Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Ag-FDA and Legislative Branch Bills

Strategic Insights -

The Senate Appropriations Committee has met for a full committee markup, approving its draft fiscal year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. The draft bills aim to address pressing issues in rural communities, food and energy costs, and public health, while also rejecting harmful proposed cuts and partisan policies. Despite the challenges posed by a partisan continuing resolution and the need to defend bipartisan funding bills from partisan cuts, the Committee has demonstrated a commitment to working together to advance its bipartisan work.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its draft fiscal year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies and Legislative Branch appropriations bills in a 27-0 and 26-1 vote, respectively.
  • The draft bills aim to address pressing issues in rural communities, food and energy costs, and public health, while also rejecting harmful proposed cuts and partisan policies.
  • The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee Ranking Member, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), has stated that the bill will help address high costs faced by Americans, invest in rural communities, and support farmers and the outdoor recreation economy.
  • The bill fully funds WIC at projected participation levels, provides targeted increases for Ag Research, rural housing, and food safety, and rejects proposals to eliminate international food aid programs and voluntary conservation support for farmers and ranchers.
  • The Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill supports the hardworking Congressional staff, critical needs such as security, oversight, campus operations, and constituent services, and includes an essential increase for the Capitol Police and emergency funding to protect lawmakers.
  • The Committee has demonstrated a commitment to working together to advance its bipartisan work, despite the challenges posed by a partisan continuing resolution and the need to defend bipartisan funding bills from partisan cuts.

Statistics:

  • 27-0 vote in favor of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
  • 26-1 vote in favor of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
  • Full funding of WIC at projected participation levels
  • $X billion in targeted increases for Ag Research, rural housing, and food safety
  • Elimination of $X billion in proposed cuts to international food aid programs and voluntary conservation support for farmers and ranchers
  • Essential increase of $X for the Capitol Police and emergency funding to protect lawmakers

Sources:

  • Senate Appropriations Committee (Minority) [https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/senate-appropriations-committee-approves-ag-fda-and-legislative-branch-bills]
  • Senate Appropriations Committee (Minority) [https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/full-committee-markup-of-commerce-justice-science-agriculture-rural-development-fda-and-legislative-branch-appropriations-acts]
  • Original text [https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/senate-appropriations-committee-approves-ag-fda-and-legislative-branch-bills]