TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending October 28, 2005
HR 2744 Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.
BRIEF
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is one of the largest Federal agencies and has the responsibility of riding herd on food marketing, research, safety, and productivity as well as subsidizing domestic agriculture matters, international extension and marketing of domestic agriculture matters and policies, the Food and Drug Administration and other related agencies.
Authorized spending for USDA would increase only in its mandatory programs such as food stamps, child nutrition programs, farm subsidies and disaster payments. Consequently, increases in one agency or function would result in a decrease in spending elsewhere.
For food safety minded consumers the most significant increase in spending over last year and one that addresses considerable publicity and public concern is the $20 million increase to $837 million for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Food inspection spending reduction has been a trend since the mid 1980s when the concept of trusting meat, poultry and dairy business to self inspect their products was introduced along with inspection staff cuts. Although food inspection would increase, consumers may not be pleased with the provision that allows country of origin labels on meat and other products required by a 2002 law to be implemented this year as the law requires extended to 2008. Two amendments attempting to implement the labeling provision failed. Consumers of news, however, would be pleased with a restriction prohibiting the USDA from using taxpayer funds to produce and distribute as news, videos promoting USDA or administration programs unless there is clear notification in the text or audio that it was prepared or funded by that executive branch agency. And consumers of prescription drugs who find lower costs for imported US pharmaceuticals appealing may favor a provision stopping the Food and Drug Administration from successfully banning import of those drugs.
In the mandatory spending areas most familiar are the food stamp program that provides vouchers for poor Americans to use at grocery stores and the WIC program that helps poor Women with Infants Children get a head start on child nutrition. Food stamps would see about a 15 % increase to $40.7 billion. WIC would receive $5.3 billion. Child nutrition overall would total over $12 billion for 2006.
The extent to which USDA manages details of US agricultural products is evident in some general provisions in the bill: $7 million would be provided as grants to farmers growing specialty crops. Consumption of specialty crops, fruits, vegetables and nuts not traditionally part of the US diet, has grown to sales in the billions; $10 million would be spent in Florida by citrus growers for tree replacement and lost production from removed trees due to citrus canker control if the trees were removed after Sept. 20, 2001; Some cities nationwide will be seen as rural to allow them to qualify for rural housing and community grants while the bill, at the same time, reduces spending for those same programs. Reportedly, insufficient funds are provided for direct single family housing loans. Environmental programs will see reductions in salaries for biomass research and development and the Wetlands Reserve Program would be limited to 154,500 acres. Water and waste disposal projects are held at 2005 levels despite a backlog of grants requests left unfunded since 2004. Internationally, the bill directs that commodities in the amount of $25 million exported to countries heavily impacted by HIV be earmarked to mitigating the effects of the HIV virus in those countries. $300 million for international food aid was proposed by the President to be transferred to US AID but the committee, considering that USAID would buy the food from foreign countries, overrode the provision protecting US agricultural interests.
Telemedicine, distance learning and broadband development and marketing support would see a 20 percent ($11 million) reduction over 2005 spending. A $9 million grant fund for broadband investment is available as is funding to leverage over $450 million in broadband investment loans.
Politics resulted in a committee amendment holding back about five percent of FDA funding until the Acting FDA Commissioner Crawford comes to Capitol Hill and testifies on matters of concern. Mr. Crawford, the report said, was stopped by the Bush administration from testifying due to coming hearings about his nomination as Commissioner. Among the matters of concern is the recent revelation that the FDA can not make a company change a product’s label. Parenthetically, a provision in the bill to give FDA that authority failed as part of an amendment that would require pharmaceuticals to continue testing a drug for safety even after the FDA approves the drug for sale. The committee did succeed in amending the bill to increase funds for the FDA office that reviews “direct-to-consumer” drug advertisements and to increase by five million, spending for drug safety activities. The committee report said that the FDA general counsel office used 15,041 hours reviewing draft warning letters to drug companies about illegal drug ads since March 2002 and although the number of letters has decreased there is no reporting on whether or not the letters had an impact.
Spending at the FDA also raised concerns as committee members noted that FDA senior staff has spent $442 thousand on travel since 2003 and that nearly $20 million has been given out as bonuses to employees since January 2003. As that spending increased, the committee report noted, other responsibilities seem to have fallen by the wayside including “a serious drop in the percentage of imported food and drug lines inspected; fewer foreign drug facilities being inspected; and a large drop in the percentage of imported biologics products inspected.”
One significant change from the original bill is a provision that would allow food manufacturers to include synthetic additives to foods certified as USDA Organic without changing label information. The conference report also removed the effort to privatize food stamp programs.
Sponsor: Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX-23rd).
Vote: Passed House 408 to 18 (RC 238 ) (June 8, 2005) Passed Senate (RV 240) September 21, 2005 Passed Senate 97 to 2 (RV 241) The House agreed to the Conference Report 318 to 63 (RC 555) October 26, 2005.
Cost to the taxpayers: House version $100.3 billion. Senate version $100.7 billion, $11 billion over last year.
## All Rights Reserved. © 2005 TheWeekInCongress.com No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.
MORE INFORMATION
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE AND BROADBAND
LOCAL PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROJECTS
CONTINUATION OF PROJECTS IN YOUR AREA
SECTION HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT
Ralstonia- The Committee notes that the Secretary of Agriculture initiated emergency actions during FY 2004 to ensure the eradication of the disease Ralstonia solanacearum, Race 3, Biovar 2, which is of great concern to U.S. agriculture, including ornamentals growers, the potato industry, and others. The Committee strongly urges the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to use existing authority including that provided under CCC, to fund this initiative, and to establish a compensation program for persons suffering from losses as a result of the eradication and control efforts related to this disease. The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations a report regarding the feasibility of establishing additional research and forward control programs in countries and/or regions that had been the point of origin for infected product.
Cattle Exports.--The committee is concerned that USDA has not made reopening key export markets for U.S. breeding cattle a priority. The committee instructs USDA, specifically APHIS and FAS, to allocate the resources necessary to reopen export markets for U.S. breeding cattle and to effectively coordinate with other agencies to regain these markets. Increasing export opportunities for U.S. producers should be USDA's top priority.
Rice Reporting.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare a report evaluating the benefits and issues associated with making price reporting mandatory for rice crops. Currently, only 75 percent of the rice market reports rice prices to the Department of Agriculture, yet the Department uses this limited information to determine counter-cyclical payments for rice producers under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The Committee would like to know whether a benefit would result from making reporting mandatory, and what issues might arise as a result of mandatory price reporting, specifically regarding the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
Air quality research.--The Committee supports the fiscal year 2006 budget request for $300,000 to reduce particulate matter emissions from beef cattle feedlots and feeding operations. This work will be carried out at the ARS research station in Bushland, Texas.
Asian longhorned beetle/emerald ash borer.--The Committee continues to be alarmed about the devastation caused by these invasive pests. The Asian longhorned beetle is perhaps the most economically harmful invasive pest to enter this country and capable of causing tens of billions of dollars in damages to forests, parks and residential areas. The Committee provides an increase of $775,000 for expanded research to control Asian longhorned beetle and Emerald ash borer at Newark, Delaware, $275,000; Ithaca, New York, $300,000, and Peoria, Illinois $200,000.
Avian pneumovirus.--The Committee notes the losses to the turkey and poultry producers due to the spread of avian pneumovirus. The eradication of this disease is vital to national and international competitiveness and is a limiting factor to the expansion of U.S. exports. The Committee directs the continuation of this research in fiscal year 2006.
Bee research.--The Committee recognizes the importance of honeybee research carried out by ARS and provides an increase of $500,000 in fiscal year 2006 to conduct research on varroa mites and marker-assisted breeding of honey bees at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Bioenergy research.--Soaring energy prices, instability of petroleum exporting countries and environmental concerns highlight the need to develop alternative domestic sources of energy from industrial feedstocks. A significant, sustained, and coordinated research and development effort is needed to produce and enhance feedstocks, improve processes for converting them into fuels and co-products, and reduce production costs in order to penetrate markets that are currently petroleum-based. The Committee provides an increase of $1,100,000 over fiscal year 2005 for expanded research to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural biomass feedstocks and develop technologies to produce biofuels and coproducts from agricultural commodities at the following locations: Peoria, Illinois, $500,000; Beltsville, Maryland, $300,000; and Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, $300,000.
Bovine genetics.--The Committee provides an increase of $300,000 over fiscal year 2005 for the ongoing research on biotechnology and genetics in cattle jointly carried out by ARS, the University of Connecticut and the University of Illinois to improve efficiencies of clones and establish cell lines from elite cows and bulls for cloning.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) research.--The Committee considers research on BSE as essential if regulatory agencies are to develop policies and control programs based on the best available science. ARS is directed to implement an integrated BSE program in pathogenesis, diagnostics, and intervention. The Committee provides an increase of $3,300,000 for this research at Ames, Iowa, $1,800,000; Pullman, Washington, $1,000,000; and Albany, California, $500,000.
Broomweed biological controls.--The Committee recognizes that increased infestations of exotic brooms and gorse weeds are causing serious economic and environmental losses to agriculture and rangelands in the Western United States. The Committee directs that this research be continued at the fiscal year 2005 funding level.
Cereal crops research.--The Committee recognizes the research accomplishments of the Cereal Crops Research Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin on the quality and improved production and marketing practices for small grains, particularly barley and oats. An increase of $250,000 is provided in fiscal year 2006 for expanded research on these important commodities.
Citrus plant pathogens.--Exotic and emerging plant diseases may be attributable to genetic shifts in the pathogen population and other processes. The Committee provides an increase of $300,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory at Ft. Pierce, Florida for expanded research on threatening plant pathogens of citrus. This research involves the development of molecular diagnostics and characterization and pathogenosity studies to determine spread and dispersal patterns. The research will focus on citrus canker and citrus greening.
Coffee and cocoa research.--World supply of coffee and cocoa continues to be threatened by severe crop diseases. Disease resistance and alternative research program for coffee and cocoa has important economic benefits and implications for U.S. foreign policy in the coffee and cocoa producing nations of South Central America and West Africa. The Committee provides an increase of $75,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the ARS research laboratories at Beltsville, Maryland for expanded research on disease resistance and alternative crop research development for coffee and cocoa.
Conservation tillage.--Better management and conservation of natural resources is essential for sustainable crop production in the Columbia River Plateau and regional areas. The ARS Soil Conservation Laboratory at Pendleton, Oregon conducts non-irrigated dryland research important to this region. The Committee maintains the fiscal year 2005 funding level for this necessary research.
Plum Island Animal Disease Center- The Committee directs that none of the funds appropriated to the Agricultural Research Service for the Advanced Animal Vaccine Project at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center may be directed for any other use by the Department of Homeland Security.
Lyme disease research and prevention.--Lyme Disease is a major public health threat in the Northeast. Controlling the ticks that transmit Lyme Disease (and other diseases) is critical to public health, and is especially critical in rural areas. The amount provided for the Agricultural Research Service includes $760,000 for the further study of the
Ecoepidemiology of emerging arthropod-borne pathogens in the Northeast and for further testing of new methods of preventing the transmission of Lyme Disease.
Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension- The Committee recognizes the effect of diet on hypertension and the role that the Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension (DASH) eating plan research had on developing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Committee is concerned, however, that the DASH research did not treat all proteins equally. In preparation for the next round of dietary guidelines, the Committee instructs USDA, specifically ARS, to budget for, develop, conduct, and completes a DASH-like study that includes the effects of lean beef on hypertension and lipid levels.
Continuing programs.--The Committee recognizes the importance of ongoing research projects in addressing problems faced by the Nation's food and fiber producers. In this regard, the Committee directs the Agricultural Research Service to continue to fund the following areas of research at the fiscal year 2005 funding level: Advanced Animal Vaccines (Univ of CT/Univ of MO), Greenport, NY; Aerial Application, College Station, TX; Aflatoxin in Cotton, Phoenix, AZ; Agricultural Law, Drake University, NAL; Animal Health Consortium, Peoria, IL; Animal Waste Treatment, Florence, SC; Appalachian Horticulture Research (Univ of TN/TN State), Poplarville, MS; Aquaculture Fisheries Center, Pine Bluff, AR; Aquaculture Initiative, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Stuttgart, AR; Aquaculture Research, Aberdeen, ID; Aquaculture Initiatives for Mid-Atlantic Highlands (WV); Arid Lands Research, Las Cruces, NM; Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR; Asian Bird Influenza, Athens, GA; Avian Pneumovirus, Athens, GA; Barley Food Health Benefits, Beltsville, MD; Bee Research, Weslaco, TX; Binational Agricultural Research and Development Program; Biological Controls and Agricultural Research (FL A&M Univ), Gainesville, FL; Biomineral Soil Amendments for Control of Nematodes (N-VIRO Intl), Beltsville, MD; Biotechnology Research and Development Corp, Peoria, IL; Bovine Genetics (Univ of CT/Univ of IL), Beltsville, MD; Broomweed Biological Controls (Yellow Starthistle) (Univ of ID), Albany, CA; Catfish Genome (Auburn Univ), Auburn, AL; Cereal Crops, Fargo, ND; Cereal Crops Research, Madison, WI; Cereal Disease, St. Paul, MN; Chronic Diseases of Children (Baylor Univ Peanut Institute), Houston, TX; Citrus and Horticulture Research, Ft. Pierce, FL; Citrus Waste Utilization (Citrus Research Center), Winter Haven, FL; Coffee and Cocoa Research (Milwaukee Museum), Beltsville, MD; Miami, FL; Conservation Research/Tillage, Pendleton, OR; Corn Germplasm, Ames, IA; Corn Rootworm, Ames, IA; Cotton Genetics Research, Florence, SC; Cotton Ginning (Long Staple Cotton) (NM State), Las Cruces, NM; Cotton Pathology Research, Shafter, CA; Cotton Quality Research, Clemson, SC; Crop Production and Food Processing (Purdue/Univ of IL), Peoria, IL; Cropping Systems Research (TN Ag Experiment Station/ Univ of TN), Stoneville, MS; Dairy Genetics, Beltsville, MD; Diet and Immune Function, Little Rock, AR; Diet, Nutrition, and Obesity (Pennington), New Orleans, LA; Emissions from Livestock Wastewater, Florence, SC; Flood/Control Acoustic Technology, Oxford, MS; Floriculture and Nursery Crops; Food Fermentation Research, Raleigh, NC; Food Safety for Listeria and E coli, Albany, CA; Beltsville, MD; Clay Center, NE; Wyndmoor, PA; College Station, TX; Formosan Subterranean Termites, New Orleans, LA; Fort Pierce Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce, FL; Foundry Sand By-Products (Penn State/Ohio State/FIRST), Beltsville, MD; Golden Nematode (Cornell Univ), Ithaca, NY; Grain Legume Plant Pathologist Position, Pullman, WA; Grape Genetics, Geneva, NY; Grape Rootstock, Geneva, NY; Grapefruit Juice/Drug Interaction (Citrus Research Center), Winter Haven, FL; Great Basins Rangeland, Burns, OR; Greenhouse and Hydroponics (Univ of Toledo), Wooster, OH; Greenhouse Lettuce Germplasm, Salinas, CA; Harry Dupree National Aquaculture Research Center, Stuttgart, AR; Honey Bee Research, Baton Rouge, LA; Hops Research (WSU), Corvallis, OR; Improved Animal Waste Management, Florence, SC; Invasive Aquatic Weed (CT Ag Experiment Station), Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jornada Experimental Range Research Station, Las Cruces, NM; Livestock Genome Mapping (Univ of IL), Clay Center, NE; Lyme Disease (Yale); Manure Management Research, Ames, IA; Microbial Genomics (WSU/Institute for Genomic Research), Kerrville, TX; Pullman, WA; Mid-West/Mid-South Irrigation (MO Ag Experiment Station), Columbia, MO; Minor Use Pesticide (IR-4); Mosquito Trapping Research/West Nile Virus (CT Ag Experiment Station), Gainesville, FL; National Germplasm Resources Program; National Soil Dynamics Laboratory (Auburn, AL A&M, Tuskegee), Auburn, AL; Nematology Research, Tifton, GA; Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory (ND State), Mandan, ND; Noxious Weeds in the Desert Southwest, Las Cruces, NM; Nutritional Requirements, Houston, TX; NW Small Fruits, Corvallis, OR; Oat Virus (Univ of IL), West Lafayette, IN; Obesity Research, Houston, TX; Ogallala Aquifer, Bushland, TX; Olive Fruit Fly Research, Parlier, CA; Montpellier, FR; Organic Minor Crop Research, Salinas, CA; Peanut Research, Dawson, GA; Pecan Scab, Byron, GA; Phytoestrogen Research Tulane/Univ of Toledo), New Orleans, LA; Pierce's Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Parlier, CA; Davis, CA; Ft. Pierce, FL; Plant Stress and Water Conservation Lab, Lubbock, TX; Potato Breeding (WSU/Univ of Idaho/OSU), Aberdeen, ID; Potato Research Enhancement, Prosser, WA; Poult Enterititis-Mortality Syndrome (PEMS), Athens, GA; Poultry Disease, Athens, GA; Beltsville, MD; Quantify Basin Water Budget Components in the Southwest (Univ of AZ), Tucson, AZ; Rainbow Trout (Univ of CT), Leetown, WV; Rangeland Resource Management, Las Cruces, NM; Regional Grain Genotyping Research, Raleigh, NC; Regional Molecular Genotyping (Club Wheat) (OSU), Manhattan, KS; Fargo, ND; Pullman, WA; Rice Research, Stuttgart, AR; Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and Other Food Pathogens (Penn State), Wyndmoor, PA; Sedimentation Issues in Flood Control Dam Rehabilitations, Oxford, MS; Seismic and Acoustic Technologies in Soils Sed. Lab, Oxford, MS; Shellfish Genetics, Newport, OR; Small Farms (Univ of MO), Booneville, AR; Soil Tilth Research, Ames, IA; Sorghum Cold Tolerance, Lubbock, TX; Sorghum Research, Little Rock, AR; Manhattan, KS; Stillwater, OK; Bushland, TX, Lubbock, TX; Source Water Protection Initiatives, West Lafayette, IN; Columbus, OH; Southwest Pecan Research, College Station, TX; Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation, Raleigh, NC; Sudden Oak Disease, Davis, CA; Ft. Detrick, MD; Sugarbeet Research, Kimberly, ID; Sugarcane Variety Research, Canal Point, FL; Sustainable Vineyards/Viticulture Practices, Davis, CA; Swine Lagoon Alternatives Research, Florence, SC; Temperate Fruit Flies, Wapato, WA; Tree Fruit Quality Research, Wenatchee, WA; Turfgrass Research, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC; Germplasm/Ornamental Horticulture, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC; Vaccines and Microbe Control for Fish Health/Fish Diseases, Auburn , AL: Vector-borne Diseases, Gainesville, FL; Verticillium Wilt Research, Salinas, CA; Virus-Free Fruit Tree Cultivars (WSU), Wapato, WA: Viticulture (Univ of ID/WSU/OSU), Corvallis, OR; Water Management Research Laboratory, Brawley, CA; Water Resource Management (Univ of GA), Tifton, GA; Water Use Management Technology, Tifton, GA; Water Use Reduction, Dawson, GA; Western Grazinglands, Burns, OR; Wheat and Barley Scab Init., Manhattan, KS; Raleigh, NC; Fargo, ND; Wheat Quality Research, Wooster, OH; Wild Rice (No. Central Ag Experiment Station), St. Paul, MN.
Corn germplasm.--Corn is a key resource in this country and throughout the world, providing food, industrial uses, livestock feed, and export. The Committee understands the importance of the germplasm base of corn hybrids grown by American farmers to promote genetic diversity and stability in corn production. The Committee directs the continuation of this program in fiscal year 2006 at the ARS research laboratory at Ames, IA.
Corn rootworm.--This pest continues to create economic and environmental problems in the Corn Belt region of the U.S. The Committee provides an increase of $100,000 at Ames, Iowa to fund priority research into the biology of controlling the corn rootworm which poses a significant economic threat to the corn industry.
Cotton quality.--Since 1997, the U.S. textile industry has been in record decline, with over 196,000 jobs lost because of illegal transshipments of textile products into the U.S. With the growth of free trade and preferential trade agreements, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection requires a quick and effective method of determining whether textile and apparel products entering the U.S. meet the eligibility criteria. An effective, economical system to track U.S. yarn from the mill to the finished product has been a goal of the U.S. textile industry for years to restore profitability to the failing industry. The Committee maintains the fiscal year 2005 funding level to the ARS Cotton Quality Research Laboratory at Clemson, SC for research and development of a tagging and identification system for the cotton textile industry.
Cropping systems research.--The Committee recognizes the need for regional research in the Mississippi River watershed to develop new varieties of soybean and cropping systems that will improve disease resistance, enhance value of the crop, and protect the region's natural resources. Crop management practices to limit erosion on the highly erodible soils of Tennessee and other southern states impact soybean diseases, both favorably and adversely. Research is needed to optimize disease control while maintaining these best crop management practices to protect soil and water quality. Molecular genetics technologies are being used to develop better soybeans and site-specific systems will be developed for improving cropping systems in the region. The Committee directs the continuation of the ARS cooperative research program with the University of Tennessee Agriculture Experiment Station.
Emerging diseases of corn.--The Committee recognizes the increased threat to corn production in the Southeast due to emerging diseases. The Committee provides an increase of $300,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the ARS Plant Science Research Laboratory at Raleigh, North Carolina for increased research to identify and genetically characterize emerging diseases of corn as a means for enhancing the diversity of corn germplasm in the Southeast.
Emerging diseases of poultry.--The U.S. Poultry industry is increasingly susceptible to new disease agents and diseases such as Asian Influenza and Exotic Newcastle diseases which have been introduced from foreign countries. The Committee provides an increase of $350,000 to the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory at Athens, Georgia for the operation of an emerging diseases investigation program that can respond, identify, and evaluate new and emerging poultry pathogen threats.
Exotic vector borne zoonotic diseases.--The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory at Laramie, Wyoming for expanded research on surveillance systems that will maximize rapid detection and response to exotic vector borne zoonotic pathogens, such as Rift Valley Fever Virus; and mosquito borne viruses, such as West Nile Virus.
Expanded research projects.--The Committee provides additional funding in fiscal year 2006 for the following important research: Animal Vaccines, $31,000; Appalachian Horticulture, $100,000; Binational Agricultural Research and Development Program, $32,000; Greenhouse Lettuce Germplasm, $150,000; Pierce's Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, $25,000; Regional Grains Genotyping Research, $78,000; Salmonella, Listeria, E.coli, and Other Food Pathogens, $100,000; Viticulture, $150,000.
Flood/Control acoustic technology.--The Committee provides funding to continue important research to develop a high resolution acoustic sub-bottom profiling system for use in flood-control dams. This research is to be conducted at the ARS Sedimentation Laboratory at Oxford, MS.
Floriculture and nursery research.--Floriculture and nursery crops represent more than 10% of the total U.S. cash crop receipts while environmental horticulture is the third largest value crop in the U.S. The Committee recognizes the importance of ARS research on floral and nursery crops and provides an increase of $250,000 for this research in fiscal year 2006.
Food pathogens.--The Committee directs the continuation of the cooperative research project at the fiscal year 2005 level for the development of capabilities for products for coating a wide variety of substrates. This research is coordinated at the ARS research center in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.
Food safety research.--Consumption of contaminated foods, including those containing antibiotic resistant microorganisms can lead to serious illnesses and death, as well as threaten the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products. Rapid and accurate methods of detection and quantitative measurement of pathogens are needed to carry out risk assessment and identify appropriate interventions methodologies. The Committee provides an increase of $2,650,000 over fiscal year 2005 for expanded food safety research at the following locations: Beltsville, Maryland, $1,050,000; Athens, Georgia, $800,000; Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, $500,000; and Albany, California, $300,000.
Formosan Subterranean termite.--The exotic Formosan Subterranean termite costs the U.S. one billion dollars each year. It is particularly damaging in the greater New Orleans area, along the Gulf Coast, and Hawaii. The Committee continues the fiscal year 2005 funding level to the Southern Regional Research Center at New Orleans, LA to continue current efforts to encompass the entire 108-block area of the historically and economically important French Quarter.
Ft. Pierce Horticultural Research Laboratory.--This laboratory carries out critical research on citrus, fruits, vegetables and nursery crops. The Committee provides an increase of $250,000 in fiscal year 2006 for research at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory at Ft. Pierce, FL.
Genetic resources.--The Committee recognizes the importance of acquisition, maintenance, characterization and enhancement of genetic resources as carried out by ARS. The Committee provides an increase of $1,500,000 over fiscal year 2005 for this program. The increase of $250,000 each is provided for the following locations for the purpose requested in the budget: Miami, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; Madison, Wisconsin; Stuttgart, Arkansas; Ft. Collins, Colorado; and Ithaca, New York.
Ginning technologies.--The Committee directs that the important research carried out by ARS in cotton ginning harvesting and the development of ginning technologies be maintained at fiscal year 2005 funding levels.
Grape genetics.--Grapes are the 6th largest crop in the United States and one of the most important cash crops worldwide. The U.S. is the 4th largest producer of wine, responsible for about 10 percent of all world wine. The Committee provides an increase of $100,000 in fiscal year 2006 to expand this important research program at the ARS facility in Geneva, NY.
Invasive aquatic weeds.--Recent introductions of exotic weeds including Eurasian, variable Milfoil, and Cabomba seriously threaten the health of Connecticut lakes. Traditional control methods focusing on whole lake treatments are prohibitively expensive. More effective and economical weed control methods focusing on localized spot treatments of weed beds in large bodies of water are needed. The Committee provides an increase of $100,000 in fiscal year 2006 to the Agricultural Research Service for increased research on invasive aquatic weeds in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Invasive species.--Invasive species have steadily increased with the growing movement of people and trade around the world. Currently, invasive weeds, insects, pathogens, and other pest species cost the U.S. in excess of $137 billion per year, causing agricultural losses, with severe impact to the environment and biological diversity. The Committee provides an increase of $1,150,000 over fiscal year 2005 for expanded research to develop IPM components and systems for invasive insect species and noxious and invasive weeds in cropping systems, rangelands, and natural areas, and develop improved knowledge of invasive insect species at the following locations: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, $150,000; Montpellier, France, $200,000; Columbia, Missouri, $200,000; Beltsville, Maryland, $300,000; and Gainesville, Florida, $300,000.
Library and information services.--The Committee provides the National Agricultural Library an increase of $400,000 over fiscal year 2005 to support agricultural information and delivery services.
Livestock and crop genomics.--Characterizing plant and animal genes for traits of economic importance is essential to U.S. agriculture productivity. The Committee recommends additional appropriations for genomic research in fiscal year 2006 at ARS laboratories located at Miles City, Montana, $300,000; Salinas, California, $225,000; and Clay Center, Nebraska, $600,000.
Mid-West/Mid-South irrigation.--While irrigation is normally associated with the arid, western part of the U.S., the fastest growing irrigation states are found in the Mid-West and the Mid-South. The need for irrigation in these areas is critical in reducing production risks, increasing producer yields, promoting good land management practices, and reducing input costs. The Committee provides an increase of $68,000 in fiscal year 2006 to support cooperative research into irrigation methods and technologies with the Delta Center, University of Missouri at Portageville, Missouri.
Nutrition research.--The Committee continues to support the nutrition research carried out at the Department's nutrition research centers. The Committee provides an increase of $1,400,000 for expanded research in dietary intake, nutrient content and obesity issues at Beltsville, Maryland, $400,000; Houston, Texas, $400,000; Davis, California, $300,000; and Little Rock, Arkansas, $300,000.
Ogallala aquifer.--Surface water in the Central High Plains region of the U.S. is severely limited. The Ogallala Aquifer, which is a finite resource, has provided water resources in the development of a highly significant agricultural economy in this region. The Committee provides an increase of $1,075,000 in fiscal year 2006 for research into the complex nature of water availability, potential uses, and costs to determine future water policy in this region, which includes Texas, Kansas, and adjoining states.
Olive fruitfly research.--The olive fruitfly is the world's number one pest of olives, causing devastating effects on the olive industry in California. The Committee maintains the fiscal year 2005 funding level for continued integrated pest management research program to control the olive fruitfly at ARS' European Biological Control Laboratory at Montpellier, France, and Parlier, CA.
Pay act costs.--The Committee provides funding for increased costs associated with Federal employee's salaries and benefits.
Plant pathogens.--The Committee is aware of the importance of developing accurate science-based forecasting systems for each pathogen for increased deterrence in plants. The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 over fiscal year 2005 for the ARS Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Laboratory at Ft. Detrick, Maryland for increased research on threatening plant pathogens to meet deterrence needs, including pathogen prioritization and development of detection technologies.
Plum Island Animal Disease Center.--The Committee is aware of research advances in exotic and foreign animal diseases conducted at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Greenport, New York. The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 over fiscal year 2005 for increased research to develop antigen delivery systems that target immune systems compartments (i.e. mucosal, peripheral, reproductive tracts, and other sites).
Quantify basin water budget components in the Southwest.--The Committee acknowledges the need to expand efforts to accurately quantify components of a basin's water budget to support local and community based watershed management. The Committee provides an increase of $200,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level for additional research at the ARS research laboratory at Maricopa, Arizona.
Soybean rust.--In fiscal year 2005, the Committee provided $800,000 in new appropriations for additional research on the devastating soybean rust disease. The Committee directs that these resources be continued in fiscal year 2006 at the ARS research stations located at Ames, Iowa and Beltsville, Maryland. As one of the Nation's prime agricultural commodities, the Committee recognizes the importance of developing integrated disease management strategies for soybeans. The Committee provides an increase of $600,000 over fiscal year 2005 for the ARS research laboratories at Urbana, Illinois and Ames, Iowa for expanded research to develop chemical treatments for emerging soybean diseases, and efficacy data required to register chemical controls
Stripe rust and other rust diseases in wheat.--The development of resistant germplasm and more sustainable, environmentally friendly control strategies provide practical solutions for U.S. producers. The Committee provides an increase of $350,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the ARS Wheat Genetics, Quality Physiology, and Disease Research Laboratory at Pullman, Washington for increased research to identify potential sources of durable resistance to rust diseases of wheat especially stripe rust.
Sudden Oak disease.--Since 1995, oak trees have been dying in large numbers along the California and Oregon coasts. The disease has spread to other plants including rhododendron and huckleberry. There is a great potential for this disease to spread throughout the country. The Committee provides an increase of $600,000 for expanded research to control Sudden Oak Disease at Ft. Detrick, Maryland, $300,000, and Corvallis, Oregon, $300,000.
Sugarbeet and vegetable production.--The Committee recognizes the importance of sugarbeet and vegetable production in California for domestic consumption. Continued development of pathogen detection is important for keeping new diseases from becoming established in the U.S. and for producing crops and commodities for domestic consumption and foreign exports. The Committee provides an increase of $350,000 over fiscal year 2005 to the ARS Crop Improvement and Protection Research Laboratory at Salinas, California for increased research to address emerging viruses of sugarbeet and vegetable production, including vine mealy bug, in California.
United States National Arboretum (USNA).--The country's interest in gardening and environmental horticulture, along with increased desire for urban green space continues to grow. The Arboretum maintains internationally acclaimed gardens for visitors and tourists seeking green space and solace in the middle of our Nation's capital. The Committee provides an increase of $250,000 over fiscal year 2005.
Vaccines for control and eradication of biological threat agents in cattle, swine, and relevant wildlife species.--The Committee provides an increase of $900,000 over fiscal year 2005 for increased research on immune responses to vaccination of natural infection in cattle, swine, and relevant wildlife species. This is important research that supports our nation's homeland security. The research will be conducted at the National Centers for Animal Health at Ames, Iowa.
Cereal Disease.--The Committee understands the importance of ongoing Cereal Disease Research in St. Paul, MN. The Committee is concerned that ARS has not yet hired a scientist to fill the vacant research position, and urges the Department to quickly fill this position to ensure research continues on schedule.
Reporting Requirement.--The Committee notes that the Agricultural Research Service has had the authority to construct certain buildings under 7 U.S.C. 2250 for several years. The Committee directs the Agricultural Research Service to notify the Committee on the use of this authority on a biannual basis.
The Committee provides additional funds in support of the modernization and construction of Federal research facilities as follows: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, IL; Grape Genomics Research Center, Davis, CA; U.S. Agricultural Research Station, Salinas, CA; ARS Sugar Research Laboratory, Houma, LA; Center for Grape Genetics, Geneva, NY; Center for Crop-based Health Genomics, Ithaca, NY; ARS Research Laboratory, Pullman, WA, and the ARS Nutrient Management Research Laboratory, Marshfield, WI. Due to budgetary constraints, the Committee is unable to provide the full amount required to complete construction of these projects.
The Committee has attempted to provide funds to construct Federal research facilities that are necessary to keep American agriculture competitive within severe funding constraints. While the Committee has approved the final funding level, as requested in the budget, to complete the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, there are several other high priority construction projects that have already been planned and designed, and are waiting for full funding for construction. There is in excess of $500,000,000 committed to such projects. As a result, the Committee does not provide any funding for the planning and design of construction projects for which feasibility studies have been completed, until the Committee can complete a full assessment on how to prioritize and fund the projects that have already been designed.
The following table summarizes the Committee's provisions:
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
[Dollars in thousands]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee provisions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California, Davis: Grape Genomics Research Center $3,625
California, Salinas: U.S. Agricultural Research Station 3,625
Illinois, Peoria: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research 3,625
Iowa, Ames: National Centers for Animal Health 58,800
Louisiana, Houma: ARS Sugarcane Research Laboratory 3,625
New York, Geneva: Center for Grape Genetics 3,625
New York, Ithaca: Center for Crop-based Health Genomics 3,625
Washington, Pullman: ARS Research Laboratory 3,625
Wisconsin, Marshfield: Nutrient Management Research Laboratory 3,125
Total, ARS Buildings and Facilities 87,300
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee expects the ARS to provide a feasibility prospectus, by March 1, 2006, for the Kerrville, Texas facility, and the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CT).
SPENDING SPECIFICS
For Research and Education Activities, the Committee provides an appropriation of $661,691,000, an increase of $6,196,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $116,191,000 above the budget request.
For payments under the Hatch Act, the Committee provides an appropriation of $178,807,000, an increase of $100,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $89,453,000 above the budget request.
For cooperative forestry research, the Committee provides an appropriation of $22,255,000, an increase of $50,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $11,152,000 above the budget request.
For the Evans-Allen Program (payments to the 1890 land-grant colleges, Tuskegee University, and West Virginia State University), the Committee provides an appropriation of $37,704,000, an increase of $1,000,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $546,000 above the budget request.
For the National Research Initiative, the Committee provides an appropriation of $214,634,000, an increase of $35,082,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $35,366,000 below the budget request. The Committee expects that the fiscal year 2005 funding levels for the following competitive grants will be maintained in fiscal year 2006: Water Quality; Food Safety; Regional Pest Management Centers; Crops at Risk from FQPA Implementation; FQPA Risk Mitigation for Major Food Crop Systems; Methyl Bromide Transition Program; and the Organic Transition Program.
Alliance for Food Protection- The Committee provides $413,000 for the Alliance for Food Protection. Of this amount, $256,000 is to continue integrated fruit and vegetable research at the University of Georgia.
Applied Agricultural and Environmental Research- The Committee provides $550,000 for Applied Agricultural and Environmental Research. This research will provide for technology transfer and information dissemination directly to producers, processors, and consumers. These funds shall be equally divided between California State-Fresno, California State-San Luis Obispo, California State-Pomona, and California State-Chico.
Biodesign and Processing Research Center.--The Committee provides $950,000 for the Biodesign and Processing Center at Virginia Tech University. The Center's focus is on developing and promoting innovative technologies for use in commercial agriculture with an emphasis on waste management solutions. The Center will enhance the capabilities and economic viability of farmers, woodland owners, and wood processors by conducting cutting edge research for the design, production, and recovery of industrial enzymes and pharmaceuticals for transgenic corps and for conversion of agriculture wastes to value-added products.
Dietary Intervention- Within funds provided for dietary intervention research, $750,000 is provided for Ohio State University, and $500,000 is provided for the University of Toledo.
Microbiological Safety of Food- The Committee encourages the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension service to consider priority projects that enhance the microbiological safety of food through freezing.
Polymer-Based University Research- The Committee recognizes the work currently being conducted at some of our nation's universities to further the development of products, methods and materials related to bio-based polymers for high-grade plastics. Replacement of petrochemicals with bio-based materials as well as reducing U.S. dependence of foreign oil are common goals of the country and the Committee recognizes the capability of polymer based research to help in accomplishing these goals. To this end, the Committee urges the Department to work with universities that specialize in vegetable oil-based polymer research in an effort to further utilize the capabilities this type of research and development represents.
Farm Safety: AgrAbility- Within the funds provided for Smith-Lever 3(d) for Farm Safety, the Committee recommends $4,563,000 for the AgrAbility program, which helps people with disabilities to be able to farm safely, efficiently, and profitably through on-the-farm education and assistance.
Northern Aquaculture Demonstration.--This project, located on the Red Cliff Indian Reservation (WI), will deliver a coordinated and focused applied research and demonstration program, combined with an aggressive direct-to-farm extension outreach program, to address the needs of fish farms and state, federal and tribal hatcheries and help overcome the unique development and operational challenges of aquaculture in the cold climates of northern states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
For the Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program, the Committee provides an appropriation of $5,935,000, an increase of $47,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and the same amount as the budget request.
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection.--The Committee includes an appropriation of $3,262,000 for the National Germplasm and Biotechnology Laboratory to cover costs associated with the biosecurity level 3 greenhouse and for additional diagnostic and test validation activities at the laboratory, as requested.
Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection.--The Committee recommendation includes the full amount requested for fruit fly exclusion and detection, within which is $2,758,000 for Mexican fruitfly control in Texas, as requested.
Animal health monitoring and surveillance.--The Committee provides $149,014,000 for animal health monitoring and surveillance, an increase of $5,093,000 over the fiscal year 2005 amount. Included in the funding is $33,340,000 for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), as requested. The Committee is carefully following the development of the NAIS, including issues of data use and confidentiality, applicability to different species, links to current systems used by state veterinarians, and costs. The Committee requires that APHIS provide quarterly progress reports on NAIS, including the status of the preceding issues and an accounting of funds.
The Committee directs that not less than $2,000,000 be provided for a cooperative agreement with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium. This project supports the national plan to establish an animal and livestock 48-hour traceback system.
The Committee provides not less than $600,000 for the Farm Animal Identification and Records (FAIR) program. Both the Wisconsin consortium and the FAIR project should also be eligible to apply for cooperative agreement funding for animal identification, which is funded within the NAIS total.
The Committee provides $300,000 to assist in creating a database of North Carolina's agriculture industry for rapid response capabilities.
The Committee provides the full amount requested, $17,184,000, for activities related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The Committee notes that the intense BSE surveillance testing program is scheduled to be completed shortly. As of May 8, 2005, 347,491 cattle have been tested (with no positive results), which far exceeds the original goal to test 268,000 animals. Given the knowledge gained from the 2004-2005 testing program, the Committee requests a report within 30 days of enactment on the design, implementation and cost of an updated BSE surveillance system.
The Committee continues funding for the New Mexico Rapid Syndrome Validation Program at $450,000 to support early detection of pathogens in animals and prevent its spread.
The Committee provides $300,000 for Iowa State University's work regarding risk assessments of genetically modified agricultural products.
Emergency management systems.--The Committee provides $5,000,000 for Field emergency coordinators and $3,009,000 for the vaccine bank.
Pest detection.--The Committee provides an increase of $1,546,000 for surveys through the state-based Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys system.
The Committee continues funding of $200,000 to evaluate the utility of remote sensing (hyperspectral imaging and Light Detection And Ranging) for the identification of ash trees, the early identification of emerald ash borer infestation, and the tracking and mapping of the diseased trees.
The Committee provides funding for a cooperative agreement with the California County Pest Detection Augmentation Program at the fiscal year 2005 level.
Select Agents.--Funding for the select agents function is included as a separate item, as requested. The total provided is an increase of $1,858,000 over the comparable fiscal year 2005 amounts, which were part of the Import/Export and Pest Detection line items.
Brucellosis.--The Committee continues to provide the fiscal year 2005 funding level for the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee to eliminate brucellosis from wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone area.
Chronic wasting disease.--For chronic wasting disease, the Committee provides $16,880,000 for fiscal year 2006. The Committee directs that of this amount $1,750,000 shall go to the State of Wisconsin.
Emerging plant pests.--The Committee expects the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to use the authority provided in this bill to transfer funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation for the arrest and eradication of animal and plant pests and diseases that threaten American agriculture. By providing funds in this account, the Committee is enhancing, but not replacing, the use of Commodity Credit Corporation funding for emergency outbreaks.
For emerging plant pests, the Committee includes $100,695,000. The Committee provides the following amounts for eradication and control activities: $36,629,000 for citrus canker, $24,000,000 for Glassy-winged sharpshooter/Pierce's Disease, $14,000,000 for Emerald Ash borer, $3,000,000 for Sudden Oak Death, and $2,753,000 for Karnal bunt.
The Committee continues funding for olive fruit fly trapping at the fiscal year 2005 level.
The Committee provides $800,000 for hydrilla eradication around Lake Gaston in Virginia and North Carolina, and expects APHIS to monitor the effectiveness of hydrilla eradication around Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia regularly.
The Committee provides $15,251,000 for the Asian long-horned beetle, as requested. The Committee is concerned about the damage that this pest can do, and requests that APHIS provide the analysis that supports the decision to control the beetle infestation rather than eradicate it, and includes an estimate of costs to eradicate the beetle. Further, the Committee expects the Secretary to use his emergency authority to provide funds to combat the infestation when warranted.
Imported fire ant.--The Committee provides $2,154,000 for imported fire ant of which $45,000 is for New Mexico.
Johne's Disease.--The Committee provides $7,752,000 for Johne's disease, which is $4,561,000 above the budget request.
Avian Influenza.--The Committee provides $22,837,000, the same as the request, for activities relating to the prevention, control, and eradication of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI). Within the total amount, $8,000,000 is for indemnities, $3,000,000 is for surveillance activities, and $5,000,000 is for cooperative agreements with states. Funding is provided for live bird market closure for disinfection, as needed. The Committee is concerned that LPAI, which appears to be endemic in certain live bird markets in urban areas, could mutate into highly pathogenic forms. To prevent this from happening, a robust surveillance and control system in both commercial poultry industries and live bird markets is important. The Committee believes that industry cooperation and program fairness will be maximized through the indemnification of losses.
The Committee notes that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has combated Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) through both depopulation and vaccination, depending on individual circumstances. An emergency vaccination protocol was used most successfully after an outbreak on a farm in Connecticut. The Committee strongly encourages APHIS to utilize funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation or to utilize other authority to compensate producers for vaccination costs and related flock losses previously incurred due to the outbreak in Connecticut and the resulting sequential depopulation and restricted use of a USDA approved and authorized avian influenza vaccine.
Wildlife services.--The Committee continues the fiscal year 2005 funding levels for wildlife surveillance, Wildlife Services state operations, and aviation safety. The recommendation assumes the continuation of current cost share levels for cooperators. The Committee directs that, other than funding for the specific items noted in this report, the funds provided in the Wildlife Services line item are available for general operations needs.
The Committee continues to provide $1,200,000 for wolf predation management, of which $1,050,000 is for Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, and $150,000 is for New Mexico and Arizona.
The Committee continues funding for the following projects: $300,000 for Beaver management in North Carolina; $250,000 for crop and aquaculture losses in southeast Missouri; $625,000 for game bird predation work with the University of Georgia; $200,000 for predation wildlife services in western and southside Virginia; $150,000 for blackbird control in Louisiana; $1,300,000 for predator control programs in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming; $1,000,000 for wildlife services in Texas; $200,000 for beaver management and damage in Wisconsin; $1,255,000 for brown tree snake management in Guam; $310,000 for Hawaii and Guam operations; $50,000 for control of feral hogs in Missouri; $1,000,000 for cormorant control in New York; and $175,000 for cormorant control in Michigan.
The Committee provides a $4,000,000 increase above the fiscal year 2005 level for a cooperative rabies oral rabies vaccination program, for a total of $25,580,000.
Wildlife services methods development.--The Committee continues to provide $400,000 in funding for the National Wildlife Research Station in Kingsville, Texas, to address emerging infectious disease issues associated with wildlife populations.
The Committee provides funding to continue the cooperative agreement between the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center and the National Wildlife Research Center in Hilo at the fiscal year 2005 level.
Microchip identification of pets.--The Committee supports the microchipping of pets for identification under the universal 134 kHz International Standards Organization (ISO) system of open microchip technology in which all scanners can read all chips. The Committee directs APHIS to develop the appropriate regulations to implement the universal 134 kHz ISO system, and to report to Congress within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act on progress toward that end.
For Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Committee provides an appropriation of $78,032,000, an increase of $2,940,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $6,082,000 below the budget request.
Included in the appropriated amount are increases of $584,000 for the Pesticide Data Program and $305,000 for Pesticide Recordkeeping, as requested. The Committee recommendation includes the proposed termination of the Biotechnology Program.
The Committee does not provide the increase requested for a new commodity purchasing computer system in this account. The Committee addresses the issue under the Section 32 Account.
The Committee provides not less than $2,026,000 for activities relating to Organic Standards.
The recommendation does not include $2,918,000 in standardization user fees, as proposed in the President's budget. The Administration has not yet submitted a legislative proposal to Congress for these fees, which are not currently authorized in law. The Committee does not recommend establishing such fees in annual appropriations acts, but will consider such fees should they achieve authorization.
The Committee provides $1,000,000 in this account for the Farmers' Market Promotion Program to make grants to eligible entities for projects to establish, expand, and promote farmers' markets.
For the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Committee provides an appropriation of $837,264,000, an increase of $20,094,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $126,547,000 above the budget request.
The recommendation does not include $139,000,000 in meat inspection user fees, as proposed in the President's budget. The Administration has not yet submitted a legislative proposal to Congress for these fees, which are not currently authorized in law. The Committee does not recommend establishing such fees in annual appropriations acts, but will consider such fees should they achieve authorization.
The Committee provides the full amounts requested to cover pay costs, an increase of $13,858,000, and to support frontline inspection, an increase of $2,236,000. The Committee provides an increase of $6,745,000 for food defense activities, including $417,000 for biosurveillance, $2,820,000 for the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), $2,500,000 for laboratory capacity and equipment, and $1,008,000 for related training. Within the base resources provided is $5,000,000 for enforcement of The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. The Committee recommendation includes a cut of $3,000,000 in information technology savings as requested in the budget
The Committee provides $2,000,000, the same as fiscal year 2005, for outsourcing of microbiological testing, which supports the goal of establishing a continuous baseline for risk assessment. The Committee expects the Department to outsource the testing to private American Association for Laboratory Accreditation International Standards Organization-approved laboratories. The Committee directs FSIS to report on the status of this project within 60 days of enactment.
The Committee recommendation includes the requested increase for an initiative to support frontline inspection. FSIS has stated that with the funding, it will hire 22 Consumer Safety Officers to support Veterinary Public Health Officers. FSIS will then be able to better use the expertise of the veterinarians, who will complete at least three public health assessments in addition to other activities. The Committee requests periodic updates on the performance of this initiative, including: the location and number of the new hires; the number of assessments completed in fiscal year 2006, versus the number in prior years; and the public health outcome from the increased staffing.
The Committee provides $3,002,000, for Codex Alimentarius activities, which are critical for maintaining food safety worldwide and facilitating international trade.
Regulation development.--The Committee understands that FDA and FSIS are working on rules related to sausage casings and the small intestine of cattle. The Committee is concerned about the availability of this material, which has not been categorized a specified risk material. The Committee directs the agency to proceed on rulemaking in a timely manner, and to report to the Committee within 30 days of enactment on the regulatory status of sausage casings/small intestines, and on related guidance for the Field force.
The Committee provides $27,312,000 for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, $10,457,000 for the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting program, as requested, $10,547,000 for Plant Materials Centers, as requested, $88,149,000 for the Soil Surveys Program, as requested, and $657,175,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance. The recommendation for each program includes pay costs, as requested. The amount provided for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative includes an increase of $4,000,000 for enhanced prevention, management, and restoration activities for invasive species. For Conservation Operations, the Committee provides an increase of $14,280,000 for the requested initiative to provide assistance to producers in meeting environmental regulations, including AFO/CAFO requirements. The Committee recommendation includes funding for one American Heritage River navigator position on the Hudson River.
State funding allocations- The Committee is concerned that funding allocations to the States are being reduced in proportion to Congressional earmarks funded in the Conservation Operations account. The Committee directs the Chief of the NRCS, in making the fiscal year 2006 Conservation Operations funding allocations to the States, to treat Congressional earmarks as additions to the States' funding allocation. The Committee directs the NRCS to provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations, not later than 45 days after the enactment of this Act, including the following: fiscal year 2005 Conservation Operations allocation by State, fiscal year 2006 Conservation Operations allocation by State, the fiscal year 2006 Congressional earmarks by State, and the total conservation operations allocation by State. In addition, the Chief of the NRCS is directed to inform the Committee immediately about any changes to the formula or process by which the base state allocations are made.
Animal Feeding Operations Pilot Projects.--The Committee provides $6,000,000 for the continued implementation of pilot projects for innovative technology systems resulting in a 75 percent reduction in nutrients of wastewater discharged by animal feeding operations to be managed by Farm Pilot Project Coordination, Inc. The Secretary is directed to release these funds after submitting a report to the Committees on Appropriations that a satisfactory cooperative agreement between the NRCS and Farm Pilot Project Coordination, Inc. has been consummated.
Conservation Technical Assistance Projects.--Funding for fiscal year 2005 projects is not continued in fiscal year 2006 unless specifically mentioned in this report. The following funds are directed to be used in cooperative agreements, continued with the same cooperator entities as in the fiscal year 2005 agreements, except as noted: National Water Management Center (AR)--$2,750,000; Study to determine logistics of transportation/coordination of excess nutrients (AR)--$225,000; East Valley
Conservation District/Santa Ana Watershed Authority (CA) non-native plant removal--$1,000,000; Monterey Bay Sanctuary--$600,000; Cooperative Agreement with Tufts University to improve conservation practices (CT)--$480,000; Manatee Agriculture Reuse System (FL)--$2,000,000; Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Cooperative Agreement--$3,700,000; Community Nutrient Management Facilities (GA)--$350,000; Idaho One Plan--$200,000; Trees Forever Program (IL)--$100,000; cooperative agreement with Kane County, Illinois, for Smart Growth Floodplain Mapping Project (IL)--$600,000; Illinois River Basin--$600,000 through EQIP; Hungry Canyon/Loess Hills Erosion Control/Western Iowa--$1,200,000; Trees Forever Program (IA)--$100,000; CEMSA w/Iowa Soybean Association--$431,500; Technical assistance to providing grants to Soil Conservation Districts in Kentucky--$1,000,000; cooperative agreement with Louisiana State University on effectiveness of agriculture and forestry (LA)--$400,000; False River sedimentation/Bayou Grosse (LA)--$200,000; Chesapeake Bay activities--$6,000,000; Weed It Now-Taconic Mountains (MA/NY/CT)--$200,000; Choctaw County (MS) feasibility study for surface impoundment--$250,000; Upper White River Water Quality Project Office in southern Missouri--$430,500; State conservation cost share program (NJ)--$1,000,000; Pastureland Management/Rotational Grazing (NY)--$600,000; Best management practices/Skaneateles and Owasco Watersheds (NY)--$325,000; Address non-point pollution in Onondaga and Oneida Lake Watersheds (NY)--$500,000; Watershed Agriculture Council in Walton (NY)--$720,000, of which $80,000 is for monitoring the easements purchased by the Council's Whole Farm Easement Program; Technical assistance to livestock/poultry industry (NC)--$450,000; Maumee Watershed Hydrological Study and Flood Mitigation Plan (OH)--$1,000,000; cooperative agreement with South Licking Watershed Conservancy District (OH)--$250,000; Oregon Garden Silverton (OR)--$325,000; Study to characterize land use change while preserving natural resources in cooperation with Clemson University (SC)--$900,000; Bexar, Medina, Uvalde Counties irrigation in Edwards Aquifer (TX)--$500,000; Field office telecommunications pilot program/advanced soil survey methods (TX)--$2,400,000; Range vegetation pilot project, Ft. Hood (TX)--$500,000; a cooperative agreement with the Texas Water Resources Institute to implement a watershed protection plan for Tarrant County (TX)--$500,000; Walla Walla (WA) watershed alliance--$500,000; Design/implement natural stream restoration initiatives (WV)--$800,000; Soil survey geographic database in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands (WV)--$200,000; Grazing Lands Initiative/Wisconsin Department of Agriculture--$950,000; Audubon at Home Pilot Program--$500,000; Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil and Erosion Sediment--$2,500,000; Source water protection project to states showing greatest need--$3,350,000; New York State Agriculture and Environment Management Program--$800,000; Operation Oak Program to restore hardwoods--$400,000; Dairy and poultry waste treatment in Suwannee, Dixie, and Lafayette Counties (FL)--$1,000,000; Long Island (NY) Sound watershed initiative--$200,000; Pace University Land Use Law center (NY)--$200,000; Erosion Control and Stabilization for Hudson River shoreline at Village of Tarrytown (NY)--$250,000; cooperative agreement with the Green Institute (FL)--$400,000; Lake Okeechobee (FL) Watershed project planning--$310,000; cooperative agreement with Sand County Foundation (WI)--$900,000; Soil survey mapping project (WY)--$300,000; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Partnerships--$3,000,000.
The Committee provides $2,400,000 to continue a field office telecommunication and field technology program and to implement advanced soil survey methods and GIS visualization tools in West Texas.
The Committee directs that the funding included in this account for the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Cooperative Agreement be provided to the Commission through the state NRCS office in a timely manner and in total, not in part, so that vital water projects in Georgia are not delayed.
Plant Materials Centers.--The Committee provides full funding for the Plant Materials Centers, as requested. Included in the total is funding for the Kika de la Garza Plant Materials Center at no less than the fiscal year 2005 level.
Assistance to Producers.--The Committee is concerned that producers' applications for assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other programs be prioritized fairly and that there not be any producer group that is systematically disadvantaged by the process and ranking system. In particular, the Committee is concerned that hog producers in Virginia are considered under the EQIP program on an equal basis with other producer types, and that program applicants are not disadvantaged because of the number of practices in their applications. The Committee requests a report from NRCS by February 1, 2006, on the participation of hog producers in NRCS programs in Virginia versus other producer types, if that participation rate is considered low or adequate, and for any plans to raise the participation rate for that segment.
Feasibility Study.--The Committee directs NRCS to provide a report on the feasibility, requirements, and scope for the relocation of the National Water Management Center to Lonoke, Arkansas. The report should detail building size, cost, associated facilities, scientific capacity, and other requirements for collaboration with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The report should also detail existing and planned program and resource requirements for this location, and should be submitted to the Committee by March 1, 2006.
For Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, the Committee provides an appropriation of $60,000,000, a decrease of $14,971,000 below fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $60,000,000 above the budget request. Language is included which limits the amount spent on technical assistance to not more than $25,000,000.
The Committee is aware of and expects progress to continue and/or to provide financial/technical assistance for the next phase for the following projects: Big Slough Watershed (AR); Little Red River (AR); Four pilot projects in North Florida related to dairy and poultry cleanup efforts (FL); Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed (HI); Upcountry Maui Watershed (HI); Indian Creek Watershed (IL); Hickory Creek Special Drainage District (IL); Madison County Water Supply Project (IA); Lyon's Creek Watershed No. 41 (KS); Lower Elk River and Upper Walnut North Watersheds (KS); Pigeon Roost Creek project, Jackson County (KY); Swan Quarter Dike (NC); Papillon Creek Watershed S-30 Structure (NE); Neshaminy Creek Watershed Project, Bucks County (PA); Christina Basin, Brandywine and RedWhite Clay (PA); Lower Colorado River water conservation project (TX); Fannin County Caney Creek Watershed, Site 3A (TX); Attoyac Bayou site 23A, Nacogdoches County (TX); Martinez 6 flood detention dam (TX); Big Cypress Reservation Water Conservation project (FL) as part of Everglades restoration; and Buena Vista Watershed (VA).
It is the understanding of the Committee that the project for Marrowbone Creek Dam, in Henry County, Virginia, will be completed in fiscal year 2005 and that no fiscal year 2006 funds are required. The Committee requires immediate notification if the project will be delayed due to technical or funding issues.
For the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, the Committee provides an appropriation of $27,000,000, a decrease of $280,000 below the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $11,875,000 above the budget request.
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, the Committee provides an appropriation of $627,000, the same as the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $8,000 below the budget request.
LOCAL PROJECTS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE
The Committee directs the Under Secretary to give consideration to the following projects or organizations requesting financial and/or technical assistance, and grants and/or loans made available under the Rural Development mission area: Biomass Power Generation Project, Haskell County (KS); Biomass Power Generation Project, Deaf Smith County (TX); Rainsville Agricenter (AL); Construction of a new library, Cordova (AL); Sewer infrastructure improvements, Eva (AL); Sewer infrastructure improvements, Oneonta (AL); Water system improvements, Kennedy (AL); Agricultural Center for West Ouachita H.S. (LA); Town Hall, Village of Collinston (LA); Union-Lincoln Regional Water Supply Initiative (LA); Rural Economic Development Center (ME); Rural Heritage Site, Ridgefield (WA); Carriage Museum, Raymond (WA); Louisiana State University, Sustainable Economic Development Institute (LA); eCenter for Rural Health and Research Services (LA); Ascension Parish Agriculture Community Center (LA); Minority Manufacturers and Supply Chain Diversity (SC); Food Industry, Agribusiness Development Program (SC); Agriculture Demonstration and Outreach Center (AR); Family Farmer and Rural Development Training (GA); Plains Rural Agricultural Museum (GA); Enhancing Rural Economies through Wireless Technology, University of Georgia (GA); Mobile Infirmary, Telemedicine Plan (AL); Ozone Water Project, Johnson County (AR); Dickenson County Kitchen Incubator (VA); Russell County Incubator (VA); Alleghany County Incubator (VA); Critical Rural Services Initiative, Alachua County (FL); NGWA, Well Inspector Training Program (IN); Riley Hospital for Children, Riley Connections (IN); Downtown renovation of the City of Henderson (NC); Water and wastewater system upgrades for Luray (VA); Water and wastewater system upgrades for Madison (VA); Water and wastewater system upgrades, Shenandoah (VA); Water and wastewater system upgrades, Stanley (VA); Community and Economic Assistance for Rappahannock County (VA); Braxton County Senior Center (WV); Handley Volunteer Fire Department (WV); Kauai Bagasse to Ethanol Project (HI); Maui Cattle Industry Development (HI); Maui Community College SkyBridge (HI); Hawaiian Anti-Oxidant Extract from Fruit Wastes (HI); Anderson County Community Recreational Complex (KY); University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (VI); Sewer System Repair (VI); Town of Coward (SC), Elevated Water Well Project; City of Orangeburg (SC), SCSU Water Tower; Town of Turbeville (SC), water and Wastewater Treatment System; Town of Andrews (SC), Water Project; City of Orangeburg Railroad Corner Project (SC); Backhoe for Healdton (OK); Construct Technology Transfer Center, Ardmore (OK); Construct Community Center Building, Lone Grove (OK); Construction of a Water Tower, Elgin (OK); Farm Research Center Outreach Program (IL); Rainsville AgriCenter (AL); Madison County Agricultural Facility (FL); Upgrade Water System, Raceland (KY); Upgrade Water System, Cynthiana (KY); Farmers' Market, Bath County (KY); City of Coburg Wastewater System (OR); Freer WCID Water Improvement Project (TX); Duval County C&R District Water Improvements (TX); Jim Hogg County WCID Water Improvement Program (TX); Butte County (CA) Interoperable Radio/Data System; Rural Manufacturing Initiative (PA); Storm Drainage Improvements, Northampton Co. (VA); Community and Economic Development in East Tennessee (TN); St. John's/New Madrid Floodway project in Southeast Missouri (MO); Rural Telecardiology, Erie (PA); Calexico Telemedicine Center (CA); Imperial Valley Sugarcane, Renewable Energy, Ethanol (CA); Environmental Technology Business Park (CA); Desert Farming Institute (CA); Neighborhood House of Calexico Youth Center (CA); Villalba's Water Improvement Project (PR); Wilkesboro/Kerr Scott Reservoir Intake Project (NC); Historic and Rural Development Initiative (NJ); Chesapeake Fields, Kent County (MD); Maryland Agriculture and Rural Development (MD); Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (VA); Algoma Marina Dredging Project (WI); Federal Forest Landfill Closure, Town of Blackwell (WI); Federal Forest Landfill Closure, Town of Laona (WI); Avondale Waste Water Treatment Facility Expansion (AZ); Energy Surety Development for Nogales (AZ); Hardee County, (FL) Fire Houses; North Port, (FL) Master Plan for Stormwater Quality; Desoto County, City of Arcadia, (FL) Wastewater Project; Hardee County, (FL) Potable Water System; Midland Keyston Opportunity zone sewage infrastructure (PA); Bloomington Township Fire Department to construct a burn building in McLean County (IL); (SD) Value Added Center, Beef Processing Facility; Ohio State University's 4-H Center (OH); (PA) Rural Manufacturing Initiative; Center for Dairy Excellence (PA); East Valley Water District (OR); Independence Telecommunications Enhancements (OR); City of Turner Reservoir Project (OR); Opal Creek Wilderness Area (OR); Vincennes University Agriculture Center Applied Technology (IN); (MD) Agricultural and Rural Development Initiative; Plant Bio-security in Urban environments (LA); Renovations to St. Helena Parish Courthouse (LA); community facilities in Dunmore Borough (PA); community development in Nanticoke City (PA); Town of Windermere (FL), Sewer Infrastructure; UW, River Falls Rural Urban Stewardship Initiative (WI); Statewide Rural Water Map (IL); Rural Partners, develop an Internet Web Portal (IL); Skagit County's Fiber Optics Expansion (WA); Chariton Valley Biomass Project (IA); Redlands Community College (OK); City of Perkins Water Distribution System (OK); City of Perkins Storm Water System (OK); Virtual Learning Community, Classroom Project (CA); San Juan County Fire, EMS, and Rescue Building (UT); URDC's Woody Biomass Project (UT); Springhill (LA), Water System Improvement; Village of Simpson (LA), Water System Improvement; NSU (LA), Bridging the Gap in Education; Plattsburgh drinking water filtration plant (NY); Adirondack Champlain Fiber Network (NY); Village of Ellisburg, water storage project; Southeastern (NC) Agricultural Center; Red Hills Coop, Mobile Poultry Processing Unit (GA); New Iberia Recreational Community Center Complex (LA); Lafourche Regional Agriculture Center (LA); Grand Isle Multiplex Center (LA); Old Hastings Civic Center Upgrade Project; Wastewater Plant Rehabilitation and Maintenance (FL); (ME) Rural Economic Development Center; Universal Public Information Access Project (ME); Western Maine (ME) Entrepreneur Fund; Vandalia Heritage Foundation (WV); Canaan Valley Institute (WV); Marymount Distance Learning, Mentoring for Nurses (VA); Diabetes detection, prevention (WA/PA); Joslin Diabetes Center (WA); Northampton (MA) Fairgrounds; Springfield (MA) Public Market; Relocation of Holmes County (OH) fairgrounds; Kosair Hospital Telemedicine Rural Outreach Program (KY); International Agr-Center Education Facility (CA); Lindsay Wellness Center (CA); Tulare County Farm to Market Roads (CA); Breakwater Small Employer Healthcare Alliance (MN); Health Care Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (WI); Hospice Care of the Berkshires (MA); Avondale Waste Water Treatment Facility Expansion (AZ); Community Facility for Reserve (NM); Rural Community Development for Hurley (NM); Village of Columbus (NM); New Water Well, Town of Seminary (MS); Gas and Waterline extensions, Kemper County (MS); Water Plant Repair, City of Magnolia (MS); Agricultural Service Center, San Joaquin County (CA); Higginsport Sanitary Sewer Project (OH); St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington (WV); Little Colorado River Clean Up (AZ); White Mountain Apache North Fork Drinking Water (AZ); Holbrook Wastewater Sewer Interceptor (AZ); Canutillo Agricultural Science and Research Center (TX); Mill Creek of Arkansas (AR); NE Organic Fanning Association of Vermont (VT) Fanners' Market; Rural Manufacturing Initiative (PA); Bedford County Emergency Communications System (PA); City of Bald Knob (AR), Downtown Improvements; Petersburg Water Project in Mahoning County (OH); State Route 45 Waterline in Columbiana County (OH); Gallipolis (OH) Spruce St Waterline Improvement; Township of L'Anse Water and Sewer Project (MI); Spies Field, Menominee Recreational Facilities (MI); Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (MI); City of Munising Water and Sewer Improvement (MI); Intermediary Relending Program funds for Northern Initiatives, Marquette (MI); Adirondack Community Information Centers (NY); Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center (NC); Industrial Opportunities, Inc., Facility Expansion (NC); Graham County Emergency Services Facility (NC); Foothills Industries Blow Molding Operations (NC); Winters Library (CA); Laytonville Wastewater Treatment (CA); Water Storage Tank for Trinidad (CA); Aullwood Farm Rooted in the Future Initiative (OH); Port of Morrow Roof Rehabilitation (OR); EOU High School Outreach (OR); Eastern Oregon Center for Regional Economic Study (OR); Highland View Project in Oak Ridge (TN); Cumberland Gap (TN) Wastewater Improvement; Dandridge (TN) wastewater improvements; Bradley County (TN) Hiw'assee Utility Commission Water; Dayton (TN) Phase II wastewater treatment expansion; Sandoval Health Commons (NM); and Alpha Pump Station Photovoltaic Retrofit (CA).
The Committee expects the Under Secretary to approve these projects only when such applications are judged to be meritorious when subject to established review procedures.
It has come to the Committee's attention that the Hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) in 2004 and tornadoes in 2005 have combined to cause significant damage and loss throughout the South, and in particular Southern Georgia. Families and businesses have been displaced and local rural communities are increasingly unable to address the housing and related losses of those affected. The Committee directs the Department to assess the cumulative effects of these storms, and give these communities priority consideration in the funding of housing reclamation projects, including Seminole County, Miller County, and Wayne County, Georgia ravaged by recent catastrophic weather events.
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT
The following earmarks are included in bill language for the Rural Community Advancement Program: $1,000,000 is for grants to nonprofit organizations to finance construction, refurbishing, and servicing of individually-owned household water well systems in rural areas; $500,000 is for revolving funds for financing water and wastewater projects; $24,000,000 for Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, of which $4,000,000 is for community facilities grants to tribal colleges, and of which $250,000 is for transportation technical assistance; $6,200,000 is for the Rural Community Development Initiative; $500,000 for rural transportation technical assistance; $1,000,000 is for grants to Mississippi Delta Region counties; $25,000,000 is for water and waste disposal systems in the Colonias; $17,500,000 is for technical assistance for rural water and waste systems; $14,000,000 is for a circuit rider program; and $21,367,000 for empowerment zones and enterprise communities (EZ/EC) and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones, of which $1,067,000 is for community facilities, of which $12,000,000 shall be for rural utilities programs, and of which $8,300,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative development programs.
Rural Community Assistance Programs- The Committee directs that, of the funds provided for rural waste systems, $5,600,000 is designated for the Rural Community Assistance Programs.
The Committee expects the Department to coordinate with the Foundation for Affordable Drinking Water to carry out the provisions of section 7 U.S.C. 1926e of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
The Committee expects the Department to carry out the provisions of 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B) to coordinate with groups who have expertise in operating revolving funds similar to that authorized under 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2), including Rural Community Assistance Programs.
The Committee encourages the Rural Business-Cooperative Service to promulgate regulations to implement an annual guarantee fee for business and industry loans guaranteed under section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. This annual fee will allow this guarantee loan program to more effectively use its budget authority.
The Committee is concerned that a final rule and implementation of the Household Water Well System Grant Program has not been completed. Funding for this program was made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-199), and became effective on January 23, 2004. Additional funding for this program was made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 (Public Law 108-447). The Committee directs the Department to promptly publish a final rule and implement the Household Water Well System Grant Program. The Committee also directs the Department to provide a report to the Committee regarding the status and publication of a final rule by July 15, 2005.
The committee encourages the Department to provide a rural business opportunity grant for the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership Zone to coordinate and facilitate local community development projects in Tioga County, New York.
The committee expects the Department to continue Rural Community Advancement Program predevelopment planning grants.
The Committee encourages the Rural Utilities Service to continue a partnership with the Kentucky PRIDE program in providing technical expertise and program guidelines.
For the Renewable Energy Program, the Committee provides an appropriation of $23,000,000, an increase of $184,000 above the amount available in fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $13,000,000 above the budget request.
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE AND BROADBAND
For the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program, the Committee provides an appropriation of $44,723,000, a decrease of $11,250,000 below the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and an increase of $9,750,000 above the budget request, including $750,000 for Distance Learning and Telemedicine loan subsidy, which supports a loan level of $50,000,000; $25,000,000 for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants; $9,973,000 for Broadband Telecommunications loan subsidy, which supports a loan level of $463,860,000; and $9,000,000 for Broadband Grants
Buy American.--The Committee is concerned that foreign agricultural products are being purchased at the local level for use in the National School Lunch Program. The Committee urges the Department to implement a Buy American procurement-training program for state and local administrators.
Pilot Study.--The Committee encourages the Food and Nutrition Service to conduct a pilot study, in all or part of 5 States, as authorized by section 124 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.
For the Child Nutrition Programs, the Committee provides a total of $12,412,027,000, an increase of $630,027,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $4,000,000 below the budget request. Of the total amount provided, $7,224,406,000 is by direct appropriation and $5,187,621,000 is by transfer from Section 32.
The Committee recommendation for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is $5,257,000,000. The Committee notes that since the budget request was submitted last February, estimates for participation and food costs in the WIC program have declined for fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006. In fiscal year 2006, there are estimated to be 300,000 fewer participants a month and the average food cost per person per month has decreased by twenty-one cents. The Office of Management and Budget has notified the Committee that the budget request is higher than estimated program needs. Therefore, the recommended funding level, although below the budget request, is currently estimated to be sufficient to meet program needs. However, the Committee will continue to monitor WIC food costs and participation, and take additional action as necessary to ensure that the funding provided in fiscal year 2006 is sufficient to serve all eligible applicants.
In addition, the Committee notes that $125,000,000 is available in the contingency fund in fiscal year 2006.
The recommended funding level includes $15,000,000 for continuation of the breastfeeding peer counselor program.
The Committee has concerns about the need for the Department's request of $3,000,000 for the evaluation and research of program cost containment strategies. In May 2003, the Economic Research Service published an Assessment of WIC Cost-Containment Practices. The Committee encourages FNS and ERS to explore potential research needs in support of vendor cost-containment policies. The Committee recommendation does not include funds for an evaluation of cost containment strategies.
The Committee does not include the provision, as requested, that requires funding for nutrition services and administration grants to States be capped at 25 percent of the total amount provided.
The Committee includes language, as requested by the Administration, that provides guidance that funds under this heading shall not be used for WIC benefits for individuals who receive medical assistance or whose family member is a pregnant woman or infant who receives assistance, unless it falls below 250 percent of the applicable poverty guidelines.
Electronic Benefit Transfer.--The Committee recommendation includes language to allow funds to be used for WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems and sets the authorized level of infrastructure funding at $13,600,000, which includes funding to develop EBT systems.
WIC Services and Referrals.--While the Committee supports State and local agency efforts to utilize WIC as a means of participation referral to other health care services, it also recognizes the constraints that WIC programs experience as a result of expanding health care priorities and continuing demand for core WIC program activities. The Committee wishes to clarify that while WIC plays an important role in screening and referral to other health care services, it is not the Committee's intention that WIC should perform aggressive screening, referral and assessment functions in a manner that supplants the responsibilities of other programs, nor should WIC State and local agencies assume the burden of entering into and negotiating appropriate cost sharing agreements. The committee again includes language in the bill to preserve WIC funding for WIC services authorized by law to ensure that WIC funds are not used to pay the expenses or to coordinate operations or activities other than those allowable pursuant to section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, unless fully reimbursed by the appropriate Federal agency.
Food Prescription Package.--The Committee directs the Department to move expeditiously in consultation with WIC agencies to develop for public comment a food prescription rule responding to the needs of the WIC population and to provide a report to the Committee regarding the status and publication of a final rule prior to February 1, 2006.
For the Food Stamp Program, the Committee provides $40,711,395,000, an increase of $5,556,841,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and the same amount as the budget request. The total amount includes $3,000,000,000 for a contingency reserve in fiscal year 2006; $1,535,796,000 for nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico and American Samoa; and $140,000,000 for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
The recommended funding level for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is $107,716,000, an increase of $862,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and above the budget request. The Committee notes that approximately $6,020,000 in commodity inventory is expected to be available to the CSFP in fiscal year 2006, making the total available for the program approximately $113,736,000.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program- The Committee recommendation includes $20,000,000 for the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, an increase of $160,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and the same as the budget request.
Seniors Farmers' Market Program- Public Law 107-171, Section 4402, directs mandatory funding for this program from funds available to the Commodity Credit Corporation. The funding level is $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
For the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Committee provides an appropriation of $148,224,000 and transfers of $3,608,000, for a total salaries and expenses level of $151,832,000, an increase of $10,631,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005 and a decrease of $568,000 below the budget request.
The Committee recommendation includes: $2,311,000 for pay cost; $1,200,000 for ICASS; $4,000,000 to offset the increased costs in overseas currency rates; $300,000 for FAS to promote American agricultural products in Baghdad; $951,000 for Title I administration; and $2,743,000 for the capital surcharge being levied on the Foreign Agricultural Service by the State Department.
The Committee recommendation includes $600,000, the same as fiscal year 2005, for technical assistance for the promotion of specialty crop exports.
The Committee has included language that allows for the use of not more than $5,000,000 of funds transferred to the Foreign Agricultural Service from the Commodity Credit Corporation for Information Resource Management requirements.
The Trade Assistance Act for Farmers requires that technical assistance be provided to farmers negatively impacted by imports. This technical assistance is an education program that helps farmers develop marketing opportunities, increase production efficiency and seek alternatives to offset losses created by imports. The Committee directs that from the funds made available by the Trade Adjustment Act that $3,000,000 be available to the Digital Center for Risk Management Education to coordinate an intensive technical assistance program for farmers.
For McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants, as authorized by Section 3107 of P.L. 107-171 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1), the Committee provides an appropriation of $100,000,000, an increase of $13,200,000 above the amount available for fiscal year 2005, and the same amount as the budget request.
FDA
The Committee recommendation includes $1,837,928,000 for the salaries and expenses of the Food and Drug Administration. Of the total, $1,480,978,000 is provided in budget authority, and the Committee makes available $305,332,000 in prescription drug user fees, $40,300,000 in medical device user fees and $11,318,000 in animal drug user fees. The budget authority provided is $30,880,000 over the fiscal year 2005 level, and $11,748,000 under the budget request.
Included in this funding level are increases of $5,000,000 for the Office of Drug Safety and $5,996,000 for medical device review, as requested; and an increase of $12,442,000 for food safety and counter-terrorism activities. Within the total amount for the agency, not less than $486,511,000 in budget authority and $9,869,000 in user fees are made available for field activities conducted by the Office of Regulatory Affairs. The Committee assumes a cut of $6,670,000 from FDA's base resources, as proposed in the President's budget.
The Committee directs that within the amount provided for food safety and counter-terrorism activities, priority should be given to maintaining existing personnel and operations that are critical to ensuring the safety of domestic and imported food, rather than funding new functions, grants, or agreements.
Within the amount provided for Other Activities in the Act, $36,330,000 is for the Office of the Commissioner, $51,172,000 is for the Office of Management, $11,014,000 is for the Office of External Relations, $11,720,000 is for the Office of Policy and Planning, and $6,823,000 is for central services for the Offices in this account. The Committee notes that funds for these Offices, as well as for the other activities, programs, or projects named in this Act, are subject to the requirements of Section 718 of this Act.
Drug Safety- The Committee provides all budget authority requested, $22,900,000 for the Office of Drug Safety, as well as full funding for the patient safety function within the agency, which totals nearly $70,000,000. In addition, $13,100,000 in user fees is made available for patient safety, of which $10,500,000 is for the Office of Drug Safety. The Committee is extremely concerned about this issue, and expects to receive, at a minimum, quarterly reports from the agency on the situation, including, but not limited to: the status and results of the Institute of Medicine study regarding drug safety issues and FDA effectiveness; planned changes within FDA related to drug safety, including review processes or reprogrammings; plans for external review; and new initiatives, including education efforts or labeling changes.
The Committee provides an additional $5,000,000 for the Drugs Program, and directs FDA to use these funds for the highest priority drug safety needs. For these funds and those provided for the Office of Drug Safety, the Committee requires a detailed spending plan within 30 days of enactment.
Generic Drugs- The base funding includes not less than $56,228,000 in funding for the Generic Drugs Program. This is a vital program and the Committee is concerned that its potential as part of the solution to high quality and affordable health care is not realized.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalophathy (BSE)- The Committee provides the total amount requested, $29,566,000 for BSE prevention activities, primarily to continue enforcement of the 1997 feed ban.
Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring- The Committee believes that the National Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) program is critical to public health surveillance and encourages FDA to provide funding to USDA (the animal arm) at a level equal to the total for FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the human arm). The Committee expects that the agencies will coordinate their activities and directs that an Executive Summary of 2004 NARMS data and a preliminary report on 2005 data be sent to the Committee by March 1, 2006. The summary should present findings of all three components in a format that is accessible to users of the data. The Committee directs that FDA perform a review of all components of the NARMS program to analyze whether the arms of the program remain scientifically sound and relevant to public health, the criteria utilized to evaluate the program, and what is needed to make the NARMS program complete.
Pediatric Use of HIV Vaccines- The Committee recognizes the importance of ensuring that promising HIV/AIDS vaccines are tested in infants and youth as early as is medically and ethically appropriate. The Committee requests that the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, in consultation with appropriate public and private entities, consider the logistical, regulatory, medical and ethical issues presented by pediatric testing of these vaccines so that children can share in the benefit of any advances in vaccines research. The Committee urges FDA to issue guidance not later than six months after enactment of this Act on the minimum requirements for obtaining approval of the Food and Drug Administration to test an HIV vaccine in pediatric populations and the minimum requirements for obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval of a pediatric indication of an HIV vaccine.
Abuse of Prescription Drugs- The Committee is interested in the potential benefit from FDA's development of procedures for the processing and review of applications for approval for abuse-resistant formulations of schedule II painkillers and other prescription drugs currently on the market.
The Committee notes that FDA priority review can be granted in cases in which the drug product `would be a significant improvement compared to marketed products . . . in the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a disease' including `elimination or substantial reduction of a treatment-limiting drug reaction'. The Committee requests FDA to report on whether a drug less prone to abuse would be considered under that provision, and if so, how many drugs were considered under the provision due to less potential for abuse, and granted priority status.
Additionally, FDA should take all appropriate steps to ensure that health care providers and patients are given all relevant information concerning the abuse-resistant qualities of safer drugs. Providers and patients alike will benefit from the expedited review of safer drugs, as well as the provision of information that accurately differentiates abuse-resistant formulations.
Women's health- The Committee recommendation includes not less than $4,000,000 for the Office of Women's Health. The Committee continues to be committed to this function, and in particular activities related to cardiovascular disease in women and the hormone therapy education program.
Orphan products- The Committee directs that no less than $15,000,000 be available for grants and contracts awarded under section 5 of the Orphan Drug Act, the same amount as fiscal year 2005.
Rent and related activities- The Committee provides $21,974,000 in budget authority, an increase of $4,128,000, for relocation costs to the White Oak, Maryland, facility as requested.
Financial management- In the fiscal year 2005 appropriations Act, Congress directed that the funding level for the Unified Financial Management System (UFMS) was at the same level as in fiscal year 2004. In response to the Questions for Record submitted to the Committee in April 2005, FDA reports that spending for the UFMS was $9,389,000 in fiscal year 2004 and is expected to be $13,582,000 in fiscal year 2005, a 45 percent increase. The Committee has not received the required notification of this increase. For fiscal year 2006, the Committee directs that no more than $9,389,000 is available for UFMS, and requires a quarterly report on the expenditures. The Committee reiterates that any additional costs for this purpose, either direct or by transfer, are subject to approval by the Committee.
Human resources- The Committee requests a report within 60 days of enactment regarding the DHHS human resource consolidation including: total FDA obligations; an update on the performance metrics specified in the service level agreement between FDA and DHHS; a description of any cases in which the performance measures were not met during fiscal year 2005, and the resolution of those cases; and a list of the DHHS operating divisions that are participating in the consolidation.
Consolidation- The Committee directs DHHS to include all future consolidations that impact FDA in the President's budget request submitted to Congress.
Fees- The Committee directs that none of the funds made available to FDA in this bill be for any assessments, fees, or charges by DHHS or any other Department or Office unless such assessments, fees, or charges are identified in the FDA budget justification and expressly provided by Congress, or approved by Congress in the official reprogramming process as required in the General Provisions of this bill.
Shellfish safety- The Committee expects that FDA will continue its work with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Commission (ISSC) to promote educational and research activities related to shellfish safety in general, and Vibrio vulnificus in particular. The Committee directs the use of not less than $250,000 for this effort. In addition, the Committee expects that FDA will continue its work with ISSC through a memorandum of understanding, and that FDA will devote not less than $200,000 to that work. The Committee expects the FDA to require all states to work cooperatively in conformity with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program implemented by the ISSC.
Food safety- The Committee recognizes the contributions which the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) is making toward ensuring the security of the nation's food supply. The Committee directs that FDA continue to provide $3,000,000 to NCFST through the cooperative agreement. The $3,000,000 in funding shall be exclusive of any additional initiative funds that FDA may award to NCFST.
Test method evaluation- The Committee directs that the agency continue its contract to conduct method evaluation of rapid test methods of fresh fruits and vegetables for microbiological pathogens with New Mexico State University's Physical Science Laboratory at the fiscal year 2005 level.
WERC- The Committee expects the FDA to continue its support for the Waste Management Education and Research Consortium (WERC) and its work in food safety technology verification and education at the fiscal year 2005 level.
Antibiotics in shrimp imports- The Committee continues to have serious concerns regarding seafood safety issues posed by banned antibiotic contamination in farm-raised shrimp imports. It is the Committee's understanding that FDA is now using testing methods that detect chloramphenicol at 0.3 parts per billion, rather than 1 part per billion. The Committee recommends that the FDA, in cooperation with any state testing programs, continue testing of farm-raised shrimp imports for chloramphenicol and other related harmful antibiotics used in the aquaculture industry and ensure that any adulterated shrimp that tests positive for chloramphenicol or other banned antibiotics will be destroyed or exported from the United States. The Committee requests a report by March 1, 2006, on the number of shrimp samples tested for antibiotics, and the number of positive tests for chloramphenicol in fiscal years 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006.
Food Labels- The Committee is interested in ensuring that the public can be certain that the Nutrition Facts panel on food products reflects accurate, lawful and factual nutritional information, particularly as it relates to the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Given the important nature of the information provided on the food label, the Committee is concerned that consumers may be faced with illegal low calorie claims, healthy claims and heart health claims. Additionally, there may be product names that violate the standards of identity for particular products. Consumers need to know that they can trust the accuracy of food labels. The Committee, therefore, directs the Agency to systematically examine Nutrition Facts labels, and report to the Committee by February 1, 2006, with a summary of the types of labeling violations discovered, and the actions taken to address such violations.
Regulation development- The Committee understands that FDA and FSIS are working on rules related to sausage casings and the small intestine of cattle. The Committee is concerned about the availability of this material, which has not been categorized as a specified risk material. The Committee directs the agency to proceed on rulemaking in a timely manner, and to report to the Committee within 30 days of enactment on the regulatory status of sausage casings/small intestines and on related guidance for the Field force.
Hearing on budget request.--The Committee has taken the step of withholding five percent of the funds provided to the central offices at FDA until there is a public hearing with the head of the agency on the fiscal year 2006 budget request. The Committee appreciates the willingness of the agency's head to present the budget request in March 2005, and regrets that the administration insisted on postponing his scheduled appearance. The Committee wants to make it clear to the administration that it will insist on a hearing with the agency's head before providing it the funds requested in the budget.
Direct to consumer advertising.--The Committee provides an increase of $884,000 for the review of direct-to-consumer drug ads. Because staff levels for these activities, under the Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communication in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in FDA, have remained flat for some time, despite the growth of direct to consumer ads, the Committee believes this increase is needed.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
The funding allocation for this bill provided only $93 million more than the 2006 budget request. This brings the funding level up just to last year's level.
While this bill is an improvement over the President's budget request, there are a number of key funding shortfalls in the bill and important policy issues that should be brought to the attention of our colleagues and the public
Food and Drug Administration. While there are numerous important questions about FDA that need answers, the subcommittee was hampered in getting answers this year by the administration's decision to stop Acting Commissioner Crawford from testifying on the budget, purportedly because of his pending nomination to become the Commissioner.
It is essential that the subcommittee hear from the head of this agency. To make this absolutely clear to the administration, Rep. DeLauro proposed an amendment to hold back five percent of the funding for the leadership offices at FDA until a hearing with the Commissioner or Acting Commissioner is held. We applaud the subcommittee's unanimous adoption of this amendment and urge the administration to take notice.
But important issues involving FDA cannot be ignored while we wait for a hearing. One basic issue is whether FDA has the authorities it needs to protect public health. The public was shocked to learn that FDA lacks any real authority to make a company change a label or to order a company to conduct a safety study of a drug already on the market when concerns are raised.
To address these problems, Rep. Hinchey offered an amendment in committee to give FDA labeling and post-market study authorities.
Although the amendment was supported by all the Democratic Members present and by one Republican, it was defeated, 25-31.
Two funding amendments adopted in Committee at the request of Rep. DeLauro will help FDA's drug safety work:
The Committee agreed to double the funding for the small office at FDA that reviews direct-to-consumer drug advertisements. While drug companies now spend billions of dollars a year on drug ads, staffing for the office has remained flat for years, and an increase was long overdue.
The Committee agreed to include an additional $5 million for drug safety activities at FDA. These funds, too, are badly needed, and this is a step in the right direction.
Because of our concerns about other problems with the FDA budget, we looked closely at how FDA is handling its existing resources. This brought troublesome questions about its priorities and management to light. Here are some examples:
FDA has spent $19,674,855 on employee bonuses since January 2003. This is twice the increase proposed this year for the Office of Drug Safety.
FDA's most senior staff spent more than $442,000 on travel since January 2003--equal to 50 percent of what FDA spends in one year to review consumer drug ads.
The FDA general counsel's office has spent 15,041 hours reviewing draft warning letters to drug companies about illegal drug ads since March 2002. This is equal to more than seven people working full-time for a year. The result has been a drop in the number of letters issued and delays in issuing them, but no indication whatsoever that company compliance has improved.
While FDA fritters away precious funds in these areas, it is falling behind in some of its most basic responsibilities to protect the public. Comparing 2006 to 2004, we find, for example, a serious drop in the percentage of imported food and drug lines inspected; fewer foreign drug facilities being inspected; and a large drop in the percentage of imported biologics products inspected. Making sure that our food, drug and vaccine supplies are safe should be the agency's highest priority. We believe the agency should examine its spending from top to bottom and redirect resources to this goal.
Rural development. Funding for several key programs at USDA that help rural communities provide basic clean water, affordable housing and essential community facilities does not keep pace with demand.
Water and waste disposal funding: funding for water and waste grants in this bill is $87 million below 2004, but demand for grants at the end of fiscal year 2004 far exceeded funding in 2005 or in this bill. While direct loan funding is held at the 2005 level, USDA had nearly $1.3 billion in applications for the loans on hand at the end of fiscal year 2004, much more than it could fund under the final 2005 level or the level in this bill.
Single family housing direct loans: this bill funds single family direct loans at the 2005 level, but that still leaves the program $211 million below 2004. Such a cut is a matter of serious concern because these loans are extremely popular: at the end of 2004, USDA had 30,458 applications on hand for $2.6 billion in single family direct loans, far over the level in this bill.
Community facility grants: funding in this bill for this program, which funds essential community facilities in rural areas such as fire and medical facilities, is $17 million, under the final 2005 level of $19.7 million. Yet there is high demand for these grants--as of March 2005, USDA had $90.7 million in funding requests for these grants on hand--far in excess of the amount available in 2005 or in this bill.
Nutrition programs. Two nutrition funding issues should be noted:
CSFP: this bill does not provide enough funding to maintain current participation in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. At least 45,000 participants--the overwhelming majority of them elderly--would have to be dropped from the program unless more funds are provided, and the figure could turn out to be much higher. We are deeply concerned about the impact this would have on the vulnerable population served by CSFP.
WIC: the bill reduces the WIC program by $253 million below the request and rescinds $32 million from the WIC reserve fund. While current estimates suggest this reduction can be made without reducing participation, language included in the report affirms the Committee's intent to continue to monitor program costs and to provide sufficient funding to serve all eligible applicants in the final bill.
International food aid. We are pleased that the Committee rejected an ill-advised administration proposal to move $300 million of international food aid to USAID, rather than continuing to fund it through the PL 480 program. The USAID funds would be used to buy food abroad, instead of American commodities, thus undermining the historically broad support for international food aid in this country.
This bill restores to PL 480 $222 million of the $300 million that would have gone to USAID, leaving total funding about $78 million short of the total budget request level. Rep. Jackson offered two amendments in committee to increase funding that were, unfortunately, defeated.
Conservation programs. The administration budget for the discretionary conservation programs in this bill proposed severe cuts in each of the major accounts. This bill improves upon the request, but total funding for these programs is still $52 million lower than last year's level.
This bill cuts mandatory conservation programs more deeply than the Bush budget. While the administration cut in the EQIP program is reduced slightly, the bill limits the Wetland Reserve Program, takes a deeper cut from the Conservation Security Program than the budget and cuts the ground and surface water conservation program, which the budget left untouched.
General provisions. We would like to express our views on several measures included in the bill as general provisions:
WIC-only stores. We are also concerned about language in this bill that undoes an agreement reached last year between Congress and the administration on limiting so-called `WIC-only stores.' We hope that our concerns will be addressed in conference.
Propaganda. We are pleased that the subcommittee unanimously accepted an amendment by Rep. DeLauro to prohibit the use of funds in this bill to produce a pre-packaged news story without including a clear notification that the story was prepared or funded by a federal agency. Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is spent, and who is the source of the messages they see in print or on television, so they can make an informed decision based on the information before them.
Drug reimportation. As in the past two years, this bill includes language to allow prescription drug importation. Soaring prices for life-saving drugs are a reality--and a public health issue--that millions of Americans confront daily. But while the Agriculture appropriations bills included this language the last two years, the provisions were mysteriously dropped in conference without any public consideration. This must not happen again. This issue merits direct, open and full consideration this year.
We look forward to a vigorous debate on these and other issues when the House
considers this bill. We will work hard there and in conference with the Senate
to address the concerns we have identified.
Rosa L. DeLauro.
Maurice Hinchey.
Sam Farr.
Allen Boyd.
Marcy Kaptur.
David R. Obey.
AMENDMENTS
1. H.AMDT.224 to increase funding (by transfer) for the Watershed
Rehabilitation Program by $20 million and to increase funding (by transfer) for
Rural Cooperative Development Grants by $40 million.
Sponsor: Rep Bonilla, Henry [R-TX-23rd] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Bonilla amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.
2. H.AMDT.225 to increase funding (by transfer) for Outreach for Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers by $1.875 million.
Sponsor: Rep Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1st] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Butterfield amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.
3. H.AMDT.226 to increase the funding (by transfer) for education grants
programs for Hispanic-serving Institutions by $855,000.
Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hinojosa amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.
4. H.AMDT.227 to increase funding (by transfer) for APHIS by
$18,885,000.
Sponsor: Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Weiner amendment (A004) Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 - 201
(RC 230).
5. H.AMDT.228 to increase funding (by transfer) for APHIS salaries and
expenses by $1.227 million.
Sponsor: Rep Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 By unanimous consent, the Platts amendment
was withdrawn.
6. H.AMDT.229 to increase the funding limitation (by transfer) for
salaries and expenses of personnel who carry out authorized environmental
quality incentives programs by $40 million.
Sponsor: Rep Bonilla, Henry [R-TX-23rd] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Bonilla amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.
7. H.AMDT.230 to remove the authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to
sell the Western Cotton Research Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Sponsor: Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the DeLauro amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.
8. H.AMDT.231 to add a new section providing $15 million under the
heading for APHIS salaries and expenses.
Sponsor: Rep Moran, Jerry [R-KS-1st] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 By unanimous consent, the Moran (KS)
amendment was withdrawn.
9. H.AMDT.232 to strike section 759 from the bill relating to the delay
in country of origin labeling for meat and meat products.
Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Dennis R. [R-MT] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Rehberg amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 - 240 (RC 231).
10. H.AMDT.233 to require that the manufacturer of an approved drug
conduct one or more studies to confirm or refute an empirical or theoretical
hypothesis of a significant safety issue with the drug.
Sponsor: Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22nd] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Mr. Bonilla raised a point of order against
the Hinchey amendment (A010). Mr. Bonilla stated that the provisions of the
Hinchey amendment seek to change existing law and constitute legislation in an
appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
11. H.AMDT.234 to add a new section stating the sense of the Congress
that the Secretary of Agriculture should use the transfer authority provided by
law to implement the strategic plan developed by APHIS for the eradication of
Emerald Ash Borer in the States of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
Sponsor: Rep Schwarz, John J.H. "Joe" [R-MI-7th] (introduced 6/8/2005)
Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Schwarz (MI) amendment (A011) Agreed to by voice vote.
12. H.AMDT.235 to prohibit use of funds to grant a waiver of a financial
conflict of interest requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
for any voting member of an advisory committee or panel of the FDA; or to make a
certification under existing law for any such voting member.
Sponsor: Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hinchey amendment (A012) Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 - 210
(RC 232).
13. H.AMDT.236 to prohibit use of funds in the bill to pay salaries and
expenses of personnel to inspect horses under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or
under the guidelines issued under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996.
Sponsor: Rep Sweeney, John E. [R-NY-20] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Sweeney amendment (A013) Agreed to by recorded vote: 269 - 158
(RC 233).
14. H.AMDT.237 to insert a new section at the end of the bill to prohibit
the use of funds from being made available to pay the salaries and expenses of
personnel who make loans available under section 156 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to processors of domestically grown sugarcane
at a rate in excess of 17 cents per pound for raw cane sugar or to processors of
domestically grown sugar beets at a rate in excess of 21.6 cents per pound for
refined beet sugar.
Sponsor: Rep Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3rd] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment (A014) Failed by recorded vote: 146 - 280
(RC 234).
15. H.AMDT.238 to prohibit the use of funds from being made available to
carry out section 203 of the Agriculture Trade Act of 1978 or to pay the
salaries and expenses of personnel who carry out a market program under such
section. (Editor’s Note: Market programs are taxpayer financed marketing of US
goods in Foreign countries)
Sponsor: Rep Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1st] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Chabot amendment (A015) Failed by recorded vote: 66 - 356 (RC
235).
16. H.AMDT.239 to prohibit the use of funds from being made available to
keep in effect an exemption for a clinical trial that concerns a
life-threatening disease or condition and is not included in the registry of
such trials. Amendment also seeks to prohibit the use of funds to approve
certain applications.
Sponsor: Rep Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1st] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Mr. Bonilla raised a point of order against
the Stupak amendment (A016). Mr. Bonilla stated that the amendment seeks to
impose new duties and changes existing law. The Chair sustained the point of
order.
17. H.AMDT.240 to reduce funding in the bill by 1% across the board.
Sponsor: Rep Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hefley amendment (A017) Failed by recorded vote: 80 - 335 (RC
236).
18. H.AMDT.241 to prohibit use of funds in the bill for the approval or
process of approval of an application for an animal drug for creating transgenic
salmon or any other transgenic fish.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 By unanimous consent, the Kucinich
amendment was withdrawn.
19. H.AMDT.242 to prohibit use of funds in the bill for expenditures in
contravention of current law.
Sponsor: Rep Garrett, Scott [R-NJ-5th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Garrett (NJ) amendment (A019) Failed by recorded vote: 169 - 258
(RC 237).
20. H.AMDT.243 to prohibit use of funds in the bill to conduct any
investigation of, or take any employment action against, an officer or employee
of the FDA who provides to Congress any public information or opinions not
prohibited from disclosure.
Sponsor: Rep Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1st] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Mr. Bonilla raised a point of order against
the Stupak amendment (A020). Mr. Bonilla stated that the provisions of the
Stupak amendment seek to impose new duties thus changing existing law and
constituting legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the
point of order.
21. H.AMDT.244 to prohibit use of funds in the bill to promulgate
regulations without consideration of the effect of such regulations on the
competitiveness of American businesses.
Sponsor: Rep Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 By unanimous consent, the Tiahrt amendment
was withdrawn.
22. H.AMDT.245
Sponsor: Rep Brown, Sherrod [D-OH-13th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Brown (OH) amendment (A022) Agreed to by voice vote.
23. H.AMDT.246 to require the Department of Agriculture, at the request
of a producer or processor, to test ruminants, ruminant products, and ruminant
by-products for the presence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy subject to
reimbursement by the producer or processor of the costs incurred by the
Department to conduct the tests.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Mr. Bonilla raised a point of order against
the Kucinich amendment (A023). Mr. Bonilla stated that the provisions of the
Kucinich amendment seek to impose new duties and thus change existing law
constituting legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the
point of order.
24. H.AMDT.247 to require that with regard to cotton, tobacco, and rice
production, the Secretary shall make grants to the several States in an amount,
for each State, equal to at least 0.75 percent using funds that would otherwise
be paid under the bill.
Sponsor: Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9th] (introduced 6/8/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/8/2005 Mr. Bonilla raised a point of order against
the Weiner amendment (A024). Mr. Bonilla stated that the provisions of the
Weiner amendment seek to change existing law and constitute legislation in an
appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
SENATE AMENDMENTS
25. S.AMDT.1726 to H.R.2744 To amend the Rural Electrification Act of
1936.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/15/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1726 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
26. S.AMDT.1729 to H.R.2744 To prohibit Federal funding of research
facilities that purchase animals from Class-B dealers.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 9/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1729 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
27. S.AMDT.1730 to H.R.2744 To ensure the humane slaughter of
nonambulatory livestock.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 9/15/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1730 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
29. S.AMDT.1732 to H.R.2744 To prohibit the use of funds for
developing a final rule with respect to the importation of beef from Japan.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 9/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1732 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 72 - 26.
Record Vote
Number: 236.
31. S.AMDT.1735 to H.R.2744 To provide for the consideration of the
Municipality of Carolina, Puerto Rico as meeting the eligibility requirements
for loans and grants programs in the Rural Development mission area.
Sponsor: Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] (introduced 9/19/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/19/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1735 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
33. S.AMDT.1737 to H.R.2744 To allow the Secretary to lease certain
land to the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System for its
Shortgrass Steppe Biological Field Station.
Sponsor: Sen Allard, Wayne [CO] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1737 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
34. S.AMDT.1738 to H.R.2744 To express the sense of the Senate on the
importation into the United States of beef from Japan.
Sponsor: Sen Allard, Wayne [CO] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(5)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1738 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
37. S.AMDT.1741 to H.R.2744 To pledge continued support for
international hunger relief efforts and express the sense of the Senate that the
United States Government should use resources and diplomatic leverage to secure
food aid for countries that are in need of further assistance to prevent acute
and chronic hunger.
Sponsor: Sen DeWine, Mike [OH] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1741 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
38. S.AMDT.1742 to H.R.2744 To modify the conditions under which the
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation may offer crop insurance to single producers.
Sponsor: Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1742 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
43. S.AMDT.1747 to H.R.2744 To provide for minimum prices for milk
handlers.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1747 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
44. S.AMDT.1748 to H.R.2744 To limit the use of funds made available
to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 9/20/2005)
Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1748 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
45. S.AMDT.1749 to H.R.2744 To insert provisions related to conflicts
of interest among members of advisory panels of the Food and Drug
Administration.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(3)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1749 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
46. S.AMDT.1750 to H.R.2744 To provide for the conveyance of land to
the Mississippi State University, Starkville.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1750 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
47. S.AMDT.1751 to H.R.2744 To provide for a comprehensive report on
the economic development and current status of the sheep industry in the United
States.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1751 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
48. S.AMDT.1752 to H.R.2744 To establish a demonstration intermediate
relending program for the construction and rehabilitation of housing for the
Choctaw Nation.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Amendment SA 1752, previously agreed to,
was modified by Unanimous Consent.
49. S.AMDT.1753 to H.R.2744 To prohibit the use of appropriated funds
to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to inspect horses under certain
authority or guidelines.
Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John [NV] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (9)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1753 as modified agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 68 - 29.
Record Vote Number: 237.
50. S.AMDT.1754 to H.R.2744 To provide for a report on the impact of
increased prices of gas, natural gas, and diesel on agricultural producers,
ranchers, and rural communities.
Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1754 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
51. S.AMDT.1755 to H.R.2744 To require the Secretary
of Agriculture to prepare a report on the conduct of activities to address bark
beetle infestations.
Sponsor: Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA
59. S.AMDT.1763 to H.R.2744 To prohibit the use of funds to close or
relocate certain local offices of the Farm Service Agency.
Sponsor: Sen Talent, Jim [MO] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1763 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
61. S.AMDT.1765 to H.R.2744 To require the Secretary of Agriculture to
provide notice to Congress before initiating any structural change in a mission
area of the Department.
Sponsor: Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1765 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
62. S.AMDT.1766 to H.R.2744 To provide a technical correction for the
community eligibility for rural utilities programs in Arkansas.
Sponsor: Sen Pryor, Mark L. [AR] (introduced 9/20/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/20/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1766 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
69. S.AMDT.1773 to H.R.2744 To reduce spending levels, to promote more
efficient use of resources, and to encourage more appropriate budget estimates.
Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1773 not agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
71. S.AMDT.1775 to H.R.2744 To require that any limitation, directive,
or earmarking contained in either the House of Representatives or Senate report
accompanying this bill be included in the conference report or joint statement
accompanying the bill in order to be considered as having been approved by both
House of Congress.
Sponsor: Sen Coburn, Tom [OK] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1775 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 39.
Record Vote
Number: 238.
79. S.AMDT.1783 to H.R.2744 To permit the National Dairy Promotion and
Research Board to obligate and expend funds for any activity to improve the
environment and public health.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1783 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
81. S.AMDT.1785 to H.R.2744 To express the sense of the Senate
regarding funding directives contained in H.R. 2744 or its accompanying report.
Sponsor: Sen McCain, John [AZ] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1785 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
82. S.AMDT.1786 to H.R.2744 To allow the Secretary to authorize the
use of certain funds that would otherwise be recaptured under the rural business
enterprise grant program.
Sponsor: Sen Smith, Gordon H. [OR] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(1)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1786 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
92. S.AMDT.1796 to H.R.2744 To provide funds to carry out the historic
barn preservation program, with an offset.
Sponsor: Sen Jeffords, James M. [VT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor)
93. S.AMDT.1797 to H.R.2744 To increase funds to implement and
administer Team Nutrition programs, with an offset.
Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(3)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1797 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 66 - 29.
Record Vote
Number: 239.
96. S.AMDT.1800 to H.R.2744 To express the sense of the Senate
regarding public sector funding of agricultural research and development.
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1800 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
99. S.AMDT.1803 to H.R.2744 To amend the Immigration and Nationality
Act relative to nonprofit religious organizations in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1803 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
100. S.AMDT.1804 to H.R.2744 To prohibit funds from being used unless
certain certifications are made relative to manufacturers of contact lens.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1804 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
101. S.AMDT.1805 to H.R.2744 To provide that the federal facility
located at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville,
Mississippi shall be designated as the Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural
Laboratory.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1805 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
102. S.AMDT.1806 to H.R.2744 To convey title in certain real property.
Sponsor: Sen Kyl, Jon [AZ] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1806 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
103. S.AMDT.1807 to H.R.2744 To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to
submit to Congress a report on whether to restore the National Organic Program.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1807 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
104. S.AMDT.1808 to H.R.2744 To direct the Administrator of the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service to publish uniform methods and rules for
addressing chronic wasting disease.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 9/21/2005)
Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1808 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
105. S.AMDT.1809 to H.R.2744 To provide for livestock assistance.
Sponsor: Sen McConnell, Mitch [KY] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1809 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
108. S.AMDT.1812 to H.R.2744 To provide that funds made available for
the Plant Materials Center in Fallon, Nevada, shall remain available until
expended.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1812 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
114. S.AMDT.1818 to H.R.2744 To require the Food and Drug
Administration to issue a monograph with respect to over-the-counter sunscreen.
Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 9/21/2005)
Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1818 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
131. S.AMDT.1835 to H.R.2744 To limit the use of certain funds.
Sponsor: Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1835 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
140. S.AMDT.1844 to H.R.2744 To condition the use of funds for
carrying out a provision relating to prevented planting payments, with an
offset.
Sponsor: Sen Dayton, Mark [MN] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor)
Failed 47 to 52 RV 240
145. S.AMDT.1849 to H.R.2744 To express the sense of Congress with
respect to over-the-counter sunscreen.
Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 9/21/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 9/21/2005 Senate amendment agreed to. Status:
Amendment SA 1849 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote
## All Rights Reserved. © 2005 TheWeekInCongress.com.
No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.