In Appropriations Markup, Rep. Lee Votes to Bolster American Food Production, Strengthen our Supply Chain

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted to pass the fiscal year 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill out of the full Appropriations Committee. The bill includes multiple provisions that Rep. Lee has pushed for, including funding to strengthen domestic food production and our supply chain, increased investment in programs that tackle food insecurity, and provisions to expand access to affordable internet.

"Stress in our supply chain creates stress at the grocery store," said Rep. Susie Lee. "If we want to get serious about the rising costs that hardworking families are facing as they try to put food on the table, we need to strengthen domestic food production and our supply chain. I'm proud to support the FY23 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Funding Bill to bolster American food production and lower costs at the grocery store. In addition to tackling hunger and nutrition, this bill expands access to affordable and reliable internet access and invests in critical water infrastructure."

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill:

• Provides funding to strengthen our domestic food production and supply chain, including $1.16 billion, $52 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to support programs to help control or eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases that can be crippling to U.S. producers, and $3.6 billion for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
• Tackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by providing increased access to fruits and vegetables to 6.2 million people through WIC and ensuring 43.5 million people in SNAP-eligible families get the benefits they need. The bill also invests in the health of America's kids through Child Nutrition programs, like school meals, which are now the healthiest source of food consumed in the United States.
• Rebuilds our public health infrastructure and strengthens the safety of our baby formula market with increased funding to address maternal and infant nutrition, including resources for the ‘Closer to Zero' initiative to reduce exposure to toxic elements in babies' and young children's food, emerging food-related chemical and toxicological issues, drug safety oversight, as well as providing additional resources for in-person inspections of one of the largest foreign drug manufacturing countries, and drug and device supply chain monitoring and surveillance. The bill also invests in our public health infrastructure by modernizing FDA's data infrastructure to better ensure the safety and security of the food and medical supply chain.
• Makes key investments in water infrastructure for rural communities including $1.5 billion for rural water and waste program loans, and over $680 million in water and waste grants for clean and reliable drinking water systems and sanitary waste disposal systems.
• Expands opportunities for rural communities with a critical increase for rural broadband and a record investment of $1.5 billion in single family home loans.
• Provides important investments to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs. In total, the bill provides increases for extension, research, and capacity grants at our 1890 land grants, 1994 land grants, and Hispanic serving institutions to help strengthen the pipeline for the future of agriculture. It also provides increased funding to improve outreach and program access to historically underserved communities and more than doubles funding for Tribal relations activities.

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:

Rep. Bishop – The manager's amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Ryan – This amendment provides $50 million for the frontline grocery workers for necessary expenses incurred during the ongoing public health emergency. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 32 to 26.
Rep. Cuellar – This amendment adds new report language requesting a study on the working conditions for women farmworkers. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Hinson #1 – This amendment cuts the office of the FDA commissioner by $15 million and uses the funds to combat imported illicit opioids. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Hinson #2 – This amendment requires the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with the FDA Commissioner on livestock gene editing regulations. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Calvert – This amendment prohibits FDA from reviewing or approving a drug application from a sponsor located in Russia unless the drug would treat a serious or life-threatening condition for which there is an unmet treatment need. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rep. Newhouse—This amendment prohibits the purchase of farmland located in the United States by companies owned, full or in part, by the People's Republic of China, Russia, North Korean, or Iran. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

A summary of the bill is here. The text of the bill, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. The bill report, before the adoption of amendments in full Committee, is here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Community Project Funding in the bill is here.

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