FY16 Agriculture Full Committee Markup Bill Summary

Press Release

The fiscal year 2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill provides a total of $20.51 billion in discretionary budget authority, which is $65 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1.1 billion less than the President's request.

The Subcommittee's allocation conforms to the post-sequester caps under the Budget Control Act. Not one Senate Democrat voted for these austere spending levels because they do not provide adequate resources to protect America, build infrastructure, create opportunity, and spur economic growth. We need a new budget deal, in the spirit of Murray-Ryan, that stops hollowing out investments in America's future.

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, said:

"Senator Moran has worked hard to protect critical programs funded in this bill as well as to keep policy riders to a minimum. I appreciate the bipartisan manner in which we've worked drafting this bill. But more needs to be done. In order to protect rural America, our nation's food supply, and the most vulnerable citizens among us we must have a bipartisan budget agreement that moves this country forward. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Moran as we move through the appropriations process."

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:

"This bill helps American farmers, consumers, women and children, and I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Merkley. But the bill is a status quo bill, because of the spartan, sequester-based allocation. For example, instead of expanding a proven program like Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), which helps children of low-income families access healthy food during the summer, this bill funds it at the same level as last year. The bill also funds FDA, which supports 10,000 Maryland jobs. However, FDA needs more resources to implement major portions of the Food Safety Modernization law and remain the gold standard for drug, medical device and food safety. We need a new Murray-Ryan budget deal now, so we can provide adequate funding and stop hollowing out America. We cannot wait for a manufactured crisis to act."

Source