Andy Harris (R-MD)· Jun 4, 2026
H.Amdt. 226: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
By voice vote, no names recorded
Andy Harris (R-MD)
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027
H.R. 8646 · House bill Economics and Public Finance
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 213–210
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This bill, the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027," provides funding for various agricultural, food-related, and rural development programs. It allocates resources for food safety inspections, school nutrition, and domestic food programs like SNAP and WIC. The legislation also supports rural infrastructure, including housing, water, and telecommunications, with a focus on assisting persistent poverty counties. Additionally, it provides for agricultural research, international food security, and various agency oversight mandates. Finally, the bill establishes specific rules regarding animal food regulation, insurance research, and restrictions on certain agency activities.
Yes· 3 of 31
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill is heavily focused on improving infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities in rural areas.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Large investments in SNAP, WIC, and rural housing assistance directly benefit low-income families.
- Scored +7
Does this invest in rural communities?
Significant funds are directed toward rural water, waste disposal, and telecommunications infrastructure.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill implements various rescissions and stringent oversight to restrict how funds are used.
- Scored -1
Does this give the federal government more power?
Increases Congressional oversight and restricts executive agency flexibility.
What Congress actually voted on
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 213 yes · 210 no
06/04/2026 · Roll call 205 · recorded as “On Passage”
- The House: a last attempt to send the bill back to committee The minority party's final chance to change or stall a bill just before the vote on passage. It almost always fails; when it succeeds, the bill does not get its final vote that day. Motion to recommit rejected 210 yes · 212 no
06/04/2026 · Roll call 204 · recorded as “On Motion to Recommit”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Cybersecurity Protection: The bill allocates at least $60,032,000 to the Office of the Chief Information Officer to meet cybersecurity requirements to protect departmental data and systems. (Office of the Chief Information Officer)
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Support for Rural Hospitals: A pilot program is established to assist rural hospitals in improving their long-term operations and financial health through technical assistance. (Rural Community Facilities Program)
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Affordable Housing Assistance: Significant funds are directed toward rural housing, including assistance for single family housing, rental housing, and a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of multi-family rental properties to ensure safe and affordable housing. (Rural Housing Service)
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Food Security and Nutrition: The bill provides substantial funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which includes provisions for fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and vegetables. (Food and Nutrition Service)
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Rural Infrastructure and Utilities: Funds are allocated for rural water, waste water, and waste disposal programs, as well as rural electrification and telecommunications to improve rural infrastructure. (Rural Utilities Service)
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Agricultural Research and Education: Funding is provided for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support agricultural experiment stations and education grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)
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Support for Poverty-Stricken Areas: At least 10 percent of funds for various rural service and business programs must be allocated to assist persistent poverty counties. (Sec. 733)
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Increased Food Access for Children: The bill allows for the substitution of vegetable subgroups for fruits in school breakfast programs for specific school years. (Sec. 736)
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Improved Nutrition for Infants: The Secretary of Agriculture is required to amend food packages to include peanut-containing foods to assist with the early introduction of allergens. (Sec. 753)
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Protection for Pet Product Donors: Individuals, nonprofit organizations, and local governments are protected from civil or criminal liability when donating "apparently fit" pet products in good faith. (Sec. 774)
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New Insurance Options for Farmers: The bill directs the Corporation to research and develop index-based insurance policies to protect crops against losses from frost or cold weather. (Sec. 761)
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Financial Assistance for Water Infrastructure: The Arkansas Valley Conduit will receive a repayment contract to provide domestic water supplies to communities and households lacking reliable access. (Sec. 779)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Construction Materials: Funding for rural water and wastewater systems is restricted to projects that use iron and steel products produced in the United States, which could limit construction options. (Section 731)
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Strict Requirements for Grant Recipients: Certain programs, such as the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program, require grant recipients to meet a fifty percent cost-share requirement. (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
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Limitations on Agency Flexibility: The bill includes several provisions that restrict the Secretary's ability to transfer funds or reorganize offices without prior notification and approval from Congress, which could delay agency responses to changing needs. (Section 716)
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Restrictions on Food Safety Rules: Funds cannot be used to enforce certain food safety rules regarding produce, the regulation of meat and poultry, or the traceability of certain foods until specific dates. (Sec. 735, Sec. 758, Sec. 770)
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Ban on Certain Research: Funds cannot be used for research involving dogs or cats classified in pain categories D or E. (Sec. 782)
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Limitations on FDA Testing: Funds cannot be used to issue guidance recommending or requiring testing in dogs. (Sec. 781)
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Restrictions on Drug Shortage Mitigation: The act includes limits on using funds to help mitigate or prevent shortages of certain sterile injectable drugs used in cancer treatment. (Sec. 783)
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 is heavily focused on improving infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Large investments in SNAP, WIC, and rural housing assistance directly benefit low-income families. Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides significant funding for child nutrition programs and infant safety via allergen inclusion. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides critical support for farm ownership loans, conservation, and risk management. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes specific funding for Native American Tribes for housing and business development. Would women be better off under this? — The WIC program specifically supports women through nutritional assistance. Would business owners be better off under this? — Funding for rural business programs and cooperative services supports various business owners. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes funding for the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Would students be better off under this? — Funding for school nutrition programs benefits students' well-being.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Significant funds are directed toward rural water, waste disposal, and telecommunications infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Funds are allocated for hazardous materials management and water/soil conservation. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill includes funding for commodity assistance and disaster-related research. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill includes support through the Rural Energy for America program. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill includes funding for energy efficiency measures that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides significant funding for rural business development, cooperative services, and microentrepreneur assistance. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds rural economic development and job creation projects through the Rural Electrification Act. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill funds food safety inspections and provides clearer labeling for animal food. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding for rural business development and infrastructure supports regional economic growth. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increased Congressional oversight on fund reprogramming improves fiscal accountability. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill implements various rescissions and stringent oversight to restrict how funds are used.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill allocates significant funds for broadband-related pilot programs and rural telecommunications. Does this put more money into scientific research? — Substantial funding is provided for agricultural and food-related research services. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill funds child nutrition programs, including school breakfast and lunch programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill provides substantial funding for rural housing loans, rental assistance, and preservation of multi-family housing. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Funding for SNAP, WIC, and rural development specifically targets low-income and underserved communities. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Protects religious individuals from discriminatory action based on beliefs regarding marriage.
- 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 the McGovern-ole international food program. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill allocates significant funding for the Office of the Chief Information Officer for cybersecurity requirements. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Funding for the Foreign Agricultural Service supports international trade and information resources.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — Large appropriations are directed toward agricultural and food safety research. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Funding includes assistance for rural hospitals to improve long-term operations and financial health.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires detailed obligation plans and notifications to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases Congressional oversight and restricts executive agency flexibility.
- 6/8/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 6/4/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 212 (Roll no. 204).
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. Bynum moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (text: CR H3875)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3875-3876)
- Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed with further consideration of H.R. 8646.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8646 would be postponed.
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 8646.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Harris (MD) amendment en bloc.
- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 8646.
- The Speaker designated the Honorable Gabe Evans to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1333 and Rule XVIII.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3838-3862; text: CR H3843-3860)
- 6/3/2026
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 5/1/2026
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-632, by Mr. Harris (MD).
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 548.
5 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-131: Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act
- 119-HR-3732: BARK Act of 2025
- 119-HR-7464: TEMP Act
- 119-S-3843: TEMP Act
- 119-HRES-1333: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.