Granger and Fortenberry on Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA Bill

Statement

Today, the Full Committee met to consider the fiscal year 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA appropriations bill. While the bill makes substantial investments in agriculture and our rural communities, Committee Republicans were unable to support the bill due to problematic provisions and the funding levels in the bill.

Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) said, "This bill finds common ground with its support for agriculture producers, food safety initiatives, and rural development programs throughout the nation. However, I remain concerned about the overall funding level.

"I do not support this bill as currently drafted and will work with my colleagues to improve this legislation as it moves through the appropriations process so that it reflects more reasonable funding levels."

Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) added, "As our Ranking Member of the Committee has consistently mentioned at every appropriation markup, the appropriation bills lack a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the budget caps."

Committee Republicans offered amendments to:
Prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from reviewing applications involving the genetic modification of human embryos and
Increase the age requirement to 21 to purchase tobacco products.

Source