Rogers Supports Federal Funding Bill for Rural Development, Child Nutrition Programs and Combatting Drug Abuse

Statement

The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2018 Agriculture Appropriations Bill to fund important agricultural and food programs and services, including rural development, nutrition programs and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The bill totals $20 billion in discretionary funding, which is $876 million lower than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $4.64 billion above the President's budget request. The legislation prioritizes this funding in programs for rural communities, farmers, ranchers, food and drug safety, and nutrition for those in need. In addition, the bill contains several policy provisions to rein in unnecessary and burdensome regulations that harm U.S. food producers and that impede growth in important U.S. industries.

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, Chairman Emeritus of the House Appropriations Committee, applauded Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen and the committee for boosting funds to combat the national opioid abuse epidemic. The bill provides the FDA with $2.8 billion in discretionary funding, plus its revenue for user fees, bringing the total to $5.2 billion - a nearly $500 million increase above fiscal year 2017.

"For years we have lamented the fact that the FDA has taken a soft shoe to the problem. Now, as opioid abuse has overtaken the country, finally we've got the FDA's new commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, who is taking positive steps almost every day to tackle the substance abuse problem that is afflicting the country as an epidemic. So, thank you for helping with the fight to rid us of this epidemic," said Congressman Rogers, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. "The bill also boosts rural programs to help support water and wastewater projects, as well as direct loans for rural community facilities and low-income families who hope to purchase their own home."

Additionally, Congressman Rogers advocated for robust funding for vital programs in southern and eastern Kentucky, including:

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development to support basic rural infrastructure, loans for rural businesses and balance for rural housing markets;

Rural Community Facilities Direct Loans to provide affordable funding to develop essential community facilities, like rural hospitals, courthouses and police stations; and

Section 502 Single Family Direct Loans to support mortgages for low-income homebuyers in rural areas.

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