Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Chairman Andy Harris
2362-A Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-2638
Majority | Minority |
| Andy Harris – Chair | Sanford Bishop, Jr.– Ranking Member |
| Robert Aderholt | Chellie Pingree |
| David Valadao | Lauren Underwood |
| John Moolenaar | Marie Gluesenkamp Perez |
| Dan Newhouse | Marcy Kaptur |
| Julia Letlow | Debbie Wasserman Schultz |
| Ben Cline | |
| Ashley Hinson | |
| Scott Franklin – Vice Chair |
FY26 Outside Witness Testimony Instructions FY26 Member Day Instructions
Recent Activity
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
These spending allocations will increase discretionary spending by hundreds of billions of dollars to an all-time high of $1.5 trillion.
This nearly 9% increase above fiscal year 2021 comes at a time of record-high deficits and debt:
- This month, the national debt reached an astonishing $28.3 trillion.
- In the first 8 months of this fiscal year, we have already borrowed $2.1 trillion.
We must exercise fiscal responsibility and return to reasonable levels of federal spending, now that the pandemic hopefully is nearing an end.
Although these allocations do not show the exact split between defense and non-defense programs, we know the topline is based on the president's budget. Those numbers included an enormous, 17% increase to non-defense programs. At the same time, the president's budget cut defense spending to below inflation.
WASHINGTON – Today, the subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration met to consider their appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022. The measures were reported out to the full committee with concerns raised by Republicans.
Chairman Bishop, thank you for presenting the fiscal year 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
I also want to recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Fortenberry.
I know both of you have worked together to fund priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle.
While this bill funds many important programs, it is based on a funding framework that does not have bipartisan support.
To put it simply, the increases proposed for non-defense bills like this one are just too high.
At the same time, the funding for our nation's defense is too low to meet the security challenges we face worldwide.
If we want to fund the good things contained in this bill, we must work together to develop spending levels both sides can support. We also need to agree to leave out controversial provisions.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today so that we can hear Secretary Vilsack's plans for the Department of Agriculture.
The events of the past year have affected virtually every sector of our economy. This is especially true for our farmers and ranchers. Thanks to the staff at USDA, programs were quickly implemented to help those affected by the pandemic.
In addition to providing direct support to our farmers and ranchers, USDA provided temporary assistance to families who had their incomes reduced. I am especially thankful for the efforts of the department and our local communities to ensure children were fed when they were not in school.
Not only were our schools closed as a result of the pandemic, in-person doctor visits were limited, and it was a challenge just to conduct normal business transactions. The urgency to close the digital divide in Rural America has never been more clear.
WASHINGTON – Today, Appropriations Committee Republicans sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting details on unobligated and unspent funds provided to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter, led by the Republican Leader of the Committee, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), comes as the Congress prepares to consider additional legislation.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to begin by congratulating you for taking over the gavel of the Appropriations Committee as we begin our first official meeting of the 117th Congress.
I wish we were all in the same room today to hear the sound of that gavel, but I know you will continue to look for ways for us to meet in person.
Madam Chair, I want to say a few words about you personally. You have served with distinction on Appropriations for many years, and you have already shown you are going to hit the ground running.
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Kay Granger (TX), Republican Leader of the House Appropriations Committee, announced Republican subcommittee assignments for the 117th Congress.
"We have assembled a strong team that is committed to reviewing the federal budget, conducting oversight of taxpayer dollars, and upholding conservative principles.
"Each Member will be key to advancing Republican priorities, and I am honored to work alongside each of them as we fight for the American people."
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Kay Granger (TX), Republican Leader of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the Republican Steering Committee's recommendations for subcommittee ranking members and new Republican committee members for the 117th Congress. The recommendations will need to be ratified by the Republican Conference.
"Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill that will provide funding for the Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year, as well as provide another round of desperately needed relief for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8900 – a continuing resolution that will fund the government through December 18th.
Members of the Appropriations Committee have been negotiating night and day for weeks to reach agreement on full-year appropriations bills.
At the same time, House and Senate leaders continue to discuss a coronavirus relief package with the Administration.
It is my hope that we can complete both of these important pieces of legislation as soon as possible.
There is so much at stake – our national security, the health and well-being of millions of Americans, and our economic recovery.
Passing this one week C.R. is simply a stop-gap measure. I expect we will be back on the floor next week to complete the year's work.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this continuing resolution so that the Senate can pass it and send it to the president for signature.
