Appropriations Bill Clears Conference

November 9, 2001

The agricultural appropriations bill has been finalized by a conference committee. It now goes back to the Senate and House for final approval, then to the White House for President Bush's signature. For fiscal 2002, appropriations, including mandatory spending, total $76 billion.

Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses are increased by $119 million over last year for FSA to continue delivery of the farm ownership, farm operating, and disaster loan programs. Total funding is $940 million, which is the same as the President's request.

Agricultural credit programs are increased by $810 million over last year. Total loan authorization level is $3.9 billion. Rural housing loan authorizations total $4.485 billion, $9 million more than fiscal 2001 and $15 million more than the President's request.

Farm labor housing is funded at $31.4 million, $1.5 million more than last year and $3 million greater than the President's request. Rental assistance programs are increased by $23 million over last year. Total funding is $701 million, $8 million more than the President's request.

Rural electric and telephone loans are funded at a total loan authorization level of $4.565 billion, $1.5 billion more than last year and $1.5 billion more than the President's request. The distance learning and "telemedicine" program total loan authorization is $380 million, which is $20 million less than both last year and the President's request. Within this amount, $80 million is appropriated, contingent upon enactment of authorizing legislation, for broadband telecommunication loans, as requested.

The Agricultural Research Service is funded at $1.1 billion, an increase of $122 million over last year and an increase of $152 million above the President's request. Funding is provided to initiate construction of a major facility consolidation and modernization project to meet high national priority animal health programs.

Risk Management Agency / Federal Crop Insurance Corporation activities to implement last year's Agricultural Risk Protection Act are fully funded. RMA is funded at $74.7 million, an increase of $9.3 million over last year and the same as the President's request. The FCIC (mandatory) is funded at $3.037 billion, an increase of $232.3 million over last year and the same as the President's request.

Conservation operations activities are increased by $66 million over last year, bringing fiscal year 2002 funding to $779 million, an increase of $6 million above the President's request. Total funding for the National Resources Conservation Service is $961 million.

The bill also provides $75 million in market loss assistance to apple farmers.

Food Safety and Inspection Service spending is increased by $20 million over last year, for a total of $715.6 million, the same as the President's request. The Food and Drug Administration is funded at $1.218 billion, $120.4 million more than last year and $7 million more than the President's request.

Child nutrition programs (mandatory) are funded at $10.087 billion, $552 million more than last year and the same as the President's request. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is funded at $4.348 billion, an increase of $305 million above last year and $211 million above the President's request.

The Food Stamp Program (mandatory) is funded at $23 billion, an increase of $1.873 billion above last year, and the same as the President's request. The funding includes $2 billion in reserves, $1 billion more than requested, to be available in the event economic projections are not met.

Food for Peace Program (PL 480) spending totals $850 million, $15 million more than both last year and the President's request.

The House is likely to give final approval to the funding measure early next week, and the Senate should follow soon thereafter.