This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved their version of the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  The legislation funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The bill totals $20.65 billion in discretionary funding, which is $175 million lower than current levels and $1.1 billion below the President’s budget request.

The bill provides a total of $2.5 billion for rural development programs, which is $86 million above current levels.  The bill includes $920 million for business and industry loans, which is level with current funding.  The bill provides $1.25 billion for rural water and waste program loans, level with current funding and $474 million for grants and costs, which is an increase of $9 million above current levels.  In addition, $6.2 billion is provided for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans, which is level with current funding.  The bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.  Click here (http://appropriations NULL.house NULL.gov/uploadedfiles/bills-114hr-sc-ap-fy2016-agriculture-subcommitteedraft NULL.pdf) to view the legislation.  Click here (http://appropriations NULL.house NULL.gov/uploadedfiles/hrpt-114-hr-fy2016-agriculture NULL.pdf) to view the committee report.