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Senate subcommittee approves ag funding bill

A Senate subcommittee has passed a 2022 funding bill for the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration. 

Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin says the bipartisan legislation will support a stronger and more resilient agriculture economy that works for our farmers, ranchers, and families in rural communities.  She says the legislation will drive economic opportunities to farmers and invest in the long-term health of working lands, invest in broadband, and ensure that people facing challenging times have tools to move towards nutrition, health, and housing security.

Baldwin says she’s proud of the bill that will make investments supporting the Dairy Business Innovation Program, Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, and research priorities for our dairy, specialty crop, and organic farmers.

The bill provides discretionary funding of $25.855 billion, which is $2.5 billion above current funding levels.  The full Senate Appropriations Committee will take up the legislation on Wednesday.