The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027, advancing legislation that would fund agricultural, food safety, nutrition and rural development programs while reducing overall discretionary spending.
The measure passed June 8 by a 213-210 vote.
The bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $26.27 billion, approximately $380 million, or 1.4%, below the fiscal year 2026 enacted level.
According to House appropriators, the legislation prioritizes funding for agricultural research, rural development programs, animal and plant health initiatives, food safety oversight and nutrition assistance programs. The measure also includes funding increases and policy provisions aimed at strengthening agricultural production, protecting food and drug supplies, and supporting rural communities.
House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., said the bill supports farmers and ranchers while preserving investments in agricultural research, rural infrastructure and the farm safety net. He said the legislation seeks to reduce unnecessary spending while maintaining programs that help producers manage risk and remain competitive.
"The FY27 Agriculture bill reflects a simple principle: a strong America begins with a strong agricultural sector," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla. "It invests in the farmers, ranchers, researchers and rural communities that sustain our economy and feed our nation. It strengthens national security by bolstering tracking of foreign land purchases, increasing transparency in research partnerships and enhancing oversight of overseas drug manufacturing."
Among the agricultural priorities in the bill are continued investments in agricultural research programs, rural development loan programs and animal and plant health activities. The legislation also provides funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to support meat and poultry inspectors and state inspection programs.
The bill allocates $7.1 billion for the Food and Drug Administration to support food, drug and medical device safety activities, as well as initiatives associated with the administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would receive $1.16 billion under the measure to support efforts to protect U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
The legislation also contains policy provisions affecting livestock and poultry production. House leaders said the bill would limit implementation of regulations proposed during the Biden administration that affect how livestock and poultry producers raise and market animals. It also retains language prohibiting the editing of heritable genes or genetic changes that can be passed to offspring.
National security and foreign investment provisions are another focus of the bill. The measure would strengthen tracking of foreign-owned agricultural land and add the secretary of agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for reviews involving agricultural transactions. Lawmakers said the changes are intended to improve oversight of purchases involving countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.
Additional provisions would increase funding for USDA's Office of Homeland Security, require greater transparency regarding research funding involving foreign governments and support inspections of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India.
The legislation also maintains Buy American requirements intended to maximize federal purchases of U.S.-produced goods, services and materials.
The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration as lawmakers continue work on fiscal year 2027 appropriations legislation.
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, "House Passes H.R. 8646: Strong Agriculture. Strong Communities. Strong America."