Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8646
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Economics and Public Finance
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Received in the Senate.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T16:05:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation appropriates funds for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for fiscal year 2027 (ending September 30, 2027). It authorizes expenditures from the Treasury for salaries, expenses, grants, loans, research, conservation, nutrition assistance, rural development, food safety, foreign agricultural programs, and related activities.
Key Provisions
- Title I (Agricultural Programs): Funds the Office of the Secretary, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (research, education, extension, and integrated activities), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, and Food Safety and Inspection Service. Includes specific allocations for cybersecurity, civil rights, hazardous materials management, and buildings/facilities.
- Title II (Farm Production and Conservation Programs): Provides funding for the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (conservation operations, watershed programs), and related entities. Covers farm ownership/operating loans, crop insurance, state mediation grants, and dairy indemnity.
- Title III (Rural Development Programs): Appropriates for Rural Housing Service (insurance fund, rental assistance, vouchers, grants), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (business programs, microenterprise, energy), and Rural Utilities Service (water/waste, electrification, telecommunications, broadband pilot). Includes community facilities and economic development loans/grants.
- Title IV (Domestic Food Programs): Funds Child Nutrition Programs, WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Commodity Assistance, and Nutrition Programs Administration. Includes reserves and specific allocations for studies, equipment, and food safety education.
- Title V (Foreign Assistance and Related Programs): Supports Foreign Agricultural Service, Food for Peace Title II, McGovern-Dole program, and Commodity Credit Corporation export credit guarantees.
- Title VI (Related Agencies and FDA): Provides for FDA salaries/expenses (with user fee collections), buildings/facilities, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Farm Credit Administration.
- Title VII (General Provisions): Includes rescissions, transfers, reprogramming rules, restrictions on certain activities (e.g., first-class travel, specific FDA guidance, horse inspections), preemption for animal food labeling/ingredients, and various program modifications/extensions. Notable sections address animal food regulation (new definitions, preemption of state laws, GRAS ingredients, ingredient listing), WIC food packages, school nutrition rules, and enforcement priorities for e-cigarettes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends authorities for certain programs (e.g., reporting requirements, pilot programs) through FY 2028 or later.
- Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act regarding school breakfast substitutions and reporting.
- Introduces new section 425 to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act on animal food (definitions, preemption of state labeling laws, deemed safe additives/GRAS ingredients, timely FDA review of submissions, marketing claims).
- Modifies WIC voucher amounts and food package rules; adjusts maximum loan limits and repayment terms for certain rural programs.
- Rescinds $95 million from prior supplemental funds and $40 million from broadband pilot authority.
- Restricts or prohibits use of funds for specific rules, inspections, or activities (e.g., certain FDA sodium guidance, horse slaughter inspections, implementation of poultry grower rules).
- Adds requirements for peanut-containing foods in WIC packages and changes to FDA enforcement on ENDS products.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Sets detailed funding levels and restrictions for USDA components, FDA operations (including user-fee supported activities), and related entities; mandates reporting, notifications to Congress, and limits on reprogramming/transfers.
- Citizens: Affects access to nutrition assistance (SNAP, WIC, school meals), rural housing/loans, broadband, conservation, and food safety inspections; may influence availability of certain pet foods and agricultural products.
- International Relations: Supports foreign agricultural trade, food aid, and technical assistance programs.
- Overall, maintains or adjusts program operations while introducing targeted regulatory and spending controls.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- USDA agencies and offices (e.g., ARS, NRCS, FSA, Rural Development, FAS).
- FDA and related health agencies.
- Farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and agricultural cooperatives.
- Food processors, manufacturers, retailers, and the pet food industry.
- Nutrition program participants (children, low-income households, WIC recipients).
- States, tribes, and local governments receiving grants or technical assistance.
- Commodity futures and farm credit entities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes federal preemption over state laws on animal food labels, labeling, and advertising.
- Includes numerous congressional notification and approval requirements for reprogramming, transfers, and certain actions.
- Imposes restrictions on executive branch activities (e.g., FDA guidance, specific enforcement priorities) that could affect regulatory flexibility.
- Contains rescissions and limitations that alter prior appropriations without new budget authority in some cases.
- Addresses user fee collections and credit reform provisions consistent with existing law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Received in the Senate.
- 2026-06-04: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-04: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205). (Roll call 205)
- 2026-06-04: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205). (Roll call 205)
- 2026-06-04: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 212 (Roll no. 204). (Roll call 204)
- 2026-06-04: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- 2026-06-04: Ms. Bynum moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (text: CR H3875)
- 2026-06-04: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3875-3876)
- 2026-06-04: Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed with further consideration of H.R. 8646.
- 2026-06-04: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8646 would be postponed.
- 2026-06-04: The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- 2026-06-04: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2026-06-04: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 8646.
- 2026-06-04: 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.
- 2026-06-04: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 8646.
Bill Versions
- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (146 pages)
- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 — issued 2026-05-01 — PDF (144 pages)