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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill. The bill will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow, June 5th at 10:30 a.m. The markup will be live-streamed and can be found on the Committee’s website.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris said, “The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill reflects a clear, conservative commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities remain a top priority. This legislation also prioritizes agricultural research, rural broadband expansion, and protects our food and drug supply, all while reducing the wasteful spending of the Biden Administration era. Just as importantly, by supporting fresh, affordable, American-grown food, this bill helps Make America Healthy Again. America’s farmers feed the world, and this bill ensures they have the investment, support, and resources they deserve — while reducing the burgeoning federal deficit.”

Chairman Tom Cole said, “The prosperity of our future golden age depends on the strength and perseverance of our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This FY26 bill delivers targeted investments to protect U.S. agriculture and family farms, bolster agricultural research, and safeguard access to nutrition and health programs. From livestock and crops to pharmaceuticals and broadband, the legislation strengthens the agriculture economy and infrastructure across the nation. Just as our producers responsibly tend to the land, Chairman Harris has stewarded this legislation to protect core duties while upholding fiscal responsibility.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $25.523 billion, which is $1.163 billion (4.2%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level.

The bill prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our nation’s food and drug supply; support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and ensure low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs. The bill is fiscally responsible and refocuses programs on their core mission while putting the health, safety, and prosperity of American producers and consumers first.
 
Key Takeaways

Champions U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by: 

• Continuing critical investments in agriculture research, rural broadband, and animal and plant health programs.
• Providing funds to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices.
• Ensuring low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs.
• Reining in harmful regulations proposed during the Biden Administration that dictate how poultry and livestock producers raise and market their animals.
• Increasing resources for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fund frontline meat and poultry inspectors and bolster support for state inspection programs.
• Providing a rider to block any revised energy standards for newly constructed homes financed by USDA that would increase costs for rural, lower-income households that was proposed during the Biden Administration.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by: 

• Allocating the President’s requested total funding of $6.8 billion for the FDA to keep food, drugs, and devices safe and for initiatives to Make America Healthy Again.
• Delivering $1.15 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is a priority in the President’s budget to protect American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
• Codifying President Trump’s executive orders by prohibiting funding for DEI activities and ending federal censorship of free speech.
• Retaining the gene editing provision, which prohibits the “editing” of heritable genes or altering of genes that can be passed on to offspring.
• Maintaining “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
• Closing the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by: 

• Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land and adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
• Directing USDA to provide transparency into research funding spent collaborating with foreign governments including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
• Continuing a program to increase inspection of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India.
• Providing adequate funding for land-grant universities to conduct agricultural research to ensure American producers can compete with China.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by: 

• Capturing DOGE savings by reducing salaries and expenses where appropriate to account for staffing reductions and reducing grant programs that housed canceled grants.
• Eliminating funding for the Biden-era Rural Partners Network initiative.
• Including no funds for climate hubs or climate corps.
• Eliminating funds for the Office of Urban Agriculture.

A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s newly released compliance report confirming that California’s High-Speed Rail project is in default of its federal grant agreements and has no viable path to completion.

The 315-page report, released by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cites years of mismanagement, missed deadlines, inflated ridership projections, and a staggering $7 billion funding gap just to complete a small segment between Merced and Bakersfield. The full cost of the project has now ballooned to $128 billion. Notably, the Federal Railroad Administration stated it has no confidence CHSRA will ever deliver an operating high-speed rail system and found that the state cannot support the representations it made when applying for Federal funds. In other words, California misled the federal government to secure billions in taxpayer dollars—and still has nothing to show for it.

“This report confirms what Californians have known for years: this project is a train to nowhere. It was supposed to be done by 2020. Now they’re saying 2030 just to finish a small stretch that costs more than the entire original plan. The price tag has quadrupled to $128 billion, they’re now an incredible $110 billion short, and have only raised about $17 billion after 17 years. They’ve barely built anything. It’s a waste of time, money, and trust—a shining example of government waste. The state has not held up its end of the deal. It’s well past time to shut this down and send the money to real infrastructure projects that can actually be delivered, like water storage that California desperately needs, or road repairs and traffic relief. I appreciate Secretary Duffy’s leadership in holding the line for taxpayers. It’s long past time for accountability,” said Rep. LaMalfa.

Congressman LaMalfa joined Secretary Duffy earlier this year at a press conference calling attention to the project’s mounting failures and urging a full federal review. The report issued today by the Federal Railroad Administration makes clear that the California High-Speed Rail Authority has failed to meet its basic obligations under the $4 billion in federal grant funding it received.

The DOT has given the state until mid-July to respond before the administration moves to terminate the grants. You can find a full copy of the letter and report, here.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) reintroduced the bipartisan Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act to help struggling rural hospitals stay open and continue serving their communities. Rising costs and falling Medicare reimbursement rates have pushed many to the brink—this bill gives them the lifeline they need.

“Falling Medicare reimbursement rates have been hammering rural hospitals for years,” said Congressman Graves. “In the last 15 years, more than 150 rural hospitals have closed, and hundreds more are at risk. When these hospitals shut down, families lose access to care, good-paying jobs disappear, and entire communities suffer. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to make commonsense reforms, keep rural hospitals open, and ensure folks can get the care they need without having to drive hours to find it.” 

“Rural hospitals are a lifeline for the folks they serve. But with healthcare costs rising and outdated Medicare repayment rules, many have been forced to close their doors,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act offers a real solution to help rural hospitals become more financially solvent so they can continue to serve our communities. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Graves to make sure that every American can access quality care – no matter where they live.”

Since 2010, more than 150 rural hospitals across the country have closed their doors—forcing patients to travel further to get the care they need and leaving others to put off necessary healthcare. Today, 453 rural hospitals are currently operating at levels similar to those that have shut down over the last decade.

The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act will reverse this dangerous trend by:

• Eliminating Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals,

• Making Medicare telehealth service enhancements permanent for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, and

• Making permanent increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services.

You can read the bill here.

You can read highlights of the bill here.

What They Are Saying:

 “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Representatives Graves and Budzinski for introducing the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act. Since 2010, 190 rural hospitals have closed their doors or stopped providing inpatient care, leaving the majority of those communities without access to care. The provisions in this important legislation will support the rural health infrastructure and ensure that the 60 million Americans who call rural America home will maintain local access to the care they need.” – Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04)  issued the following statement about federal agents activity in his district: 

“I have been in contact with Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and local stakeholders to offer assistance and get more information about what happened yesterday in Pilsen, when federal agents took two Mexican nationals into custody. Local grassroots organizations responded to provide support, and they are trying to get more information about the two individuals. While we do not know if the agents  presented any warrants before detaining them, any apprehension without due process, including no warrants, is unfair and illegal. Chicago is a sanctuary city, and in Illinois, the Trust Act prohibits State or local law enforcement’s participation in federal immigration enforcement. My staff and I will continue in communication with advocacy organizations and local elected officials as this case develops.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar: Michigan Arrest Highlights CCP Threat to Our Food Supply and Our Universities

Today, the Justice Department announced it is charging two Chinese nationals with attempting to smuggle a dangerous plant disease into the United States. The charges were brought against Yunqing Jian, a researcher at the University of Michigan and member of the Chinese Communist Party, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, who is employed by a Chinese university. Congressman John Moolenaar released the following statement in response to the announcement.  

“The criminal charges unsealed in federal court show loyal members of the Chinese Communist Party were planning to experiment on a plant disease that would devastate Michigan agriculture and the food supply our nation depends on. This case should be fully prosecuted as a threat against our country. This is only further proof that American universities must be more vigilant when it comes to research security and the participation of Chinese nationals in these institutions,” said Moolenaar. 

The criminal complaint alleges that Liu lied to investigators last year while attempting to bring a fungus known as Fusarium graminearum through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. According to the academic journal “Food Security” the fungus is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon. The fungus causes blight in a variety of field crops and is responsible for crop damage around the world. It also produces toxins damaging to the health of humans and livestock.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Court of International Trade blocked President Trump from using emergency powers to impose tariffs on imports:

“The federal court is absolutely right. President Trump is blatantly abusing emergency powers to impose broad tariffs that are upending our economy and global trade.

“Emergency powers are not a blank check for the president to bypass Congress. He cannot toss out new tariffs every time he gets mad at another country.

“Congress, not the president, has authority over trade, and it’s time Republicans fulfill their oath to the Constitution and work with us to put an end to this administration’s overreach. If they don’t, Republicans risk letting President Trump’s erratic trade policies drive us straight into a recession.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off the global tariffs imposed on April 2, turn off the tariffs imposed by executive order for Mexico and Canada, and require congressional approval for tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

Ways and Means Republicans also blocked her amendment to the tax bill that would have ended these tariffs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s latest threats to place tariffs on the European Union (50 percent starting June 1) and Apple (25 percent if it doesn’t move operations to the United States):

“Americans again woke up to a Trump tantrum on tariffs – this time threatening our European Union allies and singling out a major American company, Apple. 

“His tariff chaos has already rattled our markets and put our economy at risk of a recession. He’s now further undermining our standing in Europe and attacking American innovation.

“Congress has authority over trade, not the president. Republicans need to stop cowering to him on tariffs and reclaim our authority to put an end to this madness.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off the global tariffs imposed on April 2, turn off the tariffs imposed by executive order for Mexico and Canada, and require congressional approval for tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

Ways and Means Republicans also blocked her amendment in committee to the tax bill that would have ended these tariffs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today spoke on the House floor before the vote on the Republican tax bill, which only passed by a single vote.

Video of her statement introducing the amendment is available HERE and the text follows:

“The bill that we are debating this morning is an insult to every American who works for a living.

American families are struggling. Under President Trump and Republican leadership, they’ve seen nothing but chaos.

Prices for everyday necessities – like food, clothing, diapers and formula – keep rising because of Trump’s tariffs. Premiums for health insurance, car insurance and housing are going up, making it harder to make ends meet.

Americans are worried about their future. People are afraid about losing their jobs, their health care, student aid and food assistance.

And this bill brings that pain.

Almost 14 million people will lose their health care coverage under this Republican bill. And for what? So billionaires can get even richer while the rest of us drown in debt?

This is outrageous. Republicans are doling out tax cuts for the wealthiest while destroying the means of survival for hardworking families.

This bill assaults those seeking the American Dream by stealing tax benefits and services from working people who are paying taxes! It would deny the Child [Tax] Credit to 2 million children who live in the United States.

Here’s an idea: How about you start working for the people you represent, not your wealthy donors.

But I guess that’s asking too much from people who have lost their moral compass.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif today introduced the Put School Counselors Where They Are Needed Act, a bill to put more counselors in high schools with high dropout rates.

“Schools with high dropout rates desperately need more counselors to provide the support and guidance at-risk students require,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Counselors can help identify early warning signs and intervene before students fall through the cracks. With the right resources, they can help prevent dropouts by offering emotional support, academic guidance and a path forward for students who may otherwise feel forgotten.”

The bill would authorize a limited four-year demonstration program, placing additional professional secondary school counselors in high schools with drop-out rates of 60 percent or more. These additional counselors will work intensively with students at risk of dropping out and collaborate with parents, teachers and others to develop a comprehensive plan to get these students on the track to graduate.

The American School Counselor Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations recommend a ratio of one school counselor to 250 students and a lower ratio for counselors working primarily with students at risk. However, the average counselor-to-student ratio in America’s public schools is one to 376, a ratio that hardly allows for individual attention and intensive support. Even worse, in California’s public schools, that average ratio is a staggering 464 students per counselor.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.).

The bill is endorsed by the American School Counselor Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Text of the legislation is available HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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