B
provisions do not apply to animal drugs, many 503B facilities
continue to advertise an ability to compound any needed animal
preparation in their 503B facility. FDA should publicly clarify
the use of these outsourcing facilities to produce compounded
preparations for animals.
Animal Food Ingredients.--Animal food ingredients are
reviewed and approved by the Center for Veterinary Medicine and
the agency is responsible for ensuring the safety of
ingredients as they enter the marketplace to be consumed by
either livestock or pets. 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 encourages the FDA to
prioritize improving animal food ingredient reviews, including
reviews of innovative products that act solely within the gut
of an animal and are intended to affect the structure or any
function of the animal's body.
Animal Food Substances.--The Committee understands that the
Center for Veterinary Medicine is working to improve its review
and approval of novel animal food substances that affect the
structure or function of the animal through a means other than
nutrition, but only act within the animal's gastrointestinal
tract. In some cases, certain substances are administered
orally but not directly added to the food or drinking water of
animals. When reviewing and approving animal feed ingredient
petitions, the Center for Veterinary Medicine shall ensure that
substances administered orally, including boluses, are deemed
to be food additives provided they achieve their intended
effects solely within the gastrointestinal tract and meet other
relevant criteria established by the Commissioner.
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. The Committee
directs the FDA to conduct a study to better understand
consumers' attitudes, beliefs, motivations, and perceptions
relative to product composition, health attributes, and
labeling. The FDA shall assess consumer perceptions of
different terms used on labeling of plant-based alternative
products. No later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this act, FDA shall submit to the Committee, and make publicly
available online, a report on the findings of this study.
Animal Testing.--The Committee directs FDA to efficiently
and expeditiously utilize existing funds to replace, reduce,
and, refine animal testing and advance new alternative methods
[NAMs] in a measurable and impactful way. The Committee
encourages FDA to support NAM's. This program is responsible
for furthering the development, qualification, and
implementation of alternative methods for regulatory purposes.
The agency is further directed to provide to the Committee
within 90 days of enactment a report on the status of work
within the NAM's Program in the Commissioner's office,
including a description of program goals and staffing levels by
position classification. To encourage the use of NAMs by
industry, the Committee directs FDA to determine whether any
changes to its regulations may be warranted to make clear to
the extent such studies are not scientifically necessary that
animal tests are not required to support clinical testing in
humans. The Committee strongly recommends prioritizing the
acceptance of alternative methods in developing and evaluating
drugs and biological products wherever appropriate and
scientifically feasible. The agency should, where applicable,
minimize funding to carry out new animal testing, including to
compare the use of animals to alternative methods, and use
existing animal data and alternative methods that will reduce
animal use in research when human data is not available.
Antimicrobials.--The Committee is aware that some over-the-
counter [OTC] consumer antiseptic wash products were banned
from the market and FDA deferred a decision on additional
antimicrobials due to lack of research and data. The Committee
urges FDA to evaluate antimicrobials used in OTC products to
determine the benefits to human health and whether products may
contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Antimicrobial Research.--The Committee provides an increase
of $1,000,000 to improve the understanding of biofilms and the
regulatory science of biofilms associated with FDA work on
medical devices, drug delivery, and public health. The funding
increase will help the FDA meet its objectives to reduce health
care associated infections as described in the FDA CDRH
Regulatory Science Priorities report, and support the domestic
manufacture of drugs and biological products.
Artificial Intelligence.--The Committee supports the steps
FDA has taken to identify and oversee issues related to AI in
drug development and urges the Commissioner to convene a
dedicated, cross-center team of internal experts in AI-enabled
drug development. Building on existing frameworks and programs,
the Committee encourages the agency to consider engaging
subject matter experts from outside of the agency in artificial
intelligence, as appropriate, to discuss general matters
relating to the uses of AI in drug development. The
Commissioner shall provide a report to the Committee no later
than 180 days after enactment of this Act the status of the
FDA's efforts regarding engagement on AI in drug development.
Artificial Intelligence in Medical Devices.--Within 90 days
of enactment of this act, the FDA shall conduct an assessment
of its existing authorities and provide to Congress a report
that identifies, if any, changes to its statutory authorities
necessary for the FDA to conduct oversight of post-deployment
performance and patient safety monitoring of artificial
intelligence/machine learning [AI/ML] based software as a
medical device (SaMD] and AI/ML-enabled medical devices. The
Commissioner's report to Congress should include recommended
modifications to authority, law, or policy, including an
estimate of the associated implementation costs and any
adjustment in the allocation of resources.
Bacterial Endotoxin Testing.--The Committee directs the FDA
to continue to be an active participant with the US
Pharmacopeia [USP] as they finalize chapter <86>. The Committee
requests a written update within 180 days of enactment of this
act.
Bicillin.--The Committee is concerned that Bicillin, the
only FDA-approved treatment for syphilis in pregnant people and
infants, is currently in short supply, even though there has
been a significant uptick in syphilis cases. Therefore, the
Committee directs the FDA Commissioner, in coordination with
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
to provide a plan to the Committee, no later than 90 days after
enactment, to ensure an adequate, uninterrupted drug supply and
to prevent future shortages--including other drug shortages
that may impact Bicillin, and steps to use the most up-to-date
Federal agency data to determine drug supply needs.
Biosimilars.--The Committee recognizes the FDA's continued
work to approve biosimilars that can enhance competition, drive
down costs to healthcare systems, and increase patient access
to biologic therapies. In April 2024, FDA approved the 50th
biosimilar product. The Committee encourages FDA to continue
its commitment to working with industry to resolve delays or
setbacks in a timely manner so that high-quality, safe, and
effective biosimilars, particularly those that would introduce
new competition, can more quickly get to market.
Botanical Dietary Supplements.--The Committee appreciates
the agency's efforts to strengthen regulation of dietary
supplements-including through the use of the Dietary Supplement
Ingredient Advisory List and the Botanical Safety Consortium.
The Committee encourages FDA to further invest in research to
identify potential drug interactions with botanical drugs.
Cell and Gene Therapy.--The Committee commends the strong
and consistent leadership of the Center for Biologics
Evaluation and Research and continues to closely monitor the
promise of cell and gene therapy for patients, particularly
children. The Committee expresses support for FDA leadership's
commitment to remain the gold standard in understanding novel
treatments and reviewing them based on current science and with
all due urgency where unmet medical need exists.
Cell Cultured Products.--The Committee is aware that in
April of 2020 the U.S. Government Accountability Office
completed a study of cell culture products and found that
because no company was commercially producing cell-cultured
meat at that time, there was a lack of specific information on
the technology being used, eventual commercial production
methods, and composition of final products. FDA is directed to
submit a report no later than 60 days following the enactment
of this act to the Committee outlining the specific information
on the technology being used commercial production methods, and
composition of the final products that have undergone FDA's
pre- market consultation process for human foods made with
cultured animal cells.
Center for Veterinary Medicine.--FDA-CVM published final
guidance #256, Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug
Substances, in 2022 to describe the agency's approach to
situations where veterinarians need access to these unapproved
drugs to provide appropriate care for the medical needs of the
diverse species they treat. The guidance alone will not end
current abusive practices that threaten animal health. The
Committee understands enforcement actions were delayed
providing a period of adjustment. The Committee requests CVM
submit a report to the Committee on the number of enforcement
actions taken.
Clinical Trial Operations.--The Committee recognizes that
the COVID-19 pandemic further increased the staffing shortages
already present at clinical research sites, exacerbating
longstanding challenges to the timely collection and efficient
reporting of clinical trial data in cancer research. The burden
of data collection, entry, and verification is high and rests
primarily with site staff, who most often input data manually.
Meanwhile, the data fields requested for developing a given
drug class have become increasingly numerous and may be
complex. The Committee urges the FDA to provide guidance to
cancer trial sites, sponsors, and contractors that both defines
necessary data elements and streamlines data entry and
verification processes. Such guidance will be foundational in
maximizing clinical trial efficiency through a targeted
reduction of the administrative burden currently placed upon
research staff.
COVID Vaccine Strain Selection.--During the COVID-19
pandemic, FDA was able to rapidly make available a variety of
safe and efficacious COVID-19 countermeasures which helped to
significantly reduce burden of disease. However, the evolution
of SARS-CoV-2 has reduced the efficacy of several products and
is requiring health authorities to continuously examine
potential updates, most notably to the strain composition and
presentations of COVID-19 vaccines. FDA has followed a strain
selection process with timelines for updating COVID-19 vaccine
composition. FDA should continue to follow a process whereby
the agency recommends modifications to vaccine composition as
needed and practical to take into account viral evolution, and
whenever possible to provide all vaccine manufacturers,
irrespective of manufacturing technology, thereby supporting
the availability of COVID-19 vaccine options for healthcare
providers and consumers. This strengthens the vaccine supply by
mitigating risks associated with product recalls, supply chain
disruptions, or changes to clinical guidance limiting use in a
given population.
Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.--The Committee
appreciates the FDA's continued efforts to adapt drug
manufacturing guidance to align with new advanced manufacturing
processes such as continuous flow manufacturing of active
pharmaceutical ingredients [API], including the Center for Drug
Evaluation and Research's Framework for Regulatory Advanced
Manufacturing Evaluation [FRAME] Initiative. The Committee is
concerned that a current lack of clear standards and realistic
quality assessment methods for continuous pharmaceutical
manufacturing are creating unnecessary risk for capital
investments in advanced manufacturing equipment. The Committee
notes the promising potential for continuous pharmaceutical
manufacturing to reduce the cost of generic pharmaceutical
production and make it more financially viable to increase
generic pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States. The
Committee also notes that investors and manufacturers may
hesitate to make the significant capital investments required
to purchase continuous manufacturing equipment when standard
practices for quality monitoring and licensing are not yet
established.
Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods.--To improve the Food
and Drug Administration's ability to quickly and efficiently
respond to threats to food safety, the Committee directs the
Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to empower and
provide all necessary resources for the Deputy Commissioner for
Human of Foods to oversee the activities of the Human Foods
Program, and to grant the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
authority over the food inspection resources for the Office of
Inspections and Investigations.
Device Remanufacturing Safety and Awareness.--The Committee
recognizes that the FDA has authority over remanufacturing of
devices but is concerned that the agency needs to increase
public awareness of the requirements applicable to device
remanufacturing, consistent with the agency's mission to
protect and promote public health. The Committee recognizes
that the agency plans to publish a final guidance document on
the remanufacturing of devices in fiscal year 2024. Within 30
of the issuance of the final guidance document, the Committee
directs the agency to provide a briefing to the Committee on
the guidance and the agency's plans to promote public awareness
of the applicable requirements and related compliance.
Drug Advisory Committees.--The Committee understands the
importance of the integrity of the FDA and that the volume and
complexity of new products is increasing rapidly. Expert
Advisory Committees are a key component of FDA's regulatory
decisionmaking, enhancing the agency's capabilities and
building trust among the medical community, patients, and the
broader public. FDA's use of advisory committees in the context
of drug regulation has changed substantially from 2010 to 2021,
with FDA convening fewer committees in advance of major
decisions, including new drug approvals. The Committee
recommends that FDA take steps towards engaging independent
experts in a more consistent and rigorous way. To that end, the
Committee directs FDA to report on its guidelines for utilizing
Expert Advisory Committees, analyzing the predictability and
consistency of these Committees in fiscal year 2024 and to
provide a report to the Committee on its findings within 120
days of the enactment of this act.
Drug Approvals.--The Committee asserts that FDA's authority
to approve medications should be based on sound science and
devoid of political or economic considerations.
Essential Medical Devices.--FDA issued a safety
communication in November 2023, with additional updates in
March, April, and May of 2024, warning consumers, healthcare
providers, and healthcare facilities to avoid syringes that are
manufactured in China due to quality and patient safety
concerns around leaks, breakage, and other problems. However,
foreign needles and syringes, particularly from China, continue
to be imported into the U.S. These products are being widely
used throughout the U.S. healthcare system despite the serious
risks to patients and the resulting erosion of the domestic
manufacturing base. The Committee strongly supports efforts to
protect patient safety, national security, and vulnerable
domestic supply chains for critical industries, like essential
medical devices. The Committee directs FDA to provide a report
to the Committee on steps it will take to increase awareness of
problematic syringes from China, including discussion of the
use of domestically produced syringes as alternatives where
appropriate.
Essential Medical Devices Inspections.--The Committee urges
FDA to increase its oversight and inspection of essential
medical devices, particularly drug delivery devices and
accessories, made in foreign countries. Currently, the U.S.
imports nearly 40 percent of its needles and syringes from
China and these devices have shown to have both quality and
compatibility issues. Given these concerns, the FDA should be
inspecting more foreign facilities, more often, consistent with
U.S. domestic manufacturers and modernize applicable guidance
that outline the technical expectations critical to quality.
Therefore, the Committee strongly urges FDA to increase its
oversight and inspection of essential medical devices,
particularly drug delivery devices and accessories, made in
China. FDA is directed to provide a briefing to the Committee
regarding a one, three, and five year plan, within 180 days of
enactment of this act, increasing its oversight (including
inspections) of Chinese essential medical device facilities.
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 engage with the Administration
for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the HHS Supply
Chain Resilience and Shortage Working Group to identify
opportunities to support the development of capabilities to
produce essential medicines in the United States. Particular
attention should be paid to the production of antibiotics,
which are experiencing drug shortages and are found on FDA's
List of Essential Medicines.
Food Labeling Accuracy.--The Committee supports evaluating
whether artificial intelligence [AI] driven audit tools can
effectively assess food labeling accuracy and facilitate
greater Federal labeling compliance. CFSAN is responsible for
assuring that foods sold in the United States are safe and
properly labeled. The Committee believes that AI-driven tools
will accelerate CFSAN's goal of ensuring the accuracy of food
labeling consistent with the Agency's obligation under the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and
Labeling Act to monitor and ensure that food labels are
truthful and not misleading. The Committee directs CFSAN to
report to the Committee by on the status of its evaluation.
Food Additives.--The Committee encourages FDA to consider
the cumulative effects of chemically and pharmacologically
related substances in the diet. The Committee requests a
briefing within 180 days on the number of food and color
additive petitions, food contact substance notifications, and
generally recognized as safe [GRAS] notifications it has
received and authorized within the past 5 years that included
consideration of the cumulative effects of chemically and
pharmacologically related substances.
The Committee is concerned that state legislative activity
to ban FDA-approved food and color additives threatens both
FDA's unified, science-based Federal food safety system, and
the interstate commerce of agricultural, food, and beverage
goods. The Committee reaffirms the essential role FDA plays in
determining the safety of food and color additives in the
Nation's food and beverage supply and encourages the FDA to
clearly and actively communicate with the public and state
legislatures the efforts it undertakes to protect public health
from unsafe chemicals and the risks to the food supply and
interstate commerce that would result without a unified,
Federal, science-based food safety system.
Further, the Committee requests that FDA provide, no later
than 180 days after enactment, a report that details food and
color additives that are under current FDA review and that FDA
is otherwise prioritizing for future review, including the
basis of potential safety concerns, the current status of the
review, and a timeline of review for each additive, including a
commitment to a timeframe to complete the review.
Food Safety Modernization Act Outreach to Small Farmers.--
The Committee expects FDA to adequately fund its programs to
provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to educate
small farmers on compliance with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
and rules for agricultural water. The Committee expects CFSAN
to continue support for the coopertive agreement established
for this purpose. The Committee encourages FDA to support
critical outreach and training services to small farmers until
the Produce Safety Rule is fully implemented, including
enforcement and compliance of Subpart E (agricultural water)
and Subpart F (biological soil amendments of animal origin) for
farms and businesses of all sizes.
Field Based Prevention Strategies.--The Committee directs
the FDA Center for Excellence to continue to dedicate funds as
necessary to develop field-based prevention strategies for the
fresh produce industry.
Foreign Approved Drugs.--The Committee supports efforts to
increase the tools available to FDA to ensure the timely
approval of lifesaving drugs and encourages FDA to examine
opportunities to facilitate submission of marketing
applications by manufacturers of drugs with marketing
authorization in countries listed in 21 U.S.C. 382, Federal,
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act section 802(b), but which are not
approved in the United States.
Grain Reconditioning.--The Committee is aware of delays in
FDA approval for a reconditioning process after the Federal
Grain Inspection Service [FGIS] has determined the inspected
grain at export facilities to be Distinct Low Quality. The
Committee directs FDA and USDA to update their Memorandum of
Understanding [MOU] regarding their respective timely
responsibilities in the inspection and standardization of
grain, rice, pulses, and food products, to allow pre-approved
reconditioning plans for lost/sublots of grain that are found
actionable for specific conditions. In updating the MOU, the
Committee directs FDA and USDA to consult with key
stakeholders, including industry.
Healthy Rule.--The Committee directs FDA to consider all
data and information submitted during the open public comment
period before publishing rules or regulations for updating the
implied nutrient content claim healthy.
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 and encourages the FDA to coordinate with the USDA to
ensure that a wide variety of healthy nutritious foods remain
available to participants of Federal nutrition programs.
HIV Self-Testing.--The Committee supports advancement of
technologies that enable rapid self-testing for HIV,
particularly those technologies that detect HIV in patients on
current or future therapeutics and vaccines. The Committee
notes the critical importance of having such self-testing
technologies available before HIV vaccines reach the market in
order to eliminate false positive results with current tests
and to support vaccine adoption. The Committee encourages FDA
to prioritize meritorious proposals to bring these important
tests to market.
Homeopathy.--The Committee understands the importance of
homeopathic medicines for millions of users. Consumers access
and safety to these products are best ensured by implementing a
legal pathway that includes homeopathic specific standards for
the regulation of these medicines. The Committee understands
FDA is limited to enforcing pharmaceutical specific standards
when taking enforcement action against products labeled as
homeopathic. The FDA's interpretation of the law that all
homeopathic medicines are unapproved new drugs that are
illegally marketed has created confusion both for the
homeopathic community and enforcement officials. The Committee
directs the FDA to work with the homeopathic community with
regards to the regulation of these medicines.
HPV Self-Sampling.--One in four women in the United States
do not receive regular cervical cancer screenings, with more
than half of cervical cancer diagnoses occurring in women who
are not screened. While there are many barriers to screening,
some of the top include fear of the procedure, embarrassment,
or lack of time or transportation. The Committee encourages FDA
to exercise the use of regulatory authorities to expedite
innovation related to at-home self-collection tests that could
increase and expand access to screenings for women and address
a persistent cancer health disparity for women who are never
screened or under-screened.
Human Drug Review Performance Trends.--The concurrent
investment of discretionary resources and Prescription Drug
User Fee Act [PDUFA] Program funds has resulted in a successful
program for over three decades enabling faster review times in
the United States, thus allowing the American people to gain
quicker access to FDA approved prescription drugs. The
Committee is aware of a recent decrease in FDA first cycle
approval rates [FCA] with an increasing number of Complete
Response Letters [CRLs] being issued to drug manufacturers.
This decline is observed across all human drug review programs,
including novel drug approvals. To keep with the stated goals
within the PDUFA Performance Goals to increase the first cycle
approval rate for medicines that are ultimately approved, the
Committee directs FDA to provide a report to the Committee with
an analysis of how the issues that led to CRLs following a
first-cycle review of new molecular entities and original
biologic license applications over the past 5 years. This
report should include recommendations on how sponsors and FDA
can improve timely identification and resolution of potential
issues; the extent to which and how the global pandemic may
have impacted FCAs between February 2020 to May 2023; and how
challenges in the human drug review process may be addressed
with the ultimate goal of increasing FCA rates and faster
patient access to safe and effective prescription drugs.
Imported Shrimp Safety and Inspection Pilot Program.--The
Committee commends and supports FDA's ongoing efforts to
implement and increase its oversight and the regulation of the
safety of shrimp products imported into the United States. The
Committee maintains the fiscal year 2024 funding levels to
implement the program. FDA's prior reports to Congress
emphasized the importance of increased sampling of import
shipments, investment in laboratory capabilities, data
analytics, and the establishment of regulatory partnership
arrangements with the top three countries exporting shrimp to
the U.S. The Committee encourages FDA to continue the full
development and implementation of the shrimp pilot program
including finalizing the establishment of regulatory
partnership arrangements. The FDA Commissioner shall provide
the Committee a briefing before the end of fiscal year 2025
summarizing how the funds appropriated have been used and how
the funds support FDA in meeting the objectives of section 787
of Public Law 116-260.
Infant Formula.--The Committee remains concerned about the
domestic production of infant formula after the 2022 infant
formula crisis and that since the 2022 crisis, there have been
several instances of cronobacter being found in infant formula
and illness and death among babies who consumed it. The
Committee directs the FDA to use all authorities to prevent
contaminated infant formula from making it to market.
The Committee also directs the FDA to streamline approval
processes for small domestic manufacturers to increase and
expand the domestic supply of infant formula and bring jobs to
the Unites States.
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.
Insomnia.--The Committee encourages FDA to work with the
Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] to prioritize actions
that may expand access to insomnia treatments. The Committee
understands that our servicemembers, veterans, and first
responders have a higher-than-average prevalence of insomnia,
and that DEA and FDA are currently undergoing a review to
potentially deschedule the DORA class of insomnia treatments.
FDA is encouraged to work swiftly to complete their Eight-
Factor Analysis to ensure that safer insomnia treatments get to
those who need them sooner. Within 60 days of enactment of this
act, the Committee directs FDA to provide a report to the
Committee on the status of any scientific and medical
evaluation that may be in progress under the provisions of 21
U.S.C. 811 and provide detailed information on next steps on
the descheduling process once FDA has completed their analysis.
Inspection Frequency.--The Committee is concerned that food
facilities are not inspected frequently enough to adequately
identify and respond to risks. Under the Food Safety
Modernization Act, high-risk domestic facilities must be
inspected every 3 years and other domestic facilities must be
inspected every 5 years. The Committee directs FDA to provide a
report, not later than 180 days after the enactment of this
act, regarding its resource analysis on increasing the
frequency of inspections to every 18 months for high-risk
domestic facilities and every 3 years for non-high-risk
domestic facilities, while continuing other important public
health activities, including oversight of imported food safety.
International Mail Facilities.--The Committee remains
concerned about the opioid epidemic that has taken the lives of
thousands of Americans and support the FDA's continued
investments in International Mail Facilities and Ports of Entry
to prevent illicit drugs, including unapproved and counterfeit
pharmaceuticals, from entering the United States.
Islet Autoantibodies.--The Committee encourages FDA to
engage with the diabetes community on potential cures for Type
1 and Type 2 diabetes, including islet therapies. The Committee
is aware of ongoing delays in research and development to
potential cures for diabetes, including islet therapies, and
encourages FDA to engage with stakeholders, including
advocates, researchers and manufacturers, on advancing
transformative diabetes treatments and cures.
Limited Population Pathway for Antibacterial and Antifungal
Drugs.--On December 13, 2016, the Limited Population Pathway
for Antibacterial and Antifungal Drugs (LPAD pathway) was added
to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act through
section 3042 of the 21st Century Cures Act (section 506(h) of
the FD&C Act). This pathway provides stakeholders, including
FDA and industry, with a tool to help with the approval of
antibacterial and antifungal drugs to treat serious and life-
threatening infections in a limited population of patients with
unmet needs. On August 5, 2020, FDA published a Final Guidance
for Industry: Limited Population Pathway for Antibacterial and
Antifungal Drugs. In 2021 the Government Accountability Office
[GAO] published a report highlighting the fact that the pathway
was infrequently used. The Committee directs the GAO to revisit
and update this report and include recommendations to improve
utilization of the LPAD program.
Listeria.--The Committee recognizes that developing the
Compliance Policy Guide [CPG] for Listeria monocytogenes in
ready-to-eat foods is a complex process, and directs the FDA to
work with stakeholders to ensure that the CPG outlines a policy
that is reflective of the current scientific evidence and is
practical to implement.
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.
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.
Medications Safety and Effectiveness.--The Committee
supports FDA's authority to approve medications based on the
scientific evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the
medication, as well as its authority to determine the
methodology to adequately perform the scientific evaluation.
Medical Supply Chain Surveillance.--The Committee
appreciates the FDA's work to address drug shortages and other
medical supply chain issues, but these continue to persist and
cause harm. The Committee urges the FDA to build on its June
2021 recommendations to improve transparency throughout the
pharmaceutical supply chain by continuing to support the
development of information systems to anticipate drug or other
medical supply shortages in order to be able to act to work to
prevent and/or mitigate shortages. A special emphasis should be
placed on drug shortages, particularly sterile injectable
drugs, which were found to be the drugs most commonly in short
supply in the Drug Shortages Taskforce its report ``Drug
Shortages: Root Causes and Potential Solutions''. The Committee
urges the FDA to partner with other divisions in the Department
of Health and Human Services, such as to expedite the
development or licensure of a coordinated medical supply chain
surveillance system to support strategies to proactively
prevent or mitigate drug shortages. This effort should include
the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and
other governmental and nongovernmental organizations as deemed
necessary.
Menopause and Mid-Life Women's Health.--The Committee
encourages the FDA to continue outreach and engagement
activities with healthcare providers and researchers on
perimenopause, menopause, and mid-life women's health, as well
as oversight and consumer protection efforts to assess the
safety and effectiveness of new diagnostic tools for menopausal
symptoms, including devices that use artificial intelligence.
Metastatic Cancer.--The Committee recognizes FDA for
ongoing efforts to gather input and patient-focused feedback
from the metastatic cancer community. The Committee notes the
ongoing challenge identified by patients of needing access to
multiple therapeutic option and various sites of care due to
the fact that patients with metastatic cancer often progress
through multiple therapies, and encourages FDA to continue
working to ensure multiple safe and effective therapeutic
options with varying delivery mechanisms are available.
Minimal (or Measurable) Residual Disease.--To expedite the
development and safe patient access to new therapeutics, FDA is
encouraged to support collaborative research with the National
Institutes of Health, universities, and industry, regarding the
utilization of Minimal (or Measurable) Residual Disease [MRD]
testing to assess response to therapy and predict patient
outcomes in its evaluation of therapeutic products. The
Committee directs FDA to report within 1 year of the enactment
of this act on advances in the science and development of
products directed to the determination of MRD, that might soon
enable the utilization of MRD to serve as an exploratory
endpoint for clinical trial evaluations.
Neurology Drug Program.--The Committee is encouraged by the
Agency's plants to hire additional staff with neurological
expertise to the expand the Agency's efforts to address
regulatory challenges in neurodegenerative drug development.
The Committee provides an additional $3,000,000 in base
authority for the Agency to build on current efforts to advance
scientific knowledge of neurological diseases.
New Era of Smarter Food Safety.--The Committee supports the
FDA's efforts to bring together data from several agencies to
identify and predict vulnerabilities in the Nation's food
supply chain and enable the FDA to take a proactive approach to
ensure food safety and supply chain continuity to prevent and
respond to crises, such as the recent infant formula shortage.
The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2024 level
to continue this initiative.
New Prior Knowledge.--The Committee is aware of certain
issues with domestic drug manufacturing supply chains, and that
the FDA has been previously encouraged to improve generic drug
development, manufacturing, and quality of generic drugs
domestically. The Committee urges FDA to establish a pilot
program that will apply new tools to improve generic drug
development, manufacturing, and quality. The program must be in
collaboration with academic institutions that offer strengths
in assessing and improving the generic drug supply chain to
ensure the utilization of evidence-based best practices.
Niemann-Pick Type C [NPC].--The Committee continues to
encourage FDA to increase its understanding and focus on NPC, a
rare progressive and universally fatal disease that impact
children and young adults. The Committee encourages FDA to use
its existing authorities and pathways to meet the urgent unmet
medical need of the current generation of NPC patients,
including preserving access to existing experimental therapies
already in use. The Committee further encourages FDA to
maximize the use of existing natural history data and real
world evidence contributed by this small patient population
through existing and past clinical studies and to continue to
work with patients, scientists, and industry partners to bring
to full fruition the work that is being accomplished through
patient organizations, scientists, researchers, and other to
fully benefit this generation of NPC patients.
Office of Therapeutic Products.--The Committee recognizes
the FDA's efforts with regard to rare disease and oncology
pilot programs and other positive initiatives, as well as
recent increases to support staffing, especially within the
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and the Office of
Therapeutic Products [OTP]. However, the Committee is concerned
about the ability to consistently achieve the desired level of
review timeliness and quality, and encourages the FDA to
implement and apply modern approaches to keep pace with the
science. Specifically, the Committee encourages OTP to
facilitate reviewers' understanding of the current scientific
consensus and disease-specific considerations for current and
future programs through consultation with subject matter
experts, both internal and external to FDA. The Committee is
also concerned about insufficient patient and expert input when
weighing benefits and risks of potentially life changing or
lifesaving new treatments. Further, the Committee is concerned
that despite Congress recently reinforcing FDA's flexibilities
and toolkit related to rare disease and unmet need, OTP is not
fully utilizing these flexibilities and tools as Congress
intended. The Committee notes the importance of use of these
flexibilities and tools, as appropriate, and expects a report
to the Committee on interim measures of progress within 1 year
of enactment.
OIG Report on Infant Formula.--The Committee is concerned
by the findings of the HHS Office of Inspector General's report
on the FDA's response to the infant formula crisis (A-01-22-
01502). The Committee directs FDA to provide the Committee with
quarterly briefings on changes FDA has made as a result of the
findings to improve inspections, recalls, and administrative
responses within FDA. The Committee also directs the FDA to
provide a report, within 90 days of enactment of this act,
outlining any statutory changes needed to fully implement the
findings from the report.
Opioid Epidemic.--The Committee is deeply concerned about
the opioid epidemic that took the lives of more than 109,000
Americans in 2023. These figures continue to reflect record
overdose deaths, accelerated by the rise of illicit fentanyl.
For the past two decades, the FDA has approved new opioid
analgesic drug applications following completion of clinical
trials using the enriched enrollment randomized withdrawal
[EERW] methodology. The Committee remains concerned with the
FDA use of enriched enrollment, randomized, withdrawal [EERW]
clinical trial designs. Whereas the FDA Anesthetic and
Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee [AADPAC] held a
meeting reviewing EERW on extended release/long acting [ER/LA]
opioids on the efficacy of EERW on showing efficacy, while no
vote was held, the AADPAC noted perceived flaws in the clinical
trial design. As such the Committee directs the FDA to continue
to review the value of EERW methodology for its use in
evaluating new marketing applications for prescription opioid
analgesics review EERW's use in approving opioids analgesics
currently on the market.
The Committee urges the agency to produce a report to
Congress on the progress of the development and advancement of
non-opioid chronic pain therapies.
Over-the-Counter Tests.--The Committee remains concerned
for Americans lacking equitable access to healthcare.
Diagnostics have proven to be a critical component in
protecting public health-mitigating the spread of infectious
disease, as well as informing treatment options- still access
remains limited. The Committee is aware of existing over-the-
counter [OTC] diagnostic tests that would improve accessibility
for Americans, and encourage more frequent testing of common
infections, providing an overall benefit to public health.
Therefore, the Committee encourages FDA to prioritize the
premarket review of OTC tests which target the most common
viral and bacterial threats, particularly to address infections
for which there is no OTC diagnostic currently authorized, when
they meet FDA's standards. Additionally, the Committee directs
that no later than 90 days after the enactment of this act, the
agency provides a report on the FDA's efforts to expand access
to OTC diagnostics, including an update on submissions in
general for these tests, with special attention to products
that address infections for which there is no OTC diagnostic
currently authorized.
Oversight Activities.--The Committee provides $1,500,000
for the HHS Office of Inspector General specifically for
oversight of FDA activities.
Oversight on FDA Inspections.--The Food and Drug
Administration [FDA] often takes several cycles of review to
approve drugs and biologics that are safe and effective.
Pharmaceuticals or biologics often take several review cycles
to be approved due to questions about the quality of their
manufacturing, which often takes place overseas. The Committee
directs the FDA to submit a report of the impact of the
location of manufacturing sites, and FDA's ability to conduct
inspections, on the rate of first cycle approvals.
Pacific Snapper.--The Committee includes bill language
regarding Pacific Snapper and directs FDA to update its Fish
and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance or any other
relevant guidance to clarify or add any additional food safety
issues that may arise due to this change within 180 days of
enactment.
Pasteurized Orange Juice.--The Committee is concerned that
pests, disease and hurricanes are having a devastating impact
on Florida's citrus growers and processors. These circumstances
have resulted in a natural decline in the Brix level for
Florida's mature oranges, with no known adverse health
consequences for consumers. The Committee believes it is
necessary to provide for analytical deviation in the minimum
Brix level for pasteurized orange juice to account for these
naturally occurring growing conditions. The Committee strongly
encourages both USDA and FDA to expedite work with Florida's
citrus growers and processors, and other stakeholders as
necessary, to consider additional flexibility by modernizing
requirements for pasteurized orange juice that better account
for naturally-occurring Brix variation.
Pathogen Reduction.--The Committee supports FDA's efforts
to recommend an individual risk assessment for blood donor
eligibility. The Committee encourages FDA to continue studying
how to improve existing blood donation policies to advance a
safe and adequate supply of blood and reduce stigma. Further,
FDA must prioritize further investments in pathogen reduction
technologies to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted
infections and safeguard the blood supply.
Patient Experience Data.--The Committee supports efforts to
identify standardized approaches to collecting and analyzing
patient experience data to inform clinical research design and
regulatory reviews under the patient-focused drug development
process. The Committee encourages FDA to make every effort to
incorporate all relevant patient experience data, including
from patient advocacy organizations, across its regulatory
obligations.
Pediatric Cancer.--Many rare pediatric cancers have
molecular and genetic characteristics that are unique to
children, such as tumors with gene fusions, embryonic tumors,
germline tumors, and many brain tumors. Developing new
therapies for such rare cancers is difficult, leaving children
with rare tumors with few or no therapeutic options. The FDA
should prioritize the development of a public-private
partnership to assume responsibility for conducting pediatric
oncology drug development programs that may not be possible for
industry to develop on its own. A January 2020 GAO report on
pediatric vouchers recommended the implementation of ``a
collaborative agreement to share development risk and reward
between a public or quasi public organization and one or more
private developers''.
Pediatric Cancer International Collaboration.--The
Committee encourages the FDA to engage more formally and
extensively with international entities to promote greater
collaboration between the U.S. and international partners
around pediatric cancer drug development.
Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.--Pediatric Device
Consortia grants provide funding to assist innovators in
developing medical and surgical devices designed for the unique
needs of children, needs that 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 2,500 proposed pediatric
medical devices projects since 2009.
Pediatric Labeling.--The Committee continues to be
concerned that labeling for over-the-counter [OTC] single-
ingredient acetaminophen does not contain weight-based dosing
instructions for children ages 6 months to 2 years. 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. Over a
decade ago, the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee
and Pediatric Advisory Committee recommended weight-based
dosing instructions be added to the labeling based on
scientific data; however, FDA has still not taken action. The
Committee directs the FDA to initiate regulatory action to add
dosing data within 180 days of the enactment of this act or
issue a report to Congress every 90 days until such regulatory
action is initiated.
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.
Pharmaceutical Marketing.--The Committee is aware of
promotional activities by pharmaceutical companies to
physicians and acknowledges this practice can help inform
providers of new treatments. The Committee notes that this can
also lead to an increase in prescribing rates of newer, and
potentially more expensive brand-name medications. The
Committee urges FDA to clarify the obligation of prescription
drug and biological product sponsors with respect to
promotional activities.
Plant Based Alternatives.--The Committee is concerned that
the current labeling practices of some plant-based alternatives
to animal-derived foods have the potential to cause consumer
confusion. The Committee directs FDA to conduct a study to (1)
better understand consumers' perceptions and motivations
relative to product composition, health attributes, and other
confusing labeling and marketing practices, and (2) assess
consumer perceptions of different terms used on labeling of
plant-based alternative products. No later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this act, FDA shall submit to
Congress, and make publicly available online, a report on the
findings of this study.
Plant Based Product Labeling.--The Committee is concerned
that the current labeling practices of some plant based
altertives to animal-derived foods have the potential to cause
consumer confusion. The Committee directs the Food and Drug
Administration [FDA] to conduct a study to (1) better
understand consumer's perceptions and motivations relative to
produce composition, health attributes, and labeling, and (2)
assess consumer perceptions of different terms used on labeling
of plant-based alternative products. No later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this act, FDA shall submit to
Congress, and make publicly available online, a report on the
findings of this study.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS].--The Committee recognizes
that there have been no FDA-approved treatments specific to
PCOS and commends the FDA for supporting the Externally-Led
Patient-Focused Drug Development [EL-PFDD] meeting on PCOS. The
Committee further encourages the FDA, based on the findings of
the EL-PFDD meeting, to work with investigators, industry,
patients, practitioners, and researchers to advance the
development of safe new evidence-based therapies, diagnostics,
devices, and that address the identified needs and treatment
priorities of PCOS patients.
Predictive Toxicology Roadmap Guideline Studies.--The
Committee supports activities to implement goals set in the
Predictive Toxicology Roadmap. However, the Committee is
concerned that funding intended to advance New Approach
Methodologies [NAMs] and reduce animal testing for product
development will be used to conduct new animal tests for
comparative guideline studies. While it is important to ensure
that novel methods can be relied upon for product development
and regulatory decision-making, the Committee encourages FDA to
first consider the use of human data or existing animal study
data in this comparative assessment, when feasible, to remain
aligned with the intentions of the Roadmap and animal testing
reduction, refinement, and replacement goals. The Committee
directs NCTR to prioritize use of existing human data, or
existing data from animal tests conducted prior to enactment of
this act when scientifically appropriate, when collaborating
with other FDA Centers and the National Toxicology Program data
if appropriate.
Prioritizing U.S. Biomanufacturing.--The Committee directs
the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] to prioritize
applications or supplements that identify new domestic or
allied manufacturing facilities for essential medicines as
identified by FDA and/or products experiencing domestic
shortages. FDA should prioritize inspections of new U.S.
manufacturing facilities and newly identified U.S.
manufacturing facilities for FDA approved products.
Promoting Domestic Manufacturing.--The Committee supports
the Agency's work to promote the domestic manufacturing of
drugs and biological products to help bolster supply chain
resiliency, including consistent with Executive Order 13944.
The Committee encourages the FDA to increase its efforts,
consistent with its authorities, to encourage the
pharmaceutical industry to expand and relocate drug
manufacturing to the United States for this purpose. The
Committee encourages the FDA to continue programs and policies
that would encourage the pharmaceutical industry to adopt
advanced manufacturing technologies, which could help prompt
industry to relocate foreign manufacturing to the United States
or expanding current domestic manufacturing.
Psychedelics.--The Committee recognizes the increased
interest and need to study psychedelics, including MDMA,
psilocybin, ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT, and their potential
therapeutic effects. The Committee encourages FDA to work with
the VA, DoD, and NIH on leveraging clinical trials to improve
our understanding of psychedelics The Committee also encourages
FDA and VA, DoD, and NIH to work together in developing and
supporting public-private collaborations to advance psychedelic
research for therapeutic purposes, with FDA maintaining its
independent regulatory authority as an observer. The Committee
requests a report on such efforts within 180 days of enactment
of this act.
Rare Diseases.--The Committee recognizes the unique
barriers to developing innovative therapies for rare diseases.
Approximately 25 to 30 million Americans suffer from a rare
disease, yet only 500 out of the 7,000 known rare conditions
have an FDA-approved treatment. The Committee commends FDA for
its efforts to modernize and expedite the regulatory
environment for rare disease drug development. While
acknowledging the autonomy of both Center for Drug Evaluation
and Research [CDER] and Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Research [CBER], particularly in their restructuring efforts
tailored to the products they review, the Committee underscores
the necessity of a more aligned approach specifically for rare
diseases. The alignment of novel approaches to rare disease
drug development helps expedite timely access to innovative
safe and effective therapies to address the urgent, unmet needs
of patients living with rare diseases. Therefore, the Committee
urges CDER and CBER to continue to engage through its
Accelerated Approval Council to align policies related to the
use of Accelerated Approval in rare disease drug development.
Rare Disease Innovation Agenda.--The Committee recognizes
that the development of rare disease therapies offers unique
regulatory challenges, especially for the smallest patient
populations. This is due to several factors including poorly
understood natural history, challenges in identifying
informative endpoints and biomarkers, and for certain
therapies, hurdles in manufacturing and commercialization due
to population size. To help further facilitate the development
of medical products for rare diseases with a high unmet need,
the Committee requests that within 180 days of enactment, the
agency develop a Rare Disease Innovation Agenda to enhance
communication between the rare disease community and the Agency
and to focus on intercenter collaboration and coordination
regarding issues critical to rare disease drug development,
such as novel endpoints, biomarker development, use of real
world data, and innovative clinical trial designs for small
populations. In developing such an agenda, the Agency should
consider whether different mechanisms could be operationalized
to facilitate and enhance intercenter collaboration, as well as
solicit public input, including through a public meeting that
includes patients, companies developing rare disease therapies
and other relevant experts. A summary of such meeting and
proposed recommendations shall be posted on the Agency's
website.
Seafood Labeling.--The Committee continues to hear concerns
with the labeling of certain foods as a fish or seafood product
when the products are highly-processed plant-based foods rather
than derived from actual fish or seafood, and the labeling of
these products are misleading, deceptive, and confusing to
consumers. The Committee is concerned the terms ``plant-based''
and ``vegan'' exempt the producer from describing the actual
plant source as part of the product name, in opposition to
other FDA guidance. The Committee directs the FDA to provide
clarity around the labeling of these foods using seafood
terminology to ensure they are held to the same standards as
actual seafood products to avoid consumer confusion, and aligns
with the structure it has applied to the draft guidance for the
labeling of plant-based milk alternatives.
Securing Medical Supply Chains.--The Committee direct the
FDA, in coordination with national security agencies, to
prioritize supply chain security and national security when
evaluating all applications throughout the new drug development
and approval lifecycle.
Smoking Cessation.--The Committee is aware of alarming
trends in youth e-cigarette use; recent survey data from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that in
2023, 10 percent of high school students reported using e-
cigarettes in the previous 30 days. At present, there are no
FDA-approved nicotine cessation drugs that are approved for
adolescent populations. With more than 2,500,000 young people
using e-cigarettes, there is a greater need for development of
nicotine Cessation treatments for adolescents. The Committee
encourages FDA to provide additional guidance to drug
manufacturers on the tools that FDA can utilize to promote
development and expedite approval of nicotine cessation
treatments for adolescents.
The Committee recognizes the important work of advancing
smoking cessation treatment innovation to help adult smokers be
more successful in quitting and the critical role of the Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER] in this work. The
Committee is concerned that the HHS Smoking Cessation Framework
released on March 8, 2024, as an update to a 2023 draft, does
not acknowledge the importance of bringing forward new
pharmacotherapies for smokers seeking to quit and the critical
role of CDER in modernizing the regulatory framework for these
products to reflect the real-world experience risk-benefit
considerations and address unnecessary barriers to advancing
vitally needed new cessation therapies for patients. The
Committee requests an update from CDER on new actions the
Center will take to address the sustained unmet public health
needs in this space not later than 90 days after enactment of
this act.
Sodium.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
reducing sodium in the food supply. Within 90 days of
enactment, the Committee directs FDA to provide a report to the
Committee on its preliminary assessment report that will be
publicly posted to its website and on its plans for monitoring
and evaluation of the short-term targets. In its report, FDA
should detail how it will identify data sources, collect and
analyze data, create a timeline for assessments, and work with
industry on voluntary compliance.
Sponsor Communication.--The Committee is concerned with
FDA's reliance on ``Written Response Only'' communication, in
lieu of live interactions when responding to meeting requests
from sponsors. While written response can be a useful tool,
there are times where meaningful scientific exchanges between
sponsors and FDA is required. The Committee directs the FDA to
offer face to face or teleconference meetings when requested by
the sponsor, as discussed in FDA guidance documents.
State and Local Programs.--The Committee notes that state
and local regulatory agencies are essential to the integrated
food safety system. States conduct 60 percent of food
processing inspections on behalf of the FDA, 90 percent of
produce safety inspections, and 100 percent of retail food
inspections. State and local agencies also perform key roles in
identifying and investigating potential illnesses and
effectuating product removals through recalls. FDA often
requests state authority to expedite product recalls, such as
those recently implemented for applesauce pouches contaminated
with heavy metals. The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2024 level for the Field Operations Programs for
state and local programs.
Steroid Use.--The Committee is encouraged that FDA is
continuing to progress in its risk benefit analysis of new
treatments for diseases, particularly rare diseases, with high
unmet need and a current standard of care that carries a
potential risk, especially for children who may be taking these
higher risk treatments over many years. The Committee applauds
FDA for applying thoughtfulness and urgency when reviewing new
treatment options that are both effective treatment options and
could mitigate the potential long term risk of the current
standard of care. As the Agency continues to address risks such
as radiation exposure in cancer treatments, prolonged exposure
to addictive treatments, and other current treatments that
carry potential risk along with benefit, the Committee supports
the Agency in applying the same urgency to addressing the risk
of prolonged exposure to high dose steroids, particularly for
children.
Study on Opioid Prescribing.--The Committee remains
concerned with the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic, and effort to
provide treatment for those impacted. As such, the Committee
directs the FDA to review current opioid prescribing practices,
including the total number of opioids prescribed in a calendar
year. The purpose of the study is to show the number of opioids
prescribed, excluding opioids prescribed for treatment of pain
related to cancer or cancer treatment, patients participating
in hospice, or a patient with respect to whom the prescriber of
the applicable opioid determines that other non-opioid pain
management treatments are inadequate or inappropriate.
Sunscreen.--The Committee is concerned that Americans are
falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to access to
sunscreen even though skin cancer is the most common cancer in
the U.S. According to the Surgeon General, more than five
million Americans each year are treated for skin cancer at a
cost of over eight billion dollars per year. As a result, the
Committee directs FDA to work with stakeholders to harmonize
its approach with international testing standards to ensure
Americans have access to as many sunscreen active ingredients
as possible recognizing that safe and effective sunscreen
products are a proven preventative tool against skin cancer. In
addition, the Committee urges FDA to utilize its authorities
provided under the CARES Act to evaluate new sunscreen
ingredients already approved for use around the world and to
educate stakeholders about the administrative order process to
encourage research and development of new sunscreen technology.
Supply Shortages for Critical Medications.--The Committee
is concerned about continued reports of supply shortages for
critical medications and devices, including diabetes, cancer,
antibiotic, ADHD, and other drug shortages, which continue to
pose a significant challenge and affect patients access to
vital treatments and care. Within 90 days of enactment, the
Committee requests a report from FDA regarding its
implementation of shortage-related authorities, and the status
of shortage related guidance documents.
Synthetic Nicotine Products.--The Committee is deeply
concerned that many tobacco products that lack the legally
required marketing authorization from FDA remain on the market,
including flavored products that are attractive to youth. The
wide availability of these unauthorized products is hindering
efforts to reduce youth use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco
products. The Committee directs FDA to quickly identify
unauthorized tobacco products that enter the market and pursue
all legally authorized remedies, including civil money
penalties and injunctions, in coordination with the Department
of Justice to remove unauthorized products from the market and
prevent the products from coming into the United States. The
Committee is also concerned that FDA continues to miss
deadlines for completing its premarket review of e-cigarettes
and other deemed tobacco products and urges FDA to promptly
complete these reviews and deny authorization for any product
that does not meet the statutory standard of ``appropriate for
the protection of the public health''.
Temporomandibular Disorder.--The Committee encourages FDA
to support the development and implementation of a Patient-
Centered Coordinated Registry Network [CRN] for
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder [TMD]. This Registry will be a
critical component in the transformation of temporomandibular
disorder research across other Government Agencies. The
Committee supports collaborations among medical product centers
related to the development of treatments for TMD and urges FDA
to support implementing of a Temporomandibular Joint [TMJ] CRN,
continuing the developmental work of the TMJ Patient-led
RoundTable and its partners in successfully developing the
Registry as an important tool in ongoing efforts to improve the
treatment and management of TMD patients.
Timing and Sequencing of Cancer Immunotherapy.--The
Committee commends the FDA for supporting the rapid
implementation of life-saving immunotherapies into the clinic.
New data suggest the administration of immunotherapies early in
the treatment timeline may be able to prevent or intercept
cancers before they develop into serious disease, thus
improving patient outcomes while simultaneously reducing
monetary costs and physical burden. To support continued
research in this area, the field must develop novel tools to
efficiently run early-stage clinical trials. These tools
include biomarkers that can detect early disease, inform
appropriate treatments, and/or serve as surrogates for clinical
endpoints. In addition, determination of early-stage clinical
trial endpoints at large that can characterize patient benefit
are necessary for continued momentum. Therefore, the Committee
urges FDA to provide guidance on the development of early
disease clinical trial tools, including early-stage biomarkers
and clinical endpoints.
Tissue Transplants.--The Committee notes the tissue
transplant industry is growing, with approximately 58,000
donors providing tissue allografts for 2.5 million transplants
in the United States each year. Although products in this space
are widely used for patients and healthcare providers, the
Committee notes outbreaks of M. tuberculosis in 2021 and 2023
that has contaminated over 100 bone-allograft HCT/Ps placed in
patients, resulting in adverse events and negative patient
outcomes. The Committee requests the FDA issue guidance
identifying M. tuberculosis as a relevant communicable disease
agent or disease [RCDAD] and providing recommendations to
reduce the risk of transmission of M. tuberculosis.
Tobacco Issues.--The Committee remains deeply concerned
about data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey showing more
than two million youth use e-cigarettes and urges FDA to use
its full authority to address this serious public health
problem. The Committee is particularly concerned that the
agency has not completed its review of many e-cigarettes and
other deemed tobacco products that are popular with youth and
has allowed scores of unauthorized products to be sold without
the authorization required by statute, whether because they
failed to submit a premarket application, have a pending
application, or have been denied. The Committee notes there is
no safe harbor for the pendency of an application, and FDA's
premarket authorization requirement has failed to be upheld to
date. The Committee urges FDA to promptly complete its required
premarket review of e-cigarettes and to deny authorization for
any product that does not meet the statutory standard of
``appropriate for the protection of the public health'',
including denying authorization for all products, especially
flavored products, that have increased or are likely to
increase initiation by youth or non-tobacco users. The
Committee urges FDA to pursue all legally authorized remedies
to ensure that all products being sold unlawfully are removed
from the marketplace.
Tobacco Task Force.--The Committee includes $2,000,000 for
FDA to support its participation on the recently created multi-
agency task force to combat the illegal distribution and sale
of e-cigarettes, specifically to focus on combatting the
illegal import of tobacco products that appear to be in
violation of applicable laws. Within 90 days of enactment of
this Act and quarterly thereafter, FDA is directed to brief the
Committee on its involvement with the task force, to include
what resources and activities it has dedicated to this
initiative.
Traceability Rule.--The Committee encourages the FDA,
before implementing or enforcing the compliance requirements of
the ``Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for
Certain Foods'' published on November 21, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg.
70910), or any other rule promulgated in accordance with
section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C.
2223), to conduct multiple pilot projects, using numerous
products on the Food Traceability List, with the regulated
entities, including farms, restaurants, retail food
establishments, and warehouses distributing to retail food
establishments and restaurants to: (1) measure the
effectiveness of foodborne illness outbreak investigations
conducted without requiring tracing to a single lot code; and
(2) identify and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of
low-cost food tracing technologies. Furthermore, the Committee
expects the FDA to provide the Committee with a report
following the completion of the pilot projects and to extend
the compliance date of the rule by at least 2 years after the
completion of the pilot projects.
Transparency for Imaging Technology.--Foreign adversaries
are pursuing the collection and exploitation of Americans'
sensitive health data through medical equipment. Therefore, the
Committee directs FDA to provide a report regarding the
authorization of all medical imaging technology for sale into
the United States from entities that are based in a territory
of a foreign adversary, as defined in 15 CFR Sec. 7.4, or under
the jurisdiction of a foreign adversaries' laws or regulations,
to the degree that FDA has the information and based on the
most current information in FDA's databases of premarket
authorizations and Establishment Registration & Device
Listings. ``Medical imaging technology'' refers to any device,
software, or other technology intended for use in medical
imaging, including but not limited to X-ray, MRI, CT,
ultrasound, and other diagnostic or therapeutic imaging
modalities.
Valley Fever.--The Committee is encouraged by progress made
toward producing a Valley Fever vaccine and recommends that FDA
consult with the public and obtain input on the state of the
science related to vaccines to prevent Valley Fever. The
Committee further recommends that FDA draft and issue industry
guidance for entities seeking approval under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or licensure
under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
262) of antifungal therapies to treat Valley Fever.
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.
Women in Clinical Research.--Following recommendations by
the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and
Lactating Women, the Committee urges the agency to issue final
regulations relating to the protection of human subjects,
including parts 50 and 56 of title 21, Code of Federal
Regulations, with the latest regulations of the Department of
Health and Human Services relating to the inclusion of pregnant
women as subjects in clinical research. The agency should
consider further guidance about ethical issues to be considered
and strategies for designing ethical studies, to inform the
inclusion of pregnant women and lactating women in a clinical
trial and facilitate their participation.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 12,788,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,000,000
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 $9,000,000 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
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2024.................................... $50,000,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 55,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 55,000,000
The Committee recommends $55,000,000 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, 2024........................................ $94,300,000
Budget estimate, 2025................................... 100,430,000
Committee recommendation................................ 100,430,000
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 $100,430,000 on
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.
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 the
Food and Drug Administration.
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 the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 730. This section includes language regarding FSIS.
Section 731. This section includes language regarding APHIS
inspections.
Section 732. This section includes language regarding a
rescission.
Section 733. This section includes language regarding
tobacco.
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 the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 738. This section includes language regarding the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 739. This section includes language regarding
school meals program.
Section 740. This section includes language regarding hemp.
Section 741. This section includes language regarding
matching funds.
Section 742. This section includes language regarding a
pilot program.
Section 743. This section includes language regarding the
Food for Peace program.
Section 744. This section includes language regarding
school meals program.
Section 745. This section includes language regarding
school meals program.
Section 746. This section includes language regarding
biotechnology risk assessment.
Section 747. This section includes language regarding
agency relocation.
Section 748. This section includes language regarding
watershed programs.
Section 749. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development.
Section 750. This section includes language regarding the
Water Bank program.
Section 751. This section includes language regarding the
Food and Drug Administration.
Section 752. This section includes language regarding REAP
Zones.
Section 753. This section includes language regarding a
tribal pilot program.
Section 754. This section including language regarding
Listeria.
Section 755. This section includes language regarding
bison.
Section 756. This section includes language regarding the
Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Section 757. This section includes language regarding
APHIS.
Section 758. This section includes language regarding horse
slaughter.
Section 759. This section includes language regarding
wetlands.
Section 760. This section includes language regarding the
PAWS Act.
Section 761. This section includes language regarding
NASEM.
Section 762. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development.
Section 763. This section includes language regarding
labeling.
Section 764. This section includes language regarding the
Institute for Rural Partnership.
Section 765. This section includes language regarding a
working group.
Section 766. This section includes language regarding
APHIS.
Section 767. This section includes language regarding the
Office of the General Counsel.
Section 768. This section includes language regarding WIC.
Section 769. This section includes language regarding a
rescission.
Section 770. This section includes language regarding the
closure of a facility.
Section 771. This section includes language regarding
housing.
Section 772. This section includes language regarding
Pacific Snapper.
Section 773. This section includes language regarding
emergency funding.
Section 774. This section includes language regarding
Livestock Mandatory Reporting.
Section 775. This section includes language regarding
inspections.
Section 776. This section includes language regarding
Community Facilities Program.
PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
During fiscal year 2025, 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, 2025, and the report.
If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2025 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 2025 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 2025:
--Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program
--Broadband Telecommunications Grants
--Child Nutrition Programs
--Summer Food Service 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 July 11, 2024,
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill (S.
4690) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 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 27-0, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chair Murray
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tester
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
Mr. Manchin
Mr. Van Hollen
Mr. Heinrich
Mr. Peters
Ms. Sinema
Ms. Collins
Mr. McConnell
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mr. Kennedy
Mrs. Hyde-Smith
Mr. Hagerty
Mrs. Britt
Mrs. Fischer
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 12--BANKS AND BANKING
Chapter 9--Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Subchapter III--Farm Housing
Sec. 321. Definitions; generally
For the purposes of this chapter--
(a)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(ss) The term ``critical food'' means a food that is--
(1) an infant formula; or
(2) a medical food, as defined in section
360ee(b)(3) of this title.
(tt)(1) The term ``zootechnical animal food substance''
means a substance that--
(A) is added to the food or drinking water of
animals;
(B) is intended to--
(i) affect the byproducts of the digestive
process of an animal;
(ii) reduce the presence of foodborne
pathogens of human health significance in an
animal intended to be used for food; or
(iii) affect the structure or function of
the body of the animal, other than by providing
nutritive value, by altering the animal's
gastrointestinal microbiome; and
(C) achieves its intended effect by acting solely
within the gastrointestinal tract of the animal.
(2) Such term does not include a substance that--
(A) is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure,
mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in an
animal;
(B) is a hormone;
(C) is an active moiety in an animal drug, which,
prior to the filing of a petition under section 409 was
approved under section 512, conditionally approved
under section 571, indexed under section 572, or for
which substantial clinical investigations have been
instituted and for which the existence of such
investigations has been made public;
(D) is an ionophore; or
(E) is otherwise excluded from the definition based
on criteria established by the Secretary through notice
and comment rulemaking.
(3) A zootechnical animal food substance shall be deemed to
be a food additive within the meaning of paragraph (s) and its
introduction into interstate commerce shall be in accordance
with a regulation issued under section 409. A zootechnical
animal food substance shall not be considered a drug under
paragraph (g)(1)(C) solely because the substance has an
intended effect described in subparagraph (1).
* * * * * * *
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 2024] For fiscal year 2025, each State
shall annually--
* * * * * * *
(4) Audit by the Secretary
[For fiscal year 2024] For fiscal year 2025, 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 2025] 2010
through 2026. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the
funds and shall accept the funds, without further
appropriation.
* * * * * * *
Chapter 38--Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure
Sec. 3702. Definitions
As used in this chapter--
(1) ``mortgage'' means a deed of trust, mortgage,
deed to secure debt, security agreement, or any other
form of instrument under which any interest in
property, real, personal or mixed, or any interest in
property including leaseholds, life estates,
reversionary interests, and any other estates under
applicable State law, is conveyed in trust, mortgaged,
encumbered, pledged, or otherwise rendered subject to a
lien, for the purpose of securing the payment of money
or the performance of an obligation;
(2) ``multifamily mortgage'' means a mortgage held
by the Secretary pursuant to--
(A) section 608 or 801, or title II or X,
of the National Housing Act;
(B) section 312 of the Housing Act of 1964,
as it existed immediately before its repeal by
section 289 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National
Affordable Housing Act;
(C) section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959,
as it existed immediately before its amendment
by section 801 of the Cranston-Gonzalez
National Affordable Housing Act;
(D) section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959,
as amended by section 801 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; [and]
(E) section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez
National Affordable Housing Act[.] ; and
(F) section 514 or 515 of the Housing Act
of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485).
------
TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
Chapter 9--Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Subchapter IV--Food
Sec. 343. Misbranded food
A food shall be deemed to be misbranded--
(a) False or misleading label
* * * * * * *
(y) Dietary supplements
If it is a dietary supplement that is marketed in the
United States, unless the label of such dietary supplement
includes a domestic address or domestic phone number through
which the responsible person (as described in section 379aa-1
of this title) may receive a report of a serious adverse event
with such dietary supplement.
(z) If it is a zootechnical animal food substance and the
labeling of the food does not include the statement required by
section 409(l)(1).
* * * * * * *
Sec. 348. Food additives
(a) Unsafe food additives; exception for conformity with
exemption or regulation
* * * * * * *
(b) Petition for regulation prescribing conditions of safe use;
contents; description of production methods and
controls; samples; notice of regulation
(1) Any person may, with respect to any intended use of a
food additive, file with the Secretary a petition proposing the
issuance of a regulation prescribing the conditions under which
such additive may be safely used.
(2) Such petition shall, in addition to any explanatory or
supporting data, contain-
(A) the name and all pertinent information
concerning such food additive, including, where
available, its chemical identity and composition;
(B) a statement of the conditions of the proposed
use of such additive, including all directions,
recommendations, and suggestions proposed for the use
of such additive, and including specimens of its
proposed labeling;
(C) all relevant data bearing on the physical or
other technical effect such additive is intended to
produce, and the quantity of such additive required to
produce such effect;
(D) a description of practicable methods for
determining the quantity of such additive in or on
food, and any substance formed in or on food, because
of its use; and
(E) full reports of investigations made with
respect to the safety for use of such additive,
including full information as to the methods and
controls used in conducting such investigations.
(3) In the case of a zootechnical animal food substance,
such petition shall, in addition to any explanatory or
supporting data, contain--
(A) all relevant data bearing on the effect the
zootechnical animal food substance is intended to have
and the quantity of such substance required to produce
the intended effect; and
(B) full reports of investigations made with
respect to the intended use of such substance,
including full information as to the methods and
controls used in conducting such investigations.
[(3)] (4) Upon request of the Secretary, the petitioner
shall furnish (or, if the petitioner is not the manufacturer of
such additive, the petitioner shall have the manufacturer of
such additive furnish, without disclosure to the petitioner) a
full description of the methods used in, and the facilities and
controls used for, the production of such additive.
[(4)] (5) Upon request of the Secretary, the petitioner
shall furnish samples of the food additive involved, or
articles used as components thereof, and of the food in or on
which the additive is proposed to be used.
[(5)] (6) Notice of the regulation proposed by the
petitioner shall be published in general terms by the Secretary
within thirty days after filing.
(c) Approval or denial of petition; time for issuance of order;
evaluation of data; factors
(1) The Secretary shall--
[(A) by order establish a regulation (whether or
not in accord with that proposed by the petitioner)
prescribing, with respect to one or more proposed uses
of the food additive involved, the conditions under
which such additive may be safely used (including, but
not limited to, specifications as to the particular
food or classes of food in or in which such additive
may be used, the maximum quantity which may be used or
permitted to remain in or on such food, the manner in
which such additive may be added to or used in or on
such food, and any directions or other labeling or
packaging requirements for such additive deemed
necessary by him to assure the safety of such use), and
shall notify the petitioner of such order and the
reasons for such action; or]
(A)(i) by order establish a regulation (whether or
not in accord with that proposed by the petitioner)
prescribing--
(I) with respect to one or more proposed
uses of the food additive involved, the
conditions under which such additive may be
safely used (including specifications as to the
particular food or classes of food in or on
which such additive may be used, the maximum
quantity which may be used or permitted to
remain in or on such food, the manner in which
such additive may be added to or used in or on
such food, and any directions or other labeling
or packaging requirements for such additive as
the Secretary determines necessary to assure
the safety of such use); and
(II) in the case of a zootechnical animal
food substance, the conditions under which such
substance may be used to achieve the intended
effect; and
(ii) notify the petitioner of such order and the
reasons for such action; or
(B) by order deny the petition, and shall notify
the petitioner of such order and of the reasons for
such action.
(2) The order required by paragraph (1)(A) or (B) of this
subsection shall be issued within ninety days after the date of
filing of the petition, except that the Secretary may (prior to
such ninetieth day), by written notice to the petitioner,
extend such ninety-day period to such time (not more than one
hundred and eighty days after the date of filing of the
petition) as the Secretary deems necessary to enable him to
study and investigate the petition.
(3) No such regulation shall issue if a fair evaluation of
the data before the Secretary--
(A) fails to establish that the proposed use of the
food additive, under the conditions of use to be
specified in the regulation, will be safe: Provided,
That no additive shall be deemed to be safe if it is
found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal,
or if it is found, after tests which are appropriate
for the evaluation of the safety of food additives, to
induce cancer in man or animal, except that this
proviso shall not apply with respect to the use of a
substance as an ingredient of feed for animals which
are raised for food production, if the Secretary finds
(i) that, under the conditions of use and feeding
specified in proposed labeling and reasonably certain
to be followed in practice, such additive will not
adversely affect the animals for which such feed is
intended, and (ii) that no residue of the additive will
be found (by methods of examination prescribed or
approved by the Secretary by regulations, which
regulations shall not be subject to subsections (f) and
(g)) in any edible portion of such animal after
slaughter or in any food yielded by or derived from the
living animal[; or] ;
(B) shows that the proposed use of the additive
would promote deception of the consumer in violation of
this chapter or would otherwise result in adulteration
or in misbranding of food within the meaning of this
chapter[.] ; or
(C) in the case of a zootechnical animal food
substance, fails to establish that the proposed use of
the substance, under the conditions of use to be
specified in the regulation, will achieve the intended
effect.
* * * * * * *
(k) Food additives intended for use in animal food
(1) In taking action on a petition under subsection (c)
for, or for recognition of, a food additive intended for use in
animal food, the Secretary shall review reports of
investigations conducted in foreign countries, provided by the
petitioner.
* * * * * * *
(3) In the case of a food additive petition intended for
use in animal food, the Secretary shall provide information to
the petitioner on the required contents of such petition. If
the Secretary requires additional studies beyond what the
petitioner proposed, the Secretary shall provide the scientific
rationale for such requirement.
(l) Zootechnical Animal Food Substances.--The labeling of a
zootechnical animal food substance--
(1) shall include the statement: ``Not for use in
the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or
prevention of disease in animals.''; and
(2) may include statements regarding the intended
effect of the substance on the structure or function of
the body of animals, as set forth in section
201(tt)(1).
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023,
PUBLIC LAW 117-328
DIVISION N--DISASTER RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Rural Housing Service
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For an additional amount for ``Rural Housing Assistance
Grants'', $60,000,000, to remain available until expended, for
necessary expenses related to homes damaged by Presidentially
declared disasters in [calendar year 2022] calendar years 2022,
2023, and 2024: Provided, That 42 U.S.C. 1471(b)(3) shall not
apply: Provided further, That the income limit shall be capped
at 80 percent of the area median income: Provided further,
That, notwithstanding section 1490m(c)(2) of such title, a
grant made under 42 U.S.C. 1490m of such title using funds made
available under this heading in this Act, may not exceed
$50,000.
RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
For an additional amount for ``Rural Community Facilities
Program Account'', $75,300,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That of the amounts provided under this
heading in this Act, $50,000,000 shall be for necessary
expenses for grants to repair essential community facilities
damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in [calendar year
2022] calendar years 2022 and 2024: Provided further, That the
percentage of the cost of the facility that may be covered by a
grant pursuant to the preceding proviso shall be 75 percent.
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO PSEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
---------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount in Committee Amount in
allocation bill allocation bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
allocation for 2025: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies:
Mandatory............................................... 165,607 152,668 165,607 \1\ 152,668
Discretionary........................................... 27,049 27,049 28,432 \1\ 28,423
Defense............................................. ........... ........... ........... ...........
Non-defense......................................... 27,049 27,049 ........... ...........
Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation:
2025.................................................... ........... ........... ........... \2\ 152,366
2026.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,448
2027.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 1,945
2028.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 911
2029 and future years................................... ........... ........... ........... 168
Financial assistance to State and local governments for for NA 57,120 NA \2\ 53,252
P2025......................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\ 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), $55,000,000 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.
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommendation
Account State Project Recipient ($) Requestor(s)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Research Service AR.................. Dale Bumpers National Rice Dale Bumpers National Rice $3,000,000 Boozman
Buildings and Facilities. Research Center, Stuttgart, Research Center.
AR.
Agricultural Research Service IL.................. Capital Improvements, ARS, Peoria................. 1,500,000 Durbin
Buildings and Facilities. Peoria, IL.
Agricultural Research Service IL.................. Capital Improvements, ARS, Urbana................. 500,000 Durbin
Buildings and Facilities. Urbana, IL.
Agricultural Research Service KS.................. ARS-Manhattan, Center for ARS-Manhattan, Center for 1,000,000 Moran
Buildings and Facilities. Grain and Animal Health Grain and Animal Health
Research, Manhattan, KS. Research.
Agricultural Research Service LA.................. Sugarcane Research Agricultural Research 7,000,000 Cassidy, Kennedy
Buildings and Facilities. Facilities, Houma, LA. Service.
Agricultural Research Service MD.................. BARC Phase 2, Beltsville, MD USDA Agricultural Research 5,000,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Buildings and Facilities. Center (BARC).
Agricultural Research Service MS.................. ARS-Mississippi State USDA Agricultural Research 5,400,000 Hyde-Smith
Buildings and Facilities. University Deferred Service.
Maintenance, Starkville, MS.
Agricultural Research Service NE.................. ARS' National Center for USDA Agricultural Research 16,000,000 Fischer
Buildings and Facilities. Resilient and Regenerative Service co-located at the
Precision Agriculture, University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE. Lincoln.
Agricultural Research Service NY.................. Cornell University ARS Cornell University.......... 1,178,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Buildings and Facilities. National Grape Improvement
Center Plant Growth
Facilities, Ontario County,
NY.
Agricultural Research Service WA.................. ARS Building Upgrades, USDA--Agricultural Research 3,085,000 Murray
Buildings and Facilities. Prosser, WA. Service.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... AK.................. Alaska Native Rural Alaska Federation of Natives 750,000 Murkowski
Veterinary Care.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... AR.................. Arkansas Clean Plant Center University of Arkansas 500,000 Boozman
for Berries. Division of Agriculture.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... CT.................. The Connecticut Agricultural Connecticut Agriculture 247,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Experiment Station for Experiment Station.
Monitoring Ticks and Tick-
borne Pathogens to Better
Guide Public Health Action.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... MS.................. Wildlife Damage Management-- APHIS-MS.................... 1,000,000 Hyde-Smith
Mississippi Fish-Eating
Bird Control Program.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... MS.................. Wildlife Damage Management-- APHIS-MS.................... 1,000,000 Hyde-Smith
Mississippi FSCP.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... NM.................. Innovative Weed Control in New Mexico State University. 467,000 Heinrich
Perennial Crops.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... RI.................. Restoration of Worden Pond Rhode Island Department of 425,000 Reed
with Chemical Treatment for Environmental Management.
Invasive Plants.
APHIS Salaries and Expenses...... SC.................. Clemson University.......... Clemson University.......... 4,500,000 Graham
Distance Learning and IL.................. Teledentistry initiative.... Sarah Bush Lincoln Health 105,000 Durbin
Telemedicine Program. Center.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Heavy Equipment Improving Alaska Municipal League..... 4,200,000 Murkowski
Program. Rural Community Conditions.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Bethel Food Bank and Pantry. Bethel Community Services 605,000 Murkowski
Program. Foundation.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Wrangell Public Safety City and Borough of Wrangell 2,438,000 Murkowski
Program. Building and Emergency
Operations Center
Rehabilitation.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Houston Alaska Fire Station City of Houston............. 1,950,000 Murkowski
Program. 9-3 Public Works Shared
Facility.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Kenai Peninsula Critical Kenai Peninsula Borough..... 3,000,000 Murkowski
Program. Communications Upgrades.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Kenai Peninsula Fire Kenai Peninsula Borough..... 1,997,000 Murkowski
Program. Stations Heavy Equipment.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. South Tongass Fire Ketchikan Gateway Borough... 490,000 Murkowski
Program. Department Emergency
Request Replacement Fire
Apparatus.
Rural Community Facilities AK.................. Upper Susitna Food Pantry... Upper Susitna Food Pantry... 1,500,000 Murkowski
Program.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. City of Samson Water System City of Samson.............. 2,211,000 Britt
Program. Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Slocomb Fire Tanker City of Slocomb............. 278,000 Britt
Program. Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Heflin Fire Department Heflin Fire Department...... 1,125,000 Britt
Program. Ladder Truck.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Houston County Radio Tower.. Houston County Commission... 221,000 Britt
Program.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Fyffe Sewer System Waterworks Sewer and Gas 2,248,000 Britt
Program. Improvements. Board of Section, Alabama.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Winfield Radio Upgrades..... Winfield Fire Department.... 32,000 Britt
Program.
Rural Community Facilities AL.................. Dadeville Courthouse Roof Tallapoosa County Commission 371,000 Tuberville
Program. Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities AZ.................. Alpine Fire District Alpine Fire District........ 140,000 Kelly, Sinema
Program. Emergency Response Vehicle.
Rural Community Facilities AZ.................. Mohave Valley Fire District Mohave Valley Fire District. 174,000 Kelly, Sinema
Program. Radios.
Rural Community Facilities AZ.................. Tonto Basin Fire Station Tonto Basin Fire District... 132,000 Kelly, Sinema
Program. Remodel.
Rural Community Facilities AZ.................. Clarkdale Police Station.... Town of Clarkdale........... 132,000 Kelly, Sinema
Program.
Rural Community Facilities AZ.................. Superior Fire Engine........ Town of Superior............ 691,000 Kelly, Sinema
Program.
Rural Community Facilities CA.................. 6th Street Pedestrian Bridge County of Mariposa.......... 737,000 Butler
Program.
Rural Community Facilities CA.................. Gustine Unified's ``Mental Gustine Unified School 638,000 Butler, Padilla
Program. Health Matters'' Project. District.
Rural Community Facilities CA.................. Chowchilla Water District Chowchilla Water District... 1,500,000 Padilla
Program. and Le Grand Athlone Water
District intertie.
Rural Community Facilities CA.................. City of Huron Police Vehicle City of Huron............... 234,000 Padilla
Program. Conversion Project.
Rural Community Facilities CO.................. Grand County EMS Station 1.. Grand County................ 3,000,000 Bennet,
Program. Hickenlooper
Rural Community Facilities CO.................. 3-Story Regional first NE Teller County Fire 530,000 Bennet,
Program. responder training tower. Protection District. Hickenlooper
Rural Community Facilities CO.................. Starpoint ELEVATES (Expand Starpoint................... 358,000 Bennet,
Program. Learning and Enable Variety Hickenlooper
in Accessible Technology,
Education, and Safety).
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Community Health Resource Community Health Resources.. 210,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. for Roots to Recovery (R2R)
Facility Enhancements.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Essex Library Association Essex Library Association... 842,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. for Infrastructure and
Accessibility Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Eugene O'Neill Theater Eugene O'Neill Memorial 1,597,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Center for Renovations to Theater Center.
Historic Campus.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Library Association of Library Association of 182,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Warehouse Point for Warehouse Point.
Facilities Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Lower Connecticut River Land Lower Connecticut River Land 300,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Trust for Osaki Education Trust.
Center.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Sea Research Foundation Sea Research Foundation (dba 750,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Improved Water Quality and Mystic Aquarium).
Improved Quality of
Wastewater Discharges
Project.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Town of Andover for New Town of Andover............. 229,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Generator Installation and
Renovations for Senior/
Community Center.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Town of Norfolk New Town of Norfolk............. 750,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Firehouse Construction.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Town of Putnam for Emergency Town of Putnam.............. 156,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Management Facility.
Rural Community Facilities CT.................. Town for Willington for Town of Willington.......... 268,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Program. Firehouse and EOC
Renovation and Remediation.
Rural Community Facilities DE.................. Emergency Radio Tower Delaware Division of 5,520,000 Carper, Coons
Program. Upgrades. Communications.
Rural Community Facilities DE.................. Georgetown Facility Capital La Red Health Center........ 1,101,000 Carper, Coons
Program. Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Toomersville Community City of Byron............... 176,000 Ossoff
Program. Center Renovation.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. City of Fitzgerald Fire City of Fitzgerald.......... 498,000 Ossoff
Program. Station Bedroom Addition.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Wilcox County EMS Ambulances Wilcox County............... 582,000 Ossoff
Program. & Fire Station.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. New Fire Truck.............. City of Hawkinsville........ 345,000 Ossoff, Warnock
Program.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Public Safety Upgrades for Emanuel County Board of 468,000 Ossoff, Warnock
Program. Emanuel County. Commissioners.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Madison County Agricultural Madison County Board of 100,000 Ossoff, Warnock
Program. Education Center. Commissioners.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Gillespie Gardens Project... Blackshear Place Business & 69,000 Warnock
Program. Events Center, Inc..
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Oconee Cultural Center City of Dublin.............. 263,000 Warnock
Program. Renovation Project.
Rural Community Facilities GA.................. Heating, Ventilation, and The Baxley and Appling 1,000,000 Warnock
Program. Air Conditioning (HVAC) County Hospital Authority.
Control System Project.
Rural Community Facilities HI.................. Haiku Fire Station.......... County of Maui.............. 15,181,000 Hirono, Schatz
Program.
Rural Community Facilities HI.................. 'Iole Emergency Community Hawaii Community Foundation. 2,515,000 Schatz, Sinema
Program. Resilience Center.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Herrin CUSD No. 4 Pre-K Herrin CUSD No. 4........... 522,000 Duckworth
Program. Center.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Memorial Hospital Memorial Hospital 1,000,000 Duckworth
Program. Association LaHarpe Clinic Association.
Initiative.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Laboratory Renovation....... Blessing Care Corporation... 1,000,000 Durbin
Program.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Intergenerational Center.... Boys & Girls Club of 1,000,000 Durbin
Program. Livingston County.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Hospital Infrastructure Iroquois Memorial Hospital 560,000 Durbin
Program. Improvements. and Resident Home.
Rural Community Facilities IL.................. Rural Health Clinic Southern Illinois Hospital 1,000,000 Durbin
Program. Expansion. Services.
Rural Community Facilities KS.................. Baker University Facility Baker University, Kansas.... 2,250,000 Moran
Program. Upgrades and Energy
Efficiencies for Student
Housing.
Rural Community Facilities KS.................. Barclay College Nursing Barclay College............. 1,875,000 Moran
Program. Program.
Rural Community Facilities KS.................. Herington Fire Department, City of Herington........... 2,745,000 Moran
Program. City of Herington.
Rural Community Facilities KS.................. Parsons Fire and Police City of Parsons............. 2,500,000 Moran
Program. Station Renovations.
Rural Community Facilities KS.................. Sherman County, Kanorado Sherman County, Kansas...... 281,000 Moran
Program. Station, Building-Shelter
Project and Apparatus
Update.
Rural Community Facilities LA.................. Town of Lake Arthur Town of Lake Arthur......... 825,000 Cassidy, Kennedy
Program. Operations Facility.
Rural Community Facilities LA.................. City of Baker Fire City of Baker, Louisiana.... 990,000 Kennedy
Program. Department Project.
Rural Community Facilities LA.................. Fire Station in Zachary, Zachary, Louisiana.......... 1,000,000 Kennedy
Program. Louisiana.
Rural Community Facilities MA.................. Shutesbury Public Library... The Town of Shutesbury 250,000 Markey, Warren
Program. Massachusetts.
Rural Community Facilities MA.................. Town of Ashby Highway Loader Town of Ashby............... 188,000 Markey, Warren
Program.
Rural Community Facilities MA.................. Monson Fire Department Town of Monson.............. 2,475,000 Markey, Warren
Program. Renovation Addition.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. Federalsburg Activities Federalsburg Activities 180,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Center. Center.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. Friendsville Library Ruth Enlow Library of 295,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Construction Funding. Garrett County.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. St. Mary's Caring Soup St. Mary's Caring, Inc...... 150,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Kitchen Service Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. The Foxie G Foundation-- The Foxie G Foundation, Inc. 429,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Horses Helping People
Center.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. Berlin Community Center at Town of Berlin.............. 479,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Historic Flower Street
School Site.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. Town of Eagle Harbor Town of Eagle Harbor, Inc... 800,000 Cardin, Van Hollen
Program. Community Revitalization.
Rural Community Facilities MD.................. STEM Makerspace at the New Charles County Public 63,000 Van Hollen
Program. La Plata Library. Library.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Trenton Grange Renovation... Friends of Trenton Grange 300,000 Collins
Program. 550.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Buckfield Municipal Center.. Town of Buckfield........... 270,000 Collins
Program.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Stone Pier Critical Town of Chebeague Island.... 1,181,000 Collins
Program. Infrastructure and
Resiliency.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Easton Fire Station......... Town of Easton.............. 3,000,000 Collins
Program.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Island Falls Fire and Town of Island Falls........ 634,000 Collins
Program. Ambulance Department.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. North Berwick Fire and Town of North Berwick....... 3,400,000 Collins
Program. Rescue Building.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. St. Albans Fire Station..... Town of St. Albans.......... 2,027,000 Collins
Program.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. University of Maine at University of Maine System.. 750,000 Collins
Program. Machias Early College
Student Support Center.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Heart of Maine Resource Heart of Maine Resource 1,049,000 Collins, King
Program. Center Renovations. Center.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Mount Desert Island YMCA-- Mount Desert Island YMCA.... 500,000 Collins, King
Program. Community Youth Development
Wing.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Northern Maine Community Northern Maine Community 825,000 Collins, King
Program. College Building Upgrades. College.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Owls Head Transportation Owls Head Transportation 1,533,000 Collins, King
Program. Museum--STEM Community Museum.
Center.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Town of Belgrade--Fire and Town of Belgrade............ 4,786,000 Collins, King
Program. Rescue Regional Fire
Station.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Town of Holden--Police Town of Holden.............. 382,000 Collins, King
Program. Department Garage.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Littleton Town Garage Town of Littleton........... 847,000 Collins, King
Program. Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Northport Community Center Town of Northport........... 2,325,000 Collins, King
Program. and Town Office.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Town of Penobscot--Sand and Town of Penobscot........... 1,337,000 Collins, King
Program. Salt Facility.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Poland Library Renovation Town of Poland.............. 750,000 Collins, King
Program. and Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Town of Searsmont--Sand and Town of Searsmont........... 950,000 Collins, King
Program. Salt Shed.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. St. Agatha Fire Station..... Town of St. Agatha.......... 273,000 Collins, King
Program.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Swan's Island Fire and Town of Swan's Island....... 1,308,000 Collins, King
Program. Ambulance Station Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities ME.................. Healthy Acadia--Women and Healthy Acadia.............. 421,000 King
Program. Children Recovery Shelter.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. Central Montcalm Early Central Montcalm Public 225,000 Peters
Program. Childhood Center. School.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. City of Alpena Aerial Fire City of Alpena.............. 1,500,000 Peters
Program. Truck Replacement Project.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. Elevator Modernization at Caro Area District Library.. 200,000 Peters, Stabenow
Program. the Caro Area District
Library.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. Escanaba Public Safety Escanaba Public Safety 1,700,000 Peters, Stabenow
Program. Department New Aerial Department.
Ladder Truck.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. Site Improvement Project.... Allegan County Community 371,000 Stabenow
Program. Mental Health Services
Board.
Rural Community Facilities MI.................. Manufacture and Installation Soo Locks Children's Museum. 525,000 Stabenow
Program. of Two STEAM-based Water
Exhibits.
Rural Community Facilities MN.................. Expanding Intergenerational Alexandria Area YMCA........ 2,556,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Program. Capacity at the Alexandria
YMCA.
Rural Community Facilities MN.................. Spring Grove Community City of Spring Grove........ 2,000,000 Klobuchar, Smith
Program. Center.
Rural Community Facilities MS.................. Desoto County Agri-Education Desoto County Board of 275,000 Wicker
Program. Center. Supervisors.
Rural Community Facilities NC.................. Southeastern Community Southeastern Community 4,717,000 Tillis
Program. College Truck Driver College.
Training Program Expansion.
Rural Community Facilities NH.................. Walpole Village School...... The Walpole Foundaton....... 2,250,000 Shaheen
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NH.................. Bethlehem Transfer Station Town of Bethlehem........... 750,000 Shaheen
Program. Project.
Rural Community Facilities NH.................. Groton Sand Shed............ Town of Groton.............. 38,000 Shaheen
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NH.................. Hampton Public Safety Pier.. Town of Hampton............. 125,000 Shaheen
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NH.................. Hancock Fire Station Town of Hancock............. 600,000 Shaheen
Program. Renovation Project.
Rural Community Facilities NJ.................. Purchase of Pumper Truck for City of Wildwood............ 900,000 Booker
Program. Wildwood City Fire
Department.
Rural Community Facilities NJ.................. HSCFD Fire Truck 2025....... Hopewell Township........... 186,000 Booker
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NJ.................. Firehouse Critical Runnemede Fire Company No 1. 600,000 Booker
Program. Infrastructure Update.
Rural Community Facilities NJ.................. Purchase of an ambulance for Township of Lawrence........ 413,000 Booker
Program. Lawrence Township EMS.
Rural Community Facilities NJ.................. Senior Center Improvements Borough of Hopatcong........ 500,000 Menendez
Program. Project.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Portales Fire Department City of Portales............ 1,000,000 Heinrich
Program. Fire Apparatus.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. COPE Navajo FVRx: Expanding Community Outreach and 488,000 Heinrich
Program. Nutrition Security and Patient Empowerment, Inc.
Strengthening the Rural (COPE).
Economy.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Zuni Pueblo Conservation Conservation Legacy......... 263,000 Heinrich
Program. Career and Cultural
Preservation Center.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Repair and Replace Plant Gila Regional Medical Center 275,000 Heinrich
Program. Operations Utility Systems.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Collaborative Expansion of HELP New Mexico, Inc........ 3,000,000 Heinrich
Program. Early Childhood Campus in
Luna County.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Medically Tailored Meal Meals on Wheels New Mexico.. 61,000 Heinrich
Program. Delivery to Bernalillo and
Sandoval County Residents.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. NMSU San Juan Extension Farm NMSU San Juan County 200,000 Heinrich
Program. Kitchen. Extension Office.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Communications Equipment for Rio Arriba County........... 1,100,000 Heinrich
Program. Firefighters.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. SNAP Mobile Market.......... Roadrunner Food Bank........ 1,696,000 Heinrich
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Red River Public Safety Town of Red River........... 228,000 Heinrich
Program. Equipment Upgrade.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Wildland Fire Engine........ Village of Questa........... 500,000 Heinrich
Program.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Food Bank of Eastern New Food Bank of Eastern New 275,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Program. Mexico--Mobile Mercado Mexico.
Fresh Food Delivery Truck.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. National Indian Youth National Indian Youth 110,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Program. Leadership Development Leadership Development
Project--Project Venture Project.
Camp Site.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Estancia Town Hall and Town of Estancia............ 1,513,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Program. Community Center Renovation.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Truchas Volunteer Fire Truchas Volunteer Fire 563,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Program. Department Fire Apparatus. Department.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. County of Mora--ADA County of Mora.............. 169,000 Lujan
Program. Compliant Access for Mora
County Government and
Community Facilities.
Rural Community Facilities NM.................. Town of Carrizozo--Fire Town of Carrizozo........... 500,000 Lujan
Program. Hydrant Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities NV.................. Ely Shoshone Tribe-- Ely Shoshone Tribe.......... 2,100,000 Cortez Masto, Rosen
Program. Community Facility Center.
Rural Community Facilities NV.................. Lander County--Battle Lander County............... 4,600,000 Cortez Masto, Rosen
Program. Mountain Fire Station.
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. Community Gathering Space Hudson Valley Shakespeare 1,500,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. and Open-Air Theater. Festival, Inc..
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. Lake Placid Center for the Lake Placid Center for the 850,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. Arts Expansion and Arts.
Modernization.
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. The Wild Center Facilities Natural History Museum of 1,000,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. Improvements. the Adirondacks d/b/a The
Wild Center.
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. Tioga County Regional Career Owego Apalachin Central 1,000,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. and Technical Education School District.
Center.
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. Pendragon Theatre Adaptive Pendragon, Inc.............. 850,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. Reusue Project.
Rural Community Facilities NY.................. Refuah Health Center-- Refuah Health Center, Inc... 1,100,000 Gillibrand, Schumer
Program. Construction of New
Healthcare Facility at
South Fallsburg.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. Gallipolis Fire Department.. City of Gallipolis.......... 450,000 Brown
Program.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. City of Jackson's Memorial City of Jackson............. 1,000,000 Brown
Program. Building Renovations.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. Pultney Township Municipal Pultney Township............ 700,000 Brown
Program. Building.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. Township Salt Barn.......... Saint Joseph Township....... 56,000 Brown
Program.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. Don W. Miller Memorial Park Sandusky County Park 859,000 Brown
Program. Renovations. District.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. Pike County Public Library.. The Garnet A. Wilson Public 500,000 Brown
Program. Library of Pike County.
Rural Community Facilities OH.................. West Unity Street Project... Village of West Unity....... 500,000 Brown
Program.
Rural Community Facilities OR.................. Southwestern Polk County Southwestern Polk County 986,000 Merkley, Wyden
Program. Rural Fire Station Rural Fire District.
Construction.
Rural Community Facilities OR.................. Wheeler Soil and Water Wheeler Soil and Water 948,000 Merkley, Wyden
Program. Conservation District Conservation District.
Conservation Community
Center.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Cambridge Springs Senior and Active Aging, Inc........... 500,000 Casey
Program. Community Center
Construction.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Emporium Borough Town Hall Borough of Emporium......... 175,000 Casey
Program. Structural Repairs and
Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Brighton Township Volunteer Brighton Township........... 500,000 Casey
Program. Fire Department Fire
Training Building
Construction.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Multi-Purpose Community Marion Township............. 370,000 Casey, Fetterman
Program. Center and Emergency
Evacuation Point in Marion
Township.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. The Center For Youth and The Center For Youth and 500,000 Casey, Fetterman
Program. Community Development Community Development.
Multicultural Community
Education Center in Adams
County, PA.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. City of Meadville Fire City of Meadville........... 145,000 Fetterman
Program. Station Roof Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Learning Lamp Inc. ADA The Learning Lamp, Inc...... 55,000 Fetterman
Program. Renovations to Pre-K
Classroom in Somerset
County, PA.
Rural Community Facilities PA.................. Wayne County Commissioners-- Wayne County, PA............ 750,000 Fetterman
Program. Agriculture Innovation
Center (AIC) Food Pantry--
Construction.
Rural Community Facilities RI.................. Maury Loontjens Library Maury Loontjens Memorial 105,000 Reed
Program. Terrace. Library.
Rural Community Facilities RI.................. Foster Public Safety Complex Town of Foster.............. 2,000,000 Reed
Program.
Rural Community Facilities RI.................. Glocester Communications Town of Glocester Police 165,000 Reed
Program. Tower. Department.
Rural Community Facilities RI.................. Middletown School Town of Middletown.......... 1,820,000 Reed
Program. Improvements.
Rural Community Facilities RI.................. Block Island Maritime Block Island Maritime 275,000 Whitehouse
Program. Institute Marine Mammal Institute.
Rescue and Response and
Conservation Project.
Rural Community Facilities SC.................. City of Fountain Inn City of Fountain Inn........ 1,200,000 Graham
Program. Municipal Center.
Rural Community Facilities SC.................. Newberry County Courthouse Newberry County............. 1,200,000 Graham
Program. Annex.
Rural Community Facilities SC.................. Tega Cay Fire Department.... Tega Cay Fire Department.... 533,000 Graham
Program.
Rural Community Facilities SC.................. Town of Central Fire Station Town of Central............. 1,500,000 Graham
Program.
Rural Community Facilities SC.................. Town of McClellanville...... Town of McClellanville...... 1,125,000 Graham
Program.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Bedford County Community Bedford County, Virginia.... 770,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Center Renovation.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. City of Bristol Municipal City of Bristol, Virginia... 572,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Vehicles Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Russell County Fire Russell County, Virginia.... 423,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Department Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Town of Crewe Community Town of Crewe, Virginia..... 338,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Center.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Town of Grundy Fire Truck Town of Grundy, Virginia.... 310,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Town of Lebanon Brush Truck Town of Lebanon, Virginia... 188,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Replacement.
Rural Community Facilities VA.................. Town of Pulaski Fire Town of Pulaski, Virginia... 500,000 Kaine, Warner
Program. Department Expansion and
Renovation.
Rural Community Facilities VT.................. Gilman Senior Center Covered Lunenburg Gilman and Concord 27,000 Sanders
Program. Ramp Project. Senior Citizens Inc..
Rural Community Facilities VT.................. Town of Newark Highway Town of Newark.............. 1,125,000 Sanders
Program. Garage and Fire Station.
Rural Community Facilities VT.................. Twin Valley Senior Center... Twin Valley Seniors Inc..... 38,000 Sanders
Program.
Rural Community Facilities VT.................. Update of Waterbury Area Waterbury Area Senior 14,000 Sanders
Program. Senior Center Facility. Citizens Association.
Rural Community Facilities VT.................. Craftsbury Saplings Craftsbury Saplings, Inc.... 3,000,000 Welch
Program. Community Children's Center.
Rural Community Facilities WA.................. Ritzville Wellness & East Adams Rural Healthcare. 2,250,000 Cantwell
Program. Education Center.
Rural Community Facilities WA.................. Skokomish Education Building Skokomish Indian Tribe...... 2,000,000 Cantwell, Murray
Program.
Rural Community Facilities WA.................. Natural Disaster Monitoring City of Ferndale............ 210,000 Murray
Program. and Response Equipment
Upgrades.
Rural Community Facilities WA.................. YMCA Early Learning Center.. Olympic Peninsula YMCA...... 1,500,000 Murray
Program.
Rural Community Facilities WA.................. Ensuring Senior Access to Tri-State Memorial Hospital. 3,000,000 Murray
Program. Surgical Care Project.
Rural Community Facilities WI.................. Bad River Boys and Girls Bad River Band of Lake 4,000,000 Baldwin
Program. Club Waabizi Youth Building. Superior Tribe of Chippewa.
Rural Community Facilities WI.................. Black River Falls Public City of Black River Falls... 6,500,000 Baldwin
Program. Safety Building.
Rural Community Facilities WI.................. Dodge County Community Dodge County Housing 550,000 Baldwin
Program. Childcare Center. Authority.
Rural Community Facilities WI.................. La Pointe Big Bay Town Park Town of La Pointe........... 1,362,000 Baldwin
Program. Accessibility Project.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. City of Smithers Emergency City of Smithers............ 101,000 Capito
Program. Trucks.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Mullens Fire Departmet...... Mullens Volunteer Fire 1,260,000 Capito
Program. Department Inc.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Poca Public Safety Buildling Town of Poca................ 5,400,000 Capito
Program.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Ravenswood Firehouse........ City of Ravenswood.......... 1,000,000 Capito, Manchin
Program.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. McDowell County Health and McDowell County Commission.. 675,000 Capito, Manchin
Program. Wellness Center.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Moorefield Volunteer Fire Moorefield Volunteer Fire 6,900,000 Capito, Manchin
Program. Company 46 Fire Station. Company.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Snowshoe Resort Ranger Snowshoe Resort Community 300,000 Capito, Manchin
Program. Station. District.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Public Safety Upgrades--Fire City of Clarksburg.......... 84,000 Manchin
Program. Vehicle Acquisition.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Ladder truck for voluntary City of Mannington.......... 1,200,000 Manchin
Program. fire department within the
city of Mannington.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. CORA Community Building..... CORA Community Building..... 188,000 Manchin
Program.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Savas-Kostas Theater Project Southern WV Community 300,000 Manchin
Program. College Foundation.
Rural Community Facilities WV.................. Town of Delbarton Municipal Town of Delbarton........... 225,000 Manchin
Program. Complex.
Watershed and Flood Prevention AZ.................. Eagle Wash Flood Control La Paz County............... 55,000 Kelly, Sinema
Operations. Study.
Watershed and Flood Prevention KS.................. Rattlesnake Creek Watershed. Big Bend Groundwater 4,200,000 Marshall, Moran
Operations. Management District No. 5.
Watershed and Flood Prevention MS.................. Mississippi Watershed and NRCS Mississippi............ 9,000,000 Hyde-Smith
Operations. Flood Prevention Operations.
Watershed and Flood Prevention MS.................. Choctaw County Lake......... Choctaw County Board of 1,000,000 Wicker
Operations. Supervisors.
Watershed and Flood Prevention MS.................. Pearl River Valley Watershed Pearl River Valley Water 1,000,000 Wicker
Operations. Project. Supply District.
Watershed and Flood Prevention NM.................. Rincon Arroyo............... Dona Ana County Flood 2,000,000 Heinrich
Operations. Commission.
Watershed and Flood Prevention NM.................. Belen Highline Canal and Valencia County............. 2,000,000 Heinrich
Operations. Watershed Project.
Watershed and Flood Prevention OR.................. Farmers Irrigation District Farmers Irrigation District. 2,000,000 Merkley, Wyden
Operations. Irrigation Modernization
Project.
Watershed and Flood Prevention OR.................. North Unit Irrigation North Unit Irrigation 2,000,000 Merkley, Wyden
Operations. District Infrastructure District.
Modernization Project.
Watershed and Flood Prevention SC.................. Clemson University Clemson University 3,000,000 Graham
Operations. Experiment Station. Experiment Station.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2024 Budget estimate Committee -----------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2024
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Secretary....................................... 7,000 20,669 9,650 +2,650 -11,019
Office of Homeland Security................................... 1,896 3,174 2,621 +725 -553
Office of Tribal Relations.................................... 5,190 6,613 6,561 +1,371 -52
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.................. 7,500 9,339 7,500 ................ -1,839
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.......... 1,706 1,737 1,706 ................ -31
Departmental Administration................................... 23,500 45,207 23,500 ................ -21,707
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................................. 25,206 46,944 25,206 ................ -21,738
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations 4,500 4,709 4,500 ................ -209
and Intergovernmental Affairs................................
Office of Communications...................................... 7,000 11,577 7,000 ................ -4,577
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Office of the Secretary............................ 58,292 103,025 63,038 +4,746 -39,987
=========================================================================================
Executive Operations
Office of the Chief Economist................................. 30,500 31,504 31,150 +650 -354
Office of Hearings and Appeals................................ 16,703 17,127 16,703 ................ -424
Office of Budget and Program Analysis......................... 14,967 17,321 15,467 +500 -1,854
Office of the Chief Information Officer....................... 91,000 95,871 91,400 +400 -4,471
Office of the Chief Financial Officer......................... 6,867 8,225 6,867 ................ -1,358
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights............ 1,466 1,501 1,466 ................ -35
Office of Civil Rights........................................ 37,000 38,362 37,000 ................ -1,362
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.......................... 22,603 54,882 22,906 +303 -31,976
Hazardous materials management................................ 3,000 7,615 3,000 ................ -4,615
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection.................... 20,800 21,952 20,800 ................ -1,152
Office of Inspector General................................... 111,561 114,024 111,561 ................ -2,463
Office of the General Counsel................................. 60,537 66,581 61,981 +1,444 -4,600
Office of Ethics.............................................. 4,500 7,229 4,500 ................ -2,729
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Executive Operations............................... 421,504 482,194 424,801 +3,297 -57,393
=========================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 1,384 1,421 1,384 ................ -37
Economics....................................................
Office of the Chief Scientist............................. 500 2,800 1,000 +500 -1,800
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................. 1,884 4,221 2,384 +500 -1,837
Economic Research Service..................................... 90,612 98,068 90,612 ................ -7,456
National Agricultural Statistics Service...................... 187,513 195,964 193,513 +6,000 -2,451
Census of Agriculture..................................... (46,850) (48,230) (48,230) (+1,380) ................
Agricultural Research Service
Salaries and expenses......................................... 1,788,063 1,755,512 1,826,709 +38,646 +71,197
Buildings and facilities...................................... ................ 28,405 4,000 +4,000 -24,405
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 57,164 ................ 43,663 -13,501 +43,663
Spending.................................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................. 57,164 28,405 47,663 -9,501 +19,258
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Research Service...................... 1,845,227 1,783,917 1,874,372 +29,145 +90,455
=========================================================================================
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Research and education activities............................. 1,075,950 1,106,070 1,078,950 +3,000 -27,120
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund................... (11,880) (11,880) (11,880) ................ ................
Extension activities.......................................... 561,700 610,605 561,700 ................ -48,905
Integrated activities......................................... 41,100 15,000 41,100 ................ +26,100
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Institute of Food and Agriculture......... 1,678,750 1,731,675 1,681,750 +3,000 -49,925
=========================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory 1,617 1,852 1,617 ................ -235
Programs.....................................................
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Salaries and expenses......................................... 1,147,750 1,174,871 1,167,707 +19,957 -7,164
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 14,276 ................ 8,889 -5,387 +8,889
Spending.................................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................. 1,162,026 1,174,871 1,176,596 +14,570 +1,725
Buildings and facilities...................................... 1,000 3,175 5,000 +4,000 +1,825
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service..... 1,163,026 1,178,046 1,181,596 +18,570 +3,550
=========================================================================================
Agricultural Marketing Service
Marketing Services............................................ 222,887 234,888 231,387 +8,500 -3,501
(Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees collected).. (62,596) (62,596) (62,596) ................ ................
Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (Section
32):
Permanent, (Section 32)................................... 1,574,028 1,622,930 1,622,930 +48,902 ................
Marketing agreements and orders (transfer from Section (21,501) (22,701) (22,701) (+1,200) ................
32)..................................................
Payments to States and Possessions........................ 1,000 1,500 1,000 ................ -500
Limitation on inspection and weighing services expenses... (55,000) (60,000) (60,000) (+5,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Marketing Service................. 1,915,511 1,981,914 1,977,913 +62,402 -4,001
=========================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety................. 1,117 1,152 1,117 ................ -35
Food Safety and Inspection Service............................ 1,190,009 1,244,231 1,232,840 +42,831 -11,391
Lab accreditation fees.................................... (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title I, Agricultural Programs................. 8,437,466 8,683,663 8,602,957 +165,491 -80,706
=========================================================================================
(By transfer)......................................... (21,501) (22,701) (22,701) (+1,200) ................
(Limitation on administrative expenses)............... (117,596) (122,596) (122,596) (+5,000) ................
TITLE II--FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Farm Production Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and 1,527 1,964 1,527 ................ -437
Conservation.................................................
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.............. 244,183 246,250 244,183 ................ -2,067
(by transfer from CCC).................................... (60,228) (70,740) (70,740) (+10,512) ................
Farm Service Agency
Salaries and expenses......................................... 1,209,307 1,240,703 1,215,307 +6,000 -25,396
(by transfer from ACIF)................................... (305,803) (311,546) (311,546) (+5,743) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Salaries and expenses (including transfers).... 1,515,110 1,552,249 1,526,853 +11,743 -25,396
=========================================================================================
State mediation grants........................................ 6,500 7,000 6,500 ................ -500
Grassroots source water protection program.................... 7,000 7,500 7,500 +500 ................
Dairy indemnity program....................................... 500 500 500 ................ ................
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers............. 3,500 4,000 3,500 ................ -500
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund [ACIF] Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Farm ownership loans:
Guaranteed........................................ (3,500,000) (3,500,000) (3,500,000) ................ ................
Direct............................................ (3,100,000) (1,966,970) (2,000,000) (-1,100,000) (+33,030)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................................... (6,600,000) (5,466,970) (5,500,000) (-1,100,000) (+33,030)
Farm operating loans:
Unsubsidized guaranteed........................... (2,118,491) (2,118,491) (2,118,491) ................ ................
Direct............................................ (1,633,000) (1,100,000) (1,100,000) (-533,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................................... (3,751,491) (3,218,491) (3,218,491) (-533,000) ................
Emergency loans....................................... (37,667) (37,000) (37,000) (-667) ................
Indian tribe land acquisition loans................... (20,000) (20,000) (20,000) ................ ................
Conservation loans:
Guaranteed........................................ (150,000) ................ ................ (-150,000) ................
Direct................................................ ................ (300,000) (300,000) (+300,000) ................
Relending program loans............................... (61,426) (7,705) (7,705) (-53,721) ................
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans................. (5,000) ................ ................ (-5,000) ................
Boll weevil eradication loans......................... (60,000) (5,000) (5,000) (-55,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................ (10,685,584) (9,055,166) (9,088,196) (-1,597,388) (+33,030)
=========================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Emergency Loans....................................... 3,507 4,488 4,488 +981 ................
Farm operating loans:
Direct farm operating loans....................... ................ 2,860 2,860 +2,860 ................
Unsubsidized guaranteed........................... 1,483 ................ ................ -1,483 ................
Farm Ownership Loans:
Direct (ownership)................................ 27,598 35,602 36,200 +8,602 +598
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................................... 32,588 42,950 43,548 +10,960 +598
Relending program loans............................... 19,368 2,661 2,661 -16,707 ................
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans................. 1,577 ................ ................ -1,577 ................
Boll weevil eradication loans......................... 258 18 18 -240 ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants.................. 53,791 45,629 46,227 -7,564 +598
=========================================================================================
ACIF administrative expenses:
Administrative Expenses............................... 326,053 332,204 332,204 +6,151 ................
(Program Loan Cost Expenses)...................... (20,250) (20,658) (20,658) (+408) ................
(Transfer out to FSA Salaries and expenses)....... (-305,803) (-311,546) (-311,546) (-5,743) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund 379,844 377,833 378,431 -1,413 +598
Program Account..............................
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorizations)......................... (10,685,584) (9,055,166) (9,088,196) (-1,597,388) (+33,030)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Service Agency.................... 1,606,651 1,637,536 1,611,738 +5,087 -25,798
=========================================================================================
Risk Management Agency
RMA Salaries and Expenses..................................... 65,637 65,950 65,637 ................ -313
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Production Programs....................... 1,917,998 1,951,700 1,923,085 +5,087 -28,615
=========================================================================================
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Conservation Operations................................... 895,754 985,203 965,754 +70,000 -19,449
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 19,145 ................ ................ -19,145 ................
Spending.............................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................. 914,899 985,203 965,754 +50,855 -19,449
Farm Security and Rural Investment Program:
Administrative expenses-FPAC Business Center (transfer (-60,228) (-70,740) (-70,740) (-10,512) ................
out).................................................
Watershed flood and prevention operations................. 14,650 70,000 25,000 +10,350 -45,000
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 20,350 ................ 26,255 +5,905 +26,255
Spending.............................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................. 35,000 70,000 51,255 +16,255 -18,745
Watershed rehabilitation program.......................... 1,000 2,003 2,000 +1,000 -3
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production............... ................ 15,042 ................ ................ -15,042
Water Bank Program........................................ ................ 2,011 ................ ................ -2,011
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service......... 950,899 1,074,259 1,019,009 +68,110 -55,250
=========================================================================================
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation:
Federal crop insurance corporation fund................... 15,484,000 14,710,000 14,710,000 -774,000 ................
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
Reimbursement for net realized losses..................... 12,438,000 12,650,463 12,650,463 +212,463 ................
Hazardous waste management (limitation on expenses)....... (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Corporations................................... 27,922,000 27,360,463 27,360,463 -561,537 ................
=========================================================================================
Total, title II, Farm Production and Conservation Programs 30,790,897 30,386,422 30,302,557 -488,340 -83,865
=========================================================================================
(By transfer)............................................. (366,031) (382,286) (382,286) (+16,255) ................
(Transfer out)............................................ (-366,031) (-382,286) (-382,286) (-16,255) ................
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development........... 1,620 1,656 1,620 ................ -36
Rural Development
Rural development expenses:
Salaries and expenses..................................... 351,087 428,206 351,087 ................ -77,119
(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 (including transfers)... 801,079 878,198 801,079 ................ -77,119
=========================================================================================
Rural Housing Service
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family direct (Sec 502)........................ (880,000) (1,250,000) (1,000,000) (+120,000) (-250,000)
Relending demonstration program for Native American (5,000) (7,501) (7,501) (+2,501) ................
Tribes...............................................
Unsubsidized guaranteed............................... (25,000,000) (30,000,000) (25,000,000) ................ (-5,000,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Single family........................... 25,885,000 31,257,501 26,007,501 +122,501 -5,250,000
Housing repair (Sec 504).............................. (25,000) (28,000) (25,000) ................ (-3,000)
Rental housing (Sec 515).............................. (60,000) (70,000) (65,000) (+5,000) (-5,000)
Multi-family housing guarantees (Sec 538)............. (400,000) (400,000) (400,000) ................ ................
Single family housing credit sales.................... (10,000) (10,000) (10,000) ................ ................
Self-help housing land development housing loans (Sec (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ................ ................
523).................................................
Site development loans (Sec 524)...................... (5,000) (5,000) (5,005) (+5) (+5)
Farm Labor Housing (Sec514)........................... (15,000) (25,000) (25,000) (+10,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................ 26,405,000 31,800,501 26,542,506 +137,506 -5,257,995
=========================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Single family direct (Sec 502)........................ 84,480 174,000 118,000 +33,520 -56,000
Relending demonstration program for Native American 2,288 3,704 3,704 +1,416 ................
Tribes...............................................
Housing repair (Sec 504).............................. 4,338 5,992 5,350 +1,012 -642
Self-Help Land Development Housing Loans (Sec523)..... 637 726 726 +89 ................
Site Development Loans (Sec524)....................... 477 491 491 +14 ................
Rental housing (Sec 515).............................. 20,988 27,713 25,734 +4,746 -1,979
Multi-family housing revitalization program........... 34,000 90,000 36,000 +2,000 -54,000
Farm labor housing (Sec514)........................... 5,222 9,690 5,814 +592 -3,876
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies............................. 152,430 312,316 195,819 +43,389 -116,497
=========================================================================================
Farm labor housing grants................................. 7,500 10,000 7,500 ................ -2,500
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........... 572,184 734,570 615,573 +43,389 -118,997
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorization).................................. (26,405,000) (31,800,501) (26,542,506) (+137,506) (-5,257,995)
Rental assistance (Sec 521)........................... 1,608,000 1,728,376 1,691,376 +83,376 -37,000
Rural Housing Vouchers................................ 48,000 ................ 50,400 +2,400 +50,400
Mutual and self-help housing grants................... 25,000 32,000 25,000 ................ -7,000
Rural housing assistance grants....................... 35,000 46,000 40,000 +5,000 -6,000
Rural community facilities program account:
Loan authorizations:
Community facility:
Direct.................................... (2,800,000) (1,250,000) (1,250,000) (-1,550,000) ................
Guaranteed................................ (650,000) (650,000) (650,000) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations............ 3,450,000 1,900,000 1,900,000 -1,550,000 ................
=========================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Community facility:
Community Facilities Direct Loans......... ................ 14,000 14,000 +14,000 ................
Grants.................................... 5,000 32,000 1,000 -4,000 -31,000
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed ................ ................ 226,338 +226,338 +226,338
Spending.................................................
Rural community development initiative........ 5,000 6,000 5,000 ................ -1,000
Tribal college grants......................... 8,000 10,000 8,000 ................ -2,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Loan subsidies and grants....... 18,000 62,000 254,338 +236,338 +192,338
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, grants and payments........................ 78,000 140,000 319,338 +241,338 +179,338
=========================================================================================
Total, Rural Housing Service.......................... 2,306,184 2,602,946 2,676,687 +370,503 +73,741
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorization).................................. (29,855,000) (33,700,501) (28,442,506) (-1,412,494) (-5,257,995)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service:
Rural Business Program Account:
(Guaranteed business and industry loan authorization). (1,600,000) (2,250,000) (1,900,000) (+300,000) (-350,000)
Loan subsidies and grants:
Guaranteed business and industry subsidy.......... 38,080 4,500 3,800 -34,280 -700
Rural business development grants............. 20,535 37,000 20,047 -488 -16,953
Delta Regional Authority, Appalachian Regional 8,000 9,000 8,000 ................ -1,000
Commission, Northern Border Regional
Commission, and Southwest Border Regional
Commission...................................
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant ................ 4,000 ................ ................ -4,000
Program......................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBP loan subsidies and grants...... 66,615 54,500 31,847 -34,768 -22,653
=========================================================================================
Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account:
(Loan authorization).................................. (10,000) (18,890) (10,000) ................ (-8,890)
Loan subsidy.......................................... 3,035 6,434 3,406 +371 -3,028
Administrative expenses............................... 4,468 4,468 4,468 ................ ................
(transfer out to Rural Development)............... (-4,468) (-4,468) (-4,468) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Intermediary Relending Program Account. 7,503 10,902 7,874 +371 -3,028
=========================================================================================
Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
(Loan authorization).................................. (50,000) (75,000) (50,000) ................ (-25,000)
Limit cushion of credit interest spending............. (75,000) ................ (75,000) ................ (+75,000)
Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
Cooperative development............................... 5,800 5,800 5,800 ................ ................
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas....... 2,800 3,500 3,500 +700 ................
Grants to assist minority producers................... 3,000 3,000 3,000 ................ ................
Value-added agricultural product market development... 11,500 13,000 11,500 ................ -1,500
Agriculture innovation centers........................ 1,500 3,000 1,500 ................ -1,500
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Cooperative development grants....... 24,600 28,300 25,300 +700 -3,000
=========================================================================================
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program:
(Loan authorization).................................. (20,000) (8,504) (8,504) (-11,496) ................
Loan subsidy and grants............................... 5,000 6,518 3,713 -1,287 -2,805
Rural Energy for America Program:
(Loan authorization).................................. (50,000) (1,000,000) (250,000) (+200,000) (-750,000)
Healthy Food Financing Initiative......................... 500 3,000 500 ................ -2,500
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service............. 104,218 103,220 69,234 -34,984 -33,986
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorizations)................................. (1,730,000) (3,352,394) (2,218,504) (+488,504) (-1,133,890)
Rural Utilities Service:
Rural water and waste disposal program account:
Loan authorizations:
Direct............................................ (860,000) (1,370,000) (860,000) ................ (-510,000)
Guaranteed........................................ (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations.................... 910,000 1,420,000 910,000 ................ -510,000
=========================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Water and waste revolving fund.................... 1,000 1,000 1,000 ................ ................
Water well system grants.......................... 5,000 5,000 5,000 ................ ................
306A(i)(2) grants................................. 10,000 15,000 10,000 ................ -5,000
Colonias and AK/HI grants......................... 65,000 66,000 65,000 ................ -1,000
Water and waste technical assistance.............. 35,000 38,000 35,000 ................ -3,000
Circuit rider program............................. 21,817 25,000 22,470 +653 -2,530
Solid waste management grants..................... 4,000 4,000 4,000 ................ ................
Direct subsidy.................................... 73,670 145,850 91,020 +17,350 -54,830
High energy cost grants........................... 8,000 10,000 8,000 ................ -2,000
Water and waste disposal grants................... 255,000 385,000 255,000 ................ -130,000
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 117,485 ................ ................ -117,485 ................
Spending.........................................
Lead Service Line Replacement Grants.............. ................ 100,000 ................ ................ -100,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants.............. 595,972 794,850 496,490 -99,482 -298,360
=========================================================================================
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program
Account:
Loan authorizations:
Electric:
Direct, FFB................................... (2,167,000) (2,167,000) (2,167,000) ................ ................
Electric Direct, Treasury Rate................ (4,333,000) (4,333,000) (4,333,000) ................ ................
Guaranteed underwriting....................... (900,000) ................ (900,000) ................ (+900,000)
Rural Energy Savings Program.................. (20,000) (99,437) (20,000) ................ (-79,437)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Electric........................ 7,420,000 6,599,437 7,420,000 ................ +820,563
Telecommunications:
Telecomm Direct, Treasury..................... (550,000) ................ (550,000) ................ (+550,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................ 7,970,000 6,599,437 7,970,000 ................ +1,370,563
=========================================================================================
Loan Subsidy:
Telecommunications Direct, Treasury Rate.......... 5,720 3,726 6,105 +385 +2,379
Rural Energy Savings Program...................... 3,578 10,700 4,032 +454 -6,668
RETLP administrative expenses......................... 33,270 33,270 33,270 ................ ................
(transfer out to Rural Development)............... (-33,270) (-33,270) (-33,270) ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Electrification and 42,568 47,696 43,407 +839 -4,289
Telecommunications Loans Program Account.........
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorization).............................. (7,970,000) (6,599,437) (7,970,000) ................ (+1,370,563)
Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program:
Loan subsidies and grants:
Distance learning and telemedicine:
Grants............................................ 40,000 60,000 40,000 ................ -20,000
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 9,574 ................ 105 -9,469 +105
Spending.........................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................................... 49,574 60,000 40,105 -9,469 -19,895
Broadband telecommunications:
Broadband Re-Connect:
Loan subsidies and grants......................... 90,000 112,400 75,000 -15,000 -37,400
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed 10,385 ................ ................ -10,385 ................
Spending.........................................
Community Connect Grants.......................... 20,000 35,000 20,000 ................ -15,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................................... 120,385 147,400 95,000 -25,385 -52,400
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants.................. 169,959 207,400 135,105 -34,854 -72,295
=========================================================================================
Total, Rural Utilities Service........................ 808,499 1,049,946 675,002 -133,497 -374,944
=========================================================================================
(Loan authorization).................................. (8,880,000) (8,019,437) (8,880,000) ................ (+860,563)
Total, title III, Rural Development Programs.......... 3,571,608 4,185,974 3,773,630 +202,022 -412,344
=========================================================================================
(By transfer)......................................... (449,992) (449,992) (449,992) ................ ................
(Transfer out)........................................ (-449,992) (-449,992) (-449,992) ................ ................
(Loan authorizations)................................. (40,465,000) (45,072,332) (39,541,010) (-923,990) (-5,531,322)
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and 1,127 1,416 1,127 ................ -289
Consumer Services............................................
Food and Nutrition Service:
Child nutrition programs.................................. 33,250,226 31,765,851 31,757,179 -1,493,047 -8,672
Farm to School........................................ 5,000 12,000 5,000 ................ -7,000
School breakfast program equipment grants............. 10,000 20,000 12,000 +2,000 -8,000
Child Nutrition Training (Sec 735).................... 1,000 2,000 1,000 ................ -1,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Child nutrition programs................... 33,266,226 31,799,851 31,775,179 -1,491,047 -24,672
=========================================================================================
Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, 7,030,000 7,697,000 7,697,000 +667,000 ................
and children (WIC).......................................
Emergency............................................. ................ 500,000 ................ ................ -500,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................................... 7,030,000 8,197,000 7,697,000 +667,000 -500,000
Supplemental nutrition assistance program:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program............. 119,375,523 120,316,961 120,217,794 +842,271 -99,167
Reserve............................................... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 ................ ................
FDPIR nutrition education services.................... 998 ................ 998 ................ +998
Healthy Fluid Milk.................................... 3,000 3,000 4,000 +1,000 +1,000
Tribal Demonstration Projects......................... 3,000 5,000 5,000 +2,000 ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.. 122,382,521 123,324,961 123,227,792 +845,271 -97,169
=========================================================================================
Commodity assistance program:
Commodity supplemental food program................... 389,000 425,000 425,000 +36,000 ................
Farmers market nutrition program...................... 10,000 15,000 10,000 ................ -5,000
Emergency food assistance program..................... 80,000 95,000 80,000 ................ -15,000
Pacific island and disaster assistance................ 1,070 1,070 1,070 ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity assistance program............... 480,070 536,070 516,070 +36,000 -20,000
=========================================================================================
Nutrition programs administration......................... 177,348 205,000 177,348 ................ -27,652
Congressional Hunger Center........................... (2,000) ................ ................ (-2,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Nutrition Service..................... 163,336,165 164,062,882 163,393,389 +57,224 -669,493
=========================================================================================
Total, title IV, Domestic Food Programs............... 163,337,292 164,064,298 163,394,516 +57,224 -669,782
=========================================================================================
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign 932 1,154 932 ................ -222
Agricultural Affairs.........................................
Office of Codex Alimentarius.................................. 4,922 4,979 4,922 ................ -57
Foreign Agricultural Service
Salaries and expenses......................................... 227,330 244,533 227,330 ................ -17,203
(By transfer from export loans)........................... (6,063) (6,063) (6,063) ................ ................
Food for Peace Title II Grants:
Expenses.................................................. 1,619,107 1,800,000 1,720,607 +101,500 -79,393
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child 240,000 243,331 250,000 +10,000 +6,669
Nutrition program grants.....................................
Commodity Credit Corporation Export (Loans):
Credit Guarantee Program Account.......................... 6,063 6,063 6,063 ................ ................
Foreign Agriculture Service, Salaries and expenses (-6,063) (-6,063) (-6,063) ................ ................
(transfer out).......................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title V, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs... 2,098,354 2,300,060 2,209,854 +111,500 -90,206
=========================================================================================
(By transfer)............................................. (6,063) (6,063) (6,063) ................ ................
(Transfer out)............................................ (-6,063) (-6,063) (-6,063) ................ ................
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Salaries and expenses
Direct appropriation.......................................... 3,522,150 3,682,167 3,544,150 +22,000 -138,017
Transfer to OIG (transfer out)............................ (-1,500) (-1,500) (-1,500) ................ ................
Spending from appropriated user fees:
Prescription drug user fees............................... 1,422,104 1,450,545 1,472,210 +50,106 +21,665
Medical device user fees.................................. 362,381 369,627 394,228 +31,847 +24,601
Human generic drug user fees.............................. 613,538 625,812 638,962 +25,424 +13,150
Biosimilar biological products user fees.................. 31,109 31,731 53,347 +22,238 +21,616
Animal drug user fees..................................... 33,500 34,170 30,225 -3,275 -3,945
Animal generic drug user fees............................. 25,000 25,500 27,283 +2,283 +1,783
Tobacco product user fees................................. 712,000 712,000 712,000 ................ ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, user fees (appropriated).................... 3,199,632 3,249,385 3,328,255 +128,623 +78,870
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal (including appropriated user fees)........... 6,721,782 6,931,552 6,872,405 +150,623 -59,147
Mammography user fees..................................... 19,758 20,152 20,152 +394 ................
Export user fees.......................................... 5,185 5,289 5,289 +104 ................
Color certification user fees............................. 11,109 11,331 11,331 +222 ................
Food and Feed Recall user fees............................ 1,584 1,616 1,616 +32 ................
Food Reinspection fees.................................... 7,079 7,221 7,221 +142 ................
Voluntary qualified importer program fees................. 5,852 5,968 5,968 +116 ................
Pharmacy compounding fees................................. 1,679 1,746 1,746 +67 ................
Priority review vouchers (PRV) pediatric disease.......... 8,486 8,656 8,656 +170 ................
Priority review vouchers (PRV) tropical disease........... 2,713 2,767 2,767 +54 ................
Priority review vouchers (PRV) medical countermeasures.... 2,713 ................ ................ -2,713 ................
Third party auditor....................................... 787 803 803 +16 ................
Over-the-Counter Monograph fees........................... 31,800 32,898 32,898 +1,098 ................
Increased export certification fees (leg proposal)........ ................ 5,000 ................ ................ -5,000
Expand tobacco products fees (leg proposal)............... ................ 114,000 ................ ................ -114,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, spending from FDA user fees................. 3,298,377 3,466,832 3,426,702 +128,325 -40,130
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Salaries and expenses (including user fees).... 6,819,027 7,147,499 6,969,352 +150,325 -178,147
=========================================================================================
HHS Office of Inspector General (by transfer)................. (1,500) (1,500) (1,500) ................ ................
Buildings and facilities...................................... 5,000 12,788 9,000 +4,000 -3,788
FDA Innovation account, Cures Act............................. 50,000 55,000 55,000 +5,000 ................
Offset of appropriation pursuant to Section 1002 (b)(3)(B) of -50,000 -55,000 -55,000 -5,000 ................
the 21st Century Cures Act (PL 114-255)......................
Spending of FDA innovation account (transfer)................. (50,000) (55,000) (55,000) (+5,000) ................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA (w/user fees, including proposals)............. 6,825,527 7,161,787 6,979,852 +154,325 -181,935
=========================================================================================
Total, FDA (w/enacted user fees only)..................... 6,825,527 7,042,787 6,979,852 +154,325 -62,935
=========================================================================================
FDA user fees................................................. -3,298,377 -3,466,832 -3,426,702 -128,325 +40,130
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Drug Administration (excluding user fees). 3,527,150 3,694,955 3,553,150 +26,000 -141,805
=========================================================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.......................... 365,000 374,000 ................ -365,000 -374,000
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative (94,300) (100,430) (100,430) (+6,130) ................
expenses)....................................................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug 3,892,150 4,068,955 3,553,150 -339,000 -515,805
Administration...........................................
=========================================================================================
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Protecting Animals with Shelter Grants........................ 3,000 ................ 3,000 ................ +3,000
Water Bank program............................................ 2,000 ................ 2,000 ................ +2,000
Maturing mortgage pilot....................................... 1,000 ................ 2,000 +1,000 +2,000
Mitigation banking............................................ 2,000 ................ 2,000 ................ +2,000
NOAA working group............................................ 500 ................ 500 ................ +500
Institute for Rural Partnership............................... 6,000 ................ 6,000 ................ +6,000
Bison Inspection Waiver....................................... 700 ................ 700 ................ +700
Sugar Inspection.............................................. ................ ................ 1,000 +1,000 +1,000
Bison Marketing Pilot......................................... 2,000 ................ 2,000 ................ +2,000
Broadband Treasury Rate Loan Program (rescission)............. -7,000 -10,280 ................ +7,000 +10,280
Rural Cooperative Development Grants (rescission)............. -7,000 -8,000 ................ +7,000 +8,000
NIFA Research and Education (rescission)...................... -37,000 ................ ................ +37,000 ................
Housing Repair Loans and Grants (rescission).................. -28,000 ................ ................ +28,000 ................
Rural Housing Voucher (rescission)............................ -35,000 -11,786 ................ +35,000 +11,786
Tribal Pilot.................................................. 2,000 ................ 2,000 ................ +2,000
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Grants.................. 3,000 ................ ................ -3,000 ................
FDA Tobacco GP................................................ ................ ................ -12,000 -12,000 -12,000
Water and Waste Pilot......................................... 1,000 ................ ................ -1,000 ................
WFPO (recission).............................................. -28,000 ................ ................ +28,000 ................
REAP (recission).............................................. -10,000 ................ ................ +10,000 ................
NRCS (recission).............................................. -30,000 ................ ................ +30,000 ................
NPA (recission)............................................... -8,000 -8,000 ................ +8,000 +8,000
NEF Repurpose (emergency)(non-add)............................ (573,500) ................ ................ (-573,500) ................
RCFP (emergency).......................................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ................
Food for Peace (emergency)................................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ................
Community Connect (recission)................................. -30,000 ................ ................ +30,000 ................
Working Capital Fund (recission).............................. -78,000 ................ ................ +78,000 ................
RD DLT (recission)............................................ -18,891 ................ ................ +18,891 ................
APHIS NBAF (recission)........................................ -5,000 -16,500 ................ +5,000 +16,500
FDA ARP (recission)........................................... -30,000 ................ ................ +30,000 ................
AFIDA......................................................... 2,000 ................ ................ -2,000 ................
Sec 745 (recission)........................................... ................ -604 ................ ................ +604
WIC (recission)............................................... ................ ................ -300,000 -300,000 -300,000
Summer EBT (recission)........................................ ................ ................ -30,000 -30,000 -30,000
RCDG (recission).............................................. ................ ................ -1,000 -1,000 -1,000
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Total, title VII, General Provisions...................... -326,691 -55,170 -321,800 +4,891 -266,630
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Grand total................................................... 211,801,076 213,634,202 211,514,864 -286,212 -2,119,338
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Appropriations............................................ (215,451,344) (216,656,204) (215,272,566) (-178,778) (-1,383,638)
Emergency appropriations.................................. ................ (500,000) ................ ................ (-500,000)
Emergency advance appropriations.......................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ................
Offsetting collections.................................... (-3,298,377) (-3,466,832) (-3,426,702) (-128,325) (+40,130)
Rescissions............................................... (-351,891) (-55,170) (-331,000) (+20,891) (-275,830)
(By transfer)................................................. (1,645,672) (1,678,182) (1,678,182) (+32,510) ................
(By transfer) (emergency)..................................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ................
(Transfer out)................................................ (-1,645,672) (-1,678,182) (-1,678,182) (-32,510) ................
(Loan authorization).......................................... (51,150,584) (54,127,498) (48,629,206) (-2,521,378) (-5,498,292)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)....................... (226,896) (238,026) (238,026) (+11,130) ................
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Grand total, excluding Other Appropriations................... 211,801,076 213,634,202 211,514,864 -286,212 -2,119,338
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