Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2021 Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2021 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill by voice vote. The legislation funds agencies and programs within the Department of Agriculture, the Farm Credit Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Total discretionary funding in the legislation is $23.98 billion, an increase of $487 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. In total, the bill allows for $153 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding, an increase of $331 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. 

“Our bill touches every American’s life, which is why we rejected the Administration’s proposed massive cuts that would be truly cruel during the pandemic,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Chairman Sanford Bishop, Jr. “We built on the four COVID-19 supplemental bills Congress passed this spring by providing funding increases for our rural communities, vulnerable populations, and essential workers—while continuing important investments in rural and farm production programs, agriculture and medical research initiatives, international aid, and nutrition. I am pleased the full Committee worked together in a bipartisan way to support Americans in this difficult time.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has made it abundantly clear that we must do more to address America’s food security crisis and to strengthen struggling communities that are reeling from the pandemic and ensuing recession,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “While the Trump administration’s budget would gut critical investments in vulnerable populations and rural communities at a time of great need and uncertainty, this fiscal year 2021 bill would reduce disparities made worse by the pandemic with strong funding and protections to help put nutritious food on people’s tables and to connect more Americans to work, school, health care and family with increased broadband access.”

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. Bishop #1 – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Rep. Bishop #2 – The amendment gives FDA legal authority to require the recall of unsafe prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

A summary of the fiscal year 2021 Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA funding bill is here. The full text of the bill, prior to adoption of amendments in full committee, is here. The bill report is here.

###