House Passes H.R. 8646: Strong Agriculture. Strong Communities. Strong America.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives met to consider H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027. The measure was approved by a vote of 213 to 210.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said, "This bill advances American agriculture by backing the farmers and ranchers who feed our nation, support millions of jobs, and power rural economies. Building on the Trump Administration's commitment to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, it eliminates unnecessary spending while preserving investments that strengthen agricultural production and food security. I’m proud to lead legislation that invests in the farm safety net, agricultural research, and rural infrastructure programs that help producers manage risk, expand production, and remain competitive in a challenging global marketplace."
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "The House floor is not where the soil is tilled, livestock is raised, or crops are harvested – but it is where we stand behind the hardworking people who make those things possible. The FY27 Agriculture bill reflects a simple principle: a strong America begins with a strong agricultural sector. It invests in the farmers, ranchers, researchers, and rural communities that sustain our economy and feed our nation. It strengthens national security by bolstering tracking of foreign land purchases, increasing transparency in research partnerships, and enhancing oversight of overseas drug manufacturing. And it supports critical nutrition and rural development programs while reinforcing the resilience of our food and medical supply chains. By cutting waste, restoring accountability, and focusing resources on proven priorities, this bill directs investments where they make the greatest impact. Chairman Harris brought a clear vision to this legislation, ensuring every dollar and every provision serves the American people. I am proud to have voted for its passage and to help advance our second full-year FY27 appropriations bill. It is another step in upholding regular order and our Article I duties.”
Subcommittee Chairman Harris’ prepared floor remarks are available here.
Chairman Cole's prepared floor remarks are available here.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $26.27 billion, which is $380 million (1.4%) below the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted level.
The act prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our nation’s food and drug supply; support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and ensure low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs. The legislation is fiscally responsible and refocuses programs on their core mission while putting the health, safety, and prosperity of American producers and consumers first.
Key Takeaways
Champions U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by:
- Continuing critical investments in agriculture research, rural development loan programs, and animal and plant health programs.
- Providing funds to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices.
- Ensuring low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs.
- Reining in harmful regulations proposed during the Biden Administration that dictate how poultry and livestock producers raise and market their animals.
- Increasing resources for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fund frontline meat and poultry inspectors and bolster support for state inspection programs.
Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:
- Aligning with the President’s public health priorities by providing $7.1 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to keep food, drugs, and devices safe – and for initiatives to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA).
- Delivering $1.16 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is a priority in the President’s budget to protect American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
- Retaining the gene editing provision, which prohibits the “editing” of heritable genes or altering of genes that can be passed on to offspring.
- Maintaining “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
- Preventing discrimination against Americans based on traditional marriage beliefs.
Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:
- Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land and adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- Bolstering national security by increasing funding for USDA’s Office of Homeland Security by $13.6 million.
- Directing USDA to provide transparency into research funding involving foreign governments, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
- Increasing inspection of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India.
- Providing funding for land-grant universities to conduct agricultural research to ensure American producers are better equipped to compete with China.
Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:
- Reducing salaries and expenses where appropriate to account for staffing reductions and shrinking grant programs that housed canceled grants.
- Eliminating funding for the Biden-era Rural Partners Network initiative.
- Including no funds for climate hubs or climate corps.
A summary of the bill, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.
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