Bustos, LaHood Successfully Advocate for Peoria Agriculture Lab Appropriations Funding

Press Release

Today, Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced that the House Appropriations Committee included funding for the Peoria Agriculture Research Lab in their markup of the agriculture appropriations bill. Representatives Bustos and LaHood previously sent a letter urging the Appropriations Committee Chairman and Ranking Member to maintain federal funding for Peoria's Agriculture Research Lab, which was proposed for closure under President Trump's budget.

"Fighting to grow our agricultural economy is one of my top priorities in Congress, and I'm proud to work across the aisle with Congressman LaHood and with local advocates to save federal funding for Peoria's Agriculture Research Lab," Congresswoman Bustos said. "For decades, this lab has kept Peoria at the center of innovation in our agricultural economy -- they've developed technology that has benefitted our troops, our farmers and American consumers every single day. While our work is far from over, I'll continue fighting to protect this lab from closure under President Trump's budget."

"Our community's advocacy has truly paid off today, with the agriculture appropriations bill containing full funding for the Peoria ag lab," Congressman LaHood said. "The USDA Research Lab in Peoria has accomplished incredible work over the years, which is why it was so critical that it receive the federal funding it needs to continue its work. I applaud the work of my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee for including full funding for the Peoria ag lab and will continue to work alongside my colleague Rep. Bustos to ensure that this funding is maintained as Congress continues the appropriations process."

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