Harris, Cole at FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Subcommittee Markup
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee met to consider its Fiscal Year 2026 bill. The measure was approved by the Subcommittee.
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris delivered the following remarks, "This legislation reflects a clear, conservative commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities remain a top priority and that all Americans have access to a safe food and drug supply. At the same time, this legislation turns the page on the disastrous four years of the Biden Administration. By rooting out wasteful spending, reducing the federal bureaucracy, and incorporating efficiencies that DOGE has identified, this bill sets USDA on a responsible and sustainable spending path that will make the Department and our nation stronger...
"The bill makes important investments in critical agricultural research that will keep our producers on the cutting-edge of technology and production practices. We maintain funding for USDA’s flagship competitive grant program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, and protect capacity funding for our land-grant universities to ensure our farmers and ag workforce remain competitive with China...
"Times have changed at the Department of Agriculture. This bill puts the disastrous policies of the Biden Administration behind us. Under President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ leadership, every taxpayer dollar will be spent in the pursuit of putting American farmers and ranchers first. This bill follows their example in providing the support and resources American farmers deserve while reducing our burgeoning federal deficit. As I have said before, we are not appropriating Monopoly money – it’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and sometimes tough decisions have to be made. In an era of unrelenting $2 trillion deficits, fiscal restraint has to start, and it has to start now. This bill reflects that sobering reality."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole delivered the following remarks, "As we kick off our markup schedule for the Fiscal Year 2026 bills today, we should all expect some early mornings and late nights in the coming weeks. But, the idea of sunup to sundown is nothing new for America’s foremost producers. For rural districts like the one I represent in southwest Oklahoma, agriculture is not merely a commodity, it is a way of life. Through production, innovation, and pure grit, American farmers feed the world.
"Today’s bill, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, supports President Trump’s farmer-first agenda by recognizing the great importance of agriculture and rural communities to our great nation. It continues critical investments in research, rural broadband, and animal and plant health programs, each of which are essential to support our nation and future growth. This legislation also takes steps to shield and preserve American farms and farming communities. It includes safeguards to prohibit foreign bad actors from purchasing agricultural land, which is a critically important issue in my district. And, it reduces wasteful spending, ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are spent where they are needed most.
"As we safeguard our food supply, we also direct vital resources to protect the safety of medical drugs and devices. Each provision in this bill will help feed, fuel, heal, and connect Americans."
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here.
A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.
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