Andy Harris (R-MD)
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 138.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill provides appropriations for various programs including Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It includes significant funding for the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and various rural development and housing initiatives. The legislation also addresses domestic food programs such as school lunches, WIC, and SNAP. Additionally, it provides resources for foreign assistance and the regulation of food and drug safety. The bill establishes various requirements for the use of federal funds, including mandates for domestic production of iron and steel in water projects. Finally, the bill includes several rescissions of previously appropriated funds.
Yes· 3 of 37
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets funding and support toward rural development and persistent poverty counties.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill rescinds several hundred million dollars in unobligated balances across various programs.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill includes multiple rescissions of funds from various agency accounts.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill prohibits funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Scored -2
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill limits several regulatory actions intended to protect consumers in meat and poultry markets.
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill places significant restrictions on agency rulemaking and autonomy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Rural Hospital Support: A pilot program is funded to assist rural hospitals in improving their long-term operations and financial health, specifically to help expand and sustain access to maternal health care services. (Title III: Rural Development)
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Food Security and Nutrition: Significant funding is allocated for the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to support various nutrition needs. (Title IV: Domestic Food Programs)
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Housing Assistance: The bill provides resources for rural housing insurance, including direct loans, guaranteed loans, and rental assistance, to help provide safe and affordable housing for low-income residents and farm laborers. (Title III: Rural Development)
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Rural Infrastructure and Technology: Funding is provided for rural water and waste disposal, as well as broadband and telemedicine services, to improve connectivity and essential services in rural areas. (Title III: Rural Development)
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Economic Development: Various programs are funded to support rural business development, cooperative services, and the creation of jobs in rural communities. (Title III: Rural Development)
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Food Safety: The Food and Drug Administration is funded to carry out activities related to human foods, drug evaluation, and the safety of various products. (Title VI: Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration)
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Increased transparency for tobacco products: The bill requires the FDA to make a monthly updated list of products on its website, including those with marketing granted or denied orders and pending applications. (Section 2)
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Support for rural development: The bill mandates that at least 10 percent of funds for several rural service accounts be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. (Section 736)
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Assistance for food processors: The bill provides $2,000,000 for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to award grants to processors of invasive, wild-caught catfish. (Section 753)
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Infant nutrition improvements: The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with amending food packages to include peanut-containing foods to facilitate the early introduction of potentially allergenic foods for infants. (Section 769)
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Protection of religious and moral convictions: The bill prohibits the government from taking discriminatory actions against people based on sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions regarding marriage. (Section 780)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Program Reductions: A rescission of $100,000,000 is applied to the supplemental nutrition program. (Title VII, Sec. 722)
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Funding Limitations on Regulatory Activity: Certain rulemaking efforts related to poultry grower contracting, market integrity, and competition are barred from receiving funds, which could impact the implementation of these specific rules. (Title VII, Sec. 729)
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Restriction on Program Implementation: Some funds are subject to specific limitations or requirements that could restrict how programs are managed or how many people they can serve. (Title I, Title II, Title III)
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Increased costs for water infrastructure: Requirements to use all American-produced iron and steel for certain water and waste projects could increase project costs by more than 25 percent. (Section 734)
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Restrictions on food regulation: The bill prohibits the use of funds to enforce certain food safety rules regarding produce, food traceability, and tobacco manufacturing. (Sections 738, 766, and 773)
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Limitations on nutritional standards: Funds may not be used to implement rules that reduce milk allowances in WIC or to implement new sodium reduction actions. (Sections 742 and 757)
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Potential impact on food availability: The bill prohibits the use of funds to procure certain poultry or seafood products imported from the People's Republic of China for school meal programs. (Section 747)
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Reduction in existing funds: The bill includes several rescissions that cancel or reduce previously available money, such as $78,000,000 from the Working Capital Fund (Section 744) and $100,000,000 from conservation activities (Section 778).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets funding and support toward rural development and persistent poverty counties. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill includes various provisions that reduce regulatory burdens on the agricultural and livestock industries. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Extensive funding for SNAP, WIC, and rural housing support benefits low-income households. Would children be better off under this? — Funding for school lunch and WIC programs directly benefits children. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for Native American institutions, tribes, and housing. Would women be better off under this? — Funding for WIC and maternal health services provides direct benefits to women. Would business owners be better off under this? — Support for rural business development and cooperative services benefits business owners. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill funds the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Would retired people be better off under this? — Support for senior nutrition programs benefits retirees. Would students be better off under this? — Funding for school nutrition and agricultural research supports student needs and opportunities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill includes multiple rescissions of funds from various agency accounts. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill rescinds several hundred million dollars in unobligated balances across various programs. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increased oversight requirements for agency spending and reprogramming aim to improve fiscal management. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Funding for rural business development and microentrepreneur assistance supports small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds rural business development and economic development programs to support job creation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding for rural infrastructure and business services supports localized economic growth. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill limits several regulatory actions intended to protect consumers in meat and poultry markets.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill provides protections against government actions targeting individuals based on religious beliefs regarding marriage. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill provides substantial funding for rural housing insurance, rental assistance, and low-income housing. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill prohibits funding for activities intended to influence congressional action or censor protected speech. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Funding for SNAP, WIC, and rural development programs targets poverty reduction. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Support for maternal health services in rural hospitals is included. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Support for affordable housing and rental assistance can help reduce homelessness. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prohibits funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill provides substantial funding for rural broadband and telemedicine services. Does this put more money into public schools? — Funding is provided for the National School Lunch Program. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides significant resources for agricultural research and science.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill provides substantial funding for Food for Peace and other foreign assistance programs. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Significant funding is allocated for the USDA's cybersecurity requirements. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill directs the FDA to consider an Abraham Accords Bureau to foster international relations. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Support for the Foreign Agricultural Service assists in international trade engagement.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill allocates substantial resources for rural water, waste, broadband, and community facilities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Funding is provided for hazardous materials management and soil/water conservation. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill includes funding for energy efficiency in rural areas. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Funding for renewable energy efficiency includes greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates detailed obligation plans and notification requirements for agency spending. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill protects against government efforts to censor or influence private speech. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill places significant restrictions on agency rulemaking and autonomy.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — A pilot program is funded to help rural hospitals sustain access to maternal health services. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill funds various agricultural and food science research initiatives.
- 6/25/2025
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-172, by Mr. Harris (MD).
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 138.
- Bill introduced.
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-3944: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-5371: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
- 119-S-2256: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026