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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) voted in favor of H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation allocates over $26 billion to protect our nation’s food supply, support Kentucky farmers, and prioritize Americans’ health for Fiscal Year 2027.

“Today marks another historic step in Congressional efforts to support our nation’s agricultural producers and rural communities,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This legislation will make investments to support rural development initiatives, strengthen nutrition programs for Americans in need, and provide additional funding for research to improve the stability of our agriculture industry. This bill is a win for our Commonwealth’s rural communities and the more than 20,000 farms that call Kentucky’s Second District home.”

Background:

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 allocates $26.27 billion in funding to support Kentucky agriculture, rural communities, and Americans most in need. H.R. 8646 accomplishes these goals by:
– Increasing funding for the Agricultural Research Service to $1.79 billion, which will help high-priority research of emerging pests and diseases.
– Adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China.
– Allocating $1.15 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to support animal health and specialty crop programs.
–Providing over $100 billion in mandatory funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide nutrition assistance for our most vulnerable.
– Providing $8 billion in funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and ensuring access to fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, making all affordable options available to eligible mothers and children.

A summary of this legislation, provided by the House Committee on Appropriations, before amendments, can be found here.