Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (116th Congress)
WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2021 subcommittee allocations, known as "302(b)" allocations. The appropriations bills for the subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs were also considered. Committee Republicans were unable to support the allocations or the individual bills due to a total spending level that is well above the current budget agreement and controversial policy provisions that are in the bills.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I want to thank Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Bishop for his hard work on this bill.
I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee. For example, I am glad we were able to help children continue to have access to the meals they rely on while their schools were closed over the past several months.
Support for our farmers and ranchers has been a lifeline during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.
We also expanded internet coverage into rural areas and continue to do so with this fiscal year 2021 bill.
This bill also ensures we have safe and effective drugs, including those that are imported.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.
Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.
- Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
- Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
- $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.
In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.
WASHINGTON – Today, the subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs met to consider their appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021. The measures were reported out to the full committee with concerns raised by Republicans.
I want to thank Chairman Bishop for presenting the fiscal year 2021 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations bill.
I also want to recognize the work of the Ranking Member of the subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
This bill funds priorities and concerns of Members on both sides of the aisle, and the programs supported have a direct impact on all Americans, every day.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of programs funded by this subcommittee.
Support is continued for our farmers and ranchers, which is a lifeline for them during this crisis after many years of economic challenges.
WASHINGTON – Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement after the House passed the CARES Act.
"Our nation is facing an unprecedented pandemic, and I am proud that Congress has come together again to provide desperately needed resources and relief to the American people.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement on the two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages that fully fund the government through September 30th, 2020.
"These appropriations bills will fully fund the government and secure vital conservative wins for the President and Republicans," said Granger. "Specifically, the bills:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4378 – a continuing resolution that will fund the government through November 21st.
"It is unfortunate that we are in this situation and have to pass this CR to keep the government open, but we cannot afford an unnecessary and costly shutdown.
"Because the budget agreement did not get enacted until August, the Senate just began working on the FY20 appropriations bills last week.
"As a result, there is simply not enough time to complete the appropriations process by the September 30th deadline.
WASHINGTON – Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) issued the following statement after opposing the Democrats' second appropriations package, H.R. 3055, which includes Commerce, Justice, and Science; Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration; Interior and Environment; Military Construction and Veteran Affairs; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The measure passed with a final vote of 227 to 194 - all Republicans present opposed the measure.
WASHINGTON – Today, top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) delivered the following remarks on H.R. 3055, a five-bill appropriations package.
Mister Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3055.
Unfortunately, this appropriations bill and the bill that just passed the House are written to an unrealistic topline funding number - $176 billion above current budget caps.
We still do not have consensus on a budget agreement for fiscal year 2020, which could lead to sequestration, resulting in devastating cuts to our military.
Moving this second appropriations package today as-is is another wasted opportunity.
The funding levels are far from what the President has requested and will support. Total discretionary funding in this bill is nearly 10 percent above fiscal year 2019.
