House Ag Not Listening To Trump’s Fiscal Proposals

Those sitting on the House Agriculture Appropriations committee appear to have ignored many of President Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2018 spending cuts to the USDA, advancing a bill to full committee, with bipartisan support.  The president’s requested cutting USDA funding by 21%, zeroing out many programs.  The $145 billion House subcommittee bill cuts spending for USDA and the FDA by just 5% of current levels.

“The bill supports family farmers and ranchers who are vital to our nation’s economy and to its health and well-being," said Ag Appropriations Chair Robert Aderholt. "We continue to help others around the world that face starvation and malnutrition.  This bill provides funding for all USDA nutrition programs at levels that ensure all eligible participants will receive the assistance they need.”

Meanwhile, SNAP, is still cut by almost $5 billion to $74 billion, but an amount that meets SNAP enrollment and Democrats can live with.

“Although the President’s draconian requests gave me severe concern about what this bill will look like I’m pleased that you’ve rejected so much of it outright for the good of our country and our rural communities,” said top subcommittee Democrat Sanford Bishop.

The House subcommittee would also protect county FSA offices and ag research facilities.  There’s $2.8 billion in the bill for ag research, more than $900 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and about the same for conservation programs. The bill includes just over $1 billion for food safety and inspection, and continued funding for international food aid programs the president ‘zeroed out.’

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