Summary#
This bill is an appropriations act that provides money for Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. It sets funding amounts, loan levels, and program directions for many USDA and FDA accounts. Major areas covered include farm programs, agricultural research, conservation, rural housing and utilities, broadband and distance learning grants, domestic nutrition programs (school meals, WIC, SNAP), foreign food aid, and FDA salaries and activities.
What it means for you#
- Schools and child nutrition programs receive funding for school meals and related equipment grants.
- WIC (women, infants, and children) and SNAP (food assistance) are funded at the levels specified, which supports benefits and program operations.
- Rural communities can access loans, loan guarantees, and grants for housing, water and waste systems, community facilities, business development, and broadband projects.
- Agricultural research, statistics (including the Census of Agriculture), and conservation work receive direct funding.
- The FDA receives appropriations and user fee authority to carry out food, drug, and device oversight, inspections, and related activities.
Expenses#
The bill text specifies dollar amounts for many accounts, including (selected examples as provided in the bill):
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): $101,241,955,000
- Child nutrition programs (school meals, etc.): $37,900,930,000 (available through Sept. 30, 2028)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): $8,000,000,000 (through Sept. 30, 2028)
- Food and Drug Administration (salaries and expenses): $7,109,336,000 (includes multiple user-fee amounts)
- Agricultural Research Service (salaries and expenses): $1,795,813,000
- Food Safety and Inspection Service: $1,226,000,000
- National Agricultural Statistics Service (including Census of Agriculture): $187,500,000 (up to $48,500,000 available until expended for the Census)
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (conservation operations): $800,000,000
- Rural Housing Insurance Fund program loan levels and costs (examples): $25,000,000,000 for section 502 unsubsidized guaranteed loans; and specified subsidy amounts and demonstration funding
- Rural Water and Waste Disposal: $1,015,000,000 in direct loan authority and $50,000,000 in guaranteed loan authority, with $385,343,050 for loan and grant costs to remain available until expended
- Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program: $33,160,198 (plus a $40,000,000 pilot loan/grant continuation) to remain available until expended
- Foreign food assistance (Food for Peace Title II): $900,000,000 (to remain available until expended)
- McGovern-Dole international school feeding: $240,000,000 (to remain available until expended)
- Commodity Credit Corporation: reimbursements for net realized losses as needed (amounts not fixed in the bill text)
The bill also includes numerous programmatic conditions, reporting requirements, pilot programs, and restrictions (for example, buy-American provisions for certain rural water projects and notification requirements for significant reprogramming).
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.