National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the time, and I rise in support of H.R. 1865.
As the chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I am pleased to briefly highlight the important national priorities addressed in this bill.
From the safety of our food and medicines, to agriculture research, to rural development, and nutrition assistance, the programs in this bill touch the lives of every American on a daily basis. The strong investments we make in this bill will improve people's lives at home and abroad.
The fiscal year 2020 Agriculture bill provides $23.5 billion in discretionary funding, $183 million above the fiscal year 2019 level. In addition, it provides the latest estimates for mandatory programs required by law.
The legislation makes major investments, totaling almost $3.8 billion, in our rural communities, including $1.45 billion for rural water and waste program loans and $545 million in grants for clean and reliable drinking water systems, $640 million for broadband programs, including $555 million for the Re-Connect grants and loans, an issue with strong bipartisan support.
The bill funds all of the domestic nutrition programs, including SNAP, WIC, and the Child Nutrition Programs, sufficiently to meet anticipated participation in fiscal year 2020.
In addition, it provides $35 million for the Summer EBT program, $30 million for the school kitchen equipment grants, and $5 million for the school breakfast expansion grants.
The bill provides $1.8 billion for farm programs, including $35 million to address staffing shortages at county offices to ensure farmers and producers receive the best possible customer service.
It also extends and expands disaster assistance to continue assisting farmers, ranchers, and producers in States that were devastated by natural disasters, including Hurricane Michael that devastated my district.
The legislation makes critical investments in agriculture research by providing $3.2 billion, a $171 million increase over fiscal year 2019.
We provided record levels of resources for the Food for Peace and McGovern-Dole programs. These programs send American commodities all over the world to address global hunger and are an essential tool of American diplomacy.
The Food and Drug Administration will receive $3.16 billion in discretionary funding, with specific funding dedicated to fighting rare cancers, gaining efficiencies for generic drug reviews, improving response to foodborne illness outbreaks, and the continued implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act.
The bill funds the Commodity Futures Trading Commission at $315 million, a historic, necessary, and long-overdue increase.
I am pleased that the bill provides funding for several programs authorized in the 2018 farm bill, including the 1890 National Scholars program.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for their historic and effective leadership throughout the appropriations process. I would like to also thank the subcommittee's distinguished ranking member, Mr. Fortenberry. He has been a great partner during this process.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, of course I have to give a tremendous shout out to the hardworking Appropriations Committee staff, both majority and minority. They have worked hard through multiple challenges, and they have delivered us a good bill, although not perfect, to avoid a government shutdown.
Madam Speaker, this is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source