[Senate Report 115-259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 438
115th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 115-259
======================================================================
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2019
_______
May 24, 2018--Ordered to be printed
Mr. Hoeven, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 2976]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2976)
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes,
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
New obligational authority
Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$145,446,786,000
Amount of 2018 appropriations........................... 151,145,985,000
Amount of 2019 budget estimate.......................... 139,317,668,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2018 appropriations................................. -5,699,199,000
2019 budget estimate................................ +6,129,118,000
CONTENTS
----------
Page
Breakdown by Title............................................... 4
Overview and Summary of the Bill................................. 5
Reports to Congress.............................................. 6
Title I:
Agricultural Programs:
Production, Processing, and Marketing:
Office of the Secretary.............................. 7
Executive Operations................................. 9
Office of Hearings and Appeals....................... 10
Office of the Chief Information Officer.............. 11
Office of the Chief Financial Officer................ 12
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights... 12
Office of Civil Rights............................... 12
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities................. 13
Hazardous Materials Management....................... 13
Office of Inspector General.......................... 14
Office of the General Counsel........................ 14
Office of Ethics..................................... 15
Office of the Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics........................... 15
Economic Research Service............................ 15
National Agricultural Statistics Service............. 16
Agricultural Research Service........................ 17
National Institute of Food and Agriculture........... 27
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs................................ 37
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service........... 37
Agricultural Marketing Service....................... 45
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety........ 48
Food Safety and Inspection Service................... 48
Title II:
Farm Production and Conservation Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conser-
vation................................................. 51
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center......... 51
Farm Service Agency...................................... 52
Risk Management Agency................................... 56
Natural Resources Conservation Service................... 57
Corporations:
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.................. 59
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund........................ 59
Title III:
Rural Development Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development...... 62
Rural Housing Service.................................... 63
Rural Community Facilities Program Account............... 68
Rural Business--Cooperative Service...................... 69
Rural Utilities Service.................................. 73
Title IV:
Domestic Food Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and
Consumer Services...................................... 79
Food and Nutrition Service............................... 79
Title V:
Foreign Assistance and Related Programs:
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs................................... 89
Foreign Agricultural Service............................. 90
Title VI:
Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration:
Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug
Administration......................................... 94
Independent Agency: Farm Credit Administration........... 108
Title VII: General Provisions.................................... 110
Program, Project, and Activity................................... 113
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 113
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.................................................. 114
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 115
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 116
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 117
BREAKDOWN BY TITLE
The amounts of obligational authority for each of the seven
titles are shown in the following table. A detailed tabulation,
showing comparisons, appears at the end of this report.
Recommendations for individual appropriation items, projects
and activities are carried in this report under the appropriate
item headings.
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 Committee
enacted recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs.... 6,966,837 6,967,783
Title II: Farm Production and 25,933,930 26,825,522
Conservation programs............
Title III: Rural economic and 3,000,881 3,000,883
community development programs...
Title IV: Domestic food programs.. 104,919,418 103,040,913
Title V: Foreign assistance and 2,020,957 2,152,323
related programs.................
Title VI: Related agencies and 2,811,866 2,970,866
Food and Drug Administration.....
Title VII: General provisions..... 577,096 488,496
Supplemental Appropriations for 3,645,000 .................
Disaster......................... ..........
-------------------------------------
Total, new budget 151,145,985 145,446,786
(obligational) authority...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill
provides funding for a wide array of Federal programs, mostly
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]. These programs
include agricultural research, education, and extension
activities; natural resources conservation programs; farm
income and support programs; marketing and inspection
activities; domestic food assistance programs; rural housing,
economic and community development, and telecommunication and
electrification assistance; and various export and
international activities of the USDA.
The bill also provides funding for the Food and Drug
Administration [FDA] and allows the use of collected fees for
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration
[FCA].
The discretionary programs and activities of USDA and FDA
that are supported by this bill include high priority
responsibilities entrusted to the Federal Government and its
partners to protect human health and safety, contribute to
economic recovery, and achieve policy objectives strongly
supported by the American people. The ability to provide for
these measures is made difficult by growing pressure on
available levels of discretionary spending as a consequence of
the overall public debate on Federal spending, revenues, and
size of the Federal debt.
Too often, the USDA programs funded by this bill are
confused with farm subsidies and other mandatory spending more
properly associated with multi-year farm bills. In contrast,
this bill provides annual funding for programs familiar to all
Americans such as protecting food safety through the Food
Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug
Administration, which also plays a vital role in maintaining
the safety of the Nation's blood supply and availability of
safe and effective medical products and other components of our
health system. This bill also provides funding to fight against
the introduction and spread of noxious or infectious and often
invasive pests and disease that threaten our plant and animal
health environments, as well as funding for many other missions
of dire importance to the American people.
In the context of overall pressures on spending and the
competing priorities that the Committee faces, this bill as
reported provides the proper amount of emphasis on
agricultural, rural development, and other programs and
activities funded by the bill. It is consistent with the
subcommittee's allocation for fiscal year 2019.
All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to
ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided to
carry out the programs of USDA, FDA, and FCA. Details on each
of the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's
justifications for the funding levels are included in the
report.
REPORTS TO CONGRESS
The Committee has, throughout this report, requested
agencies to provide studies and reports on various issues. The
Committee utilizes these reports to evaluate program
performance and make decisions on future appropriations. The
Committee directs that all studies and reports be provided to
the Committee as electronic documents in an agreed upon format
within 120 days after the date of enactment, unless an
alternative submission schedule is specifically stated in the
report request.
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
(including transfers of funds)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $46,532,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 42,498,000
Committee recommendation................................ 46,532,000
The Secretary of Agriculture, assisted by the Deputy
Secretary, Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Chief
Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and members of
their immediate staffs, directs and coordinates the work of the
Department. This includes developing policy, maintaining
relationships with agricultural organizations and others in the
development of farm programs, and maintaining liaison with the
Executive Office of the President and Members of Congress on
all matters pertaining to agricultural policy.
The general authority of the Secretary to supervise and
control the work of the Department is contained in the Organic
Act (7 U.S.C. 2201-2202). The delegation of regulatory
functions to Department employees and authorization of
appropriations to carry out these functions is contained in 7
U.S.C. 450c-450g.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $46,532,000
for the Office of the Secretary. The Committee recommendation
includes the following accounts under the Office of the
Secretary: Office of the Secretary; Office of Tribal Relations;
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination; Office
of Advocacy and Outreach; Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Administration; Departmental Administration; Office of
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; and Office of
Communications. The following table reflects the amount
provided by the Committee for each office and activity:
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 Fiscal year 2019 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary................................... 5,051 4,850 5,051
Office of the Assistant to the Secretary for Rural 800 800 800
Development..............................................
Office of Homeland Security............................... 1,496 1,448 1,496
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.............. 4,711 1,672 4,711
Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration.......... 804 875 804
Departmental Administration............................... 22,301 22,501 22,301
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. 3,869 3,091 3,869
Office of Communications.................................. 7,500 7,261 7,500
-----------------------------------------------------
Total............................................... 46,532 42,498 46,532
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Century Farms.--The Committee encourages the Secretary to
create a program to recognize farms that have been in operation
for 100 years and encourages the establishment of a National
Century Farms Designation.
Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] Obligations and
Commitments.--The Secretary is directed to notify the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in writing
15 days prior to the obligation or commitment of any emergency
funds from the CCC.
Livestock Crossing.--The Committee is concerned with the
ongoing problem of the crossing of livestock from Mexico into
the U.S. without proper inspection, which creates risk of
disease and loss of forage for U.S. ranchers in the Southwest
border region. The Committee directs the agency, in
consultation with other Federal and State agencies, to develop
a plan of action to better prevent and reduce unauthorized
international crossing of livestock on the Southwest border.
Multi-Agency Transparency.--The Committee expresses support
for increasing transparency within all agencies of the
Department of Agriculture. The agencies are encouraged to
disclose costs associated with analyses required by the
National Environmental Policy Act.
Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers.--The Committee supports the efforts of the Office of
Advocacy and Outreach to increase the accessibility of USDA
programs to underserved constituents, and notes that
$10,000,000 in mandatory funds is available to assist socially
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and
operating farms and ranches to meet the growing need for
financial, production, management, and other assistance to
those communities and address workforce shortages.
Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes $3,000,000
in discretionary funding for these activities.
Resource Conservation and Development Councils.--Since
1964, the Resource Conservation and Development [RC&D] Councils
have worked at the grassroots level with local leaders to plan,
develop, and carry out programs for land and water conservation
and management. The Committee encourages the Secretary to
consider the maximum practical use of RC&D Councils, where such
RC&D Councils meet agency performance requirements, in the
delivery of USDA programs and services.
State Rural Development Councils.--The Committee recognizes
the successful work of State Rural Development Councils [SRDCs)
and their role in advancing rural America and promoting
strength and prosperity across the country, and urges the
Secretary to provide resources to help improve and expand the
impact of SRDCs.
Urban Agriculture.--The Committee is aware of a steady
increase in urban agriculture initiatives taking place in
metropolitan areas across the country. The Committee strongly
supports such initiatives and recognizes that successful,
robust urban farms can positively impact urban communities and
residents in a variety of ways by providing education,
entrepreneurial opportunities, and job training; addressing
shortages of fresh fruits and vegetables; increasing health and
wellness of pregnant women and young children; and reducing
obesity rates, recidivism, and urban blight. The Committee
commends the Department's efforts to foster such initiatives
and encourages the Secretary to increase support and outreach
for urban agriculture, including grants, loans, and technical
assistance for these innovative urban horticulture projects.
Wheat Grading.--The Committee is concerned about unfair
wheat grading practices that negatively affects American wheat
growers that export to Canada. Current Canadian wheat grading
law automatically downgrades America wheat to the lowest
quality designation regardless of the type or quality of the
wheat. In the United States, however, our grading system
provides a fair examination for wheat imported from Canada.
This discrepancy needs to be addressed to ensure our wheat
growers are being treated fairly. Therefore, the Committee
urges the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Department
of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to
prioritize initiating conversations with the Canadian
Government to address trade inequities resulting from Canada's
current wheat grading practices.
Zoonotic Disease Collaboration.--The Committee believes
that complex problems affecting the health of humans, animals,
and the environment are best solved through important
communication, cooperation, and collaboration across
disciplines, sectors, between agencies, and between other
appropriate domestic and international actors. The Committee
directs USDA to provide a report within 60 days of enactment of
this Act detailing existing collaborative efforts between FDA,
USDA, and other agencies to prevent and respond to zoonotic
disease outbreaks in animals and humans; a proposed framework
to improve these efforts; and specific activities requested to
achieve the proposed framework.
Executive Operations
Executive operations were established as a result of the
reorganization of the Department to provide a support team for
USDA policy officials and selected department-wide services.
Activities under the executive operations include the Office of
the Chief Economist, the National Appeals Division, and the
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $19,786,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 19,487,000
Committee recommendation................................ 19,786,000
The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of
Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies
and programs. The Office serves as the single focal point for
the Nation's economic intelligence and analysis, risk
assessment, and cost-benefit analysis related to domestic and
international food and agriculture issues, provides policy
direction for renewable energy development, conducts analyses
of climate change impacts on agriculture and forestry, and is
responsible for coordination and review of all commodity and
aggregate agricultural and food-related data used to develop
outlook and situation material within the Department.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $19,786,000
for the Office of the Chief Economist.
Policy Research.--The Committee recommendation includes
$4,000,000 for policy research under 7 U.S.C. 3155 for entities
with existing institutional capacity to conduct complex
economic and policy analysis and a lengthy and well-documented
record of conducting policy analysis for the benefit of the
Department of Agriculture, the Congressional Budget Office, or
the Congress. To maximize resources, the Committee expects the
Department to focus efforts on entities that have developed
models, databases, and staff necessary to conduct in-depth
analysis of impacts of agriculture or rural development policy
proposals on rural communities, farmers, agribusiness,
taxpayers, and consumers.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $15,222,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 14,183,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,222,000
The Office of Hearings and Appeals conducts administrative
hearings and reviews of adverse program decisions made by the
Rural Development mission area, the Farm Service Agency, the
Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,222,000
for the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $9,525,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 8,631,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,525,000
The Office of Budget and Program Analysis provides
direction and administration of the Department's budgetary
functions including development, presentation, and execution of
the budget; reviews program and legislative proposals for
program, budget, and related implications; analyzes program and
resource issues and alternatives, and prepares summaries of
pertinent data to aid the Secretary and departmental policy
officials and agency program managers in the decisionmaking
process; and provides departmentwide coordination for and
participation in the presentation of budget-related matters to
the committees of the Congress, the media, and interested
public. The Office also provides department-wide coordination
of the preparation and processing of regulations and
legislative programs and reports.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,525,000 for
the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $58,950,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 62,524,000
Committee recommendation................................ 63,950,000
The Office of the Chief Information Officer was established
in August 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), pursuant to the
Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, which required the establishment of
a Chief Information Officer for major Federal agencies. This
Office provides policy guidance, leadership, coordination, and
direction to the Department's information management and
information technology investment activities in support of USDA
program delivery, and is the lead office in USDA e-gov efforts.
The Office provides long-range planning guidance, implements
measures to ensure that technology investments are economical
and effective, coordinates interagency information resources
management projects, and implements standards to promote
information exchange and technical interoperability. In
addition, the Office of the Chief Information Officer is
responsible for certain activities financed under the
Department's Working Capital Fund (7 U.S.C. 2235). The Office
also provides telecommunication and automated data processing
[ADP] services to USDA agencies through the National
Information Technology Center with locations in Fort Collins,
Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri and Washington, DC. Direct ADP
operational services are also provided to the Office of the
Secretary, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of
Communications, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and
Departmental Management.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $63,950,000
for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. This includes
an increase of $5,000,000 for enhanced cybersecurity
activities.
Mobile Derived Credentials.--The Committee provides the
requested increase for IT Modernization including cyber
security initiatives to ensure the Department maintains and
increases its cyber security posture. Of the funding provided
$1,000,000 is for the procurement and implementation of Mobile
Derived Credentials to allow all employees, including field
offices, secure and rapid access to all Departmental systems
from a mobile and remote environment. The Department shall also
use these funds to develop similar mobile and remote access
credentials for consumers to easily and securely access
Department consumer applications, therefore reducing the need
for consumers to travel to field offices for transactions.
Software Licenses.--The Committee encourages the
Department's Chief Information Officer to perform periodic
automated inventories of software licenses in use across the
Department. The Department should compare those usage numbers
to its purchased licenses and seek to increase efficiency
wherever it identifies discrepancies. The Department is to
consider using this information to obtain department-wide
acquisitions as opposed to component-specific purchases of
licenses.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $6,028,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 5,536,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,028,000
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible
for the dual roles of Chief Financial Management Policy Officer
and Chief Financial Management Advisor to the Secretary and
mission area heads. The Office provides leadership for all
financial management, accounting, travel, Federal assistance,
and strategic planning performance measurement activities
within the Department. The Office is also responsible for the
management and operation of the National Finance Center and the
Departmental Working Capital Fund.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,028,000 for
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $901,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 901,000
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
provides oversight of civil rights and related functions. This
includes coordination of the administration of civil rights
laws and regulations for employees of the Department of
Agriculture and participants in programs of the Department, and
ensuring compliance with civil rights laws.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
Office of Civil Rights
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $24,206,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 22,345,000
Committee recommendation................................ 24,206,000
The Office of Civil Rights provides overall leadership
responsibility for all department-wide civil rights activities.
These activities include employment opportunity as well as
program nondiscrimination policy development, analysis,
coordination, and compliance. The Office is responsible for
providing leadership in facilitating the fair and equitable
treatment of USDA employees, and for monitoring program
activities to ensure that all USDA programs are delivered in a
nondiscriminatory manner. The Office's outreach functions
provide leadership, coordination, facilitation, and expertise
to internal and external partners to ensure equal and timely
access to USDA programs for all constituents, with emphasis on
the underserved, through information sharing, technical
assistance, and training.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,206,000
for the Office of Civil Rights.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities
(including transfers of funds)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $64,414,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 58,330,000
Committee recommendation................................ 58,330,000
Department headquarters presently operates in a two-
building, Government-owned complex in downtown Washington, DC,
the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland,
and in leased buildings in the metropolitan Washington, DC,
area. Under an arrangement with the General Services
Administration, USDA operates, maintains, and repairs these
facilities, in lieu of rental payments. For the last several
years the Department has implemented a strategic space plan to
locate staff more efficiently, renovate its buildings, and
eliminate safety hazards, particularly in the Agriculture South
Building.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $58,330,000
for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.
Hazardous Materials Management
(including transfers of funds)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $3,503,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 3,463,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,503,000
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, the Department has the responsibility to meet
the same standards regarding the storage and disposition of
hazardous materials as private businesses. The Department is
required to contain, cleanup, monitor, and inspect for
hazardous materials in areas under the Department's
jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,503,000 for
Hazardous Materials Management.
Office of Inspector General
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $98,208,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 87,436,000
Committee recommendation................................ 98,208,000
The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established
October 12, 1978, by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public
Law 95-452). This act expanded and provided specific
authorities for the activities of OIG which had previously been
carried out under the general authorities of the Secretary of
Agriculture.
The Office is administered by an inspector general who
reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture. Functions and
responsibilities of this Office include direction and control
of audit and investigative activities within the Department,
formulation of audit and investigative policies and procedures
regarding Department programs and operations, and analysis and
coordination of program-related audit and investigation
activities performed by other Department agencies.
The activities of this Office are designed to assure
compliance with existing laws, policies, regulations, and
programs of the Department's agencies, and to provide
appropriate officials with the means for prompt corrective
action where deviations have occurred. The scope of audit and
investigative activities is large and includes administrative,
program, and criminal matters. These activities are
coordinated, when appropriate, with various audit and
investigative agencies of the executive and legislative
branches of the Government.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $98,208,000
for the Office of Inspector General. The recommendation also
includes funding for OIG to address violations of section 26 of
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156) and to coordinate with
State and local law enforcement personnel in this effort.
Office of the General Counsel
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $44,546,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 41,717,000
Committee recommendation................................ 45,146,000
The Office of the General Counsel provides all legal
advice, counsel, and services to the Secretary and to all
agencies, offices, and corporations of the Department. The
Office represents the Department in administrative proceedings;
nonlitigation debt collection proceedings; State water rights
adjudications; proceedings before the Environmental Protection
Agency, Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Maritime
Administration, and International Trade Commission; and, in
conjunction with the Department of Justice, in judicial
proceedings and litigation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,146,000
for the Office of the General Counsel. This includes an
increase of $600,000 to support international trade activities,
as requested in the budget.
Office of Ethics
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $4,136,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 2,897,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,136,000
The Office of Ethics is the centralized and consolidated
office implementing USDA's ethics program throughout the
Department. The Office provides ethics services to all
employees at the Department concerning advice, training, and
guidance about compliance with conflict of interest and
impartiality rules. This includes complying with the
requirements of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge
Act, Public Law 112-105 (the STOCK Act), and the Office of
Government Ethics regulatory requirements (5 CFR parts 2634
through 2641).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,136,000 for
the Office of Ethics.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $800,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 800,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education,
and Economics provides direction and coordination in carrying
out the laws enacted by the Congress for food and agricultural
research, education, extension, and economic and statistical
information. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Agricultural Research Service;
National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Economic Research
Service; and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $800,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and
Economics.
Industrial Hemp.--The Committee is aware of statements made
by the Department acknowledging the eligibility of researchers
participating in industrial hemp pilot programs as defined by
Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to compete for
Federal funds awarded by the Department. The Committee directs
the Department to work with and inform stakeholders of this
eligibility and to support industrial hemp research as
authorized by Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
Economic Research Service
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $86,757,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 45,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 86,757,000
The Economic Research Service [ERS] provides economic and
other social science research and analysis for public and
private decisions on agriculture, food, the environment, and
rural America. The information that ERS produces is for use by
the general public and to help the executive and legislative
branches develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and
rural policies and programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $86,757,000
for the Economic Research Service.
Breastfeeding Study.--The Committee recognizes the
important role of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC] in encouraging
breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be an important preventive
measure in infant and maternal health, and WIC offers multiple
services and supports to mothers to help achieve optimal
breastfeeding. As Congress looks for ways to reduce Federal
healthcare spending, it is important to understand the
preventive impact of breastfeeding and WIC's initiatives within
broader healthcare spending. The Committee requests within 12
months an updated study from the ERS on the economic benefits
of breastfeeding, including its potential cost-savings for
Medicaid and the WIC program.
Feed Costs.--The Committee maintains funding provided in
fiscal year 2018 for ERS to expand its current feed cost
components surveys nationally.
Low Density Polyethylene.--The use of Low Density
Polyethylene [LDPE] as an agricultural aid on farms is common
practice but as a single use material represents a negative
impact on the environment. The Committee encourages ERS to
conduct research into the viability of creating collection
networks and potential markets for agricultural LDPE. The
Committee directs NASS to include data from Alaska in compiling
the report.
Organic Data Analysis.--The organic industry has grown at a
tremendous rate over the past several years, and accurate data
for the production, pricing and marketing of organic products
is essential. Therefore, the Committee encourages ERS to
continue and expand the efforts relating to organic data
analysis.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $191,717,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 165,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 174,767,000
The National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS]
administers the Department's program of collecting and
publishing current national, State, and county agricultural
statistics. These statistics provide accurate and timely
projections of current agricultural production and measures of
the economic and environmental welfare of the agricultural
sector which are essential for making effective policy,
production, and marketing decisions. NASS also furnishes
statistical services to other USDA and Federal agencies in
support of their missions, and provides consulting, technical
assistance, and training to developing countries.
NASS is also responsible for administration of the Census
of Agriculture, which is taken every 5 years and provides
comprehensive data on the agricultural economy including: data
on the number of farms, land use, production expenses, farm
product values, value of land and buildings, farm size and
characteristics of farm operators, market value of agricultural
production sold, acreage of major crops, inventory of livestock
and poultry, and farm irrigation practices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $174,767,000
for the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This includes
an increase of $600,000 for the Geospatial Improvement
Initiative as requested in the budget.
Alfalfa Prices.--The Committee is concerned that the
National Agricultural Statistics Service monthly Agricultural
Prices Report only lists the average price received by
agricultural producers for alfalfa sold, with no further
breakdown of alfalfa hay that meets the higher quality
standards required for dairy feed (graded as premium or better,
or the equivalent). The Committee directs the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to calculate and report in the
monthly Agricultural Prices Report on the average price of
premium or better alfalfa sold in the United States.
Barley Estimates.--The Committee recommends that NASS
reinstate acreage and production estimates for barley in States
that were discontinued in 2016.
Chemical Use Data Series.--The Committee believes that the
Chemical Use Data Series provides timely, valuable information
on fertilizer and chemical use data on major field crops and
selected specialty crops. The Committee encourages the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to continue funding the
collection and analysis of chemical use data as well as
practices such as integrated pest management. The Committee
supports the National Agricultural Statistics Service's effort
to resume collecting Fruit Chemical Use data and Vegetable
Chemical Use data in alternating years and also directs the
continuation of this practice to ensure equal access to Federal
statistics.
Floriculture Crops Report.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the Floriculture Crops Report, and recommends an
increase of $500,000 for NASS to complete the report. The
Committee directs NASS to include data from Alaska in compiling
the report.
Organic Data Initiative.--The Committee encourages NASS and
AMS to coordinate activities related to expanding organic price
reporting and organic data collection, and provides NASS an
additional $250,000 for these activities.
Agricultural Research Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,202,766,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 1,018,991,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,300,966,000
The Agricultural Research Service [ARS] is responsible for
conducting basic, applied, and developmental research through
its major program areas of New Products/Product Quality/Value
Added; Livestock/Crop Production; Food Safety; Livestock/Crop
Protection; Human Nutrition; and Environmental Stewardship. The
research applies to a wide range of goals; commodities; natural
resources; fields of science; and geographic, climatic, and
environmental conditions.
ARS is also responsible for the Abraham Lincoln National
Agricultural Library which provides agricultural information
and library services through traditional library functions and
modern electronic dissemination to agencies of the USDA, public
and private organizations, and individuals.
As the USDA's in-house agricultural research unit, ARS has
major responsibilities for conducting and leading the national
agricultural research effort. It provides initiative and
leadership in five areas: research on broad regional and
national problems, research to support Federal action and
regulatory agencies, expertise to meet national emergencies,
research support for international programs, and scientific
resources to the executive branch and Congress.
The mission of ARS research is to develop and transfer
solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority
and provide information access and dissemination to ensure
high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; assess
the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive
agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the
environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural
citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,300,966,000
for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service.
The Committee does not concur with the President's budget
request regarding the termination of research programs and
laboratory closures. The Committee expects extramural research
to be funded at no less than the fiscal year 2018 levels.
Aerial Application Research.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the ARS Aerial Application Technology Program.
The program conducts innovative research making aerial
applications more efficient, effective and precise. Research
for aerial application serves the public good as a vital tool
for the future, as agriculture strives to meet the food, fiber,
and bio-energy demands of a growing population.
Agricultural Genomics.--The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2018 level for agricultural genomic research to
expand the knowledge of public and private sector entities and
persons concerning genomes for species of importance to the
food and agriculture sectors in order to maximize the return on
the investment in genomics of agriculturally important species.
Agroforestry.--Agroforestry can provide on-farm financial
and environmental benefits while also addressing the regional
and national-scale issues of clean water, wildlife habitat, and
hypoxia. Agroforesters manage trees with crops, livestock, and
pasture to combine the best of both agriculture and forestry.
Recognizing the importance of agroforestry to farm practices
and the environment, the Committee recommendation includes no
less than the fiscal year 2018 level to develop integrated
strategies to manage multifunctional agricultural landscapes
that combine trees with agricultural and horticultural crops,
forages and grazing livestock for optimal economic,
environmental, and natural resources benefits.
Alfalfa Research.--The Committee notes that research into
alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the potential to
increase yields, increase milk production, and improve
genetics, and the Committee recommendation includes an increase
of $1,000,000 to support research focused on alfalfa
improvement. Research should focus on using tools to accelerate
and enhance existing breeding programs focused on improving
yield and quality parameters; developing innovative harvesting
and utilization systems; developing new markets for co-
products; and quantifying environmental benefits from alfalfa-
based systems.
Antimicrobial Research and Development.--The Committee
recognizes that successful mitigation of antimicrobial
resistance in food and agriculture takes coordinated research
efforts targeting animals and interaction with the environment.
The Committee strongly supports enhanced research efforts to
advance the development of alternatives to antibiotics used in
animal production. The Committee encourages ARS to examine the
role of nutritional alternatives/feed additives containing
bioactives and prebiotics that may lead to reduced antibiotic
use and boost immune responses in livestock. The Committee
requests that ARS provide an update on this effort in its
fiscal year 2020 budget request.
Aquaculture Seedstock.--The Committee is concerned that
vital seedstock to support the development of aquaculture in
Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will be sourced from
foreign aquaculture producers. Domestic on-land recirculating
aquaculture systems are highly capable of producing seedstock
to support significant domestic on-land and offshore
aquaculture industry growth including through broodstock
acquisition and care, spawning, larval culture techniques.
Therefore, the Committee encourages USDA to continue working
collaboratively with U.S. aquaculture producers and research
institutions that specialize in the development of aquaculture
technologies and provides an additional $2,000,000 for the
development of aquaculture technology that will ensure a steady
supply of warm water marine fish seedstock for economic growth
of the U.S. aquaculture industry.
Atlantic Salmon Breeding Program.--The Committee directs
ARS to continue its Atlantic salmon breeding and domestication
work. The Committee notes that domestic salmon farms are
required to only use strains of salmon that are of North
American origin and that these strains need substantial
breeding improvement in order to be competitive with strains
currently used by foreign producers. The Committee notes that
the current ARS Atlantic salmon breeding program lacks a
geneticist and supports efforts by the Department to address
this need.
Big Data.--The Committee is aware of ARS' effort to develop
high performance computing infrastructures for modern
agricultural research. The Committee provides $9,000,000 to
expand ARS' high-speed network, high-performance computing
capabilities, big data storage, and modern informatics
expertise to meet both current and future needs.
Center for Pollinator Health.--The Committee is aware that
bees play a crucial role in U.S. agriculture as pollinators,
and that continued colony loss poses a serious threat to future
food production. While the Committee commends the Department
for the steps it has taken to better understand this problem
and how to best address it, the Committee is concerned that the
maximum benefits of multiagency efforts have yet to be
achieved. The Committee provides $3,000,000 for ARS to
establish a Center for Pollinator Health in order to provide a
central Federal voice on pollinator health. The Committee
encourages ARS to collaborate with Federal and land-grant
university partners to examine the impact of pesticides, varroa
mites, and other potential contributors to bee colony declines.
Ceratocystis Disease.--The Committee directs ARS to
continue its study of Ceratocystis in the United States, and
implement actions and recommendations for response and
management pursuant to Senate Report 115-131.
Chronic Wasting Disease.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of a live test for cervids potentially affected with
chronic wasting disease and provides an additional $1,000,000
for research dedicated to the development of such test.
Citrus Greening Disease Research.--The Committee commends
ARS on its research efforts on citrus greening disease and
encourages the agency to continue working to develop methods to
reduce transmission, enhance immunity in citrus trees, and work
with industry, universities, growers, and other partners to
develop effective control mechanisms. The Committee also
encourages ARS to coordinate its efforts with the
HuanglongbiAng Multi-Agency Coordination [HLB-MAC] group.
Coffee Germplasm.--The Committee provides $1,900,000 to
complete its report and implement recommendations on including
coffee in the National Clonal Germplasm Repository.
Cotton Ginning.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
pollution abatement, improving fiber quality, ginning
efficiency, cotton seed and other byproducts, and provides an
additional $500,000 to expand research in cotton ginning and
innovation by existing laboratories.
Cover Crops Research and Outreach.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of developing profitable and
practicable cover crop options for use in dairy, grain, and
vegetable production systems, including for use in no-till
organic systems and as forages. Therefore, the Committee
recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 2018 level
for ARS to support research with the purposes of improving
measures of soil health and resiliency, varietal development,
optimizing dairy forage species combinations, timing and
strategies for cover crop seeding and termination, forage
integration into organic dairy systems, and mitigation of
environmental and extreme rainfall impacts on water quality and
soil security for diverse cover crop systems.
Cranberry Research.--The Committee recognizes the need for
advancements in water conservation, pest control, disease
reduction, and fruit quality improvements in cranberry
production. The Committee recommendation includes an increase
of $1,000,000 for the improvement of cranberry yields, pest
management, disease management, and water resource management
by developing fields devoted to cranberry research and
collection and storage of samples for analysis in appropriate
existing laboratory facilities.
Emerging Cereal Rust Diseases.--The Committee is aware that
emerging cereal rust diseases are a threat to domestic and
world food supplies. Therefore, the Department should continue
to dedicate funding to speed efforts to combat cereal rust
disease, including development of Ug99-resistant wheat
varieties.
Feed Enhancement.--The Committee recognizes the potential
benefits of using Bromoform [CHBR3], currently produced by
Asparagopsis taxiformis (red seaweed), as a cattle feed
enhancement to reduce pollution. The Committee includes an
increase of $1,000,000 for the Livestock Nutrient Management
Research Unit [LNMRU] to examine the applicability and
potential benefits of Bromoform, whether produced by
Asparagopsis taxiformis or an alternative method, as a cattle
feed enhancement.
Floriculture and Nursery Research.--The Committee
recognizes the economic importance of the floriculture and
nursery sector of agriculture and the industry's need for
continued innovation. The Committee provides no less than the
fiscal year 2018 funding level for ARS to support academic and
Federal researchers to pursue efforts in crop protection,
breeding, mechanization and other areas through USDA's
Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.
Food Systems.--The Committee recommendation includes
$3,000,000 for ARS to support a Food Systems Center at a land-
grant institution that addresses how local, regional and global
food systems can provide nutritious and culturally appropriate
food, regardless of individual life circumstances.
Foodborne Pathogens.--Salmonella continues to cause serious
disease in food animals and, via transmission through
contaminated food products to people, remains the number one
bacterial foodborne pathogen in humans. The Committee provides
an additional $1,000,000 to develop non-antibiotic
interventions to inhibit environmental movement of Salmonella
between food animal species, and to reduce the pathogen load in
food animals themselves, using Salmonella-targeted viruses
called bacteriophages, as well as prebiotic and probiotic
supplements.
Forage Production Systems.--The Committee recommendation
includes no less than the fiscal year 2018 level to develop
management practices that improve the production efficiency of
grazing operations in temperate pastures.
Forest Products.--The Committee recognizes the important
role of the forests products sector to the U.S. economy. The
need to create new and improved value-added products and
renewable energy from our Nation's wood supply is critical to
the sustainability of the national economy. The Committee
recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 2018 level
to support research on wood product quality improvement and
improvement in forest products evaluation standards and
valuation techniques. ARS shall conduct this research in
consultation with the Forest Products Laboratory.
Fruit Fly and Exotic Pest Control.--The Committee
recommendation includes $1,000,000 to implement recommendations
issued pursuant to Senate Report 115-131 to provide additional
support and capacity to prevent the spread of fruit flies and
other exotic pests to the U.S. mainland from the tropical
Pacific.
Genetic Oat Research.--The Committee recognizes the
potential genetic oat research has to improve disease
resistance (especially rusts and viruses), genetics, increase
yields, and develop crop rotation systems that include oat,
which will enhance the value of oats and provide benefits to
producers and consumers. The Committee includes an increase of
$1,000,000 to expand existing research focused on oat
improvement.
Genomes to Fields.--The Committee recommendation includes
no less than the fiscal year 2018 level to support the
Germplasm Enhancement of Maize [GEM] project to complement the
existing USDA maize germplasm programs and support the emerging
large-scale public sector effort to investigate the interaction
of maize genome variation and environments, known as the
Genomes to Fields project.
High Performance Computing Support.--The Committee provides
no less than the fiscal year 2018 level to support high
performance computing capability to address scientific needs
and directs ARS to collaborate with appropriate partners with
the technical capacity and scientific synergy to provide cost-
effective high performance computing support.
Hops Research.--The Committee recommends no less than the
fiscal year 2018 level to support hops research.
Human Nutrition Research.--The Committee remains concerned
about the high rates of obesity in this country, and believes
that research into human nutrition is important to help prevent
childhood obesity and the medical issues obesity brings. The
Committee recommendation includes an increase of $1,400,000 to
expand research regarding the growth, health promotion, diet,
immune function, and disease prevention of the developing
child.
Industrial Hemp Germplasm.--The Committee recognizes the
increasing demand for industrial hemp for a variety of uses,
and its growing importance as a crop for U.S. farmers. When the
nation's industrial hemp germplasm was destroyed in the 1980s,
researchers lost access to publicly available germplasm for
plant breeding purposes. The Committee directs ARS to establish
and maintain a hemp germplasm repository at the Plant Genetics
Research Unit and provides $500,000 for this purpose.
National Agricultural Library.--The Committee strongly
encourages the Agricultural Research Service to maintain its
focus on agriculture-related legal issues within the National
Agricultural Library. The Committee notes that as the
agriculture sector faces increasing financial stress, there is
a necessity that agriculture-related legal issues be addressed
on an increasingly frequent basis. Further, agricultural-
related legal issues are increasingly complex and the impact of
these legal issues continues to broaden in scope. Therefore,
the Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal
year 2018 enacted level for the National Agricultural Library
to support the Agricultural Law Information Partnership.
National Apple Rootstock Breeding Program.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of the National Apple Rootstock
Breeding Program, which provides virus-free rootstock to apple
growers throughout the Nation. Therefore, the Committee
recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 2018 level
to support the ARS National Apple Rootstock Breeding Program.
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Transition.--The
Committee understands that the Department proposes to transfer
the responsibility for operational planning and future
operations of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)
to USDA. With the transition of responsibilities from DHS to
USDA in process, the Committee directed DHS in fiscal year 2018
to maintain the ability to readily execute a management,
operations, and research support contract through the end of
fiscal year 2018 if DHS or USDA determine that its utilization
would expedite or enhance NBAF's ability to be fully
operational by December 31, 2022. While the Committee
appreciates that the joint DHS/USDA transition team is working
to identify and outline transition activities to address all
requirements for the timely operational stand-up of NBAF, the
Committee is concerned that the full breadth of transition
activities remain undetermined and have not been delivered to
Congress. As such, the Committee directs USDA to submit a
report to the Committee no later than 60 days after enactment
of this Act detailing the transition activities, business plan,
and critical milestones to reach the full operational
capability of NBAF by December 31, 2022. The report shall
include specific information on workforce development such as
efforts to rapidly recruit and hire talented personnel, the
number of positions that must be filled at each critical
milestone, and requirements for each position. Further, the
report should include specific details regarding USDA's
potential plan to seize control and utilize current contract
mechanisms under DHS, and the funding associated for such
utilization, while remaining within the bounds of Federal
Acquisition Regulations. Without a transition plan to provide
greater fidelity, the Committee is concerned that neither DHS
nor USDA will be able to complete commissioning activities and
on-going planning activities at the outset of fiscal year 2019
and remain on-schedule absent a support contract that DHS
anticipated executing to carry out such efforts. To ensure USDA
can meet critical milestones, prevent delays, and adhere to the
current schedule for NBAF, the Committee directs no less than
$7,000,000 for USDA to execute a management, operations, and
research support contract to expedite the hiring of a capable
workforce for the Central Utility Plant of NBAF to ensure the
timely completion of commissioning activities and on-going
operations planning activities coordinated by DHS and USDA.
Additionally, the Committee provides $10,600,000 to address
one-time costs associated with the transfer of the science
program from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to NBAF and
$42,000,000 to address stand-up activities and other initial
costs to operate and maintain the facility.
NBAF will provide the U.S. with expanded capacity to
implement a comprehensive bio-defense research program to
protect against foreign animal diseases that pose the greatest
threats to animal agriculture and public health. The Committee
provides an additional $5,000,000 for ARS to increase research
efforts on foreign animal diseases and emerging diseases with
high consequence to animal and public health.
Nutrient Density Profile.--The ARS is directed to update
the nutrient profile and nutrient density characterization of
pure maple syrup.
Nutrition Research and Aging.--The Committee recognizes the
critical importance of human nutrition research and its
significance for preventative healthcare and degenerative and
age-related diseases. More research is needed to address the
needs of all Americans, with a particular focus on the elderly,
the fastest growing segment of the population. Therefore, the
Agricultural Research Service is directed to prioritize human
nutrition research across the lifespan.
Pear Genetics and Genomics.--The Committee recognizes that
research into pear genetics and genomics is needed to identify
genetic sources of pest resistance and to contribute to
improved, size-controlling rootstocks to enhance orchard
efficiency, and to otherwise improve cultivated pear research.
The Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal
year 2018 level to support research into pear genetics and
genomics.
Postharvest Dairy Research--The Committee recognizes the
importance of developing solutions to address agricultural
postharvest inefficiencies to conserve limited resources and
feed a growing population. The Committee provides an increase
of $1,500,000 for research to develop postharvest technologies
that decrease waste and improve resource use of protein, fat,
and sugar in dairy processing.
Poultry Research.--The Committee recognizes the important
role of the poultry sector to the U.S. economy. The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 to expand the research
capacity for poultry production and health.
Public Health Research.--The Committee strongly supports
USDA research but is concerned about the use of cats in painful
and terminal laboratory experiments at USDA's Animal Parasitic
Disease Laboratory. The Committee appreciates USDA's
responsiveness to concerns that have been raised and directs
the agency to consult scientific and veterinary experts about
the feasibility of implementing alternatives to the use of cats
in public health research, and to develop a program to adopt
out cats no longer needed in research. The Committee directs
the Secretary to provide a report on its progress no later than
90 days after the enactment of this Act.
Pulse Health Initiative.--The Committee supports the
expansion of pulse crop research and provides an additional
$1,000,000 to enhance scientific research into the health and
nutritional benefits of dry peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry
beans.
Rangeland Research.--The Committee recognizes the
demonstrated potential for cooperative partnerships to address
complex sagebrush steppe ecosystem challenges in the Great
Basin region. The Committee recommendation includes no less
than the fiscal year 2018 level for ARS to support a regional,
multi-institutional cooperative partnership to advance
collaborative science-based conservation research, extension,
and education to address time-sensitive and shared rangeland
challenges affecting sustainable agricultural productivity,
rural communities, and ecosystem health.
Research Assistance.--The Committee encourages the
Agricultural Research Service to provide direct, place-based
assistance to 1862 Institutions in States that do not have
Agricultural Research Service facilities to address the
research priorities of such States, such as invasive plant
species and insects that cause significant impacts to
agriculture, aquaculture, and communities in such States and to
assist in the development of specialty and horticultural crops
to increase food security and expand marketing opportunities
for small farmers. The Committee directs ARS to submit a report
on the prospective options of such assistance.
Resilient Dryland Farming.--The Committee recognizes the
need for advancements in dryland production practices,
cropping, and equipment to increase profitability, conserve the
soil, enhance soil water storage, promote soil health, and
decrease reliance on herbicides. The Committee provides an
additional $2,000,000 to expand research focused on resilient
dryland farming. Research should focus on improving yield and
quality parameters; developing cropping systems capable of
tolerating drought, heat, and diseases; and quantifying
economic and environmental benefits from dryland crop
production systems.
Roseau Cane.--The Committee is concerned with the invasive
species scale insect pest that is destroying Roseau cane in the
Mississippi River's Delta region along the Gulf of Mexico. An
estimated 225,000 acres of wetlands in the Delta have been
affected with the die-off, and Roseau cane is important in
maintaining a healthy marsh and preventing erosion. The
Committee directs ARS to work with the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service [APHIS] and stakeholders to develop an
integrated management program for control of the Roseau cane
scale insect pest infestation.
Sclerotinia.--The Committee is aware of the economic
importance of controlling sclerotinia, which affects
sunflowers, soybeans, canola, edible beans, peas, and lentils
and encourages ARS to continue both core research and
cooperative projects of the National Sclerotinia Initiative.
Shellfish Research.--The Committee encourages the
Agricultural Research Service to increase its investment in
partnerships with research institutions on research to improve
shellfish survival and growth rates and to classify and
preserve natural genetic variation. Therefore, the Committee
includes an increase of $500,000 to support shellfish genetics
research.
Soft White Wheat Falling Numbers Test.--The Committee
recognizes the emerging crisis surrounding wheat starch
degradation, as detected by the Hagberg-Perten Falling Numbers
[FN] Test. The quality loss was particularly devastating to
Pacific Northwest soft white wheat producers in late 2016. The
Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year
2018 funding level to research the accuracy of the FN test, and
better understand environmental, storage, and genetic
conditions leading to this quality loss.
Small Grains Genomic Initiative.--The Committee supports
research on barley and wheat high throughput genomics and
phenotyping and recognizes its importance in improving crop
traits and developing new cultivars. The Committee
recommendation includes an additional $1,000,000 to support the
Small Grains Genomic Initiative.
Sorghum Genetic Database.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of phenotyping and genotyping that allows breeders
to understand which genes are responsible for improvements in
pest resistance, drought tolerance, and yield. The Committee
recommends an increase of no less than the fiscal year 2018
level to further facilitate the partnership between ARS and the
Department of Energy on sorghum genome mapping--particularly
the creation of an easily-accessed database to house the
information generated from the ongoing genetic sequencing
research which will facilitate further crop development
efforts, especially in combating the sugarcane aphid, a new and
devastating invasive pest.
Sudden Oak Death.--The European strain 1 [EU1] and the
North American strain 1 [NA1] of the sudden oak death pathogen
are major threats to western Douglas-fir/tanoak forests,
resulting in quarantine restrictions that threaten US forests
and export markets for log shipments and lily bulbs. The
Committee recommendation includes an increase of $1,200,000 for
research to improve understanding of the European Strain 1 and
North American Strain 1 of the sudden oak death pathogen and
treatment methods to inform control and management techniques
in wildlands.
Sugar Beet Research.--The Committee provides an additional
$1,000,000 for plant disease research to improve the quality of
sugar beet production.
Sugarcane Variety Development.--The Committee recognizes
the devastating impact wrought by invasive pests on the
domestic sugarcane industry and provides an additional $500,000
to support the development of new pest and disease-resistant
varieties.
Sustainable Aquaculture.--The Committee notes that
aquaculture is the fastest growing food production industry in
the world and encourages ARS, in partnership with universities,
to support rapid response research on sustainable aquaculture
for coldwater and warmwater production environments, with an
emphasis on workforce education.
Sustainable Water Use Research.--The alluvial plain within
the Lower Mississippi River Basin is one of most productive
agricultural regions in the United States. The Committee
remains concerned with the unsustainable use of water in the
Alluvial Aquifer as a result of increasing water withdrawals
and stagnant recharging. The Committee provides no less than
the fiscal year 2018 level for research to improve the recharge
capabilities of the Alluvial Aquifer and to develop new
conservation and irrigation techniques to reduce water usage in
agriculture production.
Tropical and Subtropical Research.--Research on Tropical
and Subtropical crops is critical as the presence of and
destruction by invasive pests such as fruit flies, coffee berry
borer, felted macadamia nut coccid, and plant viruses and
fungal diseases increasingly threaten crop security in the
Pacific and Insular Areas, and the Committee encourages ARS to
support this research.
UAS Precision Agriculture Applications.--The Committee
provides no less than the fiscal year 2018 level to support
efforts utilizing unmanned aerial systems [UAS] in crop
production operations and to address the challenges associated
with data capture, transfer and analysis.
U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative [USWBSI].--The
Committee recognizes that fusarium head blight is a major
threat to agriculture, inflicting substantial yield and quality
losses throughout the U.S. The Committee supports research
carried out through the USWBSI. The Committee recommendation
includes no less than the fiscal year 2018 level to conduct
further research on reducing the impact of fusarium head blight
on wheat and barley.
Warmwater Aquaculture.--The Committee provides an
additional $1,600,000 to facilitate the advancement of
technologies that improve the efficiency, profitability and
sustainability of warmwater aquaculture production.
Wheat and Sorghum Research.--The Committee recognizes the
potential impact heat and drought can have on the yield and
quality of wheat and sorghum and the need for new cultivars to
adapt to changing climatic conditions. In addition, sorghum
crops have been particularly hit hard by the invasive sugarcane
aphid and new resistant cultivars are needed. The Committee
provides an additional $1,000,000 for research to improve the
productivity and quality of wheat and sorghum during uncertain
growing seasons resulting from extended droughts and increased
temperatures. Within this increase, funding is included to
initiate gene flow research to advance the durability and
sustainability of fitness traits in sorghum.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $140,600,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for
Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Section 7511(f)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) by establishing an agency to be
known as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NIFA].
The Secretary transferred to the Director of NIFA, effective
October 1, 2009, all authorities administered by the
Administrator of the Cooperative State, Research, Education and
Extension Service. The mission is to work with university
partners and customers to advance research, extension, and
higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and
related environmental and human sciences to benefit people,
communities, and the Nation.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $887,171,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 794,479,000
Committee recommendation................................ 898,535,000
Research and Education programs administered by NIFA are
USDA's principal entree to the university system of the United
States for the purpose of conducting agricultural research and
education programs as authorized by the Hatch Act of 1887, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i); the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative
Forestry Act of 1962, as amended (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.); the
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, as
amended (7 U.S.C. 450i); the National Agricultural, Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7
U.S.C. 3101 et seq.); the Equity in Educational Land-Grant
Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note); the Agricultural
Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (Public
Law 105-185), as amended; the Food, Agriculture, Conservation
and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624); the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171); and the
Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246).
Through these authorities, USDA participates with State and
other cooperators to encourage and assist the State
institutions in the conduct of agricultural research and
education through the State Agricultural Experiment Stations of
the 50 States and the territories; by approved Schools of
Forestry; the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions and Tuskegee
University and West Virginia State University; 1994 Land-Grant
Institutions; by Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; and other
eligible institutions. The appropriated funds provide Federal
support for research and education programs at these
institutions.
The research and education programs participate in a
nationwide system of agricultural research program planning and
coordination among the State institutions, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the agricultural industry of America.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,535,000
for research and education activities of the National Institute
of Food and Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for research and education activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act..................................... 7 U.S.C. 361a-i................................ 243,701
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act..... 16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7..................... 36,000
Research at 1890 Institutions (Evans-Allen 7 U.S.C. 3222.................................. 54,185
Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions............. 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382................ 3,439
Education Grants for 1890 Institutions........ 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)............................... 19,336
Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving 7 U.S.C. 3241.................................. 9,219
Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native 7 U.S.C. 3156.................................. 3,194
Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994 Institutions......... 536 of Public Law 103-382...................... 3,801
Capacity Building for Non Land-Grant Colleges 7 U.S.C. 3319i................................. 5,000
of Agriculture.
Resident Instruction and Distance Education 7 U.S.C. 3362 and 3363......................... 2,000
Grants for Insular Areas.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative...... 7 U.S.C. 450i(b)............................... 405,000
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment............ 7 U.S.C. 3151a................................. 8,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program............. 7 U.S.C. 3151b................................. 3,000
Continuing Animal Health and Disease Research 7 U.S.C. 3195.................................. 4,000
Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops............ 7 U.S.C. 3319d................................. 1,000
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate Fellowship 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)............................... 9,000
and Institutions Challenge Grants.
Secondary and 2-year Post-Secondary Education. 7 U.S.C. 3152(j)............................... 900
Aquaculture Centers........................... 7 U.S.C. 3322.................................. 5,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education 7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812, 5831, and 5832............ 37,000
Farm Business Management...................... 7 U.S.C. 5925f................................. 2,000
Sun Grant Program............................. 7 U.S.C. 8114.................................. 3,000
Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4)............. 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 11,913
Alfalfa Forage and Research Program........... 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 3,000
Special Research Grants:7 U.S.C. 450i(c):
Global Change/UV Monitoring............... ............................................... 1,405
Potato Research........................... ............................................... 2,750
Aquaculture Research...................... ............................................... 2,000
----------------
Total, Special Research Grants........ ............................................... 6,155
================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
Activities:
Grants Management System.................. ............................................... 7,830
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 11,862
Expenses for Research and Education
Activities.
----------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............. ............................................... 19,692
================
Total, Research and Education ............................................... 898,535
Activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards.--The Committee
remains determined to see that quality research and enhanced
human resources development in the agricultural and related
sciences be a nationwide commitment. Therefore, the Committee
continues its direction that not less than 15 percent of the
competitive research grant funds be used for USDA's
agricultural research enhancement awards program, including
USDA-EPSCoR.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.--The Committee
recommendation includes $405,000,000 for the Agriculture and
Food Research Initiative [AFRI].
Section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 specifies priority areas within the Agriculture and Food
Research Initiative [AFRI], including an emphasis on
conventional (classical) plant and animal breeding. The
Committee notes the importance of this requirement to provide
farmers nationwide with greater access to cultivars that are
locally and regionally adapted to their soils, climates and
farming systems. Because of the agency's lack of progress in
prioritizing this effort, the Committee directs the agency to
make regionally adapted, publicly held cultivar development a
distinct funding priority within AFRI for fiscal year 2019, and
directs the agency to take steps to improve its tracking of
public cultivar projects within AFRI and report its progress in
meeting this goal.
Agriculture Technology.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research and development of agricultural robotics,
particularly to increase yields in vertically stacked farming
production.
Alfalfa and Forage Research.--The Committee notes that
research into alfalfa and forage holds the potential to
increase alfalfa and forage yields, increase milk production,
and improve forage genetics to increase biomass for the
production of cellulosic ethanol. The Committee recommendation
includes $3,000,000 to support research into the improvement of
yields, water conservation, creation of new uses of alfalfa and
forage for bioenergy, and the development of new storage and
harvest systems.
Algae Applications in Agriculture Research.--The Committee
encourages NIFA to support research on algae and algae
application in agriculture.
Aquaculture Disease Research.--The Committee encourages
USDA to support aquaculture disease and vaccine research,
including research on coldwater aquaculture vaccines. There is
currently no national facility for pathogen testing. Research
into finfish vaccines and pathogens has the potential to
accelerate the growth of sustainable U.S. aquaculture, reduce
the trade deficit attributable to imported seafood, and reduce
the pressure on overfished species.
Aquaculture Research.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the domestic aquaculture industry to the U.S.
economy. The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 for
aquaculture research to address issues related to genetics,
disease, systems, and economics.
Brucellosis Research.--Federal and State animal health
officials have made eradicating livestock disease with
significant reservoirs a national animal health priority. This
need was reflected in the Agricultural Act of 2014, which made
the research and development of surveillance methods, vaccines,
vaccination delivery systems or diagnostics tests a priority
research area under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act particularly for bovine brucellosis and
bovine tuberculosis. The Committee recognizes the need for this
research and encourages the agency to make competitive grants
available to study improved management tools for zoonotic
livestock diseases with significant wildlife reservoirs.
Cereal Crop Research.--Research on cereal crops has
historically been conducted by USDA and public universities,
and the Committee recognizes the importance of continuing
investment in cereal crop research. The Committee strongly
encourages USDA to provide funding for cereal crop research in
the areas of genetic and genomic research, plant pest research,
and improved production systems.
Childhood Obesity.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support innovative efforts to address the unique challenges
faced in addressing obesity among children and youth in urban,
minority low-income populations through a combination of family
education and clinical studies.
Citrus Disease Research Program.--The 2014 Farm Bill
established the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension
Program, which is intended to discover and develop tools for
early detection, control, and eradication of diseases and pests
that threaten domestic citrus production and processing, and
provided $25,000,000 per year in mandatory funding for the
program through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. The
Committee believes research projects funded under this
authority should be prioritized based on the critical threat of
citrus greening and encourages NIFA, to the maximum extent
practicable, to follow the recommendations of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Advisory
Board's citrus disease subcommittee and to collaborate with the
HLB-MAC group.
Community College Centers of Excellence in Agribusiness
Workforce Training.--The Committee encourages NIFA to designate
Community College Centers of Excellence in Agribusiness
Workforce Training, to include a limited number of 2-year
community and technical colleges with a demonstrated capability
to provide training and education for Agribusiness. The Centers
of Excellence will seek to develop model programs in
Agribusiness and promote economic development.
Countering Seafood Fraud.--The Committee remains concerned
about countering economic fraud and improving food safety of
the U.S. food supply. The Committee is concerned that adequate
technology is not yet available to provide for appropriate
sampling of the food supply. The Committee believes NIFA should
conduct research to develop technologies that will provide
rapid, portable and facile screening of fish species at port
sites, wholesale, and retail centers.
Diversification in Agriculture.--The Committee recognizes
the rapid evolution of U.S. agriculture, including the
diversification of practices, markets, and technologies as
farms transition to one generation from another, and encourages
NIFA to prioritize investments that deliver hands-on technical
education in diversified agriculture and food systems and
support technical colleges seeking to establish beginning
farmer programs serving diversified agriculture, and aid in
supporting farm viability.
Dual Use/Dual Benefit.--The Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit:
Research in Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally
Important Domestic Species is an interagency partnership grants
program funded by the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development [NICHD] and USDA. The Committee strongly
urges continuation of this partnership because it sponsors use
of farm animals as dual purpose models to better understand
developmental origins of disease, fat regulation and obesity,
stem cell biology, assisted reproductive technologies, and
infectious disease, which directly benefits both agriculture
and biomedicine. This program also strengthens ties between
human medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal sciences, which
is key to success of the One Health Initiative.
Food Safety.--The Committee recommends that NIFA prioritize
research on funding for new food safety technologies relating
to the Nation's meat supply that helps researchers, producers,
and manufacturers.
Food Safety and Defense Technology.--The Committee is
concerned that insufficient progress is being made in the
development of detection technology in the food safety sector.
The ability to rapidly, accurately, and cost effectively detect
pathogens or contaminants throughout the food supply chain is
critical to protecting the United States from food-borne
illnesses and malicious acts. As such, the Committee encourages
NIFA to increase research of novel biodetection technologies
and the implementation of mobile biodetection platforms in
real-world conditions. The Department should consider
technologies currently in use or under development in other
fields, such as medicine or homeland security, to determine
whether the technology can meet the needs in either high volume
food production or mobile food defense monitoring.
Foodborne Illness Prevention.--The Committee understands
the significant threats to public health and to the economic
viability of communities impacted by foodborne illness, and
believes that coordinated and targeted resources are needed to
understand the risks and to develop effective strategies for
control. The Committee encourages NIFA, in coordination with
the FDA, to establish a Center of Excellence for Foodborne
Illness to coordinate a research program to reduce the risk of
Listeria monocytogenes.
Genomes to Phenomes.--The Committee is supportive of the
multi-university crop research initiative known as Genomes to
Phenomes, and encourages NIFA to support the development of
tools and datasets that can be used across multiple crop
species to improve the output and efficiency of agriculture.
Lowbush Blueberries.--The Committee directs NIFA to work
with research institutions to develop and refine predictive
models and monitoring technologies for native and invasive
pests for incorporation into integrated pest management
programs for naturally seeded, native berry crops to increase
the margin of food safety and product quality.
Multi-trophic Aquaculture Research.--Nearly half the
seafood consumed across the world is the result of aquaculture,
and the aquaculture industry is a critical and growing part of
the U.S. economy. However, less than 1 percent of worldwide
production comes from U.S. producers. The Committee is
concerned that inefficient production technologies hinder the
ability of the domestic aquaculture industry to compete on a
global scale. The Committee supports development and
demonstration of an integrated aquaculture system that would
contain at one site a highly competitive and sustainable system
having a low environmental footprint and be primarily self-
contained. The Committee supports the development of a ``Beta''
model that would focus on developing, building, operating,
demonstrating and teaching around this intensified, integrated,
bio-secure production technology for feed, fish-plant and
energy products.
Oak Mites.--The Committee directs NIFA to study the recent
infestation of oak mites and focus on suppression and
eradication possibilities.
Organic Research.--USDA's National Organic Standards Board
[NOSB] has identified key organic research priorities, many of
which would help to address challenges that have limited the
growth in organic production in this country. The Committee
encourages NIFA to give strong consideration to the NOSB
organic research priorities when crafting the fiscal year 2019
RFAs for AFRI and the Organic Transition Program. Given the
growing demand for organic products, the Committee also
encourages USDA to increase the number of organic research
projects funded under AFRI and Specialty Crop Research
Initiative [SCRI].
Protein Functionality.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research projects that characterize protein from crop
plants such as chickpeas, sorghum, lentils, fava beans, lupin,
rice, oats, mushrooms, and water lentils to assess their
suitability for use in food products. The Committee is
particularly interested in research projects involving plants
that can be easily cultivated in the U.S. and that are
sustainably grown and produced (in terms of factors such as
water usage or fertilizer and pesticide requirements).
Public Plant and Animal Breeding.--The Committee is
concerned about the decline in public plant and animal breeding
programs at our nation's land-grant institutions over the last
25 years, and encourages LGUs to take steps to foster the next
generation of public plant and animal breeders by placing a
higher priority on the development of publicly available,
regionally adapted cultivars and breeds. For all regions of our
nation to optimize their productive capacity in an
environmentally sustainable manner, it is critical that the
farmers of the region have access to the most up-to-date
cultivars and breeds to meet ever-changing conditions.
Regional Research Priorities.--The Committee encourages
NIFA to consider providing funding within AFRI to assist with
State and regional research priorities, with USDA oversight and
review.
Seafood.--The Committee encourages USDA, in partnership
with universities with established domestic shrimp farming
programs, to support the development of a domestic industry
that will help ensure the safety and quality of the Nation's
seafood supply, promote environmentally sustainable
aquaculture, create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, and
forge new markets for U.S. grain and oilseed products and
technology services.
Small Fruits Research.--The Committee encourages USDA to
support research to promote sustainable production of berry and
grape crops with the goal of reducing pesticide use and
improving quality and yield. Additionally, the Committee
encourages USDA to support research to improve the ability to
forecast pest and disease spread, and implement precision
management strategies.
Specialty Crop Research Initiative.--The Committee
emphasizes the important role of the Specialty Crop Research
Initiative in addressing the critical needs of the specialty
crop industry through research and extension activities, and
encourages NIFA to prioritize proposals for and enhance its
overall commitment to identifying and addressing threats to
pollinators from pests and diseases.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of nationally coordinated, regionally
managed canola research and extension programs. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to continue to seek input from
stakeholders and to give priority consideration to proposals in
the peer review process that address research needs in
production areas with the greatest potential to expand as well
as those where canola production is established and needs to be
maintained.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.--The
Committee is strongly supportive of the SARE program and
directs USDA to ensure that research, education and extension
activities carried out within SARE remain intact.
The Committee believes that it is important for NIFA to
evaluate the performance of each of its regional SARE Host
Institutions on a regular basis; however the Committee is
concerned that the recent change in practice for NIFA to
broadly solicit competitive Host Institution proposals at least
every 5 years may interfere with the ability of the regional
Host to retain qualified staff, and to establish a stable
operating base, hindering rather than enhancing SARE program
delivery. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations on whether frequent open competitions for SARE
Host Institutions optimizes the delivery of the SARE program,
as compared to previous performance reviews and competitive
solicitations that were performed every 10 years.
Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agriculture.--The Committee
encourages USDA to support regional institutes focused on the
development of Unmanned Aerial Systems [UAS] and fostering new
innovations in agriculture and cybersecurity. UAS is a tool to
obtain data in a wide variety of application areas including
energy, agriculture, power infrastructure, and transportation,
all critical to rural States. The Committee encourages NIFA to
support the research, development, and expansion of the use of
UAS and high performance computing.
Veterinary Corps.--Veterinarians fulfilling the terms of a
contract under USDA's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment
Program, authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services
Act, shall be members of the National Veterinary Medical
Services Corps and members who have fulfilled the terms of
their contract shall be alumni of the Corps.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $11,880,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 11,857,000
Committee recommendation................................ 11,880,000
The Native American Institutions Endowment Fund authorized
by Public Law 103-382, the Equity in Educational Land-Grant
Status Act, provides an endowment for the 1994 land-grant
institutions (34 tribally controlled colleges). This program
will enhance educational opportunity for Native Americans by
building educational capacity at these institutions in the
areas of student recruitment and retention, curricula
development, faculty preparation, instruction delivery systems,
and scientific instrumentation for teaching. Income funds are
also available for facility renovation, repair, construction,
and maintenance. On the termination of each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall withdraw the income from the endowment fund for
the fiscal year, and after making adjustments for the cost of
administering the endowment fund, distribute the adjusted
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income from these
funds shall be distributed among the 1994 land-grant
institutions on a pro rata basis, the proportionate share being
based on the Indian student count; and 40 percent of the
adjusted income shall be distributed in equal shares to the
1994 land-grant institutions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,880,000
for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $483,626,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 450,185,000
Committee recommendation................................ 486,692,000
Cooperative extension work was established by the Smith-
Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended. The Department of
Agriculture is authorized to provide, through the land-grant
colleges, cooperative extension work that consists of the
development of practical applications of research knowledge and
the giving of instruction and practical demonstrations of
existing or improved practices or technologies in agriculture
and related subjects, and to encourage the application of such
information by demonstrations, publications, through 4-H clubs,
and other means to persons not in attendance or resident at the
colleges.
To fulfill the requirements of the Smith-Lever Act, State
and county extension offices in each State, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Micronesia conduct
educational programs to improve American agriculture and
strengthen the Nation's families and communities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $486,692,000
for extension activities of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for extension activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b) and (c) and 7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c) and 208(c) of Public 300,000
Cooperative Extension. Law 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 3221.................................. 45,620
Extension Services at 1994 Institutions....... 7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)............................. 6,446
Facility Improvements at 1890 Institutions.... 7 U.S.C. 3222b................................. 19,730
Renewable Resources Extension Act............. 16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.......................... 4,060
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs.... 7 U.S.C. 2662(i)............................... 3,000
Food and Animal Residue Avoidance Database 7 U.S.C. 7642.................................. 2,500
Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields........... 7 U.S.C. 5925.................................. 400
Food Safety Outreach Program.................. 7 U.S.C. 7625.................................. 8,000
Food and Agriculture Service Learning......... 7 U.S.C. 7633.................................. 1,000
Smith-LeverAct, Section 3(d):
Food and Nutrition Education.............. 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 70,000
Farm Safety and Youth Farm Safety 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 4,610
Education Programs.
New Technologies for Agricultural 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 1,550
Extension.
Children, Youth, and Families at Risk..... 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 8,395
Federally Recognized Tribes Extension 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 3,039
Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Section 3(d)..................... ............................................... 87,594
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
Activities:
Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom......... ............................................... 552
Federal Administration--Other Necessary ............................................... 7,790
Expenses for Research and Education
Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Necessary Expenses............. ............................................... 8,342
Total, Extension Activities........... ............................................... 486,692
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farmer Stress Assistance Network.--The Committee is deeply
concerned by the high rate of suicides among agriculture
workers, which is the highest overall suicide rate among all
occupations according to the Department of Health and Human
Services. The Committee provides $2,000,000 in a general
provision for a pilot program to provide competitive grants to
State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension
services, and nonprofit organizations to carry out programs to
address farmer stress and suicide. The Secretary is directed to
submit a report on implementation within 60 days of enactment.
Food and Nutrition Education.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program
[EFNEP] and encourages the Secretary to support a special pilot
expansion of EFNEP to provide for an evaluation of improved
food resource management and diet quality in populations not
now served, including the elderly, households living below 185
percent of the poverty level, and low-income households with
children of any age.
Minority Outreach.--The Committee is concerned that
extension service resources do not reach minority, socially
disadvantaged, and tribal communities in proportion to their
participation in the agricultural sector. All institutions that
receive extension activity funding should seek to ensure that
an equitable percentage of their overall extension work reaches
minority, socially disadvantaged, and tribal communities. The
Committee directs NIFA to evaluate distribution of extension
resources to these three populations and report to the
Committee no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $37,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 13,037,000
Committee recommendation................................ 38,000,000
Section 406, as amended, of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 authorizes an
integrated research, education, and extension competitive
grants program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $38,000,000
for integrated activities of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for integrated activities:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Program/Activity Authorization recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program............. 7 U.S.C. 7626.................................. 2,000
Organic Transition Program.................... 7 U.S.C. 7626.................................. 6,000
Regional Rural Development Centers............ 7 U.S.C. 450i(c)............................... 2,000
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative....... 7 U.S.C. 3351.................................. 8,000
Crop Protection/Pest Management............... 7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................ 20,000
----------------
Total, Integrated Activities............ ............................................... 38,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative.--The Committee
supports the important work being done through the publicly
funded diagnostic laboratory network and encourages NIFA to
prioritize funding to strengthen animal health diagnostic
laboratories, taking into consideration the degree to which the
capacity for surveillance, monitoring, response, and capacity
is enhanced; the concentration of human and animal populations
that are directly at risk; trade, tourism, and cultural
considerations; geography, ecology, and climate; evidence of
active collaboration with, and support of, the State animal
health officials; those States with highest risk for the
introduction of foreign and emerging pests and diseases; and
evidence of stakeholder support and engagement.
Potato Research.--To minimize the application of pesticides
and to maximize the yield and quality of harvested potatoes,
the Committee directs the Secretary to support pest management
programs in potato growing States. Such programs help
scientists track potential pest outbreaks and provide growers
and industry professionals with current information on specific
and timely treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify
serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early
stages, allowing for preventive measures to be put into place
quickly to avoid crop losses.
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $901,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 901,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs provides direction and coordination in
carrying out laws with respect to the Department's marketing,
grading, and standardization activities related to grain;
competitive marketing practices of livestock, marketing orders,
and various programs; veterinary services; and plant protection
and quarantine. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service; Agricultural Marketing Service; and Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $981,893,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 739,151,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,000,493,000
The Secretary of Agriculture established the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] on April 2, 1972, under
the authority of reorganization plan No. 2 of 1953, and other
authorities. The major objectives of APHIS are to protect the
animal and plant resources of the Nation from diseases and
pests. These objectives are carried out under the major areas
of activity, as follows:
Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/Response.--The
agency monitors plant and animal health worldwide, and sets
import polices to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and
animal pests and diseases. Domestically, the agency works
cooperatively to conduct plant and animal health monitoring
programs, pursue eradication, or limit the spread of the
threat. The agency also conducts diagnostic laboratory
activities that support disease prevention, detection, control,
and eradication programs. In addition, the agency protects
agriculture from detrimental animal predators, and through its
regulatory structure helps advance genetic research while
protecting against the release of harmful organisms.
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance.--The
agency helps resolve technical trade issues to ensure the
smooth and safe movement of agricultural commodities into and
out of the United States. The agency negotiates animal and
plant health certification requirements and assists U.S.
exporters meet foreign regulatory demands. In addition, the
agency assists developing countries in improving their
safeguarding systems, to protect the United States from
emerging plant and animal pests and diseases.
Animal Care.--The agency conducts regulatory activities
that ensure the humane care and treatment of animals and horses
as the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts require. These
activities include inspection of certain establishments that
handle animals intended for research, exhibition, and as pets,
and monitoring certain horse shows.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,493,000
for salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
The following table reflects the Committee's specific
recommendations for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding and International Technical Assistance:
Animal Health Technical Services......................... 37,857 30,272 37,857
Aquatic Animal Health.................................... 2,253 ............... 2,253
Avian Health............................................. 62,840 33,881 62,840
Cattle Health............................................ 96,500 86,326 96,500
Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant Health................. 20,000 16,500 20,000
National Veterinary Stockpile............................ 5,725 3,965 5,725
Swine Health............................................. 24,800 19,753 24,800
Veterinary Biologics..................................... 16,417 16,386 16,417
Veterinary Diagnostics................................... 39,540 42,030 50,140
Zoonotic Disease Management.............................. 16,523 15,775 16,523
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Health................................ 322,455 264,888 333,055
==================================================
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)........ 31,330 ............... 32,330
Cotton Pests............................................. 11,520 7,000 11,520
Field Crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests.................. 9,326 7,809 11,826
Pest Detection........................................... 27,446 22,394 27,446
Plant Protection Methods Development..................... 20,686 15,647 20,686
Specialty Crop Pests..................................... 178,170 139,500 178,170
Tree & Wood Pests........................................ 56,000 25,000 60,000
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Plant Health................................. 334,478 217,350 341,978
==================================================
Wildlife Damage Management............................... 108,376 46,331 108,376
Wildlife Services Methods Development.................... 18,856 18,820 18,856
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Wildlife Services............................ 127,232 65,151 127,232
==================================================
Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement............. 16,224 16,193 16,224
Biotechnology Regulatory Services........................ 18,875 18,839 18,875
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Regulatory Services.......................... 35,099 35,032 35,099
==================================================
Contingency Fund......................................... 470 469 470
Emergency Preparedness & Response........................ 40,966 40,688 41,466
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Emergency Management......................... 41,436 41,157 41,936
==================================================
Subtotal, Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/ 860,700 623,578 879,300
Response..............................................
==================================================
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance:
Agriculture Import/Export................................ 15,599 15,070 15,599
Overseas Technical & Trade Operations.................... 22,115 22,072 22,115
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Safe Trade................................... 37,714 37,142 37,714
==================================================
Animal Welfare:
Animal Welfare........................................... 30,810 28,356 30,810
Horse Protection......................................... 705 696 705
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Animal Welfare............................... 31,515 29,052 31,515
==================================================
Agency Management:
APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure.............. 4,251 4,243 4,251
Physical/Operational Security............................ 5,146 5,136 5,146
Rent and DHS security payments........................... 42,567 40,000 42,567
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Agency Management............................ 51,964 49,379 51,964
==================================================
Total, Direct Appropriation............................ 981,893 739,151 1,000,493
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection.--The Committee
recognizes that prevention of infestations of pests and
diseases is much more cost effective than subsequent control or
eradication. This is an important Federal responsibility and
the Committee provides $32,330,000 for the agricultural
quarantine inspections [AQI] function, including pre-departure
and interline inspections.
The Committee is concerned that new fee regulations under
the AQI program may not be equitable to small commercial
aircraft. The Committee looks forward to seeing the report on
AQI user fees as required by Public Law 115-141.
The Committee notes that assessing AQI treatment monitoring
fees on a per-enclosure basis imposes disproportionate impacts
on industry and user groups at certain key ports of entry,
including ports along the southeast United States. USDA is
encouraged to continue conducting a study that specifically
outlines the actual costs of treatments, examines the
disproportionate impact the fee has on airports and seaports in
different regions of the U.S., and evaluates alternative and
equitable funding mechanisms. Such report should also
incorporate due consideration of the recommendations of the
Treatment Fee Working Group's September 27, 2016 ``Report to
APHIS''. USDA shall brief the Committee on the status of such
study and other efforts to ensure equitable collection of
revenues for vital AQI treatment monitoring efforts.
Animal Care.--The Committee is concerned about dog breeders
selling dogs, including dogs sold over the Internet and through
other outlets, who refuse to obtain a license and comply with
the Animal Welfare Act's humane care and treatment requirements
and urges the Department to focus outreach, compliance
assistance, and enforcement resources to these actors.
Avian Influenza.--The Committee recognizes the extreme
economic hardship posed to gamebird and egg farmers when flocks
are determined to be infected by high and low pathogenic avian
influenza, and acknowledges the severe limitations on
controlled marketing available to producers of live game birds,
as well as the income loss from egg production. The Committee
encourages APHIS to provide full indemnity coverage for
gamebird and egg operations and cease attempts to limit
coverage.
Bee Pests.--The Committee remains concerned with declining
bee populations and the tragic implications for pollination of
U.S. agriculture. The Committee directs the agency to continue
priority work with other Federal and State agencies and the
public to manage, suppress, and eradicate varroa mites, small
hive beetles, and other pests and diseases contributing to
colony collapse disorder.
Cattle Fever Ticks.--The Committee appreciates the
commitment by APHIS, including recent additional funding, to
respond to the most recent outbreak of cattle fever ticks. The
Committee encourages the agency to maintain this focus and
provide adequate funding for all activities under the Cattle
Fever Tick Eradication Program [CFTEP]; heighten efforts to
coordinate the response with the Department of Interior on
national wildlife refuges; and provide sufficient funding for
research and scientific tools to be developed that concentrate
on the following: new systematic cattle fever tick treatment
products with longer treatment intervals for cattle; new cattle
fever tick treatment products for wildlife, especially nilgai
antelope; and new or improved cattle fever tick preventative
therapies, such as vaccines, for both cattle and wildlife
hosts.
Chronic Wasting Disease.--The Committee provides no less
than $3,500,000 for cervid health activities. Within the funds
provided, APHIS should give consideration to indemnity payments
if warranted.
Citrus Health Response Program [CHRP].--CHRP is a national
effort to maintain a viable citrus industry within the United
States, maintain producer's continued access to export markets,
and safeguard citrus producing states against a variety of
invasive pests and diseases. These funds are designed to
partner with state departments of agriculture and industry
groups to address the challenges of citrus pests and diseases.
In addition to the funds provided in this account, the
Committee encourages APHIS to utilize the funds available in
the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention
Programs account to the greatest extent possible in an attempt
to sustain the economic viability of the citrus industry.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle.--The Secretary is directed to
continue efforts to control and eradicate the coconut
rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific to prevent the spread of the
beetle to the U.S. mainland, and may, if appropriate, provide
additional surge funding to match Department of Defense
spending for this purpose.
Cogongrass Management and Control.--The Committee is
concerned about the rapid spread of cogongrass and its impact
on forest productivity, wildlife habitat and private
landowners. The Committee provides $2,000,000 for APHIS to
partner with state departments of agriculture and forestry
commissions in states considered to be the epicenter of
infestations, to assist with the control and treatment of
cogongrass in order to slow the advancing front of this
invasive plant-pest species.
Huanglongbing Emergency Response.--The Committee maintains
the increased funding levels for Huanglongbing Emergency
Response within the Specialty Crop Pests line item included in
fiscal year 2018. The Committee encourages APHIS to allocate
sufficient resources in order to continue vital management,
control, and associated activities to address citrus greening.
The disease, for which there is no cure, has caused a reduction
in citrus production by over 60 percent since 2007 in Florida
alone. All citrus producing counties in Texas are under
quarantine, and California has detected the disease in some
backyard trees in the Los Angeles basin. The spread of this
disease has called the domestic citrus industry's future into
question, costing thousands of jobs and millions in lost
revenue and increased production costs per acre. In addition,
the agency is encouraged to support priorities and strategies
identified by the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination [HLB-
MAC] Group which will benefit the citrus industry. The agency
should appropriately allocate resources based on critical need
and maximum effect to the citrus industry. The Committee
maintains the fiscal year 2018 funding level for citrus health
to support priorities and strategies identified by the HLB-MAC
group. The MAC is focused on short-term solutions to help the
citrus industry, and the cooperative nature of Federal, state,
and industry representatives in this group is expected to
result in the development of tools and techniques to address
this devastating disease. Helping growers explore new possible
solutions, the MAC has been an effective resource. The agency
should appropriately allocate resources based on critical need
and maximum impact to the citrus industry. These citrus health
activities directly protect citrus production on approximately
765,000 acres in the United States worth more than
$11,000,000,000 in total.
Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination [HLB-MAC] Group.--
The Committee recognizes the significant economic impact of
this disease on the citrus industry, which is especially acute
in Florida and a growing concern in both Texas and California.
The Committee also understands that growers are requesting the
right to try treatments that have begun to show success in
early stages of testing. The Committee encourages the HLB-MAC
group to explore and identify new methods to expedite the
delivery of promising treatments directly to growers. Finally,
the Committee expects any funds which are redirected from
existing HLB-MAC projects be repurposed to other priority HLB-
MAC projects that are showing promising results to ensure these
critical funds remain committed to help facilitate the design
and implementation of the rapid delivery pathway to growers.
Invasive Tree Pests.--The Committee recognizes that the
forests products industry and family forest owners are under
increasing threat from a growing number of invasive forest
pests. It is essential that APHIS carry out a comprehensive
program to counter the spread of invasive species and work
towards complete eradication of the Asian long-horned beetle.
The Secretary is directed to report to the Committee regarding
the steps being taken to eradicate the Asian long-horned beetle
and spotted lanternfly and to minimize the spread of other
pests such as the polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers. As
the emerald ash borer continues to spread, APHIS shall continue
to assist states that have recent detections of emerald ash
borer where assistance will enable states to fully monitor the
insect and to inform and manage public and private land owner
issues.
National Bio and Agro-Defense Human Capital Development.--
The Committee notes that significant resources have been
invested in the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility
[NBAF] and is concerned about projected staffing shortages of
qualified veterinary diagnosticians and scientists for the
NBAF, which is slated for full operation in 2022. The Committee
provides $3,000,000 to APHIS to ensure necessary steps are
taken to develop a qualified workforce that are subject matter
experts in foreign, emerging and zoonotic diseases capable of
developing, validating and conducting needed diagnostics,
performing epidemiologic studies, and completing bioinformatics
analyses.
Non-Lethal Strategies.--The Committee is aware that
Wildlife Services has deployed the use of non-lethal
strategies--including fladry, electric fencing, livestock
guardian dogs, alarm systems and lighting--which have
effectively reduced predator depredation on livestock in many
cases. The Committee encourages Wildlife Services when
applicable to (1) proactively work with agricultural producers
to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of preventive non-
lethal control actions, (2) assess patterns of depredation
events and (3) provide deterrent training for agricultural
producers, landowners and Wildlife Services and other agency
personnel in non-lethal management strategies in collaboration
with the National Wildlife Research Center.
Pacific Ants Prevention Plan.--The Secretary is encouraged
to lead the revision of the Pacific Ants Prevention Plan, in
collaboration with U.S. and international partners. The plan
should include: research; the development of technologies and
methodologies for prevention, eradication, and control of
invasive ants; and the collaborative implementation of projects
to prevent, monitor, and control invasive ants in affected
Pacific Islands.
Peer-Reviewed Accreditation.--The Committee notes APHIS's
collaboration with accrediting organizations in the
establishment and operation of the Zoo and Aquarium Hazards
Preparedness, Response and Recovery Fusion Center. The Center's
role in facilitating and enhancing collaboration between the
emergency management community and the greater managed wildlife
community will assist in emergency preparedness and response
for a wide range of circumstances including natural disasters
and animal disease outbreaks. This effort is commended and is
expected and encouraged to continue.
Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and Hawaii.--The
Secretary is directed to submit a report to this Committee on
USDA activities to implement the Regional Biosecurity Plan for
Micronesia and Hawaii [RBP]. The report shall include an update
on agencies' activities to date to implement the RBP, and
agencies' planned activities for further implementation.
Roseau Cane.--The Committee is concerned with the invasive
species scale insect pest that is destroying Roseau cane in the
Mississippi River's Delta region along the Gulf of Mexico. An
estimated 225,000 acres of wetlands in the Delta have been
affected with the die-off, and Roseau cane is important in
maintaining a healthy marsh and preventing erosion. The
Committee directs APHIS to work with the Agricultural Research
Service [ARS] and stakeholders and provides an additional
$500,000 to develop an integrated management program for
control of the Roseau cane scale insect pest infestation.
Sudden Oak Death.--The European strain 1 [EU1] and the
North American strain 1 [NA1] of the sudden oak death pathogen
are major threats to western Douglas-fir/tanoak forests,
resulting in quarantine restrictions that threaten U.S. forests
and export markets for log shipments and lily bulbs. The
Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year
2018 funding level to improve understanding of the European
Strain 1 and North American Strain 1 of the sudden oak death
pathogen and treatment methods to inform control and management
techniques in wildlands.
West Nile Virus.--The Committee remains concerned with the
threats to human and animal health posed by West Nile virus and
recognizes that a critical strategy for addressing these
threats is necessary to prevent the infection and transmission
by known vectors, including farm-raised alligators. The
Committee encourages APHIS to further investigate West Nile
virus and other infectious diseases affecting farm raised
alligators and develop treatments and methods to prevent
infection and transmission.
Wildlife Damage Management.--APHIS is responsible for
providing Federal leadership in managing problems caused by
wildlife. The Committee provides $108,376,000 for wildlife
damage control to maintain priority initiatives, including
preventing the transport of invasive snakes and other harmful
species. No less than $250,000 should be available for the
agency to reduce blackbird depredation in the Northern Great
Plains.
The Committee maintains support for assistance to catfish
producers to help mitigate wildlife depredation, particularly
as it pertains to fish-eating and disease-carrying birds. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2018 level for
damage management efforts and the development of methods to
assist producers in combatting the persistent threat and
economic hardship caused by cormorants, pelicans, and other
birds.
The Committee recognizes the importance of the National
Feral Swine Damage Management Program in reducing adverse
ecological and economic impacts caused by feral swine. The
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2018 level in
support of APHIS efforts to decrease these invasive pests'
damage and risk to agriculture, natural resources, and
property.
The Committee provides $28,000,000 for the National Rabies
Management Program to fortify existing barriers and advance
prevention and eradication efforts.
Given the shared and complementary goals of Wildlife Damage
Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to
sustainably integrate wildlife into natural habitats while
protecting livestock, the Secretary is directed to coordinate
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services on innovative
strategies to provide predator management and reduce predator-
livestock conflict. The Secretary is further directed to report
to this Committee on how the two agencies can work together to
improve wildlife management.
Wildlife Services Education and Training.--The Committee is
aware of the wide range of hazardous procedures and materials
utilized by APHIS personnel in the conduct of daily duties. In
addition, a recent comprehensive study noted the critical need
to provide standardized safety training, certification, and
database management for tracking, to ensure the safest working
environment possible. As such, the Committee provides
$2,000,000 within Wildlife Damage Management to maintain a
National Training Academy focused on those areas of greatest
concern such as pyrotechnics, firearms, hazardous materials,
immobilization and euthanasia drugs, pesticides, animal care
and handling, land vehicles, watercraft, and zoonotic diseases.
Wildlife Services Methods Development.--The Committee
appreciates the important work done by the National Wildlife
Research Center and its affiliated field locations to resolve
problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society.
The Committee provides $18,856,000 to ensure continued
development of technical and scientific information on wildlife
damage management.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $3,175,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 2,852,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,175,000
The APHIS appropriation for ``Buildings and Facilities''
funds major nonrecurring construction projects in support of
specific program activities and recurring construction,
alterations, preventive maintenance, and repairs of existing
APHIS facilities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of
$3,175,000 for buildings and facilities of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service. This funding is necessary to allow
APHIS to maintain existing facilities, and perform critically
needed repairs to and replacements of building components, such
as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning on a prioritized
basis at APHIS facilities. The Committee notes that due to the
environmentally sensitive nature of many APHIS facilities,
closure of a facility could result if APHIS is unable to
complete the required repairs.
Agricultural Marketing Service
MARKETING SERVICES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $151,595,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 118,617,000
Committee recommendation................................ 155,845,000
The Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS] was established by
the Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972. AMS carries out
programs authorized by more than 50 different statutory
authorities, the primary ones being the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638); the U.S. Cotton
Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65); the Cotton Statistics and
Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476); the Tobacco Inspection Act (7
U.S.C. 511-511q); the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
(7 U.S.C. 499a-499t); the Egg Products Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 1031-1056); and section 32 of the Act of 1935 (Public
Law 74-320, 7 U.S.C. 612c).
Programs administered by this agency include the market
news services, standardization, grading, classing, shell egg
surveillance services, transportation services, wholesale
farmers and alternative market development, grant payments to
States for marketing activities, the Federal administration of
marketing agreements and orders, commodity purchases,
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Plant Variety
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), and market protection
and promotion activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $155,845,000
for Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
National Organic Program.--The Committee provides
$15,094,000 for the National Organic Program [NOP], an increase
of $3,000,000. A healthy market for organic products requires a
clear product distinction backed by a trusted, verified, and
enforced label. The Committee recognizes that the NOP, which
enforces the organic regulations and ensures they evolve to
keep pace with consumer expectations, is essential. In light of
recent reports of inadequate enforcement of organic standards,
the Committee directs USDA to provide all resources needed for
the NOP to deliver the strongest possible oversight before
allowing the USDA organic seal to be granted to domestic and
international operations and products.
Organic Dairy.--The Committee is disappointed by continued
reports of inconsistencies in the enforcement and
interpretation of regulations that apply to organic dairy
farms. The Committee directs the NOP to resolve these issues,
and eliminate any inconsistencies in applying and enforcing
regulations relating to the transition of livestock to organic
dairy production, and also dry matter intake during the grazing
season for organic dairy cattle. The Secretary must ensure that
organic inspectors, certification file review staff, and NOP
Organic Certification staff have documented training and
experience in livestock nutrition and grazing on organic
dairies with more than 1,000 milking cows if they are
certifying operations of that size, and also that separate dry
matter intake calculations are made for each category of dairy
cow and not averaged among milking and dry cows, and that
inspections are conducted during the grazing season.
Organic Data Initiative.--The Committee includes $250,000
for AMS to coordinate with NASS for activities related to
expanding organic price reporting and organic data collection.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Limitation, 2018........................................ $61,227,000
Budget limitation, 2019................................. 60,982,000
Committee recommendation................................ 60,982,000
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law
97-35) initiated a system of user fees for the cost of grading
and classing cotton, and tobacco. These activities, authorized
under the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.), the
Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), and other
provisions of law are designed to facilitate commerce and
protect participants in the industry.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $60,982,000 on
administrative expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY (SECTION 32)
(including transfers of funds)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $20,705,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 20,489,000
Committee recommendation................................ 20,489,000
Under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, (7 U.S.C.
612c), an amount equal to 30 percent of customs receipts
collected during each preceding calendar year and unused
balances are available for encouraging the domestic consumption
and exportation of agricultural commodities. An amount equal to
30 percent of receipts collected on fishery products is
transferred to the Department of Commerce. Additional transfers
to the child nutrition programs of the Food and Nutrition
Service have been provided in recent appropriations Acts.
The following table reflects the status of this fund for
fiscal years 2018-2019:
ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD-- FISCAL YEARS 2018-2019
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 Fiscal year 2019 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30% of Customs Receipts)................... 10,370,878 10,624,198 10,624,198
Less Transfers:
Food and Nutrition Service............................ -8,872,010 -9,092,217 -9,092,217
Commerce Department................................... -154,868 -157,980 -157,980
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Transfers.................................... -9,026,878 -9,250,197 -9,250,197
Prior Year Appropriation Available, Start of Year......... 125,000 125,000 125,000
Transfer of Prior Year Funds to FNS (F&V)................. -125,000 -125,000 -125,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority, Farm Bill......................... 1,344,000 1,374,000 1,374,000
Rescission of Current Year Funds.......................... ................ -337,000 ................
Appropriations Temporarily Reduced--Sequestration......... -77,418 -74,400 -74,400
-----------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority, Appropriations Act................ 1,266,582 962,600 1,299,600
=====================================================
Less Obligations:
Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities).... 465,000 465,000 485,000
State Option Contract................................. 5,000 5,000 5,000
Removal of Defective Commodities...................... 2,500 2,500 2,500
Disaster Relief....................................... 36,000 5,000 5,000
Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases..... 206,000 206,000 206,000
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program..................... 171,000 174,000 174,000
Estimated Future Needs................................ 354,524 48,758 48,758
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Procurement........................ 1,210,024 906,258 926,258
Administrative Funds:
Commodity Purchase Support............................ 35,853 35,853 35,853
Marketing Agreements and Orders....................... 20,705 20,489 20,489
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Funds......................... 56,558 56,342 56,342
-----------------------------------------------------
Total Obligations................................... 1,266,582 962,600 982,600
=====================================================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a transfer from section 32 funds
of $20,489,000 for the formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders.
Section 32 Authorities.--Under the authority described in
clause 3 of 7 U.S.C. 612c, the Secretary is able to direct
funds from the section 32 account to increase the purchasing
power of producers. This practice has been used on various
occasions to provide direct assistance to producers when market
forces or natural conditions adversely affect the financial
condition of farmers and ranchers. The Committee notes the
importance of the ability of the Secretary to utilize this
authority, but believes that communication between the
Department and the Congress should be improved when this
practice is used. Therefore, the Committee directs the
Secretary to provide notification to the Appropriations
Committee in advance of any public announcement or release of
section 32 funds under the specific authorities cited above.
PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,235,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 1,109,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,235,000
The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program [FSMIP] is
authorized by section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 and is also funded from appropriations. Matching grants
are awarded on a competitive basis to State marketing agencies
to identify and test market alternative farm commodities,
determine methods of providing more reliable market
information, and develop better commodity grading standards.
This program has made possible many types of projects, such as
electronic marketing and agricultural product diversification.
Current projects are focused on the improvement of marketing
efficiency and effectiveness, and seeking new outlets for
existing farm produced commodities. The legislation grants the
U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to establish
cooperative agreements with State departments of agriculture or
similar State agencies to improve the efficiency of the
agricultural marketing chain. The States perform the work or
contract it to others, and must contribute at least one-half of
the cost of the projects.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,235,000 for
Payments to States and Possessions for Federal-State marketing
projects and activities.
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES
Limitation, 2018........................................ $55,000,000
Budget limitation, 2019................................. 80,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 55,000,000
The agency provides an official grain inspection and
weighing system under the U.S. Grain Standards Act [USGSA], and
official inspection of rice and grain-related products under
the Agricultural Marketing Act [AMA] of 1946. The USGSA was
amended in 1981 to require the collection of user fees to fund
the costs associated with the operation, supervision, and
administration of Federal grain inspection and weighing
activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $55,000,000 on
inspection and weighing services expenses.
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $800,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 800,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety provides
direction and coordination in carrying out the laws enacted by
the Congress with respect to the Department's inspection of
meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Food Safety
and Inspection Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $800,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,056,844,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 1,032,273,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,049,344,000
The major objectives of the Food Safety and Inspection
Service are to assure that meat and poultry products are
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged, as
required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et
seq.); and to provide continuous in-plant inspection to egg
processing plants under the Egg Products Inspection Act.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service was established on
June 17, 1981, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1000-1, issued
pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.
The inspection program of the Food Safety and Inspection
Service provides in-plant inspection of all domestic plants
preparing meat, poultry or egg products for sale or
distribution; reviews foreign inspection systems and
establishments that prepare meat or poultry products for export
to the United States; and provides technical and financial
assistance to States which maintain meat and poultry inspection
programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,049,344,000
for the Food Safety and Inspection Service [FSIS].
Humane Slaughter.--The Committee directs FSIS to continue
to provide annual reports to the Committee on the
implementation of objective scoring methods undertaken by FSIS
to enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
The Committee also directs FSIS to ensure that personnel
hired with funding previously provided specifically for Humane
Methods of Slaughter Act enforcement focus their attention on
overseeing compliance with humane handling rules for live
animals as they arrive and are offloaded and handled in pens,
chutes, and stunning areas and that all inspectors receive
robust training.
The following table represents the Committee's specific
recommendations for the Food Safety and Inspection Service as
compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget request levels:
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food safety inspection:
Federal..................................................... 943,824 920,403 936,324
State....................................................... 61,682 61,150 61,682
International............................................... 16,758 16,375 16,758
PHDCIS...................................................... 34,580 34,345 34,580
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 1,056,844 1,032,273 1,049,344
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE II
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $901,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 875,000
Committee recommendation................................ 901,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation provides direction and coordination in carrying
out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to the
Department's commodity programs, farm loans, disaster
assistance, crop insurance, natural resources conservation and
environment programs, and some energy programs. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Farm Service
Agency (including the Commodity Credit Corporation), Risk
Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $901,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation.
Emergency Response.--The Committee directs USDA to produce
a report outlining the average and longest length of time it
takes USDA to provide reimbursement under the following
emergency assistance programs: crop insurance; Noninsured Crop
Disaster Assistance Program [NAP]; Livestock Indemnity Program
[LIP]; Livestock Forage Disaster Program [LFP]; Emergency
Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish
Program [ELAP]; Tree Assistance Program [TAP]; Emergency
Conservation Program; and Emergency Forest Restoration Program
[EFRP]. USDA is also directed to include in the report any
barriers to implementing a more efficient reimbursement process
and recommendations to the Committee on potential improvements.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,028,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 196,402,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,028,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,028,000 for
the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.
The Committee notes that USDA has yet to finalize and
submit a design plan for the Farm Production and Conservation
(FPAC) Business Center, and the true cost estimates and
staffing requirements for implementation for fiscal year 2019
are still unknown. While the Committee supports the streamlined
efficiencies of the FPAC mission area and provided funding
accordingly in fiscal year 2018, the proposed budget increase
for the Business Center is premature until a final design plan
is completed. The Committee further notes that the Secretary
maintains interchange authority in the interim.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency [FSA] was established October 13,
1994, pursuant to the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public
Law 103-354. The FSA administers a variety of activities, such
as the commodity price support and production adjustment
programs financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation; the
Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]; the Emergency Conservation
Program; the Commodity Operation Programs including the
warehouse examination function; farm ownership, farm operating,
emergency disaster, and other loan programs; and the Noninsured
Crop Disaster Assistance Program [NAP], which provides crop
loss protection for growers of many crops for which crop
insurance is not available. In addition, FSA currently provides
certain administrative support services to the Foreign
Agricultural Service [FAS] and to the Risk Management Agency
[RMA].
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers from Total, FSA,
Appropriations program salaries and
accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2018......................................... 1,202,146 317,610 1,519,756
Budget estimate, 2019........................................ 920,490 266,913 1,187,403
Committee recommendation..................................... 1,202,146 317,603 1,519,749
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The account Salaries and Expenses, Farm Service Agency,
funds the administrative expenses of program administration and
other functions assigned to FSA. The funds consist of
appropriations and transfers from the CCC export credit
guarantees, Food for Peace loans, and Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund program accounts, and miscellaneous advances
from other sources. All administrative funds used by FSA are
consolidated into one account. The consolidation provides
clarity and better management and control of funds, and
facilitates accounting, fiscal, and budgetary work by
eliminating the necessity for making individual allocations and
allotments and maintaining and recording obligations and
expenditures under numerous separate accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,519,749,000
for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency, including
a direct appropriation of $1,202,146,000. The Committee
supports the mission of FSA and the important services that
they provide across the country; therefore, the Committee does
not accept the full decrease for information technology as
proposed in the budget. The Committee provides $5,000,000 for
the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
information portal.
Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.--The Secretary is
strongly encouraged to, within the total acreage made available
for enrollment in the conservation reserve program and without
reducing the periodic availability of general signup, enroll,
to the maximum extent practicable, acreage for activities
included in the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement practice
or other similar administratively established wetland and
habitat practices that benefit priority fish and wildlife
species identified in State, regional, and national
conservation initiatives with a priority for initiatives that
provide large blocks of cover ideal for wildlife nesting.
Information Technology.--The Committee remains dedicated to
ensuring FSA has reliable and functioning IT systems because it
is critical that farmers and ranchers have access to the tools
they need to succeed. The Committee has invested significant
taxpayer dollars to modernize outdated systems and continues to
provide resources above the budget request. The Committee
continues statutory language that allows funds for IT to be
obligated only after the Secretary meets certain reporting
requirements. The Committee has reviewed the third-party IT
analysis and expects the agency to follow the recommendations
where applicable.
National Agriculture Imagery Program.--The Committee
recommends that funding shall be allocated to purchase imagery
products to meet programmatic requirements.
Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance.--The Committee is
concerned that the Department is failing to provide adequate
risk protection through the Non-insured Crop Assistance Program
for farmers producing hay forage with legume grass mixes. These
crops often suffer quality loses resulting in adverse economic
impacts, yet these farms have no meaningful source of risk
protection. The Committee encourages the Secretary to establish
within the Non-insured Crop Assistance Program an additional
Forage Category to reflect the relative feed value, and the
potential for quality loss, of legume grass mix forage.
STATE MEDIATION GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $3,904,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 3,228,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,904,000
This program is authorized under title V of the
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.).
Originally designed to address agricultural credit disputes,
the program was expanded by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-354) to include other agricultural issues such
as wetland determinations, conservation compliance, rural water
loan programs, grazing on National Forest System lands, and
pesticides. Grants are made to States whose mediation programs
have been certified by the FSA. Grants will be solely for
operation and administration of the State's agricultural
mediation program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,904,000 for
State Mediation Grants.
GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $6,500,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 6,500,000
This program is intended to assist in the protection of
groundwater through State rural water associations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,500,000 for
Grassroots Source Water Protection.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $500,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
Under the program, the Department makes indemnification
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products
who, through no fault of their own, suffer income losses
because they are directed to remove their milk from commercial
markets due to contamination of their products by registered
pesticides. The program also authorizes indemnity payments to
dairy farmers for losses resulting from the removal of cows or
dairy products from the market due to nuclear radiation or
fallout.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2019 to be $500,000,
for indemnity payments to dairy farmers.
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account is
used to provide direct and guaranteed farm ownership, farm
operating, conservation, Indian highly fractioned land, and
emergency loans to individuals, as well as the following types
of loans to associations: irrigation and drainage, grazing,
Indian tribe land acquisition, and boll weevil eradication.
FSA is also authorized to provide financial assistance to
borrowers by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders having
a contract of guarantee from FSA as approved by the Secretary
of Agriculture and to establish Beginning Farmer and Rancher
Individual Development grant accounts.
The following programs are financed through this fund:
Boll Weevil Eradication Loans.--Made to assist foundations
in financing the operations of the boll weevil eradication
programs provided to farmers.
Credit Sales of Acquired Property.--Property is sold out of
inventory and is made available to an eligible buyer by
providing FSA loans.
Emergency Loans.--Made to producers to aid recovery from
production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other
natural disasters, or quarantine. The loans may be used to:
restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of
production costs associated with the disaster year; pay
essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming
operation; and refinance certain debts.
Farm Operating Loans.--Provide short-to-intermediate term
production or chattel credit to farmers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere, to improve their farm and home operations,
and to develop or maintain a reasonable standard of living. The
term of the loan varies from 1 to 7 years.
Farm Ownership Loans.--Made to borrowers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere to restructure their debts, improve or
purchase farms, refinance nonfarm enterprises which supplement
but do not supplant farm income, or make additions to farms.
Loans are made for 40 years or less.
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.--Made to any Indian
tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal
corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization
Act (Public Law 93-638) which does not have adequate
uncommitted funds to acquire lands or interest in lands within
the tribe's reservation or Alaskan Indian community, as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior, for use of the
tribe or the corporation or the members thereof.
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans.--Made to Indian
tribal members to purchase highly fractionated lands, as
authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a total loan level of
$8,017,668,000 for programs within the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund Program Account.
Loan Programs.--The Committee continues to support FSA loan
programs that ensure farmers and ranchers have access to credit
to maintain and improve their operations. The Committee is
aware of the heightened operating loan activity in fiscal year
2018 and notes the statutory authority allowing program level
increases that do not require additional budget authority. The
Committee will continue to monitor program demand in the coming
months and directs FSA to provide timely estimates for future
needs.
The following table reflects the program levels for farm
credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year
2018 and the budget request levels:
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
Direct................................................... 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000
Guaranteed............................................... 2,750,000 2,750,000 2,750,000
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................... 1,530,000 1,500,000 1,530,000
Guaranteed unsubsidized.................................. 1,960,000 1,600,000 1,960,000
Emergency Loans.............................................. 25,610 37,668 37,668
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition................................ 20,000 20,000 20,000
Conservation Loans:
Guaranteed............................................... 150,000 150,000 150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................ 10,000 ............... 10,000
Boll Weevil Eradication...................................... 60,000 60,000 60,000
Total, Loan Authorizations........................... 8,005,610 7,617,668 8,017,668
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account are used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed, as well as for
administrative expenses.
The following table reflects the cost of programs under
credit reform:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Operating:
Direct................................................... 61,812 58,500 59,670
Guaranteed unsubsidized.................................. 21,756 17,280 21,168
Emergency Loans.............................................. 1,260 1,567 1,567
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................ 2,272 ............... 2,134
Total, Loan Subsidies.................................... 87,100 77,347 84,539
ACIF Expenses:
Salaries and Expenses.................................... 314,998 226,436 314,998
Administrative Expenses.................................. 10,070 10,070 10,070
Total, ACIF Expenses................................. 325,068 292,587 325,068
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk Management Agency
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $74,829,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 37,942,000
Committee recommendation................................ 74,829,000
The Risk Management Agency performs administrative
functions relative to the Federal crop insurance program that
is authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508), as amended by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of
2000 [ARPA], Public Law 106-224, and the Agricultural Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-79).
ARPA authorized significant changes in the crop insurance
program. This act provides higher government subsidies for
producer premiums to make coverage more affordable; expands
research and development for new insurance products and under-
served areas through contracts with the private sector; and
tightens compliance. Functional areas of risk management are:
research and development; insurance services; and compliance,
whose functions include policy formulation and procedures and
regulations development.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $74,829,000
for Risk Management Agency, Salaries and Expenses.
The Committee recognizes that there are many research
priorities that competitive funding may be used to address,
including the feasibility of insurance programs to cover
business interruption due to integrator bankruptcy and
catastrophic loss in the poultry industry. The Committee
encourages RMA to support research into these priorities.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] was
established pursuant to Public Law 103-354, the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962). The
NRCS works with conservation districts, watershed groups, and
Federal and State agencies to bring about physical adjustments
in land use that will conserve soil and water resources,
provide for agricultural production on a sustained basis, and
reduce flood damage and sedimentation.
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $874,107,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 669,033,000
Committee recommendation................................ 879,107,000
Conservation operations are authorized by Public Law 74-46
(16 U.S.C. 590a-590f). Activities include:
Conservation Technical Assistance provides assistance to
district cooperators and other land users in the planning and
application of conservation treatments to control erosion and
improve the quantity and quality of soil resources, improve and
conserve water, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, conserve
energy, improve woodland, pasture and range conditions, and
reduce upstream flooding; all to protect and enhance the
natural resource base.
Resource appraisal and program development ensures that
programs administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the
conservation of soil, water, and related resources shall
respond to the Nation's long-term needs.
Plant Materials Centers assemble, test, and encourage
increased use of plant species which show promise for use in
the treatment of conservation problem areas.
Snow Survey and Water Forecasting provides estimates of
annual water availability from high mountain snow packs and
relates to summer stream flow in the Western States and Alaska.
Information is used by agriculture, industry, and cities in
estimating future water supplies.
Soil Surveys inventory the Nation's basic soil resources
and determine land capabilities and conservation treatment
needs. Soil survey publications include interpretations useful
to cooperators, other Federal agencies, State, and local
organizations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $879,107,000
for Conservation Operations. The Committee recommendation
includes $773,844,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance,
$80,802,000 for Soil Surveys, $9,380,000 for Snow Survey and
Water Forecasting, and $9,481,000 for Plant Materials Centers.
Acre-for-Acre Wetlands Mitigation.--The Secretary is
encouraged to use mitigation with the conversion of a natural
wetland and equivalent wetlands functions at a ratio not to
exceed a ratio of 1-to-1 acreage.
Agricultural Management Assistance.--In carrying out the
programs under section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance
Act, the Secretary is encouraged to establish multi-year pilot
projects to provide financial and technical assistance to farms
regulated under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, for capital
improvements required to comply with the rule and otherwise
enhance food safety practices at the production level. Payment
limits and other provisions of the AMA program will apply.
Conservation Practices.--The Committee encourages USDA's
Natural Resources Conservation Service to prioritize funding
Environmental Quality Incentives Program practices that score
highly on the Conservation Practices Physical Effects [CPPE]
matrix.
NRCS Staffing.--NRCS is directed to provide an update on
staffing levels at NRCS offices across the country, including
vacancies that have remained unfilled for more than 6 months,
and plans to fill those vacancies. The Committee is concerned
that unfilled state-level positions are creating delays in
application approval and the deployment of important
conservation funding.
Program Duplication.--The Committee directs NRCS to provide
a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act on actions it
will take to eliminate program duplication as identified in IG
reports.
Technical Assistance.--The Committee directs NRCS to
maintain a record of total technical assistance dollars for the
past 3 years and annually in the future, and provide the data
to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This report
should differentiate mandatory and discretionary allocations.
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $150,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 150,000,000
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public
Law 566, 83d Cong.) (16 U.S.C. 1000-1005, 1007-1009) provides
for cooperation between the Federal Government and the States
and their political subdivisions in a program to prevent
erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds or
rivers and streams and to further the conservation,
development, utilization, and disposal of water, and to further
the conservation and proper utilization of land in authorized
watersheds.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $150,000,000
for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program.
The Committee recognizes the critical challenges facing
rural water resource management and protection and supports
needed investments in watershed operations. These Federal-
State-local partnerships are uniquely positioned to identify
critical watershed protection and flood prevention needs in
rural communities and implement projects that deliver multiple
streams of benefits for homes, businesses, transportation
infrastructure, and natural resources. In selecting projects
for funding, the Committee expects the agency to balance the
needs of addressing the project backlog, remediation of
existing structures, and new projects.
WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program account provides for
technical and financial assistance to carry out rehabilitation
of structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, approved August
4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1012, U.S.C. 1001, et seq.), as amended by
section 313 of Public Law 106-472, November 9, 2000, and by
section 2803 of Public Law 110-246.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the
Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
CORPORATIONS
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $8,913,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 8,687,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 8,687,000,000
The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal
Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, authorizes the payment of
expenses which may include indemnity payments, loss adjustment,
delivery expenses, program-related research and development,
startup costs for implementing this legislation such as
studies, pilot projects, data processing improvements, public
outreach, and related tasks and functions.
All program costs, except for Federal salaries and
expenses, are mandatory expenditures subject to appropriation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated to be $8,687,000,000 in fiscal year
2019 for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund
The Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] is a wholly owned
Government corporation created in 1933 to stabilize, support,
and protect farm income and prices; to help maintain balanced
and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities, including
products, foods, feeds, and fibers; and to help in the orderly
distribution of these commodities. CCC was originally
incorporated under a Delaware charter and was reincorporated
June 30, 1948, as a Federal corporation within the Department
of Agriculture by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act,
approved June 29, 1948 (15 U.S.C. 714).
The Commodity Credit Corporation engages in buying,
selling, lending, and other activities with respect to
agricultural commodities, their products, food, feed, and
fibers. Its purposes include stabilizing, supporting, and
protecting farm income and prices; maintaining the balance and
adequate supplies of selected commodities; and facilitating the
orderly distribution of such commodities. In addition, the
Corporation makes available materials and facilities required
in connection with the storage and distribution of such
commodities. The Corporation also disburses funds for sharing
of costs with producers for the establishment of approved
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land and
subsequent rental payments for such land for the duration of
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
Corporation activities are primarily governed by the
following statutes: the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter
Act (Public Law 80-806), as amended; the Agricultural Act of
1949 (Public Law 81-439), as amended (1949 Act); the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-430), as
amended (the 1938 Act); the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public
Law 99-198), as amended (1985 Act); the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246); and the Agricultural
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
Management of the Corporation is vested in a board of
directors, subject to the general supervision and direction of
the Secretary of Agriculture, who is an ex officio director and
chairman of the board. The board consists of seven members, in
addition to the Secretary, who are appointed by the President
of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Officers of the Corporation are designated according to their
positions in the Department of Agriculture.
The activities of the Corporation are carried out mainly by
the personnel and through the facilities of the Farm Service
Agency [FSA] and the Farm Service Agency State and county
committees. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the General Sales
Manager, other agencies and offices of the Department, and
commercial agents are also used to carry out certain aspects of
the Corporation's activities.
Under Public Law 87-155 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11, 713a-12),
annual appropriations are authorized for each fiscal year,
commencing with fiscal year 1961. These appropriations are to
reimburse the Corporation for net realized losses.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $14,284,847,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 15,410,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,410,000,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2019 to be
$15,410,000,000, for the payment to reimburse the Commodity
Credit Corporation for net realized losses.
CRP Wetland Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement.--The
Committee notes that agricultural commodity crops, if left
unharvested, may help reduce degradation of wetlands and
improve sediment trapping, surface and ground water supply,
erosion control, and wildlife habitat while providing winter
food for waterfowl and other wildlife. The Committee directs
the Commodity Credit Corporation, within 60 days of enactment,
to amend its program policies and guidelines for CRP
conservation practices CP23 and CP23A, to provide that current
and future participants are permitted to plant--but not
harvest--agricultural commodity crops as wildlife food plots on
up to 10 percent of the enrolled land to enhance waterfowl and
upland bird food and habitat.
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
(LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)
Limitation, 2018........................................ $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,000,000
The Commodity Credit Corporation's [CCC] hazardous waste
management program is intended to ensure compliance with the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.). The CCC
funds operations and maintenance costs as well as site
investigation and cleanup expenses. Investigative and cleanup
costs associated with the management of CCC hazardous waste are
also paid from USDA's hazardous waste management appropriation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $5,000,000 for the
Commodity Credit Corporation's hazardous waste management
program.
TITLE III
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354)
abolished the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development
Administration, and Rural Electrification Administration and
replaced those agencies with the Rural Housing and Community
Development Service, (currently, the Rural Housing Service),
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (currently,
the Rural Business--Cooperative Service), and Rural Utilities
Service and placed them under the oversight of the Under
Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development,
(currently, Rural Development). These agencies deliver a
variety of programs through a network of State and field
offices.
Rural Development
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation................................................ 230,835 156,054 232,835
Transfer from:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loan Program Account........ 412,254 244,249 412,254
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Program 33,270 38,027 33,270
Account.................................................
Rural Development Loan Program Account................... 4,468 ............... 4,468
Community Facilities Program Account..................... ............... 147,591 ...............
Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program ............... 8,057 ...............
Account.................................................
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Development salaries and expenses......... 680,827 612,127 682,827
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Housing
Service, and the Rural Business--Cooperative Service, including
reviewing applications, making and collecting loans and
providing technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and
to assist in extending other Federal programs to people in
rural areas.
Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts.
Appropriations to the salaries and expenses account will be for
costs associated with grant programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $682,827,000 for salaries and
expenses of Rural Development.
Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.--The Committee is
concerned with the interim rule proposed by the Department
under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels program
(section 9005 of the Energy title of the farm bill, Public Law
113-79), which is intended to promote the development of
different qualifying advanced fuel categories. The Committee is
concerned that the allocation formula for distribution of
section 9005 funds among the qualified fuel categories is
inequitable, disproportionate, and inconsistent with the
purpose and intent of the section 9005 program. The Committee
urges the Department to administer the section 9005 program in
a way that is fuel and technology-neutral. Consistent with
these objectives, the Committee directs USDA to propose
amendments to the interim rule to ensure that any final rule to
implement section 9005 provides for a more equitable and
proportional allocation of funding among the qualified advanced
biofuels and the energy pathways they represent.
Valuing Collateral.--The Committee directs RD to provide
technical assistance to participating lenders in valuing
collateral, including but not limited to telecommunications
infrastructure, for the purposes of the Rural Development loan
guarantee programs.
Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service [RHS] was established under the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994, dated October 13, 1994.
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018 (budget authority)................. $483,716,000
Budget estimate, 2019 (budget authority)................ 244,249,000
Committee recommendation (budget authority)............. 493,945,000
This fund was established in 1965 (Public Law 89-117)
pursuant to section 517 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949
(42 U.S.C. 517(d)), as amended. This fund may be used to insure
or guarantee rural housing loans for single-family homes,
rental and cooperative housing, farm labor housing, and rural
housing sites. Rural housing loans are made to construct,
improve, alter, repair, or replace dwellings and essential farm
service buildings that are modest in size, design, and cost.
Rental housing insured loans are made to individuals,
corporations, associations, trusts, or partnerships to provide
low-cost rental housing and related facilities in rural areas.
These loans are repayable in terms up to 30 years.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $493,945,000
for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account [RHIF].
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
established the RHIF program account. Appropriations to this
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees
committed in 2019, as well as for administrative expenses. The
following table presents the loan subsidy levels as compared to
the 2018 levels and the 2019 budget request:
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 1,100,000 ............... 1,100,000
Guaranteed........................................... 24,000,000 24,000,000 24,000,000
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 28,000 ............... 28,000
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 40,000 ............... 40,000
Guaranteed rental housing (sec. 538)..................... 230,000 250,000 230,000
Site development loans (sec. 524)........................ 5,000 ............... 5,000
Credit sales of acquired property........................ 10,000 10,000 10,000
Self help land development loans (sec. 523).............. 5,000 ............... 5,000
Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)...................... 23,855 ............... 23,855
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan levels..................................... 25,441,855 24,260,000 25,441,855
==================================================
Loan Subsidies and Grants:
Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... 42,350 ............... 53,900
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ 3,452 ............... 3,419
Direct rental housing (sec. 515)......................... 10,524 ............... 9,484
Site development (sec. 524).............................. 58 ............... 176
Self help land development (sec. 523).................... 368 ............... 431
Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)...................... 6,374 ............... 5,945
Farm labor housing grants (sec. 516)..................... 8,336 ............... 8,336
--------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and grants....................... 71,462 ............... 81,691
==================================================
Administrative expenses...................................... 412,254 244,249 412,254
==================================================
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses...... 483,716 244,249 493,945
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy Efficiency.--The Committee recognizes opportunities
to reduce costs for rural housing and save taxpayer money by
embracing energy efficiency standards in rural housing, with
measures such as air sealing, and installing insulation, window
films, and roofs.
Maturing Mortgages.--The Committee remains concerned about
the alarming number of multi-family housing mortgages scheduled
to mature in the next few years. As these mortgages mature,
projects and units will be removed from USDA's affordable rural
housing program, placing very low income rural residents in
jeopardy of untenable rent increases and possible eviction.
The Secretary is directed to engage affordable housing
advocates, project owners, tenants, and others as practicable,
to find acceptable and effective long term solutions that will
retain projects in the affordable rural housing program.
Rural Housing.--The Committee is concerned that Rural
Housing Service resources do not reach minority, socially
disadvantaged, and tribal communities in proportion to their
rural populations. For example in fiscal year 2016, of the
7,113 direct loans made nationally by the Rural Housing
Service, only 12 went to American Indians or Alaska Natives on
tribal land. The Committee believes that the use of Rural
Housing loans or funding should support minority, socially
disadvantaged, tribal communities, and all other eligible
applicants, so as to ensure they have equal access to Rural
Housing programs. The Committee directs the Secretary to work
with tribal governments and native community development
financial institutions (Native CDFIs) to better prepare
American Indians or Alaska Natives applicants on tribal land.
The Committee further directs USDA Rural Housing Service to
report to the Committee on the distribution of loans and
resources to these three populations no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,345,293,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 1,331,400,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,331,400,000
Rental assistance is authorized under section 521(a)(2) of
the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490a). The
objective of the program is to reduce rents paid by low-income
families living in Rural Housing Service financed rental
projects and farm labor housing projects. Under this program,
low-income tenants will contribute the higher of: (1) 30
percent of monthly adjusted income; (2) 10 percent of monthly
income; or (3) designated housing payments from a welfare
agency.
Payments from the fund are made to the project owner for
the difference between the tenant's payment and the approved
rental rate established for the unit.
The program is administered in tandem with the Rural
Housing Service section 515 rural rental housing program and
the farm labor loan and grant programs. Priority is given to
existing projects for units occupied by rent over-burdened low-
income families and projects experiencing financial
difficulties beyond the control of the owner.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,331,400,000
for the Rental Assistance Program.
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $47,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
The Rural Housing Voucher Program was authorized under the
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1940r) to assist very low income
families and individuals who reside in rental housing in rural
areas. Housing vouchers may be provided to residents of rental
housing projects financed by section 515 loans that have been
prepaid after September 30, 2005. Voucher amounts reflect the
difference between comparable market rents and tenant-paid rent
prior to loan prepayment. Vouchers allow tenants to remain in
existing projects or move to other rental housing.
The Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program includes
funding for housing vouchers and a demonstration program for
the preservation and revitalization of affordable multi-family
housing projects. Rural Development's multi-family housing
portfolio faces dual pressures for loan prepayments and repair/
rehabilitation stemming from inadequate reserves resulting in
deferred property maintenance.
Provision of affordable rental housing can be accomplished
more economically by revitalizing existing housing stock rather
than funding new construction. The Multi-family Housing
Revitalization Program includes revitalization tools for
maintenance of existing units and vouchers to protect tenants
in those projects that prepay. Flexibility is provided to allow
Rural Development to utilize funding to meet the most urgent
local needs for tenant protection and project revitalization.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $50,000,000
for the Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program, including
$26,000,000 for vouchers and $24,000,000 for a housing
preservation demonstration program.
Multi-Family Housing Preservation.--The Committee directs
the Secretary to provide a report within 120 days of enactment
of this Act to estimate the cost of providing rural housing
vouchers to all low income households currently receiving USDA
rental assistance and residing in a property financed with a
Section 515 loan that are set to mature in the subsequent
fiscal year and subsequent ten fiscal years. In addition, the
Secretary is directed to provide quarterly reports to the
Committee on transfers between vouchers and the housing
preservation demonstration program within the Multi-Family
Housing Revitalization Program Account.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 30,000,000
The Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants Program is
authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Grants are
made to local organizations to promote the development of
mutual or self-help programs under which groups of usually 6 to
10 families build their own homes by mutually exchanging labor.
Funds may be used to pay the cost of construction supervisors
who work with families in the construction of their homes and
for administrative expenses of the organizations providing the
self-help assistance.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,000,000
for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 40,000,000
The Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program consolidates
funding for rural housing grant programs. This consolidation of
housing grant funding provides greater flexibility to tailor
financial assistance to applicant needs.
Very Low-Income Housing Repair Grants.--The Very Low-Income
Housing Repair Grants Program is authorized under section 504
of title V of the Housing Act of 1949. The rural housing repair
grant program is carried out by making grants to very low-
income families to make necessary repairs to their homes in
order to make such dwellings safe and sanitary, and remove
hazards to the health of the occupants, their families, or the
community.
These grants may be made to cover the cost of improvements
or additions, such as repairing roofs, providing toilet
facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply,
supplying screens, repairing or providing structural supports
or making similar repairs, additions, or improvements,
including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining
central water and sewer service. A grant can be made in
combination with a section 504 very low-income housing repair
loan.
No assistance can be extended to any one individual in the
form of a loan, grant, or combined loans and grants in excess
of $27,500, and grant assistance is limited to persons, or
families headed by persons who are 62 years of age or older.
Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants.--Supervisory
and technical assistance grants are made to public and private
nonprofit organizations for packaging loan applications for
housing assistance under sections 502, 504, 514/516, 515, and
533 of the Housing Act of 1949. The assistance is directed to
very low-income families in underserved areas where at least 20
percent of the population is below the poverty level and at
least 10 percent or more of the population resides in
substandard housing. In fiscal year 1994 a Homebuyer Education
Program was implemented under this authority. This program
provides low-income individuals and families education and
counseling on obtaining and/or maintaining occupancy of
adequate housing and supervised credit assistance to become
successful homeowners.
Compensation for Construction Defects.--Compensation for
construction defects provides funds for grants to eligible
section 502 borrowers to correct structural defects, or to pay
claims of owners arising from such defects on a newly
constructed dwelling purchased with RHS financial assistance.
Claims are not paid until provisions under the builder's
warranty have been fully pursued. Requests for compensation for
construction defects must be made by the owner of the property
within 18 months after the date financial assistance was
granted.
Rural Housing Preservation Grants.--Rural housing
preservation grants (section 533) of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (42 U.S.C. 1490m) authorizes the
Rural Housing Service to administer a program of home repair
directed at low- and very low-income people.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,000,000
for the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program.
The following table compares the grant program levels
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2018 levels and
the budget request:
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low-income housing repair grants........................ 30,000 ............... 30,000
Housing preservation grants.................................. 10,000 ............... 10,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. 40,000 ............... 40,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee recommends that the Rural Housing Service
prioritize funding for communities with unique weather patterns
in need of replacing antiquated heating systems with more
efficient technologies.
Rural Community Facilities Program Account
(including transfers of funds)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $48,627,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 52,063,000
Community facility loans were created by the Rural
Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 1926 et seq.) to finance a
variety of rural community facilities. Loans are made to
organizations, including certain Indian tribes and corporations
not operated for profit and public and quasi-public agencies,
to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community
facilities providing essential services to rural residents.
Such facilities include those providing or supporting overall
community development, such as fire and rescue services,
healthcare, transportation, traffic control, and community,
social, cultural, and recreational benefits. Loans are made for
facilities which primarily serve rural residents of open
country and rural towns and villages of not more than 20,000
people. Healthcare, fire and rescue facilities, and educational
facilities are the priorities of the program and receive the
majority of available funds.
The Community Facility Grant Program authorized in the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-127), is used in conjunction with the existing direct
and guaranteed loan programs for the development of community
facilities, such as hospitals, fire stations, and community
centers. Grants are targeted to the lowest income communities.
Communities that have lower population and income levels
receive a higher cost-share contribution through these grants,
to a maximum contribution of 75 percent of the cost of
developing the facility.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $52,063,000
for the Rural Community Facilities Program Account.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget
request levels:
RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Community facilities direct loans........................ 2,800,000 3,500,000 3,000,000
Community facilities guaranteed loans.................... 148,287 ............... 148,287
--------------------------------------------------
Total loan levels...................................... 2,948,287 3,500,000 3,148,287
==================================================
Budget authority:
Community facilities guaranteed loans.................... 4,849 ............... 4,285
Community facilities grants.............................. 30,000 ............... 32,000
Economic initiative grants............................... 5,778 ............... 5,778
Rural community development initiative................... 4,000 ............... 6,000
Tribal college grants.................................... 4,000 ............... 4,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total budget authority................................. 48,627 ............... 52,063
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Facilities Program Priorities.--The Secretary is
encouraged to prioritize Community Facilities program awards to
applications that develop facilities to provide prevention,
treatment, or recovery services for substance abuse disorder
and for rural communities facing severe wildfire risk.
Rural Business--Cooperative Service
The Rural Business--Cooperative Service [RBS] was
established by Public Law 103-354, Federal Crop Insurance
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994, dated October 13, 1994. Its programs were previously
administered by the Rural Development Administration, the Rural
Electrification Administration, and the Agricultural
Cooperative Service.
RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $77,342,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 69,619,000
The Rural Business and Industry Loan Program was created by
the Rural Development Act of 1972, and finances a variety of
rural industrial development loans. Loans are made for rural
industrialization and rural community facilities under Rural
Development Act amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 et seq.) authorities. Business
and industrial loans are made to public, private, or
cooperative organizations organized for profit, to certain
Indian tribes, or to individuals for the purpose of improving,
developing or financing business, industry, and employment or
improving the economic and environmental climate in rural
areas. Such purposes include financing business and industrial
acquisition, construction, enlargement, repair or
modernization, financing the purchase and development of land,
easements, rights-of-way, buildings, payment of startup costs,
and supplying working capital.
Rural business development grants were authorized by the
Agricultural Act of 2014 and can be made to governmental and
nonprofit entities, and Indian tribes. Up to 10 percent of
appropriated funds may be used to: identify and analyze
business opportunities; identify, train, and provide technical
assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and
managers; assist in the establishment of new rural businesses
and the maintenance of existing businesses; conduct economic
development planning, coordination and leadership development;
and establish centers for training, technology, and trade. The
balance of appropriated funding may be used for projects that
support the development of business enterprises that finance or
facilitate: the development of small and emerging private
business enterprise; the establishment, expansion, and
operation of rural distance learning networks; the development
of rural learning programs; and the provision of technical
assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of
improving passenger transportation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $69,619,000
for the Rural Business Program Account.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget
request levels:
RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Business and industry guaranteed loans loan levels....... 919,765 ............... 919,765
Budget authority:
Business and industry guaranteed loans................... 37,342 ............... 21,339
Rural business development grants........................ 34,000 ............... 40,280
DRA, NBRC, and ARC....................................... 6,000 ............... 8,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total budget authority................................. 77,342 ............... 69,619
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional Food Hubs.--The Committee encourages USDA to
partner with States and other interested partners to build and
refurbish food hub and food distribution centers that serve
rural farmers but are located in urban areas through programs
like the Business and Industry guaranteed loan program.
Rural Business Development Grants.--Rural coastal economies
have often been economically disadvantaged by the loss of
natural resource-related jobs and have been the first rural
communities to feel the negative effects of a changing climate.
As these rural coastal communities continue to have
agriculture-related economic opportunity such as value-added
seafood processing as well as new opportunities, the use of
Rural Business Development grants may be prioritized in rural
coastal communities to support innovation and job growth within
all sectors, including for related infrastructure. Particular
priority should be given in the case of public-private
partnerships and cross-jurisdictional efforts.
Rural Business Program Account.--The Committee recommends
$500,000 for transportation technical assistance.
The Committee directs that of the $4,000,000 recommended
for grants to benefit Federally Recognized Native American
Tribes, $250,000 shall be used to implement an American Indian
and Alaska Native passenger transportation development and
assistance initiative.
INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 Fiscal year 2019 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level...................................... 18,889 ................ 18,889
Direct loan subsidy....................................... 4,361 ................ 4,157
Administrative expenses................................... 4,468 ................ 4,468
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses... 8,829 ................ 8,625
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rural development intermediary relending loan program
was originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of
1964 (Public Law 88-452). The making of rural development loans
by the Department of Agriculture was reauthorized by Public Law
113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014.
Loans are made to intermediary borrowers (small investment
groups) who in turn will reloan the funds to rural businesses,
community development corporations, private nonprofit
organizations, public agencies, et cetera, for the purpose of
improving business, industry, community facilities, and
employment opportunities and diversification of the economy in
rural areas.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated in 2019, as well as for administrative
expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,625,000 for
the Intermediary Relending Program Fund.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan
level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 level................................. 45,000
Fiscal year 2019 request............................... ...............
Committee recommendation............................... 45,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rural Economic Development Loans program was
established by the Reconciliation Act of December 1987 (Public
Law 100-203), which amended the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (Act of May 20, 1936), by establishing a new section 313.
This section of the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901)
established a cushion of credit payment program and created the
rural economic development subaccount. The Administrator of RUS
is authorized under the Act to utilize funds in this program to
provide zero interest loans to electric and telecommunications
borrowers for the purpose of promoting rural economic
development and job creation projects, including funding for
feasibility studies, startup costs, and other reasonable
expenses for the purpose of fostering rural economic
development.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a loan program level of
$45,000,000, to be funded from earnings on the Cushion of
Credit and fees on guaranteed underwriting loans made pursuant
to section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $27,550,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 30,050,000
Rural cooperative development grants are authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, as amended. Grants are made to fund the establishment and
operation of centers for rural cooperative development with
their primary purpose being the improvement of economic
conditions in rural areas. Grants may be made to nonprofit
institutions or institutions of higher education. Grants may be
used to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of the project and
associated administrative costs. The applicant must contribute
at least 25 percent from non-Federal sources, except 1994
institutions, which only need to provide 5 percent. Grants are
competitive and are awarded based on specific selection
criteria.
Cooperative research agreements are authorized by 7 U.S.C.
2204b. The funds are used for cooperative research agreements,
primarily with colleges and universities, on critical
operational, organizational, and structural issues facing
cooperatives.
Cooperative agreements are authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2201
to any qualified State departments of agriculture, university,
and other State entity to conduct research that will strengthen
and enhance the operations of agricultural marketing
cooperatives in rural areas.
The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas [ATTRA]
program was first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985.
The program provides information and technical assistance to
agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural
practices that are environmentally friendly and lower
production costs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,050,000
for Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
Of the funds recommended, $3,750,000 is for the Appropriate
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program, with $500,000 to
be used for veterans' training in agriculture.
The Committee has included language in the bill that not
more than $3,000,000 shall be made available to cooperatives or
associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide
assistance to small, minority producers.
Value Added.--The Committee recommends $17,500,000 for
value-added agricultural product market development grants. Of
this amount, the Secretary is directed to make $2,500,000 for
Agriculture Innovation Center funding available as grants to
States authorized to host, and that have previously hosted a
USDA Agriculture Innovation Center and where the State
continues to demonstrate support, and provide non-Federal grant
funding to producers developing, producing, and marketing
value-added agricultural and food products.
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $293,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 338,000
The Rural Energy for America Program is authorized under
section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107). This program may fund energy audits,
direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers, ranchers,
and small rural businesses for the purchase of renewable energy
systems and for energy efficiency improvements.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $338,000 for
the Rural Energy for America Program.
The following table provides the Committee's recommendation
as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget request levels:
RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level............................................ 7,576 .............. 7,576
Guaranteed loan subsidy......................................... 293 .............. 338
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biogas System Development.--The Secretary is encouraged, in
coordination with other Federal agencies, to support biogas
system development with financial and technical assistance
through existing energy programs, and to prioritize the
collection and analysis of related environmental, technical,
and economic performance data.
Energy Efficiency Coordination.--The Committee directs
increased coordination and cooperation among USDA agencies and
offices to better utilize the energy efficiency and renewable
energy programs available through the Rural Energy for America
program. Additionally, no later than 120 days after enactment
of this Act, USDA is directed to submit a report to the
Committee detailing how the agencies make information about its
energy programs accessible to rural communities and how funds
are being leveraged for energy efficiency investments in rural
areas.
Energy Storage Technologies.--The Secretary is directed to
clarify that energy storage technologies are eligible for Rural
Energy for America program funding.
Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service [RUS] was established under the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354), October 13,
1994. RUS administers the electric and telephone programs of
the former Rural Electrification Administration and the water
and waste programs of the former Rural Development
Administration.
RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $560,263,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 558,183,000
The water and waste disposal program is authorized by
sections 306, 306A, 309A, 306C, 306D, 306E, and 310B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq., as amended). This program makes loans for water and waste
development costs. Development loans are made to associations,
including corporations operating on a nonprofit basis,
municipalities and similar organizations, generally designated
as public or quasi-public agencies, that propose projects for
the development, storage, treatment, purification, and
distribution of domestic water or the collection, treatment, or
disposal of waste in rural areas. Such grants may not exceed 75
percent of the development cost of the projects and can
supplement other funds borrowed or furnished by applicants to
pay development costs.
The solid waste grant program is authorized under section
310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Grants are made to public bodies and private nonprofit
organizations to provide technical assistance to local and
regional governments for the purpose of reducing or eliminating
pollution of water resources and for improving the planning and
management of solid waste disposal facilities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $558,183,000
for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
The Committee recommends $68,000,000 for water and waste
disposal systems grants for Native Americans, including Native
Alaskans, and the Colonias. The Committee recognizes the
special needs and problems for delivery of basic services to
these populations, and encourages the Secretary to distribute
these funds in line with the fiscal year 2014 distribution, to
the degree practicable. In addition, the Committee makes up to
$19,000,000 available for the circuit rider program.
The Committee is concerned about raw sewage discharge in
some rural communities in the mid-south, particularly
historically impoverished communities that have had difficulty
utilizing Rural Development programs. The Committee is aware of
the unique challenges faced by these communities and directs
the Department to develop a pilot program to coordinate with a
regional university to solve untreated raw sewage issues with
innovative technologies and strategic management and regulatory
models. The pilot should address rural wastewater management
including: county needs assessments, testing wastewater
options, defining funding mechanisms for remediation and
developing regulatory guidance.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget
request levels:
RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2018 Fiscal year 2019 Committee
enacted budget request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
Water and waste disposal direct loans................. 1,200,000 1,200,000 1,200,000
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans............. 50,000 ................ 50,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total loan levels................................... 1,250,000 1,200,000 1,250,000
=====================================================
Budget authority:
Water and waste disposal direct loans................. 2,040 ................ ................
Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans............. 230 ................ 190
Water and waste disposal grants....................... 400,000 ................ 400,000
Solid waste management grants......................... 4,000 ................ 4,000
Water well systems grants............................. 993 ................ 993
Colonias, AK and Native American grants............... 68,000 ................ 68,000
Water and waste water revolving funds................. 1,000 ................ 1,000
High energy cost grants............................... 10,000 ................ 10,000
Circuit rider......................................... 19,000 ................ 19,000
Emergency community water assistance grants........... 15,000 ................ 15,000
Technical assistance grants........................... 40,000 ................ 40,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total, budget authority............................. 560,263 ................ 558,183
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et
seq.) provides the statutory authority for the electric and
telecommunications programs.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508)
established the program account. An appropriation to this
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees
committed in fiscal year 2019, as well as for administrative
expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation
for the Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans
Program Account, the loan subsidy and administrative expenses,
as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget request levels:
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
Electric:
Direct FFB........................................... 5,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000
Guaranteed underwriting.............................. 750,000 ............... 750,000
Telecommunications:
Direct, Treasury Rate................................ 345,000 172,600 345,000
Direct, FFB.......................................... 345,000 517,400 345,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total loan authorization............................... 6,940,000 6,190,000 6,940,000
==================================================
Total budget authority................................. 863 863 1,725
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyber and Electric Grid Security.--The Secretary is
encouraged to prioritize Rural Utilities Service electric
program loan awards for cyber and electric grid security
improvements.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program
Oversight.--The Committee is concerned that the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program does not yet have
performance measures in place, as highlighted by a 2016
Inspector General report. The Committee directs USDA to
institute such measures prior to awarding any additional
funding through the program, or no later than 180 days from
enactment of this Act.
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and grant levels:
Distance learning and Telemedicine Program:
Grants............................................... 32,000 23,600 33,000
Broadband program:
Treasury rate loans...................................... 29,851 23,149 29,851
Treasury rate loans budget authority..................... 5,000 4,521 5,830
Grants................................................... 30,000 30,000 30,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total DLT and Broadband Program level.................. 91,851 76,749 92,851
==================================================
Total DLT and Broadband Budget authority............... 67,000 58,121 68,830
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program
is authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.), as amended by the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-127). This program provides incentives to improve the
quality of phone services, to provide access to advanced
telecommunications services and computer networks, and to
improve rural opportunities.
This program provides the facilities and equipment to link
rural education and medical facilities with more urban centers
and other facilities providing rural residents access to better
healthcare through technology and increasing educational
opportunities for rural students. These funds are available for
loans and grants.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $68,830,000
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program.
Funds recommended for the RUS broadband program are intended to
promote broadband availability in those areas where there is
not otherwise a business case for private investment in a
broadband network. The Committee encourages RUS to focus
expenditures on projects that bring broadband service to
currently unserved households.
The Committee recommendation includes $3,000,000 to address
critical healthcare needs, as authorized by section 379G of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Broadband Grants.--Of the funds recommended, $30,000,000 in
grants shall be made available to support broadband
transmission for rural areas.
Broadband Infrastructure.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of access to high speed broadband to promote job
creation and income generation in remote rural areas. For these
reasons, a broadband infrastructure initiative was begun in
fiscal year 2018. The Committee recommendation provides
additional funding for this initiative, and encourages the
Department to implement the pilot program as promptly as is
feasible. The Committee notes that it is the policy of RUS to
avoid duplication of efforts when financing telecommunications
infrastructure via its programs; however, the Committee is
concerned that this policy does not extend to the deployment of
broadband-capable infrastructure. In order to prevent
duplication of services, the Committee directs RUS to implement
operational changes and report back to the Committee on
administrative efforts to eliminate duplicative or over
building of broadband technology.
Determination of Sufficient Access to Broadband.--This
Committee has provided substantial funding to extend high speed
broadband access to remote rural areas. The Secretary was
directed to reevaluate, on an annual basis, the criteria for
broadband sufficient access. The Secretary is encouraged to
coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission and other
relevant Federal entities when making determinations of
sufficient access, to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date
broadband coverage data are used, while being cognizant of
potential problems of overbuilding.
Locating Existing Infrastructure.--The Secretary is
encouraged to utilize appropriate grant program funds to locate
buried, antiquated infrastructure facilities prior to
construction of new utilities infrastructure financed by the
Rural Utilities Service.
Multi-Strand Fiber Optic Cable.--The Committee recommends
that, within these funds, the Secretary explore a pilot grant
program to demonstrate the use of multi-strand fiber optic
cable that exist as part of electrical transmission
infrastructure to provide state-of-the-art broadband services
to currently underserved rural schools and medical centers
within a mile of the existing cable.
RUS Grants and Loans for Open Access Infrastructure
Projects.--The Committee is aware that public entities have
invested in open access fiber infrastructure that is
facilitating the delivery of high-speed broadband services by
licensed telecommunications providers, including the model
pioneered by public port authorities. The Committee understands
that while particular open access fiber projects may be
eligible for RUS grants and loans, more generally, there exist
significant barriers to government backing for these types of
open access investments. The Committee believes RUS programs
should support financially-feasible open access infrastructure
projects that meet program goals. The Committee urges RUS to
ensure the agency's criteria and application processes provide
for fair consideration of open access projects by accounting
for the unique structures and opportunities such projects
present in advancing broadband deployment in unserved and
underserved communities.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $800,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 800,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's nutrition assistance activities. The Office
has oversight and management responsibilities for the Food and
Nutrition Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $800,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services.
Food Security in Frontier Communities.--The Committee
appreciates the intent of the Food and Nutrition Service to
focus on implementing locally-designed initiatives to increase
food security in frontier communities within its area of
responsibility. Helping these communities to adapt to changing
growing conditions and subsistence food availability and to
develop the capacity to grow more food locally will improve
their tenuous food security and provide opportunities for
economic development in extremely low-income regions. The
Committee therefore strongly encourages the Food and Nutrition
Service to finalize plans to work with relevant stakeholders to
develop and implement the plans that were initiated in the past
year.
Nutrition Program Efficiency.--The Committee encourages the
Secretary to focus process and technology improvement grants
within the Food and Nutrition Service [FNS] to expand public-
private partnerships to increase food security in a cost-
efficient and accountable manner.
Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service represents an organizational
effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in this country.
Nutrition assistance programs provide access to a nutritionally
adequate diet for families and persons with low incomes and
encourage better eating patterns among the Nation's children.
These programs include:
Child Nutrition Programs.--The National School Lunch and
School Breakfast, Summer Food Service, and Child and Adult Care
Food programs provide funding to the States, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam for use in serving
nutritious lunches and breakfasts to children attending schools
of high school grades and under, to children of preschool age
in child care centers, and to children in other institutions in
order to improve the health and well-being of the Nation's
children, and broaden the markets for agricultural food
commodities. Through the Special Milk Program, assistance is
provided to the States for making reimbursement payments to
eligible schools and child care institutions which institute or
expand milk service in order to increase the consumption of
fluid milk by children. Funds for this program are provided by
direct appropriation and transfer from section 32.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children [WIC].--This program safeguards the health of
pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women, infants, and
children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk because of
inadequate nutrition and income by providing supplemental
foods. The delivery of supplemental foods may be done through
health clinics, vouchers redeemable at retail food stores, or
other approved methods which a cooperating State health agency
may select. Funds for this program are provided by direct
appropriation.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.--This program
seeks to improve nutritional standards of needy persons and
families. Assistance is provided to eligible households to
enable them to obtain a better diet by increasing their food
purchasing capability, usually by furnishing benefits in the
form of electronic access to funds. The program also includes
Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.
The program also includes the Food Distribution Program on
Indian Reservations, which provides nutritious agricultural
commodities to low-income persons living on or near Indian
reservations who choose not to participate in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program.
Commodity Assistance Program [CAP].--This program provides
funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP], the
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Disaster Assistance, Pacific
Island Assistance, and administrative expenses for TEFAP.
CSFP provides supplemental foods to low-income elderly
persons age 60 and over.
TEFAP provides commodities and grant funds to State
agencies to assist in the cost of storage and distribution of
donated commodities.
Nutritious agricultural commodities are provided to
residents of the Federated States of Micronesia and the
Marshall Islands. Cash assistance is provided to distributing
agencies to assist them in meeting administrative expenses
incurred. It also provides funding for use in non-
presidentially declared disasters, and for FNS' administrative
costs in connection with relief for all disasters. Funds for
this program are provided by direct appropriation.
Nutrition Programs Administration.--Most salaries and
Federal operating expenses of the Food and Nutrition Service
are funded from this account. Also included is the Center for
Nutrition Policy and Promotion [CNPP] which oversees
improvements in and revisions to the food guidance systems, and
serves as the focal point for advancing and coordinating
nutrition promotion and education policy to improve the health
of all Americans.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $24,254,139,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 23,146,940,000
Committee recommendation................................ 23,184,012,000
The Child Nutrition Programs, authorized by the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (Public Law 79-396) and the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-642), provide
Federal assistance to State agencies in the form of cash and
commodities for use in preparing and serving nutritious meals
to children while they are attending school, residing in
service institutions, or participating in other organized
activities away from home. The purpose of these programs is to
help maintain the health and proper physical development of
America's children. Milk is provided to children either free or
at a low cost, depending on their family income level. FNS
provides cash subsidies to States for administering the
programs and directly administers the program in the States
which choose not to do so. Grants are also made for nutritional
training and surveys and for State administrative expenses.
Under current law, most of these payments are made on the basis
of reimbursement rates established by law and applied to
lunches and breakfasts actually served by the States. The
reimbursement rates are adjusted annually to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index for food away from home.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $23,184,012,000 for the Child
Nutrition Programs.
Administrative Reviews.--The Committee understands the
importance of the formal administrative reviews state agencies
conduct as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
However, the Committee encourages the Secretary to return to
the 5-year inspection cycle for schools that consistently
comply with Federal standards to allow state agencies more
flexibility in performing their oversight and on-sight
technical assistance roles. High-risk schools that do not
consistently comply with Federal regulations should continue to
be reviewed on a more frequent basis. The Committee also
encourages FNS to assist state agencies in collaborating with
one another when identifying risk factors to ensure that the
administrative review process is effective and consistent
nationwide.
Buy American.--The Committee remains supportive of existing
laws requiring school food authorities to purchase domestic
commodities or products to serve in school meal programs. The
Committee recognizes that despite this statutory requirement,
there has been an alarming increase of foreign products served
in our schools. The Committee encourages the Secretary to fully
define and enforce all applicable Buy American provisions
within the Secretary's jurisdiction. Further, the Secretary
shall report on all actions taken to comply with this directive
within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
Farm to School Program.--Successful implementation of Farm
to School programs requires broad-based knowledge of best
practices regarding coordination among farmers, processors,
distributers, students, teachers, dietary and food preparation
staff, and USDA professionals. Of the grant funds provided, the
Committee directs the Secretary to use at least $150,000 to
coordinate with established entities, such as regional Farm to
School institutes, for the creation and dissemination of
information on farm to school program development, and to
provide practitioner education and training, and ongoing school
year coaching and technical assistance.
Innovation in School Meals.--The Committee is aware that
there are many new, innovative, and healthy products available
that meet the National School Lunch Program and School
Breakfast Program nutrition standards. The Committee is
concerned about FNS' interpretation of current policies that
does not allow schools to get credit for serving any such
product unless it visibly represents the food component in its
natural or recognizable form. The Committee encourages the
Secretary to allow innovative food products made from fruits,
vegetables, or legumes that meet nutrition standards for school
feeding programs. The Committee understands that many of these
foods are already in the retail market and encourages FNS to
educate children about the many ways these nutritious foods can
be served and enjoyed.
Pulse Crops.--The Committee recognizes the nutritional
value of pulse crops for children and encourages FNS to support
school food authorities in sourcing and serving pulse crops.
Summer Food Service Program.--The Committee recognizes that
in many rural and frontier areas of the country where homes are
widely scattered, children and youth are unable to access
congregate feeding sites that participate in the Summer Food
Service Program and that existing mobile food delivery efforts
are not able to meet the need. The Committee supports the Food
and Nutrition Service allowing State Agencies to enable Summer
Food Service Program service institutions that serve such areas
where eligible children and youth have barriers to access or
limited access to a congregate feeding site to use their
customary reimbursement payments to develop and implement
innovative methods to deliver or otherwise make available foods
to eligible children and youth by non-congregate means or in
non-congregate settings. In addition, the Committee requests
USDA submit a report within 1 year of enactment describing how
many Summer Food Service Program grantees, in which states, put
in place innovative methods of food delivery by non-congregate
means and in non-congregate settings, what innovative methods
were used, and how many additional youth were served as a
result.
Vegetables in the School Breakfast Program.--Current
regulations regarding the substitution of starchy and non-
starchy vegetables for fruit in the School Breakfast Program
are creating undue burdens for school food authorities. To
encourage vegetable consumption at breakfast, the Committee
encourages FNS to allow any variety of vegetable to be
substituted for fruit in the School Breakfast Program.
Whole Grain Waivers.--The Committee encourages FNS to
simplify the process for School Food Authorities applying for a
whole grain waiver to make the process faster and more user-
friendly.
The Committee's recommendation provides for the following
annual rates for the child nutrition programs.
TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Child nutrition programs 2019 budget Committee
request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Lunch Program.................. 11,713,000 11,713,000
School Breakfast Program.............. 5,081,770 5,081,770
Child and Adult Care Food Program..... 3,933,393 3,933,393
Summer Food Service Program........... 519,461 519,461
Special Milk Program.................. 8,777 8,777
State Administrative Expenses......... 302,906 302,906
Commodity Procurement................. 1,473,874 1,473,874
Team Nutrition/HUSSC/CMS.............. 15,475 17,004
Food Safety Education................. 2,929 2,929
Coordinated Review.................... 10,000 10,000
Computer Support...................... 12,124 12,124
Training and Technical Assistance..... 13,935 13,935
CNP Studies and Evaluation............ 21,639 21,639
Farm to School Team................... 3,497 3,997
Payment Accuracy...................... 11,203 11,203
School Meal Equipment Grants.......... ............... 30,000
Summer EBT Demonstration.............. 22,957 28,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee expects FNS to utilize the National Food
Service Management Institute to carry out the food safety
education program.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN
[WIC]
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $6,175,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 5,750,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,150,000,000
The special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants, and children [WIC] is authorized by section 17 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Its purpose is to safeguard the
health of pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women and
infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk
because of inadequate nutrition and inadequate income.
The WIC program food packages are designed to provide foods
which studies have demonstrated are lacking in the diets of the
WIC program target population. The authorized supplemental
foods are iron-fortified breakfast cereal, fruit or vegetable
juice which contains vitamin C, dry beans, peas, and peanut
butter.
There are three general types of delivery systems for WIC
foods: (1) retail purchase in which participants obtain
supplemental foods through retail stores; (2) home delivery
systems in which food is delivered to the participant's home;
and (3) direct distribution systems in which participants pick
up food from a distribution outlet. The food is free of charge
to all participants.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,150,000,000
for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants,
and Children [WIC].
The Committee recommendation fully funds estimated WIC
participation in fiscal year 2019. The Committee recommendation
includes $60,000,000 for breastfeeding support initiatives and
$19,000,000 for infrastructure. The Committee recognizes new
technologies, including telemedicine, that support
breastfeeding mothers through access to professional
breastfeeding and nutrition consultants. The Committee provides
$5,000,000 for competitive grants to allow breastfeeding
mothers the ability to interact with International Board
Certified Lactation Consultants and all participants access to
Registered Dietitians or WIC nutritionists, consistent with the
goal of WIC to promote breastfeeding and nutritional health.
WIC Food Package.--The Committee appreciates the work of
the National Academies of Science to review and make
recommendations for updating the WIC food packages to reflect
current science and cultural factors. The Committee notes,
however, that while all revised packages now allow some fish,
the amounts remain low compared to the recommendations of
authoritative agencies such as the World Health Organization
and in some cases, sporadic. The Committee strongly encourages
the Department to prioritize the health and cultural benefits
of fish consumption as regulations are revised to implement the
NAS recommendations and to increase the amount of healthful
fish above the amounts recommended by the NAS. The Committee
also strongly encourages the Department to allow States to
prioritize fish over legumes and peanut butter to respond to
the cultural preferences of WIC participants in States like
Alaska.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $74,013,499,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 73,218,276,000
Committee recommendation................................ 73,219,274,000
The Food Stamp Program was reauthorized through fiscal year
2012 and renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
[SNAP] in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program attempts to alleviate
hunger and malnutrition among low-income persons by increasing
their food purchasing power. Eligible households receive SNAP
benefits with which they can purchase food through regular
retail stores.
Other programs funded through SNAP include Nutrition
Assistance to Puerto Rico and American Samoa, the Food
Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Emergency Food
Assistance Program, and the Community Food Projects program.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is currently
in operation in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the
Virgin Islands, and Guam. Participating households receive food
benefits, the value of which is determined by household size
and income. The cost of the benefits is paid by the Federal
Government. As required by law, the Food and Nutrition Service
annually revises household benefit allotments to reflect
changes in the cost of the thrifty food plan.
Administrative Costs.--All direct and indirect
administrative costs incurred for certification of households,
issuance of benefits, quality control, outreach, and fair
hearing efforts are shared by the Federal Government and the
States on a 50-50 basis.
State Antifraud Activities.--Under the provisions of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, States are eligible to be
reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs of their fraud
investigations and prosecutions.
States are required to implement an employment and training
program for the purpose of assisting members of households
participating in SNAP in gaining skills, training, or
experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular
employment. The Department of Agriculture has implemented a
grant program to States to assist them in providing employment
and training services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $73,219,274,000 for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Of the amount
recommended, $3,000,000,000 is made available as a contingency
reserve.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations [FDPIR]
Food Package.--The Committee commends the Department for
convening the FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group, which
includes tribal representatives and staff from FNS, to increase
the amount and variety of traditional foods included in FDPIR
food packages and to increase the amount of foods purchased
from American Indian and Alaska Native producers and
businesses. The Committee directs the Department to provide a
report detailing its plans to include a greater variety of
traditional foods as regular components of FDPIR food baskets;
its plans to identify additional Native American and Alaska
Native producers of traditional foods, including wild salmon,
caribou, reindeer, elk, and other foods; and its plans to
purchase additional traditional foods from a greater number of
indigenous producers and businesses.
SNAP Farmers Markets.--The Committee is concerned that
there are unnecessary barriers and added costs for
organizations that manage farmers markets in multiple
locations. The Secretary shall permit such organizations to
become a SNAP-authorized retailer at the level of the
organization, provided that the organization notifies FNS of
all market locations at which it will accept SNAP benefits. The
SNAP-authorized organization will continue to bear legal
responsibility for SNAP compliance at all locations it
oversees, including exercising proper oversight of SNAP
implementation at each participating market location.
SNAP Fraud.--A January 2017 OIG report entitled ``Detecting
Potential SNAP Trafficking Using Data Analysis'' found that FNS
lacked methods to reconcile data discrepancies across their
administration systems, and that retailers were providing
benefits to individuals using fraudulent credentials. The
Committee directs FNS to provide an update on the
implementation of controls to address these problems, as well
as data demonstrating whether the controls have reduced error
rates.
State SNAP Implementation.--The Committee is concerned
about implementation of the SNAP program in certain states
where states are failing to meet the required deadlines for
processing applications. USDA is encouraged to work closely
with States to remedy program deficiency and be aggressive in
combating any falsification of SNAP implementation data.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $322,139,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 55,471,000
Committee recommendation................................ 322,139,000
The Commodity Assistance Program includes funding for the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and funding to pay expenses
associated with the storage and distribution of commodities
through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP].--Authorized
by section 4(a) of the Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act
of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note), as amended in 1981 by Public Law
97-98 and in 2014 by Public Law 113-79, this program provides
supplemental food to low-income senior citizens and in some
cases low-income infants and children up to age six, low-income
pregnant and postpartum women. The Agricultural Act of 2014
discontinued the admission of new pregnant and postpartum women
and children into the program. Those already in the program can
continue to receive assistance until they are no longer
eligible.
The foods for CSFP are provided by the Department of
Agriculture for distribution through State agencies. The
authorized commodities include: iron-fortified infant formula,
rice cereal, cheese, canned juice, evaporated milk and/or
nonfat dry milk, canned vegetables or fruits, canned meat or
poultry, egg mix, dehydrated potatoes, farina, and peanut
butter and dry beans. Elderly participants may receive all
commodities except iron-fortified infant formula and rice
cereal.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP].--Authorized
by the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et
seq.), as amended, the program provides nutrition assistance to
low-income people through prepared meals served on site and
through the distribution of commodities to low-income
households for home consumption. The commodities are provided
by USDA to State agencies for distribution through State-
established networks. State agencies make the commodities
available to local organizations, such as soup kitchens, food
pantries, food banks, and community action agencies, for their
use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need.
Funds are administered by FNS through grants to State
agencies which operate commodity distribution programs.
Allocation of the funds to States is based on a formula which
considers the States' unemployment rate and the number of
persons with income below the poverty level.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program [FMNP] provides WIC or WIC-eligible
participants with coupons to purchase fresh, nutritious,
unprepared foods, such as fruits and vegetables, from farmers'
markets. This benefits both participants and local farmers by
increasing the awareness and use of farmers' markets by low-
income households.
Pacific Island and Disaster Assistance.--This program
provides funding for assistance to the nuclear-affected islands
in the form of commodities and administrative funds. It also
provides funding for use in non-presidentially declared
disasters and for FNS' administrative costs in connection with
relief for all disasters.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $322,139,000
for the Commodity Assistance Program. The Committee continues
to encourage the Department to distribute Commodity Assistance
Program funds equitably among the States, based on an
assessment of the needs and priorities of each State and the
State's preference to receive commodity allocations through
each of the programs funded under this account.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program.--The Committee
recommends $238,120,000 for the Commodity Supplemental Food
Program. This amount fully funds participation in fiscal year
2019.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Committee is aware
that the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides fresh
fruits and vegetables to low-income mothers and children,
benefiting not only WIC participants, but local farmers as
well. Therefore, the Committee recommends $18,548,000 for the
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and directs the Secretary to
obligate these funds within 45 days.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--The Agricultural
Act of 2014 provides $294,000,000 for TEFAP commodities to be
purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds.
The Committee recommendation includes $64,401,000 for TEFAP
transportation, storage, and program integrity. In addition,
the Committee recommendation grants the Secretary authority to
transfer up to an additional 10 percent from TEFAP commodities
for this purpose and urges the Secretary to use this authority.
The Committee encourages the Secretary to identify
opportunities for increasing the supply of TEFAP commodities in
the coming fiscal year through bonus and specialty crop
purchases. The Department shall make available to the States
domestically produced catfish fillets for distribution to local
agencies.
NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $153,841,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 160,838,000
Committee recommendation................................ 164,688,000
The Nutrition Programs Administration appropriation
provides for most of the Federal operating expenses of the Food
and Nutrition Service, which includes the Child Nutrition
Programs; Special Milk Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC]; Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program; Nutrition Assistance for Puerto
Rico; the Commodity Assistance Program, including the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance
Program; and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Pacific
Island and Disaster Assistance.
The major objective of Nutrition Programs Administration is
to efficiently and effectively carry out the nutrition
assistance programs mandated by law. This is to be accomplished
by the following: (1) giving clear and consistent guidance and
supervision to State agencies and other cooperators; (2)
assisting the States and other cooperators by providing
program, managerial, financial, and other advice and expertise;
(3) measuring, reviewing, and analyzing the progress being made
toward achieving program objectives; and (4) carrying out
regular staff support functions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $164,688,000
for Nutrition Programs Administration. The Committee
recommendation includes $12,297,000 for the development and
dissemination of the 2020 version of the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural
Affairs
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $875,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 875,000
Committee recommendation................................ 875,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's international affairs (except for foreign
economic development). The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Foreign Agricultural Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriations of $875,000 for
the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs.
Food Chain Systems.--The Committee is aware that the lack
of comprehensive cold food chain systems is one of the main
causes of food loss and results in a significant percentage of
food spoilage from farm-to-market. Preventing food loss and
implementing a robust cold food chain results in substantial
benefits such as increased nutrition, a safer food supply,
greater economic opportunity, and increased resilience. In
order to maximize the benefit investment in the agricultural
productivity of the developing world, the Committee encourages
the Department to give strong consideration to the use of cold
chain technologies and include the development of appropriate
cooling technologies in programs, policies, and strategic plans
aimed at hunger prevention and food security in developing
agricultural markets.
OFFICE OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $3,796,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 3,796,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,976,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,976,000 for
the Office of Codex Alimentarius. Funding was previously
provided through the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Foreign Agricultural Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers from
Appropriations loan accounts Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2018......................................... 199,666 6,382 206,048
Budget estimate, 2019........................................ 193,085 6,382 199,467
Committee recommendation..................................... 212,230 6,382 218,612
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foreign Agricultural Service [FAS] was established
March 10, 1953, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1320, supplement
1. Public Law 83-690, approved August 28, 1954, transferred the
agricultural attaches from the Department of State to the
Foreign Agricultural Service.
The mission of FAS overseas is to represent U.S.
agricultural interests, to promote export of domestic farm
products, improve world trade conditions, and report on
agricultural production and trade in foreign countries. FAS
staff are stationed at 98 offices around the world where they
provide expertise in agricultural economics and marketing, as
well as provide attache services.
FAS carries out several export assistance programs to
counter the adverse effects of unfair trade practices by
competitors on U.S. agricultural trade. The Market Access
Program [MAP] conducts both generic and brand-identified
promotional programs in conjunction with nonprofit agricultural
associations and private firms financed through reimbursable
CCC payments.
The General Sales Manager was established pursuant to
section 5(f) of the charter of the Commodity Credit Corporation
and 15 U.S.C. 714-714p. The funds allocated to the General
Sales Manager are used for conducting the following programs:
(1) CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), including
facilities financing guarantees; (2) Food for Peace; (3)
section 416b Overseas Donations Program; (4) Market Access
Program; and (5) programs authorized by the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act including barter, export sales of most
CCC-owned commodities, export payments, and other programs as
assigned to encourage and enhance the export of U.S.
agricultural commodities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $218,612,000 for the Foreign
Agricultural Service, including a direct appropriation of
$212,230,000.
The Committee recommendation includes $3,187,000 for
Capital Security Cost Sharing; $1,537,000 for International
Cooperative Administrative Support Services; and $10,000,000
for trade activities.
Borlaug Fellows Program.--The Committee recommendation
includes $3,500,000 for the Borlaug International Agricultural
Science and Technology Fellows Program. This program provides
training for international scientists and policymakers from
selected developing countries. The fellows work closely with
U.S. specialists in their fields of expertise and apply that
knowledge in their home countries. The Committee recognizes the
importance of this program in helping developing countries
strengthen their agricultural practices and food security.
Cochran Fellowship Program.--The Committee recommendation
includes $6,500,000 for the Cochran Fellowship Program. The
Committee encourages the Secretary to continue to provide
additional support for the program through the Commodity Credit
Corporation Emerging Markets Program.
Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.--The
Committee expects the FAS to fund the Foreign Market
Development Cooperator Program.
Market Access Program.--The Committee continues the full
mandatory funding for the Market Access Program and expects the
Department to administer the program as authorized in 7 U.S.C.
5623, without changing the eligibility requirements for
participation of cooperative organizations, small businesses,
trade associations, and other entities.
FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE I DIRECT CREDIT AND FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $149,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 142,000
Committee recommendation................................ 142,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $142,000 for
administrative expenses to continue servicing existing Food for
Peace title I agreements.
FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $1,600,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 1,716,000,000
Commodities Supplied in Connection With Dispositions Abroad
(Title II) (7 U.S.C. 1721-1726).--Commodities are supplied
without cost through foreign governments to combat malnutrition
and to meet famine and other emergency requirements.
Commodities are also supplied for nonemergencies through public
and private agencies, including intergovernmental
organizations. The Commodity Credit Corporation pays ocean
freight on shipments under this title, and may also pay
overland transportation costs to a landlocked country, as well
as internal distribution costs in emergency situations. The
funds appropriated for title II are made available to private
voluntary organizations and cooperatives to assist these
organizations in meeting administrative and related costs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,716,000,000
for Food for Peace title II grants.
MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION
PROGRAM GRANTS
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $207,626,000
Budget estimate, 2019...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 210,255,000
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child
development, and food security for some of the world's poorest
children. The program provides for donations of U.S.
agricultural products, as well as financial and technical
assistance, for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition
projects in low-income, food-deficit countries that are
committed to universal education. Commodities made available
for donation through agreements with private voluntary
organizations, cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations,
and foreign governments may be donated for direct feeding or
for local sale to generate proceeds to support school feeding
and nutrition projects.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $210,255,000
for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program.
Local and Regional Procurement.--The Committee provides an
appropriation of $15,000,000 for efforts to build long-term
agriculture sustainability and establish a local investment in
school feeding programs. With direct U.S. commodity
contributions, projects supported by the McGovern-Dole Food for
Education Program have significantly improved the attendance,
nourishment, and learning capacity of school-aged children in
low-income countries throughout the impoverished world. New
funding authorities would enable school feeding programs to
proactively transition from direct commodity assistance to
locally sourced agriculture products. The Committee directs the
Secretary to conduct the Local and Regional Food Aid
Procurement Project Program in accordance with the priorities
of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child
Nutrition Program.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT (LOANS)
CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed loan Administrative
levels expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2018.................. 5,500,000 8,845
Budget estimate, 2019................. 5,500,000 6,717
Committee recommendation.............. 5,500,000 8,845
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1980, the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] instituted
the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) under its charter
authority. With this program, CCC guarantees, for a fee,
payments due U.S. exporters under deferred payment sales
contracts (up to 36 months) for defaults due to commercial as
well as noncommercial risks. The risk to CCC extends from the
date of export to the end of the deferred payment period
covered in the export sales contract and covers only that
portion of the payments agreed to in the assurance agreement.
Operation of this program is based on criteria which will
assure that it is used only where it is determined that it will
develop new market opportunities and maintain and expand
existing world markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The
program encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide
financing to those areas where the institutions would be
unwilling to provide financing in the absence of the CCC
guarantees. CCC also provides facilities financing guarantees.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 establishes the
program account. The subsidy costs of the CCC export guarantee
programs are exempt from the requirement of advance
appropriations of budget authority according to section
504(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, Public Law
101-508. Appropriations to this account will be used for
administrative expenses.
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Department of Health and Human Services
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] is a scientific
regulatory agency whose mission is to promote and protect the
public health and safety of Americans. FDA's work is a blend of
science and law. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments
Act of 2007 [FDAAA] (Public Law 110-85) reaffirmed the
responsibilities of the FDA: to ensure safe and effective
products reach the market in a timely way, and to monitor
products for continued safety while they are in use. In
addition, FDA is entrusted with two critical functions in the
Nation's war on terrorism: preventing willful contamination of
all regulated products, including food, and improving the
availability of medications to prevent or treat injuries caused
by biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents.
The FDA Foods program has the primary responsibility for
assuring that the food supply, quality of foods, food
ingredients and dietary supplements are safe, sanitary,
nutritious, wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic
products are safe and properly labeled. The variety and
complexity of the food supply has grown dramatically while new
and more complex safety issues, such as emerging microbial
pathogens, natural toxins, and technological innovations in
production and processing, have developed. This program plays a
major role in keeping the United States food supply among the
safest in the world.
In January 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act was
signed into law. This law enables FDA to better protect public
health by strengthening the food safety system. It enables FDA
to focus more on preventing food safety and feed problems
rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after
they occur. The law also provides FDA with new enforcement
authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with
prevention- and risk-based food and feed safety standards and
to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur.
The law also gives FDA important new tools to hold imported
food and feed to the same standards as domestic food and feed
and directs FDA to build an integrated national food safety
system in partnership with State and local authorities.
The FDA Drugs programs are comprised of four separate
areas, Human Drugs, Animal Drugs, Medical Devices and
Biologics. FDA is responsible for the lifecycle of products,
including premarket review and postmarket surveillance of human
and animal drugs, medical devices and biological products to
ensure their safety and effectiveness. For Human Drugs this
includes assuring that all drug products used for the
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease are safe and
effective. Additional procedures include the review of
investigational new drug applications; evaluation of market
applications for new and generic drugs, labeling and
composition of prescription and over-the-counter drugs;
monitoring the quality and safety of products manufactured in,
or imported into, the United States; and, regulating the
advertising and promotion of prescription drugs. The Animal
Drugs and Feeds Program ensures only safe and effective
veterinary drugs, intended for the treatment and/or prevention
of diseases in animals and the improved production of food-
producing animals, are approved for marketing.
The FDA Biologics program assures that blood and blood
products, blood test kits, vaccines, and therapeutics are pure,
potent, safe, effective, and properly labeled. The program
inspects blood banks and blood processors, licenses and
inspects firms collecting human source plasma, evaluates and
licenses biologics manufacturing firms and products; lot
releases licensed products; and monitors adverse events
associated with vaccine immunization, blood products, and other
biologics.
The FDA Devices and Radiological program ensures the safety
and effectiveness of medical devices and eliminates unnecessary
human exposure to manmade radiation from medical, occupational,
and consumer products. In addition, the program enforces
quality standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act
(Public Law 108-365). Medical devices include thousands of
products from thermometers and contact lenses to heart
pacemakers, hearing aids, and MRIs. Radiological products
include items such as microwave ovens and video display
terminals.
FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research in
Jefferson, Arkansas, serves as a specialized resource,
conducting peer-review scientific research that provides the
basis for FDA to make sound science-based regulatory decisions
through its premarket review and postmarket surveillance. The
research is designed to define and understand the biological
mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products and
lead to developing methods to improve assessment of human
exposure, susceptibility and risk of those products regulated
by FDA.
In 2009, Congress granted FDA new authority to regulate the
manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products.
FDA exercises this responsibility by protecting the public
health from the health effects of tobacco, setting scientific
standards and standards for tobacco product review, conducting
compliance activities to enforce its authority over tobacco,
and conducting public education and outreach about the health
effects of tobacco products.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation User fees Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2018......... 2,800,078 2,337,963 5,138,041
Budget estimate, 2019........ 3,171,920 2,460,221 5,632,141
Committee recommendation..... 2,959,078 2,460,221 5,419,299
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,959,078,000
for FDA salaries and expenses. The Committee also recommends
$2,460,221,000 in definite user fees, including: $960,568,000
in Prescription Drug User Fee Act user fee collections;
$196,668,000 in Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act
user fee collections; and $30,331,000 in Animal Drug User Fee
Act user fee collections; $18,336,000 in Animal Generic Drug
User Fee Act user fee collections; $712,000,000 in Tobacco
Product user fee collections; $501,396,000 in Generic Drug User
Fee Act user fee collections; and $40,922,000 in Biosimilar
User Fee Act user fee collections. The Committee also
recommends $58,346,000 in permanent, indefinite user fees,
including: $5,300,000 in Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
collections; $1,434,000 in food and feed recall collections;
$6,414,000 in food reinspection collections; $20,522,000 in
Mammography Quality Standards Act fee collections; $10,062,000
in color certification collections; $7,686,000 in Pediatric
Disease Priority Review Voucher collections; $712,000 in third-
party auditor collections; $1,520,000 in outsourcing facility
collections; and $4,696,000 in export and certification fees,
as assumed in the President's budget. The Committee
recommendation includes bill language which prohibits FDA from
developing, establishing, or operating any program of user fees
authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
The Committee recommendation does not include proposed user
fees for food facility registration and inspection, food
import, food contact substance notification, cosmetics, and
international courier imports. None of these user fee proposals
have been authorized by Congress. The Committee will continue
to monitor any action by the appropriate authorizing Committees
regarding these proposed user fees.
The Committee expects FDA to continue all projects,
activities, laboratories, and programs as included in fiscal
year 2018 unless otherwise specified. The Committee does not
support $29,400,000 of the proposed reductions; however it does
accept the $2,500,000 reduction for compounding (which was
intended for one-time use) and the $1,500,000 reduction for
consumer education and outreach regarding agricultural
biotechnology.
The Committee recommendation includes an increase of
$163,000,000 for medical product and food safety activities
requested in the budget. Included in this funding is $5,000,000
to fully fund the Oncology Center of Excellence; $37,600,000 to
modernize the generic drug review process; $20,000,000 for
investment and innovation for rare diseases; $11,700,000 to
promote domestic manufacturing; $8,200,000 for a new platform
for drug development; $6,000,000 for MedTech manufacturing,
$7,200,000 for FSMA cooperative agreements; $2,800,000 for food
import safety; $5,000,000 to address food safety outbreaks;
$500,000 to test antibiotic resistance in imported seafood; and
$59,000,000 for opioid prevention activities.
The following table reflects the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2018 and budget
request levels:
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2019 budget Committee
2018 enacted request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field activities:
Foods.................................................... 1,041,615 1,029,863 1,052,315
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN]. 316,606 315,494 320,106
Field Activities..................................... 725,009 714,369 732,209
Human Drugs.............................................. 495,603 686,364 555,403
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER]....... 359,396 548,388 419,196
Field Activities..................................... 136,207 137,976 136,207
Biologics................................................ 215,443 251,854 218,443
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER].. 174,052 210,755 177,052
Field Activities..................................... 41,391 41,099 41,391
Animal Drugs............................................. 172,552 180,284 173,052
Center for Veterinary Medicine [CVM]................. 107,905 115,673 108,405
Field Activities..................................... 64,647 64,611 64,647
Medical and radiological devices......................... 330,064 455,442 336,064
Center for Devices and Radiological Health........... 246,319 372,588 252,319
Field Activities..................................... 83,745 82,854 83,745
National Center for Toxicological Research............... 63,331 65,200 65,531
Other Activities............................................. 196,275 198,565 273,075
Rent and related activities.................................. 114,987 135,927 114,987
Rental Payments to GSA....................................... 170,208 168,421 170,208
--------------------------------------------------
Total, FDA salaries and expenses, new budget authority. 2,800,078 3,171,920 2,959,078
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added Sugar Labeling.--The Committee remains concerned
about potential consumer confusion over the new FDA nutritional
labeling requirements for added sugar for single ingredient
products like maple syrup and honey, where sugar is naturally
occurring in the product rather than added to the product. The
Committee is aware that the FDA has had discussions with maple
and honey producers regarding their concerns that the labeling
requirement as currently drafted could mislead consumers to
think that sugar has been added to a pure single-ingredient
maple or honey product. The Committee directs the FDA to
continue working with the pure maple syrup and honey industries
to ensure appropriate labeling for those single-ingredient
products where sugar is naturally occurring in the product
rather than added to the product. The Committee is aware of a
proposed alternative Nutrition Facts labeling approach that
would clearly delineate between ``Added Sugars'' and
``Naturally Occurring Sugars'' in a product, as well as another
proposed alternative that would permit labeling denoting ``No
Added Sugars'' on applicable products, and directs the FDA to
evaluate such proposals. The Committee further directs the FDA
to submit a report within 60 days of enactment of this Act
describing the research that was conducted prior to issuance of
a final rule updating the Nutrition Facts label for packaged
foods on May 27, 2016, to determine consumer perception
regarding mandatory ``added sugar'' labeling on single
ingredient products in which no sugar is added during
processing, including pure maple syrup and honey.
ADUFA Reporting.--The Committee supports the collection and
reporting of accurate and validated data of antimicrobial drug
use for food-producing animals, but is concerned that
antimicrobial sales and distribution data currently reported
under ADUFA 105 have been equated with actual antimicrobial use
data. In order for ADUFA reporting to promote public
understanding in a meaningful and accurate way, FDA should
ensure that such reporting clearly describe the limitations of
sales data, including that they do not represent actual use.
Therefore, the Committee encourages the Agency to seek
alternative methods to better identify and reduce inappropriate
antimicrobial drug uses.
Alzheimer's Drug Development.--The Committee applauds FDA
for revising guidance on Alzheimer's drug development that
supports the use of an endpoint on cognition as a biomarker for
Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. We are optimistic that
this approach will help advance Alzheimer's drug development,
particularly evaluation of candidate therapies in patients who
are asymptomatic. The Committee encourages FDA to continue
supporting innovative approaches to Alzheimer's drug
development, including biomarkers development platforms
involving industry, academic researchers and patient preference
tools.
Animal Feed Ingredients.--The Committee is concerned with
the slow pace of review and approval of ingredients for feed
for animals. The Committee urges FDA to dedicate additional
personnel to speed the review and approval process.
Anti-counterfeiting Techniques.--The Committee directs the
FDA to report back on the benefits and costs of incorporating
multi-layering and covert technologies with barcoding
technology in meeting the provisions of the DQSA for
pharmaceutical products within 90 days of the enactment of this
Act.
Autoantibody Qualification.--The appearance of certain
islet autoantibodies in the serum of individuals increases the
chance of developing type 1 diabetes at some point in the
future. Therefore the Committee encourages the FDA to work with
the Type 1 diabetes community on the assessment of potential
diabetes biomarkers related to islet autoimmunity, which might
help inform the design of clinical studies.
Biomanufacturing Innovation.--The Committee supports FDA
participation in public-private partnerships to accelerate
biomanufacturing innovation and encourages FDA to provide
funding for this purpose from within available resources.
Breast Density.--The Committee recognizes the importance of
patients receiving their own personal medical information and
directs the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that
mammography reports and summaries received by patients and
their providers include appropriate information about breast
density specified by the Secretary, including, at a minimum,
the effect of breast density in masking the presence of breast
cancer on a mammogram, the qualitative assessment of the
provider who interpreted the mammogram, and a reminder to
patients that individuals with dense breast tissue should talk
with their providers if they have any questions or concerns
about their summary.
Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trials.--The Committee is
aware of the remarkable promise of cancer immunotherapy and
encouraged by the FDA's recent approval of new treatments that
harness this approach to fighting cancer. More than 1,500
immuno-oncology clinical trials are in some stage of
development. As more patients turn to immune-based treatments,
and more clinical trials are conducted to evaluate them,
understanding how to recognize and manage the side effects of
cancer immunotherapies will become increasingly important.
Currently, however, standard parameters for reporting cancer
immunotherapy-related adverse events in clinical trials are
lacking, and this makes comparisons and management across
studies challenging. The Committee, therefore, urges the FDA to
work with the research community and the pharmaceutical
industry to develop standardized templates for reporting
toxicities in cancer immunotherapy clinical trials.
Center for Safety and Nutrition Centers of Excellence.--The
Committee is aware of the important contribution of the FDA
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's Centers of
Excellence [COEs] program in supporting critical basic research
as well as facilitating the implementation of the FDA Food
Safety Modernization Act. The Committee encourages the Agency
to continue to fully utilize the COEs to accomplish these
goals, and instructs that it enhance its level of support for
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act activities.
Clinical Trials.--The Committee acknowledges the
responsibilities of FDA to protect public health and advance
medical innovation and encourages FDA to continue its efforts
to improve the effectiveness of the clinical trial process.
The Committee is encouraged by the development of novel
digital technologies to facilitate the use of virtual clinical
trials that would make it easier for patients to participate in
trials regardless of where they live. Through telemedicine,
connected sensors, patient engagement applications, and direct
data capture tools, virtual trials are conducted geographically
near the patient. Direct contact with the patient is still
maintained remotely, but reducing or eliminating on-site visits
has the potential to increase patient convenience and lower
study costs. The Committee recommends that the FDA develop the
necessary framework to advance the use of virtual trials while
still maintaining quality data necessary for FDA approval. The
FDA shall report to the Committee on their activities to
advance digital technologies and the impact on patient access
to clinical trials.
Computational Medicine.--The Committee appreciates FDA's
continued support for and use of modeling and simulation in
clinical trials, as well as its work toward the establishment
of an affiliation agreement with an academic institution with
expertise in this field. This partnership will allow for the
development of personalized medical interventions, optimizes
the regulatory process with in silico clinical trials and
bridges gaps in the current regulatory infrastructure. The
Committee directs FDA to formalize this important function in
improving outcomes and reducing costs inherent to drug and
device discovery.
Contact Lens Safety.--The Committee is aware that
counterfeit versions of FDA-regulated medical devices exist and
is concerned that certain foreign manufactured entrants in the
marketplace are providing patients with mishandled or
mislabeled versions of FDA-approved contact lenses. The
Committee is also concerned about reports of online sales of
counterfeit contact lenses. Therefore, the Committee directs
the FDA to provide a report that includes a summary of foreign
contact lens manufacturing facilities findings, domestic
counterfeit contact lens retailer investigations, inspection
activities, and any agency oversight and enforcement activities
related to imported or re-imported counterfeit contact lens
meant for domestic sales.
Cotton Ginning.--The Committee is concerned about the
impact of the ``Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard
Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for
Animals'' final rule (80 FR 56170; September 17, 2015) on the
cotton industry. The Committee notes post-harvest activity of
ginning cotton does not transform the resulting cottonseed into
a ``processed food,'' and thus, cottonseed should fall within
the definition of a ``raw agricultural commodity'' for purposes
of rules promulgated pursuant to the FSMA. In addition, the
Committee is concerned about the rationale for the definitions
of ``primary production farm'' and ``secondary activities
farm'' and how these definitions factor into the determination
of operations either being exempt from or covered by certain
requirements of the final rule. Therefore, the Committee
directs the FDA to provide outreach and technical assistance to
cotton ginning operations to assist them in complying with the
final rule or subsequent guidance documents.
Dietary Fiber.--The Committee is concerned that the FDA has
not issued final guidance regarding the definition of dietary
fiber, and encourages the FDA to issue these final guidance
documents and provide sufficient time for food manufacturers to
comply.
Dietary Supplements.--More than half of Americans take at
least one dietary supplement each day, with use particularly
prevalent among older persons and in children. While dietary
supplements enter the market under the assumption that they are
safe, the FDA has documented that some products are
contaminated, either intentionally or unintentionally, with
inherently unsafe ingredients, including active pharmaceutical
ingredients. These products violate the Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act [DSHEA] and pose potential risks to
consumers. The Committee applauds FDA's inspection of and
enforcement actions against manufacturers with dietary
supplement products that contain ingredients that are
potentially harmful or otherwise noncompliant with the law. FDA
has indicated it conducts roughly 500 inspections a year and
issues approximately 70-80 warning letters on Current Good
Manufacturing Practice [CGMP] violations. In order to better
detect dangerous products in the market, FDA is encouraged to
continue to invest resources into oversight and inspection of
manufacturing plants that produce dietary supplements. The
Committee has been pleased with the interagency collaboration
and urges FDA to continue working with the Department of
Justice to remove illegal dietary supplements from the market
and directs increased resources toward enforcement of DSHEA,
including inspection and enforcement activities. The Committee
urges the FDA to issue guidance on new dietary ingredients
[NDIs) for dietary supplements that is consistent with the
DSHEA while continuing to use current statutory authorities to
remove unsafe ingredients and products. The Committee further
encourages the FDA to take industry standards and marketplace
disruption into consideration when issuing any guidance on
NDIs. In addition, the Committee directs FDA to submit, not
later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, a report that
includes the number of enforcement actions FDA brought against
dietary supplement manufacturers and marketers; the
manufacturers and marketers of products claiming to be dietary
supplements; the number of dietary supplement good
manufacturing practice inspections FDA conducted in 2017; the
number of FTEs dedicated to dietary supplement inspections; and
the number of serious adverse events that were reported to FDA
from 2016 to 2017.
Digital Health Products.--The Committee is encouraged by
the FDA's efforts to implement section 3030 of the 21st Century
Cures Act regarding low-risk medical software and launch of the
Digital Health Software Precertification [Pre-Cert] Program to
learn from software developers about their products and quality
processes. The Committee believes that digital health
technologies are extremely promising and that consumers should
have assurances that the products work as claimed. The
Committee is supportive of FDA efforts to increase oversight
and enforcement over digital health products to assure that
they are compliant with the appropriate regulatory frameworks.
Drug Shortages.--The Committee acknowledges the strides
that the FDA has made in reducing the amount of time for review
of Generic Drug [ANDAs] applications, but remains concerned
about the number of drugs in shortage that providers and
patients rely on for care. The Committee encourages FDA to
expand upon its current work to offer priority review to ANDAs
to reduce the number and severity of drug shortages. The
Committee directs the FDA to report to the Committee on how the
agency is prioritizing ANDAs in order to mitigate the recent
drug shortages, as well as what additional authorities the
agency may need to alleviate drug shortages in the future.
Food Contact Notification User Fees.--The Committee
recommendation does not include proposed user fees.
Food Safety Mission.--The Committee directs the FDA Foods
Program to report to the Committee all activities and resources
spent on nutrition-related activities for the Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN], associated field offices
[ORA], and support components.
Foreign High Risk Inspections.--The Committee has provided
robust funding for this initiative over the last several years
and directs the FDA to provide an update on these efforts,
including estimated efficiencies and concerns, and plans to
continue or expand this effort in the future.
FSMA Clarification for Small Farms.--The Committee directs
the FDA to provide further clarification to small farms on the
requirements for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization
Act, including information on the qualified exemptions
available to small and very small farms and the actions
required to achieve compliance under these exemptions. The
Committee also urges the Food and Drug Administration to
communicate with (including through appropriate guidance) and
offer technical assistance to assist small farms with
compliance.
FSMA Cooperative Agreements.--The Committee is aware that
some states that have entered into cooperative agreements under
the State Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement Program
to provide education, outreach, and technical assistance have
or are considering changing the state agency responsible for
implementing these agreements. The Food and Drug Administration
is directed to work with any state that designates a new
implementing agency to ensure it can continue to receive
funding under existing cooperative agreements without delay or
loss of funding.
Glass Packaging Technologies.--The Committee encourages the
FDA to develop and issue draft guidance to industry to
streamline chemistry, manufacturing, and control reporting
requirements in order to expedite adoption and remove barriers
for the use of innovative glass packaging technologies or
processes with the capacity to improve product quality, reduce
product recalls, reduce drug shortages, and improve public
health.
Guidance for Stakeholder Input.--The FDA Center for
Veterinary Medicine [CVM] recently updated its list of guidance
topics to include possible new topics for consideration as well
as revisions to existing FDA CVM guidance documents. In
addition to providing the traditional opportunities for public
review and comment, the Committee encourages FDA to seek input
from relevant industry stakeholders and appropriate scientific
experts who can assist FDA in the development of and any
revisions to guidance documents prior to a public comment
period.
Human Drug Review Committee.--The Committee strongly
encourages the FDA to fully utilize its authorities under 18
U.S.C. 208(b)(3) to include no less than two members with an
expertise in the indication for which the drug is meant to
treat on each Advisory Committee when that Committee is
reviewing a drug that has been designated as an Orphan Drug.
Improving Import Review.--FDA shall report to the Committee
how FDA is monitoring the impact of the reorganization under
Program Alignment Group, and if such reorganization has
improved the consistency of facility inspections and timeliness
reviewing imports.
Intentional Adulteration.--The Committee supports the
important role of food defense plans to protect the food supply
from acts intended to cause wide-scale harm to public health.
The Committee encourages the FDA to work with businesses to
provide clarity on food defense practices that will most
effectively protect public health and to take into account
appropriate food defense practices businesses have in place,
including data supporting such practices.
Medical Gas Rulemaking.--The Committee is pleased that the
FDA has begun the process to develop separate regulations for
medical gases. However, the Committee is concerned that the FDA
has missed the statutory deadlines for rulemaking in section
1112 of Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act
[FDASIA] and section 756 of the fiscal year 2017 Consolidated
Appropriations Act. The FDA committed to complete separate
regulations for medical gases in 1978 in its final rule on
current good manufacturing practices, and the Committee
believes that now is the appropriate time to complete that
commitment for a separate section of regulations for medical
gases. Therefore, the FDA shall issue final regulations
required by the fiscal year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations
Act no later than December 31, 2018.
Medically Necessary Foods.--The Committee is aware that
patients with significant medical need for physician-directed
medical foods continue to face access challenges resulting from
misperceptions on the part of some pharmacy benefit managers
and insurance providers who are classifying these products as
over-the-counter in direct contravention of established law,
FDA guidance, and FAQs. These challenges continue to underscore
the timeliness of clarifying the important pathway for review
and oversight of quality medical foods. The Committee looks
forward to working with FDA in this regard and requests
feedback on how FDA can address the current access challenges
as well as work to enhance this important category as it
becomes an increasingly essential part of the healthcare
system.
Misleading Maple Marketing.--The Committee is concerned
about the explosion of products marketed using the word maple
and related iconography, which intentionally misleads consumers
who perceive the use of the word maple and related iconography
to mean that a food product contains some measurable quantity
of maple syrup to flavor or sweeten the product, which
consumers identify as a characterizing ingredient. The
Committee directs the FDA to perform a detailed analysis of
consumer perception of foods marketed with the word maple or
related iconography.
Nanotechnology.--The Committee recognizes the increased
capabilities that FDA has developed to study environment,
health, and safety of nanomaterials within FDA's Jefferson
Laboratory Campus, including the National Center for
Toxicological Research, and its consolidated headquarters at
White Oak, Maryland. The Committee expects FDA to continue to
support collaborative research with universities and industry
on the toxicology of nanotechnology products and processes in
accordance with the National Nanotechnology Initiative
Environment, Health, and Safety Research Strategy as updated in
October 2011.
National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.--The
Committee recommendation includes $11,300,000 for the National
Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. The Committee
directs that no less than $500,000 shall be used to conduct one
or more pilot studies to assess types and levels of antibiotic
resistance in zoonotic bacteria on food products of species not
currently tested by NARMS, such as imported seafood.
New Animal Drug Process.--The Committee is concerned about
the agency's approval process for genetically engineered
animals for human consumption, particularly finfish. Thus, the
Committee directs the agency to undertake a review of the
process and report to Congress within 90 days of enactment of
this Act on how the ``New Animal Drug'' process, created to
approve drugs intended for use in animals, can be used as the
approval process for genetically engineered animals for human
consumption.
Olive Oil.--Because of the substantial interest in and
consumption of olive oil throughout the United States, driven
in part by the significant scientifically-confirmed health
benefits of these oils and the fact that the United States has
become a globally-important producer of olive oils, especially
extra virgin olive oil, the Committee directs the FDA to
establish a separate U.S. Standard of Identity for different
grades of olive oil (e.g. refined, virgin and extra virgin) and
olive-pomace oils.
The Committee is particularly concerned with the number of
different state standards for olive oils in the U.S. Because
the health benefits of olive oil vary by grade, it is important
to establish a uniform set of the standards to better inform
and protect consumers. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest
quality of olive oil and provides the greatest health benefits
for consumers. The FDA is directed to consult and meet with
domestic producers and importers of olive oil to develop a
science-based Standard of Identity for extra virgin olive oil
and olive oil best suited to ensure the integrity of these
products for U.S. consumers.
Opioids.--The Committee remains deeply concerned about the
opioid abuse epidemic that has taken the lives of more than
350,000 Americans from 1999-2016, including more than 42,000 in
2016. As such, the Committee recommendation includes
$59,000,000 for FDA to continue its increased activities
related to the crisis. This funding is for the FDA to better
identify and target firms and organizations importing illicit
drugs into the U.S.; maintain increased staffing to inspect
packages and the number of packages being inspected; maintain
enhanced criminal investigation resources; and maintain
increased staff and equipment to efficiently screen imported
products.
As the agency that oversees the approval of these drugs,
the FDA has a responsibility to consider the public health
impact of opioid misuse, abuse, diversion, and overdose death,
while considering the needs of patients with chronic conditions
who require regular use of opioid therapies to properly manage
their debilitating condition. The Committee supports FDA's
commitment to addressing this crisis through all available
authorities, and continues to encourages them to continue
implementation of the Opioid Action Plan to determine how
innovative changes in opioid packaging, distribution, and
medication disposal procedures can help mitigate the national
opioid crisis, including working to support ongoing efforts at
the state and regional level.
The Committee continues its directive for FDA to refer any
drug application for an opioid to an advisory committee for
their recommendations prior to approval, unless the FDA finds
that holding such advisory committee is not in the interest of
protecting and promoting public health.
The Committee is concerned about marketed opioid products
that pose disproportionate overdose risk due to their
formulation in which the daily recommended dosage far exceeds
the CDC's threshold for dangerous daily opioid intake. The
Committee directs the FDA to examine existing data and filings
from leading medical and health societies, and remove from the
market any ultra-high-dose opioids that the FDA finds are
unsafe and pose a public health hazard.
The Committee notes that, even with recent decreases,
opioid prescribing rates dramatically exceed current standards
for accepted and effective medical use, with nearly 14 billion
opioid doses put on the United States market each year.
Therefore, the Committee believes that it is imperative that
FDA, consistent with its own Advisory Committee
recommendations, take any and all steps necessary to require
continuing medical education, aligned with the most recent
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guidelines for
Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, for providers who write
opioid prescriptions, including through the Risk Evaluations
and Mitigation Strategy.
The Committee is aware that 80 percent of individuals with
opioid use disorder were introduced to opioids via prescription
and notes that a growing body of evidence indicates the co-
prescription of naloxone along with certain prescriptions has
the potential to reduce overdose deaths and opioid overdose
related healthcare costs. The Committee directs the
Commissioner to seek recommendations from the Drug Safety and
Risk Management Advisory Committee regarding a framework for
the inclusion of information in the labeling and/or REMS of
drugs that are opioids or used in Medically-Assisted Treatment
relating to the co-prescription of opioid overdose reversal
drugs along with opioids prescribed to patients that meet CDC
guidelines as at risk for overdose.
Oversight Activities.--The Committee recommendation
includes $1,500,000 for the HHS Office of Inspector General
specifically for oversight of FDA activities.
Patient Experience.--The Committee is aware of FDA's
implementation of policies to promote public access to
information about how patient experience information factored
into the review of approved products. The Committee supports
this step forward and encourages FDA to continue refining the
instrument and ways to improve its visibility. The Committee
also requests that FDA consider ways to include patient-
experience information in relevant labeling and accompanying
documentation to inform patient/provider decisionmaking and
payer determinations.
Patient-Focused Drug Development.--The Committee is
appreciative of the steps the FDA has taken to implement
subtitle A of title III within the 21st Century Cures Act to
better incorporate patient experience in the drug development
and approval processes and requests a status report from FDA on
implementation of these provisions including any challenges or
impediments being faced.
Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.--The Committee is
pleased that the seven FDA-funded Pediatric Device Consortia
have assisted in the development of more than 1,000 potential
pediatric medical devices since its inception in 2009, as well
as promoting job-growth in the healthcare sector, and as such,
continues to support this critical effort. The program funds
consortia to assist innovators in developing medical and
surgical devices designed for the unique needs of children that
often go unmet by devices currently available on the market.
The Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal
year 2018 funding level for Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.
Polypharmacy.--The routine usage of five or more
prescription medications within the same period is becoming
increasingly prevalent among older adults, elevating risk
factors for drug-drug interactions and adverse events. The
Committee directs the FDA to assess potential impacts of
polypharmacy, which might help inform the design of clinical
studies.
Ready To Eat Foods.--The Committee is aware that FDA is in
the process of finalizing guidance regarding Listeria
monocytogenes [Lm] in RTE foods. Reducing incidents of
listeriosis is an important health goal and the Committee
supports efforts to accomplish this objective. The Committee
urges FDA to complete a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure
any final guidance document is realistic and fully based in
science prior to making any changes to the action level of Lm
in RTE foods.
Seafood Advisory.--The Committee remains concerned that the
FDA published final seafood advice for pregnant and nursing
women on January 18, 2017, without going through the necessary
interagency review, consumer focus group testing, or the
opportunity for the public to comment on the scientific peer
review. Therefore, the Committee directs the FDA to reissue the
final ``Advice About Eating Fish'' (published in 82 Fed. Reg.
6571 (January 19, 2017)) in a manner that is consistent with
the FDA's nutrition science on the net effects of seafood
consumption.
Shellfish Safety.--The Committee urges FDA to complete the
single laboratory validation of the liquid chromatography mass
spectrometry [LC-MS]-based method for detecting brevetoxins
associated with neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in molluscan
shellfish. The Committee encourages adoption by the Interstate
Shellfish Sanitation Conference of FDA's proposal for the LC-MS
method for brevetoxin testing of shellfish as an Approved
Method under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
Sunscreen Labeling Regulations.--The Committee remains
significantly concerned that the FDA has not approved a new
over-the-counter [OTC] sunscreen ingredient since
implementation of the Sunscreen Innovation Act, which improved
the process by which the FDA reviews sunscreen ingredients and
required the FDA to finalize an effective sunscreen monograph
within 5 years. The Committee directs the FDA to meet with
sponsors regarding the development of a testing regimen for
sunscreen ingredients, consistent with current scientific
standards, that appropriately balances the benefit of
additional skin cancer prevention tools versus the risk of skin
cancer. The Committee also directs FDA to maintain funding for
agency efforts to clear this backlog of sunscreen applications.
In addition, the Committee is disappointed that FDA has not
yet finalized a rule limiting the maximum Sun Protection Factor
[SPF] to ``50'' or ``50+'' as directed by the fiscal year 2018
Consolidated Appropriations Act, and as such the Committee
directs FDA to finalize the rule immediately. The Committee is
also disappointed that FDA failed to issue a proposed rule to
establish testing and labeling standards for sunscreen sprays
and directs FDA to do so immediately.
User Fee Negotiations.--The Committee affirms the important
role of user fees to support programs across the FDA, and
supports the negotiations between the agency and regulated
industry partners to compose goals letter establishing clear
expectations for both parties regarding timelines and processes
associated with implementation of the law. Historically these
goals letters are added to the Congressional Record, unedited
by Congress, and referenced in the law authorizing the
collection of such fees. The Committee is concerned that recent
user fee negotiations between FDA and regulated industries have
resulted in goals letters submitted to Congress containing
policy changes that require statutory changes, and presume that
Congress will adopt suggested statutory changes. While the
Committee encourages the agency to continue to provide
suggested statutory changes in a timely manner to Congress that
can help the agency meet its mission, the Committee finds that
it is inappropriate for the agency and its regulated industry
partners to negotiate statutory or other legal changes as part
of user fee goals letters.
Vibrio.--The Committee is aware of the public health
challenge related to the naturally occurring bacteria called
Vibrio parahaemolyticus that can accumulate in shellfish and
believes that more scientific research is necessary to develop
proper controls that will reduce the risk to consumers and
sustain a healthy domestic shellfish industry. The Committee
encourages the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] to increase
funding for research into Vibrio illnesses associated with the
consumption of raw molluscan shellfish, improve risk assessment
models, and develop improved rapid detection methods for
virulent Vibrio strains.
White Oak Expansion.--The Committee is aware of the need
for FDA facilities to accommodate an anticipated expanded
workforce due to broader missions related to food safety and
other mandates in legislation over the last few years. In the
Committee's report for fiscal year 2016, the Committee
requested a feasibility study to update and issue a revised
Master Plan for land inside and contiguous to the White Oak
Campus in order to address its expanded workforce and the
facilities needed to accommodate them. The Committee directs
FDA to complete this study as soon as possible. Due to the
challenging fiscal environment, the Committee encourages the
FDA and GSA to consider innovative financing options and
partnership opportunities with non-federal government entities
that provide reasonable cost options contiguous to the White
Oak campus.
Youth Tobacco Use Prevention.--While FDA has recently
announced a new Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan to attempt to
curb the use of e-cigarettes among youth, the Committee is
concerned with the irresponsible marketing by some
manufacturers, as well as the role characterizing flavors play
in youth initiation of tobacco products. In March 2018, FDA
issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine
regulatory options for tobacco product flavorings. The
Committee strongly encourages the agency to complete the
regulatory process in an expeditious manner, ideally within 1
year, and in a way that supports prevention of youth tobacco
initiation. The agency is instructed to provide the Committee
with a timeframe for when the regulatory process will be
completed. Additionally, the Committee is concerned that FDA is
not fully enforcing their prohibition of new or changed e-
cigarettes and other nicotine products after August 8, 2016,
without prior FDA review and authorization. Therefore, the
Committee directs FDA to order the removal of any ``deemed
tobacco products'' introduced after the August 8, 2016 deadline
without first seeking the required FDA authorization. Finally,
the Committee is concerned about the lack of adequate age
verification rules to prevent Internet sales of e-cigarette
tobacco products to children, and directs FDA to establish
these rules within 1 year, both at the time of sale and
delivery of the product.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $11,788,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 11,788,000
Committee recommendation................................ 11,788,000
FDA maintains offices and staff in 49 States and in the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including field
laboratories and specialized facilities, as well as the
National Center for Toxicological Research complex. Repairs,
modifications, improvements, and construction to FDA
headquarters and field facilities must be made to preserve the
properties, ensure employee safety, meet changing program
requirements, and permit the agency to keep its laboratory
methods up to date.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,788,000
for FDA buildings and facilities. This funding shall be used to
upgrade FDA facilities and laboratories which are currently
below public safety standards and incapable of performing
agency requirements.
FDA Innovation Account, Cures Act
Appropriations, 2018.................................... $60,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 70,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 70,000,000
The Committee recommends $70,000,000 for the FDA as
authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act.
INDEPENDENT AGENCY
Farm Credit Administration
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Limitation, 2018........................................ $70,600,000
Budget estimate, 2019................................... 74,600,000
Committee recommendation................................ 74,600,000
The Farm Credit Administration [FCA] is the independent
agency in the executive branch of the Government responsible
for the examination and regulation of the banks, associations,
and other institutions of the Farm Credit System.
Activities of the Farm Credit Administration include the
planning and execution of examinations of Farm Credit System
institutions and the preparation of examination reports. FCA
also promulgates regulations, establishes standards, enforces
rules and regulations, and approves certain actions of the
institutions.
The administration and the institutions under its
jurisdiction now operate under authorities contained in the
Farm Credit Act of 1971, Public Law 92-181, effective December
10, 1971. Public Law 99-205, effective December 23, 1985,
restructured FCA and gave the agency regulatory authorities and
enforcement powers.
The Act provides for the farmer-owned cooperative system to
make sound, adequate, and constructive credit available to
farmers and ranchers and their cooperatives, rural residences,
and associations and other entities upon which farming
operations are dependent, and to modernize existing farm credit
law to meet current and future rural credit needs.
The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 authorized the
formation of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
[FAMC] to operate a secondary market for agricultural and rural
housing mortgages. The Farm Credit Administration, under
section 8.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, is
assigned the responsibility of regulating this entity and
assuring its safe and sound operation.
Expenses of the Farm Credit Administration are paid by
assessments collected from the Farm Credit System institutions
and by assessments to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation of $74,600,000 on
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.
TITLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Committee recommends the following provisions:
Section 701. This section makes funds available for the
purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles.
Section 702. This section gives the Secretary of
Agriculture authority to transfer unobligated balances to the
Working Capital Fund and clarifies longstanding practices
associated with the Fund.
Section 703. This section limits the funding provided in
the bill to 1 year, unless otherwise specified.
Section 704. This section limits negotiated indirect costs
on cooperative agreements between the Department of Agriculture
and nonprofit organizations to 10 percent.
Section 705. This section makes appropriations to the
Department of Agriculture for the cost of direct guaranteed
loans available until expended to disperse obligations for
certain Rural Development programs.
Section 706. This section prohibits the purchase of new
information technology equipment in excess of $25,000 without
the prior approval of the Chief Information Officer.
Section 707. This section makes funds for certain
conservation programs available until expended to disburse
certain obligations made in the current fiscal year.
Section 708. This section makes certain former Rural
Utilities Service borrowers eligible for the Rural Economic
Development loan and grant program.
Section 709. This section provides funds for Rural
Development and the Farm Service Agency information technology
expenses.
Section 710. This section includes language regarding
first-class travel.
Section 711. This section includes language regarding the
Commodity Credit Corporation.
Section 712. This section makes funds available for the
expenses and activities of certain advisory committees, panels,
commissions, and task forces at the Department of Agriculture.
Section 713. This section includes language regarding the
limitation on direct costs for grants awarded by the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Section 714. This section includes language regarding
information technology systems.
Section 715. This section includes language regarding the
availability of funds for certain Department of Agriculture
programs.
Section 716. This section prohibits the use of funds for
user fee proposals that fail to provide sufficient budget
impact information.
Section 717. This section prohibits the reprogramming of
funds for programs, projects, or activities in excess of
$500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less without the prior
notification of the Committee on Appropriations.
Section 718. This section includes language for the
establishment of a fee under the business and industry loan
program.
Section 719. This section prohibits the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services
from transmitting questions or responses as a result of the
appropriations hearing process to non-Department employees.
Section 720. This section includes language regarding
prepackaged news.
Section 721. This section requires Department of
Agriculture agencies to provide reimbursement to other
Department of Agriculture agencies for employees detailed for
longer than 60 days.
Section 722. This section includes language regarding
farmer stress.
Section 723. This section includes language regarding
spending plans.
Section 724. This section includes language regarding a
rescission of funds.
Section 725. This section includes language regarding
section 502 single family direct loans.
Section 726. This section includes language regarding loans
and loan guarantees.
Section 727. This section includes language regarding
credit card refunds.
Section 728. This section includes language regarding the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Section 729. This section includes language regarding
industrial hemp.
Section 730. This section includes language regarding the
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
Section 731. This section includes language regarding
housing loan programs.
Section 732. This section includes language regarding
disclosure of information for pharmaceuticals.
Section 733. This section includes language regarding gene
editing.
Section 734. This section includes language regarding dried
spent grain products.
Section 735. This section includes language regarding
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers.
Section 736. This section includes language regarding
partially hydrogenated oils.
Section 737. This section includes language regarding the
Rural Utilities Service.
Section 738. This section includes language regarding
hiring authorities.
Section 739. This section includes language regarding the
Conservation Reserve Program.
Section 740. This section includes language regarding FDA
regulation.
Section 741. This section includes language regarding the
Water Bank Program.
Section 742. This section includes language regarding
domestic preference.
Section 743. This section includes language regarding Rural
Economic Area Partnership zones.
Section 744. This section includes language regarding Rural
Development programs.
Section 745. This section provides funding for a pilot
program through the Rural Housing Service.
Section 746. This section includes language regarding
lobbying.
Section 747. This section includes language regarding the
Agriculture Risk Coverage program.
Section 748. This section includes language regarding
housing programs.
Section 749. This section includes language regarding Farm
to School programs.
Section 750. This section includes language regarding
sodium reduction
Section 751. This section includes language regarding the
Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
Section 752. This section includes language regarding
citrus greening.
Section 753. This section includes language regarding FDA
regulation.
Section 754. This section includes language Distance
Learning and Telemedicine programs.
Section 755. This section includes language regarding the
National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Section 756. This section includes language regarding rural
broadband.
Section 757. This section includes language regarding water
and waste programs.
PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
During fiscal year 2019, for purposes of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law
99-177) or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following
information provides the definition of the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The
term ``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most
specific level of budget items identified in the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019, and the accompanying Senate
Report.
If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2019 pursuant to
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to
all items specified in the explanatory notes submitted to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in support
of the fiscal year 2019 budget estimates, as amended, for such
departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action,
and in addition:
For the Agricultural Research Service the definition shall
include specific research locations as identified in the
explanatory notes.
For the Natural Resources Conservation Service the
definition shall include individual flood prevention projects
as identified in the explanatory notes and individual
operational watershed projects as summarized in the notes.
For the Farm Service Agency the definition shall include
individual, regional, State, district, and county offices.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously
passed by the Senate during that session.
The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the
spirit of full disclosure.
The Committee recommends funding for the following programs
or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal
year 2019:
Broadband Telecommunications Grants
Child Nutrition Program State Administrative Expenses
Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program
National School Lunch Act - Information Clearinghouse
School Meals Program - Compliance and Accountability
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants
and Children
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Summer Food Service Program
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on May 24, 2018,
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill (S.
2976) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other
purposes, provided, that the bill be subject to amendment and
that the bill be consistent with its budget allocation, and
provided that the Chairman of the Committee or his designee be
authorized to offer the substance of the original bill as a
Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute to the House
companion measure, by a recorded vote of 31-0, a quorum being
present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chairman Shelby
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Daines
Mr. Kennedy
Mr. Rubio
Mrs. Hyde-Smith
Mr. Leahy
Mrs. Murray
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
Mr. Manchin
Mr. Van Hollen
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by
the Committee.''[----If there is no compliance (Cordon
rule), use the statement below----]
In compliance with this rule, no changes to existing law
are displayed because this bill proposes no changes. deg.
In compliance with this rule, changes in existing law
proposed to be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing
law to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is
printed in italic; and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman.
TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
Chapter 13--School Lunch Programs
Sec. 1758. Program requirements
(a) Nutritional requirements
* * * * * * *
(h) Food safety
(1) In general
* * * * * * *
(3) Audits and reports by States
[For fiscal year 2018] For fiscal year 2019, each State
shall annually--
* * * * * * *
(4) Audit by the Secretary
[For fiscal year 2018] For fiscal year 2019, the Secretary
shall annually audit State reports of food safety inspections
of schools submitted under paragraph (3).
* * * * * * *
Sec. 1769g. Information clearinghouse
(a) In general
* * * * * * *
(d) Funding
Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the
Secretary to provide to the organization selected under this
section, to establish and maintain the information
clearinghouse, $200,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996,
$150,000 for fiscal year 1997, $100,000 for fiscal year 1998,
$166,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2004, and
$250,000 for each of fiscal years [2010 through 2018] 2010
through 2019. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the
funds and shall accept the funds, without further
appropriation.
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(A), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
-------------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount in Committee Amount in
allocation bill allocation bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
allocation for 2019: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies:
Mandatory........................................... 107,124 107,124 98,764 \1\98,764
Discretionary....................................... 23,235 23,235 24,446 \1\24,446
Security........................................ ............ ............ ............ NA
Nonsecurity..................................... 23,235 23,235 NA NA
Projection of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2019................................................ ............ ............ ............ \2\104,603
2020................................................ ............ ............ ............ 6,170
2021................................................ ............ ............ ............ 1,433
2022................................................ ............ ............ ............ 743
2023 and future years............................... ............ ............ ............ 529
Financial assistance to State and local governments for NA 40,173 NA \2\33,321
2019...................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NA: Not applicable.
NOTE.--Pursuant to section 1002(b)(3)(B) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), $70 million in
budget authority and the resulting outlays do not count for the purposes of estimates under the Congressional
Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2019
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2018 Budget estimate Committee ---------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2018
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Processing, Research, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Secretary............................................ 5,051 4,850 5,051 ............... +201
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development................... 800 800 800 ............... ...............
Office of Homeland Security........................................ 1,496 1,448 1,496 ............... +48
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement....................... 4,711 1,672 4,711 ............... +3,039
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration............... 804 875 804 ............... -71
Departmental Administration........................................ 22,301 22,501 22,301 ............... -200
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Departmental Administration........................ 23,105 23,376 23,105 ............... -271
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations...... 3,869 3,091 3,869 ............... +778
Office of Communications........................................... 7,500 7,261 7,500 ............... +239
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Office of the Secretary............................... 46,532 42,498 46,532 ............... +4,034
====================================================================================
Executive Operations:
Office of the Chief Economist.................................. 19,786 19,487 19,786 ............... +299
Office of Hearings and Appeals................................. 15,222 14,183 15,222 ............... +1,039
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.......................... 9,525 8,631 9,525 ............... +894
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Executive Operations............................... 44,533 42,301 44,533 ............... +2,232
Office of the Chief Information Officer............................ 58,950 62,524 63,950 +5,000 +1,426
Office of the Chief Financial Officer.............................. 6,028 5,536 6,028 ............... +492
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights................. 901 800 901 ............... +101
Office of Civil Rights............................................. 24,206 22,345 24,206 ............... +1,861
Building and Facilities:
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities........................... 64,414 58,330 58,330 -6,084 ...............
Hazardous materials management..................................... 3,503 3,463 3,503 ............... +40
Office of Inspector General........................................ 98,208 87,436 98,208 ............... +10,772
Office of the General Counsel...................................... 44,546 41,717 45,146 +600 +3,429
Office of Ethics................................................... 4,136 2,897 4,136 ............... +1,239
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Departmental Administration........................... 395,957 369,847 395,473 -484 +25,626
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 800 800 800 ............... ...............
Economics.........................................................
Economic Research Service.......................................... 86,757 45,000 86,757 ............... +41,757
National Agricultural Statistics Service........................... 191,717 165,000 174,767 -16,950 +9,767
Census of Agriculture.......................................... (63,350) (45,300) (45,300) (-18,050) ...............
Agricultural Research Service:
Salaries and expenses.......................................... 1,202,766 1,018,991 1,300,966 +98,200 +281,975
Buildings and facilities....................................... 140,600 ............... ............... -140,600 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Research Service......................... 1,343,366 1,018,991 1,300,966 -42,400 +281,975
====================================================================================
National Institute of Food and Agriculture:
Research and education activities.............................. 887,171 794,479 898,535 +11,364 +104,056
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.................... (11,880) (11,857) (11,880) ............... (+23)
Extension activities........................................... 483,626 450,185 486,692 +3,066 +36,507
Integrated activities.......................................... 37,000 13,037 38,000 +1,000 +24,963
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, National Institute of Food and Agriculture............ 1,407,797 1,257,701 1,423,227 +15,430 +165,526
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs 901 800 901 ............... +101
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service:
Salaries and expenses.......................................... 981,893 739,151 1,000,493 +18,600 +261,342
Buildings and facilities....................................... 3,175 2,852 3,175 ............... +323
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service............ 985,068 742,003 1,003,668 +18,600 +261,665
====================================================================================
Agricultural Marketing Service:
Marketing Services............................................. 151,595 118,617 155,845 +4,250 +37,228
Standardization activities (user fees)..................... (65,000) ............... ............... (-65,000) ...............
(Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees collected)... (61,227) (60,982) (60,982) (-245) ...............
Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (section
32):
Permanent, section 32...................................... 1,344,000 1,374,000 1,374,000 +30,000 ...............
Marketing agreements and orders (transfer from section (20,705) (20,489) (20,489) (-216) ...............
32)...................................................
Payments to States and Possessions............................. 1,235 1,109 1,235 ............... +126
Limitation on inspection and weighing services................. (55,000) (80,000) (55,000) ............... (-25,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Marketing Service program................ 1,613,057 1,634,708 1,647,062 +34,005 +12,354
====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety...................... 800 800 800 ............... ...............
Food Safety and Inspection Service................................. 1,056,844 1,032,273 1,049,344 -7,500 +17,071
Lab accreditation fees......................................... (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Processing, Research, and Marketing................... 6,966,837 6,126,941 6,967,783 +946 +840,842
====================================================================================
Total, Title I, Agricultural Programs........................ 6,966,837 6,126,941 6,967,783 +946 +840,842
(By transfer)............................................ (20,705) (20,489) (20,489) (-216) ...............
(Loan authorization)..................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
(Limitation on administrative expenses).................. (116,227) (140,982) (115,982) (-245) (-25,000)
====================================================================================
TITLE II--FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Farm Production Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. 901 875 901 ............... +26
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center................... 1,028 196,402 1,028 ............... -195,374
(Transfer from ACIF)........................................... ............... (16,081) ............... ............... (-16,081)
Farm Service Agency:
Salaries and expenses.......................................... 1,202,146 920,490 1,202,146 ............... +281,656
(Transfer from Food for Peace (Public Law 480))................ (149) (142) (142) (-7) ...............
(Transfer from export loans)................................... (2,463) (335) (2,463) ............... (+2,128)
(Transfer from ACIF)........................................... (314,998) (266,436) (314,998) ............... (+48,562)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, transfers from program accounts.................... (317,610) (266,913) (317,603) (-7) (+50,690)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Salaries and expenses................................. (1,519,756) (1,187,403) (1,519,749) (-7) (+332,346)
====================================================================================
State mediation grants......................................... 3,904 3,228 3,904 ............... +676
Grassroots source water protection program..................... 6,500 ............... 6,500 ............... +6,500
Dairy indemnity program........................................ 500 500 500 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Farm Service Agency................................ 1,213,050 924,218 1,213,050 ............... +288,832
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund [ACIF] Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct............................................. (1,500,000) (1,500,000) (1,500,000) ............... ...............
Guaranteed......................................... (2,750,000) (2,750,000) (2,750,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal......................................... (4,250,000) (4,250,000) (4,250,000) ............... ...............
Farm operating loans:
Direct............................................. (1,530,000) (1,500,000) (1,530,000) ............... (+30,000)
Unsubsidized guaranteed............................ (1,960,000) (1,600,000) (1,960,000) ............... (+360,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal......................................... (3,490,000) (3,100,000) (3,490,000) ............... (+390,000)
Emergency loans........................................ (25,610) (37,668) (37,668) (+12,058) ...............
Indian tribe land acquisition loans.................... (20,000) (20,000) (20,000) ............... ...............
Conservation loans:
Guaranteed......................................... (150,000) (150,000) (150,000) ............... ...............
Indian highly fractionated land loans.................. (10,000) ............... (10,000) ............... (+10,000)
Boll weevil eradication loans.......................... (60,000) (60,000) (60,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................... (8,005,610) (7,617,668) (8,017,668) (+12,058) (+400,000)
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Farm operating loans:
Direct............................................. 61,812 58,500 59,670 -2,142 +1,170
Unsubsidized guaranteed............................ 21,756 17,280 21,168 -588 +3,888
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal......................................... 83,568 75,780 80,838 -2,730 +5,058
Emergency Loans........................................ 1,260 1,567 1,567 +307 ...............
Indian highly fractionated land loans.................. 2,272 ............... 2,134 -138 +2,134
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants..................... 87,100 77,347 84,539 -2,561 +7,192
====================================================================================
ACIF administrative expenses:
Salaries and expenses (transfer to FSA)................ 314,998 266,436 314,998 ............... +48,562
Administrative expenses................................ 10,070 10,070 10,070 ............... ...............
Administrative expenses (transfer to FPAC Business ............... 16,081 ............... ............... -16,081
Center)...............................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, ACIF expenses................................. 325,068 292,587 325,068 ............... +32,481
====================================================================================
Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund................ 412,168 369,934 409,607 -2,561 +39,673
(Loan authorization)................................. (8,005,610) (7,617,668) (8,017,668) (+12,058) (+400,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Service Agency............................... 1,627,147 1,491,429 1,624,586 -2,561 +133,157
====================================================================================
Risk Management Agency (RMA):
RMA Salaries and expenses...................................... 74,829 37,942 74,829 ............... +36,887
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Risk Management Agency............................. 74,829 37,942 74,829 ............... +36,887
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Production Programs.............................. 1,701,976 1,529,371 1,699,415 -2,561 +170,044
====================================================================================
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Private Lands Conservation Operations.......................... 874,107 669,033 879,107 +5,000 +210,074
Transfer................................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Farm Security and Rural Investment program (transfer ............... (850,200) ............... ............... (-850,200)
authority)................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Conservation operations........................... 874,107 669,033 879,107 +5,000 +210,074
====================================================================================
Watershed flood and prevention operations...................... 150,000 ............... 150,000 ............... +150,000
Watershed rehabilitation program............................... 10,000 ............... ............... -10,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service................ 1,034,107 669,033 1,029,107 -5,000 +360,074
====================================================================================
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation:
Federal crop insurance corporation fund........................ 8,913,000 8,687,000 8,687,000 -226,000 ...............
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
Reimbursement for net realized losses.......................... 14,284,847 15,410,000 15,410,000 +1,125,153 ...............
Hazardous waste management (limitation on expenses)............ (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Corporations.......................................... 23,197,847 24,097,000 24,097,000 +899,153 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, Title II, Farm Production and Conservation Programs... 25,933,930 26,295,404 26,825,522 +891,592 +530,118
====================================================================================
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Rural Development:
Rural development expenses:
Salaries and expenses...................................... 230,835 156,054 232,835 +2,000 +76,781
(Transfer from RHIF)....................................... (412,254) (244,249) (412,254) ............... (+168,005)
(Transfer from RCFP)....................................... ............... (147,591) ............... ............... (-147,591)
(Transfer from RDLFP)...................................... (4,468) ............... (4,468) ............... (+4,468)
(Transfer from RETLP)...................................... (33,270) (38,027) (33,270) ............... (-4,757)
(Transfer from DLTBP)...................................... ............... (8,057) ............... ............... (-8,057)
(Transfer from RWWDP)...................................... ............... (18,149) ............... ............... (-18,149)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Transfers from program accounts................ (449,992) (456,073) (449,992) ............... (-6,081)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural development expenses........................ (680,827) (612,127) (682,827) (+2,000) (+70,700)
====================================================================================
Rural Housing Service:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family direct (Sec. 502)........................ (1,100,000) ............... (1,100,000) ............... (+1,100,000)
Unsubsidized guaranteed............................ (24,000,000) (24,000,000) (24,000,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Single family.......................... (25,100,000) (24,000,000) (25,100,000) ............... (+1,100,000)
Housing repair (Sec. 504).............................. (28,000) ............... (28,000) ............... (+28,000)
Rental housing (Sec. 515).............................. (40,000) ............... (40,000) ............... (+40,000)
Multi-family housing guarantees (Sec. 538)............. (230,000) (250,000) (230,000) ............... (-20,000)
Site development loans (Sec. 524)...................... (5,000) ............... (5,000) ............... (+5,000)
Single family housing credit sales..................... (10,000) (10,000) (10,000) ............... ...............
Self-help housing land development housng loans (Sec. (5,000) ............... (5,000) ............... (+5,000)
523)..................................................
Farm Labor Housing (Sec. 514).......................... (23,855) ............... (23,855) ............... (+23,855)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................... (25,441,855) (24,260,000) (25,441,855) ............... (+1,181,855)
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies:
Single Family Direct (Sec. 502)........................ 42,350 ............... 53,900 +11,550 +53,900
Housing repair (Sec. 504).............................. 3,452 ............... 3,419 -33 +3,419
Rental housing (Sec. 515).............................. 10,524 ............... 9,484 -1,040 +9,484
Farm labor housing (Sec. 514).......................... 6,374 ............... 5,945 -429 +5,945
Self-Help Land Devleopment Housing Loans (Sec. 523).... 368 ............... 431 +63 +431
Site Development Loans (Sec. 524)...................... 58 ............... 176 +118 +176
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies................................ 63,126 ............... 73,355 +10,229 +73,355
====================================================================================
Farm labor housing grants.................................. 8,336 ............... 8,336 ............... +8,336
RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RD).............. 412,254 244,249 412,254 ............... +168,005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund program.......... 483,716 244,249 493,945 +10,229 +249,696
(Loan authorization)............................... (25,441,855) (24,260,000) (25,441,855) ............... (+1,181,855)
====================================================================================
Rental Assistance Program:
Rental assistance (Sec. 521)............................... 1,345,293 1,331,400 1,331,400 -13,893 ...............
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account:
Rural Housing Voucher Program.................................. 25,000 20,000 26,000 +1,000 +6,000
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program.................... 22,000 ............... 24,000 +2,000 +24,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Multi-family housing revitalization................... 47,000 20,000 50,000 +3,000 +30,000
Mutual and self-help housing grants............................ 30,000 ............... 30,000 ............... +30,000
Rural housing assistance grants................................ 40,000 ............... 40,000 ............... +40,000
Rural Community Facilities Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Community facility:
Direct............................................. (2,800,000) (3,500,000) (3,000,000) (+200,000) (-500,000)
Guaranteed......................................... (148,287) ............... (148,287) ............... (+148,287)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations....................... (2,948,287) (3,500,000) (3,148,287) (+200,000) (-351,713)
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Community facility:
Guaranteed......................................... 4,849 ............... 4,285 -564 +4,285
Grants............................................. 30,000 ............... 32,000 +2,000 +32,000
Rural community development initiative................. 4,000 ............... 6,000 +2,000 +6,000
Economic impact initiative grants...................... 5,778 ............... 5,778 ............... +5,778
Tribal college grants.................................. 4,000 ............... 4,000 ............... +4,000
RCFP administrative expenses (transfer to RD).............. ............... 147,591 ............... ............... -147,591
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RCFP Loan subsidies and grants.................. 48,627 147,591 52,063 +3,436 -95,528
====================================================================================
Subtotal, grants and payments................................ 118,627 147,591 122,063 +3,436 -25,528
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Housing Service................................. 1,994,636 1,743,240 1,997,408 +2,772 +254,168
(Loan authorization)..................................... (28,390,142) (27,760,000) (28,590,142) (+200,000) (+830,142)
====================================================================================
Rural Business--Cooperative Service:
Rural Business Program Account:
(Guaranteed business and industry loans)................... (919,765) ............... (919,765) ............... (+919,765)
Loan subsidies and grants:
Guaranteed business and industry subsidy............... 37,342 ............... 21,339 -16,003 +21,339
Rural business development grants.................. 34,000 ............... 40,280 +6,280 +40,280
DRA,NBRC, and ARC.................................. 6,000 ............... 8,000 +2,000 +8,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBP loan subsidies and grants..................... 77,342 ............... 69,619 -7,723 +69,619
====================================================================================
Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (18,889) ............... (18,889) ............... (+18,889)
Loan subsidy............................................... 4,361 ............... 4,157 -204 +4,157
Administrative expenses (transfer to RD)................... 4,468 ............... 4,468 ............... +4,468
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, IRP Fund.......................................... 8,829 ............... 8,625 -204 +8,625
====================================================================================
Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (45,000) ............... (45,000) ............... (+45,000)
Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
Cooperative development.................................... 5,800 ............... 5,800 ............... +5,800
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas............ 2,750 ............... 3,750 +1,000 +3,750
Grants to assist minority producers........................ 3,000 ............... 3,000 ............... +3,000
Value-added agricultural product market development........ 16,000 ............... 17,500 +1,500 +17,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Cooperative Development grants.............. 27,550 ............... 30,050 +2,500 +30,050
====================================================================================
Rural Energy for America Program:
(Loan authorization)....................................... (7,576) ............... (7,576) ............... (+7,576)
Loan subsidy and grants.................................... 293 ............... 338 +45 +338
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Energy for America Program.................. 293 ............... 338 +45 +338
====================================================================================
Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.................... 114,014 ............... 108,632 -5,382 +108,632
(Loan authorization)..................................... (991,230) ............... (991,230) ............... (+991,230)
====================================================================================
Rural Utilities Service:
Rural water and waste disposal program account:
Loan authorizations:
Direct................................................. (1,200,000) (1,200,000) (1,200,000) ............... ...............
Guaranteed............................................. (50,000) ............... (50,000) ............... (+50,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorization............................ 1,250,000 1,200,000 1,250,000 ............... +50,000
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Direct subsidy......................................... 2,040 ............... ............... -2,040 ...............
Guaranteed subsidy..................................... 230 ............... 190 -40 +190
Water and waste revolving fund......................... 1,000 ............... 1,000 ............... +1,000
Water well system grants............................... 993 ............... 993 ............... +993
Colonias and AK/HI grants.............................. 68,000 ............... 68,000 ............... +68,000
Water and waste technical assistance................... 40,000 ............... 40,000 ............... +40,000
Circuit rider program.................................. 19,000 ............... 19,000 ............... +19,000
Solid waste management grants.......................... 4,000 ............... 4,000 ............... +4,000
High energy cost grants................................ 10,000 ............... 10,000 ............... +10,000
Water and waste disposal grants........................ 400,000 ............... 400,000 ............... +400,000
306A(i)(2) grants...................................... 15,000 ............... 15,000 ............... +15,000
WWDP Administrative expenses (transfer to RD).......... ............... 18,149 ............... ............... -18,149
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants..................... 560,263 18,149 558,183 -2,080 +540,034
====================================================================================
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program
Account:
Loan authorizations:
Electric:
Direct, FFB........................................ (5,500,000) (5,500,000) (5,500,000) ............... ...............
Guaranteed underwriting............................ (750,000) ............... (750,000) ............... (+750,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Electric............................... (6,250,000) (5,500,000) (6,250,000) ............... (+750,000)
Telecommunications:
Direct, Treasury rate.............................. (345,000) (172,600) (345,000) ............... (+172,400)
Direct, FFB........................................ (345,000) (517,400) (345,000) ............... (-172,400)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Telecommunications..................... (690,000) (690,000) (690,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................... (6,940,000) (6,190,000) (6,940,000) ............... (+750,000)
====================================================================================
Loan Subsidy:
Telecommunications Direct, Treasury Rate............... 863 863 1,725 +862 +862
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies................................ 863 863 1,725 +862 +862
====================================================================================
RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RD)............. 33,270 38,027 33,270 ............... -4,757
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 34,133 38,890 34,995 +862 -3,895
Program Account.........................................
(Loan authorization)............................... (6,940,000) (6,190,000) (6,940,000) ............... (+750,000)
====================================================================================
Broadband Program:
Loan authorizations:
Broadband telecommunications........................... (29,851) (23,149) (29,851) ............... (+6,702)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations........................... (29,851) (23,149) (29,851) ............... (+6,702)
====================================================================================
Loan subsidies and grants:
Distance learning and telemedicine:
Grants............................................. 32,000 23,600 33,000 +1,000 +9,400
Broadband telecommunications:
Direct............................................. 5,000 4,521 5,830 +830 +1,309
Grants............................................. 30,000 30,000 30,000 ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies and grants................. 67,000 58,121 68,830 +1,830 +10,709
====================================================================================
DLTBP administrative expenses (transfer to RD)............. ............... 8,057 ............... ............... -8,057
====================================================================================
Total, Rural Utilities Service............................... 661,396 123,217 662,008 +612 +538,791
(Loan authorization)..................................... (8,219,851) (7,413,149) (8,219,851) ............... (+806,702)
====================================================================================
Total, Title III, Rural Development Programs................. 3,000,881 2,022,511 3,000,883 +2 +978,372
(By transfer)............................................ (449,992) (456,073) (449,992) ............... (-6,081)
(Loan authorization)..................................... (37,601,223) (35,173,149) (37,801,223) (+200,000) (+2,628,074)
====================================================================================
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer 800 800 800 ............... ...............
Services..........................................................
Food and Nutrition Service:
Child nutrition programs....................................... 24,196,139 23,123,983 23,126,012 -1,070,127 +2,029
School breakfast program equipment grants.................. 30,000 ............... 30,000 ............... +30,000
Demonstration projects (Summer EBT)........................ 28,000 22,957 28,000 ............... +5,043
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Child nutrition programs.......................... 24,254,139 23,146,940 23,184,012 -1,070,127 +37,072
====================================================================================
Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and 6,175,000 5,750,000 6,150,000 -25,000 +400,000
children (WIC)................................................
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:
(Food stamp program)....................................... 71,012,501 70,218,276 70,218,276 -794,225 ...............
Reserve................................................ 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 ............... ...............
FDPIR nutrition education services..................... 998 ............... 998 ............... +998
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food stamp program............................ 74,013,499 73,218,276 73,219,274 -794,225 +998
====================================================================================
Fiscal year 2018................................... (74,013,499) (73,218,276) (73,219,274) (-794,225) (+998)
Commodity Assistance Program:
Commodity Supplemental Food Program........................ 238,120 ............... 238,120 ............... +238,120
Farmers Market Nutrition Program........................... 18,548 ............... 18,548 ............... +18,548
Emergency Food Assistance Program.......................... 64,401 54,401 64,401 ............... +10,000
Pacific island and disaster assistance..................... 1,070 1,070 1,070 ............... ...............
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Total, Commodity Assistance Program...................... 322,139 55,471 322,139 ............... +266,668
Nutrition Programs Administration.............................. 153,841 160,838 164,688 +10,847 +3,850
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Total, Food and Nutrition Service............................ 104,918,618 102,331,525 103,040,113 -1,878,505 +708,588
Fiscal year 2018......................................... (104,918,618) (102,331,525) (103,040,113) (-1,878,505) (+708,588)
Total, Title IV, Domestic Food Programs...................... 104,919,418 102,332,325 103,040,913 -1,878,505 +708,588
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Fiscal year 2018......................................... (104,918,618) (102,331,525) (103,040,113) (-1,878,505) (+708,588)
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TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 875 875 875 ............... ...............
Affairs...........................................................
Office Codex Alimentarius.......................................... 3,796 3,796 3,976 +180 +180
Foreign Agricultural Service
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 199,666 193,085 212,230 +12,564 +19,145
(Transfer from export loans)................................... (6,382) (6,382) (6,382) ............... ...............
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Total, Salaries and expenses................................. 206,048 199,467 218,612 +12,564 +19,145
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Food for Peace Title I Direct Credit and Food for Progress Program
Account, Administrative Expenses:
Farm Service Agency, Salaries and expenses (transfer to FSA)... 149 142 142 -7 ...............
Food for Peace Title II Grants:
Expenses....................................................... 1,600,000 ............... 1,716,000 +116,000 +1,716,000
Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans Program Account
(administrative expenses):
Salaries and expenses (Export Loans):
Foreign Agriculture Service, S&E (transfer to FAS)......... 6,382 6,382 6,382 ............... ...............
Farm Service Agency S&E (transfer to FSA).................. 2,463 335 2,463 ............... +2,128
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Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account.................. 8,845 6,717 8,845 ............... +2,128
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McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition 207,626 ............... 210,255 +2,629 +210,255
program grants....................................................
====================================================================================
Total, Title V, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs...... 2,020,957 204,615 2,152,323 +131,366 +1,947,708
(By transfer)............................................ (6,382) (6,382) (6,382) ............... ...............
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TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation........................ 2,800,078 3,171,920 2,959,078 +159,000 -212,842
Prescription drug user fees.................................... (911,346) (960,568) (960,568) (+49,222) ...............
Medical device user fees....................................... (193,291) (196,668) (196,668) (+3,377) ...............
Human generic drug user fees................................... (493,600) (501,396) (501,396) (+7,796) ...............
Biosimilar biological products user fees....................... (40,214) (40,922) (40,922) (+708) ...............
Animal drug user fees.......................................... (18,093) (30,331) (30,331) (+12,238) ...............
Animal generic drug user fees.................................. (9,419) (18,336) (18,336) (+8,917) ...............
Tobacco product user fees...................................... (672,000) (712,000) (712,000) (+40,000) ...............
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Subtotal, user fees, enacted and definite.................... (2,337,963) (2,460,221) (2,460,221) (+122,258) ...............
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Subtotal (including user fees)............................... (5,138,041) (5,632,141) (5,419,299) (+281,258) (-212,842)
Mammography user fees.......................................... (20,522) (20,522) (20,522) ............... ...............
Export and color certification user fees....................... (14,758) (14,758) (14,758) ............... ...............
Food and Feed Recall user fees................................. (1,434) (1,434) (1,434) ............... ...............
Food Reinspection fees......................................... (6,414) (6,414) (6,414) ............... ...............
Voluntary qualified importer program fees...................... (5,300) (5,300) (5,300) ............... ...............
Pharmacy compounding fees (CBO estimate)....................... (1,446) (1,520) (1,446) ............... (-74)
Priority review vouchers (PRV) pediatric disease............... (7,686) (7,686) (7,686) ............... ...............
Third party auditor............................................ (1,400) (712) (712) (-688) ...............
Over-the-Counter Monograph fees (legislative proposal)......... ............... (22,000) ............... ............... (-22,000)
Increased export certification fees............................ ............... (4,280) ............... ............... (-4,280)
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Subtotal, FDA user fees...................................... (2,396,923) (2,544,847) (2,518,493) (+121,570) (-26,354)
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Subtotal, FDA (including user fees).......................... (5,197,001) (5,716,767) (5,477,571) (+280,570) (-239,196)
Buildings and facilities........................................... 11,788 11,788 11,788 ............... ...............
FDA Innovation account............................................. 60,000 70,000 70,000 +10,000 ...............
Offset of appropriation pursuant to Section 1002(b)(3)(B) of the -60,000 -70,000 -70,000 -10,000 ...............
21st Century Cures Act (Public Law114-255)........................
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Total, FDA (w/user fees, including proposals)................ (5,208,789) (5,728,555) (5,489,359) (+280,570) (-239,196)
Total, FDA (w/enacted user fees only)........................ (5,208,789) (5,728,555) (5,489,359) (+280,570) (-239,196)
Total, FDA (excluding user fees)............................. 2,811,866 3,183,708 2,970,866 +159,000 -212,842
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INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative expenses). (70,600) (74,600) (74,600) (+4,000) ...............
====================================================================================
Total, Title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug 2,811,866 3,183,708 2,970,866 +159,000 -212,842
Administration..............................................
====================================================================================
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Limit Dam Rehab (Sec. 714(1))...................................... ............... -46,150 ............... ............... +46,150
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives Program (Sec. 714(2))....... ............... -136,260 ............... ............... +136,260
Limit Rural Energy for America Program (Sec. 714 (2)) (rescission). ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Limit Biomass Crop Assistance Program (Sec. 714(3))................ -21,000 ............... ............... +21,000 ...............
Limit Biorefinery Assistance (Sec. 714(4))......................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Limit Ag Management Assistance (Sec. 714 (5))...................... ............... -9,380 ............... ............... +9,380
Limit Biorefinery Assistance (Sec. 714 (4)) (cancellation)......... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Section 32 (Sec. 715) (rescission)................................. ............... -342,000 ............... ............... +342,000
APHIS B&F--Fruit Fly Rearing (Sec. 743)............................ ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
WIC (rescission)................................................... -800,000 -215,000 -400,000 +400,000 -185,000
Limit CSP (Sec. 730)............................................... ............... -27,000 ............... ............... +27,000
Rural Water Waste Disposal (Sec. 726).............................. ............... -51,000 ............... ............... +51,000
RCFP (Sec. 727).................................................... ............... -3,046 ............... ............... +3,046
FAS S&E (Sec. 729)................................................. ............... -18,000 ............... ............... +18,000
TEFAP (Sec. 748)................................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Water and Waste.................................................... 500,000 ............... 400,000 -100,000 +400,000
Emergency livestock assistance program (Sec. 756).................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Citrus Greening.................................................... 7,500 ............... 7,500 ............... +7,500
NIFA, Research & Education......................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
RD balances (Sec. 758) (rescission)................................ ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Healthy Food Financing Initiative.................................. 1,000 ............... 1,000 ............... +1,000
RD unobligated balances (rescission)............................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
ARS B&F unobligated balances (rescission).......................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Hardwood Trees (Reforestation Pilot Program)....................... 600 ............... ............... -600 ...............
Water Bank program................................................. 4,000 ............... 4,000 ............... +4,000
Geographic Disadvantaged farmers................................... 1,996 ............... 1,996 ............... +1,996
Emergency Conservation Program..................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Food for Peace..................................................... 116,000 ............... ............... -116,000 ...............
Rural Energy Savings Program....................................... 8,000 ............... 10,000 +2,000 +10,000
Maturing mortgage pilot............................................ 1,000 ............... 1,000 ............... +1,000
FSA ARC pilot...................................................... 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
NIFA Military Veteran Grants....................................... 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
Conservation Reserve Program Pilot................................. 1,000 ............... 1,000 ............... +1,000
Child Nutrition Training pilot..................................... 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
Broadband Pilot.................................................... 600,000 ............... 425,000 -175,000 +425,000
Opioid Enforcement and Surveillance................................ 94,000 ............... ............... -94,000 ...............
Electric Loan Refinancing.......................................... 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000 ...............
Distance Learning Telemedicine..................................... 20,000 ............... 20,000 ............... +20,000
Farm to School..................................................... 5,000 ............... 5,000 ............... +5,000
NIFA Leasing....................................................... 6,000 ............... ............... -6,000 ...............
Tree Assistance Program............................................ 15,000 ............... ............... -15,000 ...............
Farmer Stress...................................................... ............... ............... 2,000 +2,000 +2,000
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Total, Title VII, General Provisions......................... 577,096 -847,836 488,496 -88,600 +1,336,332
====================================================================================
OTHER APPROPRIATIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF REQUIREMENTS, 2017
Office of the Secretary (emergency)................................ 2,360,000 ............... ............... -2,360,000 ...............
Office of Inspector General (emergency)............................ 3,000 ............... ............... -3,000 ...............
ARS, Buildings and Facilities (emergency).......................... 22,000 ............... ............... -22,000 ...............
Emergency Conservation Program (emergency)......................... 400,000 ............... ............... -400,000 ...............
Watershed and Flood and Prevention Operations (emergency).......... 541,000 ............... ............... -541,000 ...............
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account (emergency)........... 19,000 ............... ............... -19,000 ...............
Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account (emergency)......... 165,000 ............... ............... -165,000 ...............
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and 14,000 ............... ............... -14,000 ...............
Children (WIC) (emergency)........................................
Commodity Assistance Program (emergency)........................... 24,000 ............... ............... -24,000 ...............
FDA, Buildings and Facilities (emergency).......................... 8,000 ............... ............... -8,000 ...............
Sec. 20101(a) LIP (emergency)...................................... 3,000 ............... ............... -3,000 ...............
Sec. 20101(b) ELAP (emergency)..................................... 30,000 ............... ............... -30,000 ...............
Sec. 20101(c) TAP (emergency)...................................... 7,000 ............... ............... -7,000 ...............
Sec. 20101(d) payment limitations (emergency)...................... 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
Sec. 60101 Cotton/ Dariy (emergency)............................... 47,000 ............... ............... -47,000 ...............
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Total, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief 3,645,000 ............... ............... -3,645,000 ...............
Requirements (Public Law 115-56)............................
====================================================================================
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF
REQUIREMENTS ACT, 2017
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (emergency)............ 1,270,000 ............... ............... -1,270,000 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, Other Appropriations.................................. 4,915,000 ............... ............... -4,915,000 ...............
(Emergency).............................................. 4,915,000 ............... ............... -4,915,000 ...............
====================================================================================
Grand total.................................................. 151,145,985 139,317,668 145,446,786 -5,699,199 +6,129,118
Appropriations fiscal year 2018.......................... (147,030,985) (139,874,668) (145,846,786) (-1,184,199) (+5,972,118)
Emergency appropriations................................. (4,915,000) ............... ............... (-4,915,000) ...............
Disaster relief.......................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Rescissions.............................................. (-800,000) (-557,000) (-400,000) (+400,000) (+157,000)
Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2019................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
(By transfer).............................................. (794,689) (765,938) (794,466) (-223) (+28,528)
(Loan authorization)....................................... (45,606,833) (42,790,817) (45,818,891) (+212,058) (+3,028,074)
(Limitation on administrative expenses).................... (191,827) (220,582) (195,582) (+3,755) (-25,000)
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