[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

                              ----------                              
                                                                   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
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total, title VII, General Provisions......................         -326,691           -55,170          -321,800            +4,891          -266,630
                                                               =========================================================================================
Grand total...................................................      211,801,076       213,634,202       211,514,864          -286,212        -2,119,338
                                                               =========================================================================================
    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)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand total, excluding Other Appropriations...................      211,801,076       213,634,202       211,514,864          -286,212        -2,119,338
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