Agriculture and Related Agencies:
July
July
121, 2020 , 2020
FY2021 Appropriations
Jim Monke
The Agriculture appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The Agriculture appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Specialist in Agricultural
Specialist in Agricultural
except for the U.S. Forest Service. It also funds the Food and Drug Administration
except for the U.S. Forest Service. It also funds the Food and Drug Administration
Policy
Policy
(FDA) and—in even-numbered fiscal years—the Commodity Futures Trading
(FDA) and—in even-numbered fiscal years—the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC).
Commission (CFTC).
Agriculture appropriations include both mandatory and discretionary spending. Discretionary amounts, though,
Agriculture appropriations include both mandatory and discretionary spending. Discretionary amounts, though,
are the primary focus during the bill’s development. The largest discretionary spending items are the Special are the primary focus during the bill’s development. The largest discretionary spending items are the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); agricultural research; rural Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); agricultural research; rural
development; FDA; foreign food assistance and trade; farm assistance loans and salaries; food safety inspection; development; FDA; foreign food assistance and trade; farm assistance loans and salaries; food safety inspection;
animal and plant health programs; and technical assistance for conservation programs. animal and plant health programs; and technical assistance for conservation programs.
For FY2021, theOn July 9, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee reported a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 7610). The House-reported bill was added as Division B of a four-bill minibus appropriation (H.R. 7608) that is scheduled for consideration. The House-reported bill would provide $23.97 billion in discretionary appropriations for FY2021, an increase of $489 million (+2%) over the regular annual FY2020 appropriation. The primary changes in the House-reported bill compared to FY2020 include increases for rural broadband (+$615 million), foreign assistance (+$72 million), and the FDA (+$41 million). The bill would reduce domestic nutrition programs (-$183 million), rural development (-$17 million), the CFTC (-$11 million), and other programs in General Provisions (-$32 million).
The Senate has not yet marked up an FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill.
The Trump Administration requests $19.9 billion for discretionary-funded accounts within the Trump Administration requests $19.9 billion for discretionary-funded accounts within the
jurisdiction of Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. The request would be a reduction of $3.6 billion from jurisdiction of Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. The request would be a reduction of $3.6 billion from
FY2020 (-15%). The primary changes in the Administration’s request includes reductions to foreign food FY2020 (-15%). The primary changes in the Administration’s request includes reductions to foreign food
assistance (-$1.97 billion); domestic nutrition assistance (-$1.06 billion); and agricultural research, rural assistance (-$1.97 billion); domestic nutrition assistance (-$1.06 billion); and agricultural research, rural
development, regulatory, and farm production and conservation agencies (-$530 million). The overall nondefense development, regulatory, and farm production and conservation agencies (-$530 million). The overall nondefense
spending cap for FY2021 that Congress may use to develop the FY2021 appropriations is about 1% higher than in spending cap for FY2021 that Congress may use to develop the FY2021 appropriations is about 1% higher than in
FY2020. FY2020.
Separate from the regular FY2020 annual appropriation, Congress passed four supplemental appropriations acts in
Separate from the regular FY2020 annual appropriation, Congress passed four supplemental appropriations acts in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all designated as emergency spending. These acts provide $53 billion response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all designated as emergency spending. These acts provide $53 billion
during FY2020 to programs in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. Of this, $36 during FY2020 to programs in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. Of this, $36
billion are specified supplemental amounts, $3 billion is from an indefinite authorization, and $14 billion is billion are specified supplemental amounts, $3 billion is from an indefinite authorization, and $14 billion is
reimbursement for past obligations that is comparable to the annual appropriation. reimbursement for past obligations that is comparable to the annual appropriation.
Congressional Research Service
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Discretionary Agriculture Appropriations, by Title, FY2020-FY2021
Discretionary Agriculture Appropriations, by Title, FY2020-FY2021
Source: CRS, using P.L. 116-94, House Cmte. Print 38-679, unpublished CBO tables, OMB CRS, using P.L. 116-94, House Cmte. Print 38-679, unpublished CBO tables, OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, ,
Appendix, and USDA Appendix, and USDA
FY2020 Budget Explanatory Notes. Note: Admin. = Trump Administration Budget Request Admin. = Trump Administration Budget Request
. House = House-reported H.R. 7610. CFTC = Commodity Futures Trading Commission. For comparability, . CFTC = Commodity Futures Trading Commission. For comparability,
includes CFTC in Related Agencies in all columns regardless of jurisdiction. includes CFTC in Related Agencies in all columns regardless of jurisdiction.
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Contents
Status of FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations ................................................................................. 1
Scope of Agriculture Appropriations ............................................................................................... 4
Recent Trends in Agriculture Appropriations .................................................................................. 76
Action on FY2021 Appropriations .................................................................................................. 87
Administration’s Budget Request ............................................................................................. 87
Budget Caps, Subcommittee Allocations, and Sequestration .................................................... 98
Budget Resolution ............................................................................................................... 98
Budget Caps ...................................................................................................................... 10.. 9
Discretionary Spending Allocations ................................................................................. 10.. 9
House Action ............................................................................................................................ 11 10
Senate Action ........................................................................................................................... 11
Other Appropriations Issues .......................................................................................................... 18
Policy-Related Provisions ....................................................................................................... 18
COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriations in FY2020 ............................................................. 18
Budget Sequestration Continues on Mandatory Spending ...................................................... 19
Figures
Figure 1. Timeline of Action on Agriculture Appropriations, FY2011-FY2021 ............................. 3
Figure 2. Scope of Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations ............................................ 65
Figure 3. Discretionary Agriculture Appropriations, by Title, FY2011-FY2021 ............................ 76
Figure 4. BCA Discretionary Limits, FY2014-FY2021 .................................................................. 9 10
Tables
Table 1. Status of FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations ................................................................... 1
Table 2. Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations, by Title, FY2020-FY2021 ................. 2
Table 3. Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations, by Agency, FY2019-FY2021 .......... 12
Table A-1. USDA Departmental Administration Appropriations .................................................. 20
Table B-1. General Provisions: Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS) ............... 22
Table B-2. General Provisions: Rescissions from Discretionary Accounts ................................... 23
Table B-3. General Provisions: Other Appropriations ................................................................... 23
Table B-4. General Provisions: Scorekeeping Adjustments .......................................................... 26
Table C-1. Summary of Sequestration on Agriculture Accounts ................................................... 27
Table D-1. Congressional Action on Agriculture Appropriations Since FY1996 .......................... 30
Appendixes
Appendix A. Appropriations in Administrative Accounts ............................................................. 20
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Appendix B. Appropriations in General Provisions ...................................................................... 22
Appendix C. Budget Sequestration ............................................................................................... 27
Appendix D. Action on Agriculture Appropriations, FY1996-FY2021 ........................................ 30
Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 31
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Status of FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations
On On
February 10, 2020, the Trump Administration released its FY2021 budget request to Congress (Table 1). As of June 29, 2020, neither the House nor theJuly 9, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee reported a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 7610; Table 1). The reported bill was added as Division B of a four-bill minibus appropriation (H.R. 7608) that is scheduled for consideration in the House. The Senate has Senate has
not yet marked up an FY2021 yet marked up an FY2021
Agriculture appropriations bill. SeAgriculture appropriations bill. Se
e Figure 1 for a comparison of timelines afor a comparison of timelines a
nd Appendix D for for
more details. more details.
Table 1. Status of FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations
House Action
Senate Action
Administration
Final
Request
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Appropriation
2/10/2020
2/10/2020
—
—7/6/2020
7/9/2020
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
OMB Budget
OMB Budget
Appendix
Appendix
USDA
FDA
CFTCDrafta
H.R. 7610
USDA
Voice vote
H.Rept.
FDA
116-446
CFTC
Voice vote
FCA
FCA
Source: CRS, compiled from Congress.gov, OMB, and agency websites. CRS, compiled from Congress.gov, OMB, and agency websites.
Note: OMB = Office of Management and Budget, USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA = Food and OMB = Office of Management and Budget, USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA = Food and
Drug Administration, CFTC = Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and FCA = Farm Credit Drug Administration, CFTC = Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and FCA = Farm Credit
Administration. Administration.
For accounts in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations bill, the Administration’s budget requests $19.9 billion in discretionary spending, a $3.6 billion reduction from FY2020 (-15%, Table 2). This is based on the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture subcommittee, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).1
a. Draft is available at https://appropriations.house.gov/legislation/agriculture-subcommittee-legislative-activity.
The House-reported bill would provide $23.97 billion in discretionary appropriations, an increase of $489 million (+2%) over the regular annual FY2020 appropriation (Table 2). The primary changes in the House-reported bill compared to FY2020 include increases for rural broadband (+$615 million), foreign assistance (+$72 million), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, +$41 million). The bill would reduce domestic nutrition programs (-$183 million), rural development (-$17 million), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC, -$11 million), and other programs in General Provisions (-$32 million).
The Administration’s budget requests $19.9 billion in discretionary spending for accounts in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations bill in the House,1 a $3.6 billion reduction from FY2020 (-15%). The primary changes in the Administration’s FY2021 request compared to FY2020 include The primary changes in the Administration’s FY2021 request compared to FY2020 include
reductions to foreign assistance (-$1.97 billion) and domestic nutrition assistance (-$1.06 billion) reductions to foreign assistance (-$1.97 billion) and domestic nutrition assistance (-$1.06 billion)
and reductions to agricultural research, rural development, regulatory, and farm production and and reductions to agricultural research, rural development, regulatory, and farm production and
conservation agencies (-$530 million). conservation agencies (-$530 million).
As Congress develops appropriations bills, the overall nondefense spending cap for FY2021 that was set in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-37) is about 1% higher than in FY2020.
1 Jurisdiction for CFTC appropriations differs between the chambers. Since FY2008, CFTC is marked up in the 1 Jurisdiction for CFTC appropriations differs between the chambers. Since FY2008, CFTC is marked up in the
Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and in the Financial Services and General Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and in the Financial Services and General
Government Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The enacted CFTC appropriation is carried in the Government Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The enacted CFTC appropriation is carried in the
Agriculture bill in even-numbered fiscal years and in the Financial Services bill in odd-numbered fiscal years. Agriculture bill in even-numbered fiscal years and in the Financial Services bill in odd-numbered fiscal years.
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Table 2. Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations, by Title, FY2020-FY2021
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2020
FY2021
Change
COVID-19
Admin.
House-
FY2020 to
Title of Agriculture Appropriations Act
P.L. 116-94
Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
Admin.House
I. Agricultural Programs: Discretionary
I. Agricultural Programs: Discretionary
6,163.1
6,163.1
133.8
133.8
6,148.0
6,148.0
—6,155.5
—
—
-
-
15.17.6
Mandatory
Mandatory
1,404.0
1,404.0
—
—
1,359.9
1,359.91,431.0
—
—
—
—
—
+27.0-44.1
Subtotal
Subtotal
7,567.1
7,567.1
—
—
7,507.8
7,515.47,579.0
—
—
—
—
—
+11.9-51.8
II. Farm Production and Conservation Programs
II. Farm Production and Conservation Programs
2,819.0
2,819.0
3.0
3.0
2,618.7
2,618.7
—2,835.5
—
—
-200.2+16.5
Mandatory
Mandatory
36,268.5
36,268.5
14,000.0
14,000.0
34,269.6
34,269.6
—34,269.6
—
—
—
—
-1,998.9
-1,998.9
Subtotal
Subtotal
39,087.5
39,087.5
14,003.0
14,003.0
36,888.3
36,888.3
—
37,105.1
—
—
-
-
2,199.21,982.4
III. Rural Development
III. Rural Development
3,240.
3,240.
6c
45.5
45.5
3,410.5
3,410.5
—3,224.0
—
—
+169.9-16.6
IV. Domestic Food Programs: Discretionary
IV. Domestic Food Programs: Discretionary
6,566.0
6,566.0
1,350.0
1,350.0
5,700.7
5,700.7
—6,383.3
—
—
-
-
865.3182.7
Mandatory
Mandatory
91,436.3
91,436.3
24,710.0
24,710.0
93,309.8
93,309.8
—93,323.4
—
—
—
—
+1,
+1,
873.5887.1
Subtotal
Subtotal
98,002.3
98,002.3
26,060.0
26,060.0
99,010.5
99,010.5
—99,706.7
—
—
—
—
+1,
+1,
008.2704.4
V. Foreign Assistance
V. Foreign Assistance
2,172.7
2,172.7
4.0
4.0
205.9
205.9
—2,244.4
—
—
-1,966.8+71.7
VI. Food and Drug Administration
VI. Food and Drug Administration
3,171.
3,171.
5c
163.0
163.0
3,220.4
3,220.4
—3,212.3
—
—
+
+
48.940.8
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
315.0
315.0
—
226.5
226.5
—304.0
—
—
-
-
88.511.0
VII. General Provisions:
VII. General Provisions:
CHIMPS and rescission
CHIMPS and rescission
sd
-1,006.1
-1,006.1
—
-1,200.0
-1,200.0
—-988.0
—
—
-193.9+18.1
Emergency appropriations
Emergency appropriations
535.0
535.0
—
0.0
0.0
—
—
—
-535.0
-535.0
Other appropriations
Other appropriations
440.3
440.3
12,600.0
12,600.0
0.0
0.0
—1,023.4
—
—
-440.3+583.1
Scorekeeping adjustment
Scorekeeping adjustment
se
-398.0
-398.0
—
-
-
403424.0 .0
—-421.0
—
—
-
-
523.0 .0
Emergency designation in this bil
Emergency designation in this bil
-535.0
-535.0
—a
0.0
0.0
—
—
—
+535.0
+535.0
Discretionary: Senate basis w/o CFTC
Discretionary: Senate basis w/o CFTC
[23,169.1]
[23,169.1]
14,299.3
14,299.3
19,
19,
701.3680.2 [23,669.4]
—
—
—
-3,467.9+500.3
Discretionary: House basis w/ CFTC
Discretionary: House basis w/ CFTC
23,484.1
23,484.1
14,299.3
14,299.3
19,
19,
927.8
—906.7
23,973.4
—
—
-3,556.4+489.3
Mandatory
Mandatory
129,108.8
129,108.8
38,710.0
38,710.0
129,010.4
—128,939.3
128,952.8
—
—
—
—
-
-
98.4156.0
Total: Senate basis w/o CFTC
Total: Senate basis w/o CFTC
[152,278.0152,278.0
]
53,009.3
53,009.3
148,619.4 [152,622.3]148,711.7
—
—
—
—
—
-3,566+344.3 .3
Total: House basis w/ CFTC
Total: House basis w/ CFTC
152,593.0
152,593.0
53,009.3
53,009.3
148,845.9
152,926.3148,938.2
—
—
—
—
—
-3,654.8+333.3
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S.
Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget Explanatory Notes. .
Notes: Amounts are nominal discretionary budget authority unless labeled otherwise. Bracketed amounts are Amounts are nominal discretionary budget authority unless labeled otherwise. Bracketed amounts are
not in the official totals due to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison. not in the official totals due to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison.
a. Total from four coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts (P.L. 116-123, P.L. 116-127, P.L. 116-136, P.L. a. Total from four coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts (P.L. 116-123, P.L. 116-127, P.L. 116-136, P.L.
116-139), all of which was emergency spending. Although amounts were not designated mandatory, they are
116-139), all of which was emergency spending. Although amounts were not designated mandatory, they are
grouped here for comparison to accounts in the annual appropriations. See detail ingrouped here for comparison to accounts in the annual appropriations. See detail in
Table 3.
b. The request is based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various legislative proposals.
b. The request is based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various legislative proposals.
c. Excludes amounts that are provided separately in General Provisions (seec. Excludes amounts that are provided separately in General Provisions (see
Table B-3). .
d. Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS) revise mandatory programs via appropriations d. Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS) revise mandatory programs via appropriations
(Table
B-1). Rescissions are permanent cancellations of previous authorizations (see. Rescissions are permanent cancellations of previous authorizations (see
Table B-2).
e. “Scorekeeping adjustments” are part of the official accounting for budget enforcemen
e. “Scorekeeping adjustments” are part of the official accounting for budget enforcemen
t (Table B-4). .
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Figure 1. Timeline of Action on Agriculture Appropriations, FY2011-FY2021
Source: CRS. For specific dates and links to bil s, s CRS. For specific dates and links to bil s, s
ee Appendix D.
Notes: Blue shading shows the beginning of each fiscal year. Yellow shading is the current appropriations cycle. Blue shading shows the beginning of each fiscal year. Yellow shading is the current appropriations cycle.
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Other CRS Resources for Agricultural Appropriations
Agencies and selected programs. See also amountsAmounts for agencies are shown in in
Table 3.
CRS Report R46255,
CRS Report R46255,
International Food Assistance: FY2020 Appropriations
CRS Report R46011,
CRS Report R46011,
FY2020 Appropriations for Agricultural Conservation
CRS Insight IN11168,
CRS Insight IN11168,
The CCC Anomaly in an FY2020 Continuing Resolution
CRS In Focus IF11245,
CRS In Focus IF11245,
FY2019 Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture
CRS Report
CRS Report
R45743, USDA Domestic Food Assistance Programs: FY2019 Appropriations
CRS Report R44576, R44576,
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Budget: Fact Sheet
CRS
CRS
Report R45413, FY2018 and FY2019 Agriculture Appropriations: Federal Food Safety Activities
CRS In Focus IF10953, In Focus IF10953,
Agriculture Appropriations: Animal and Plant Health
COVID-19 supplemental appropriations.
CRS In Focus IF11491,
CRS In Focus IF11491,
Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture and Related Agencies Due to COVID-19
CRS Report
CRS Report
R46395, USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Direct Payments
CRS Report R46347, R46347,
COVID-19, U.S. Agriculture, and USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
CRS Report R46348,
CRS Report R46348,
COVID-19: Supply Chain Disruptions in the U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Industry: In Brief
CRS Insight IN11366,
CRS Insight IN11366,
COVID-19 Disrupts U.S. Meat Supply; Producer Prices Tumble
CRS Insight IN11250,
CRS Insight IN11250,
USDA Domestic Food Assistance Programs’ Response to COVID-19: P.L. 116-127, P.L. 116-
136, and Related Efforts
CRS In Focus IF11575,
CRS In Focus IF11575,
COVID-19 and Global Food Security: Issues for Congress
CRS Insight IN11415,
CRS Insight IN11415,
COVID-19 and USDA Farm Loan Flexibilities
CRS Insight IN11391,
CRS Insight IN11391,
USDA Rural Development and COVID-19: Supplemental Funding and Agency Actions
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Scope of Agriculture Appropriations
The Agriculture appropriations bill—formally known as the Agriculture, Rural Development, The Agriculture appropriations bill—formally known as the Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act—funds all of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act—funds all of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), excluding the U.S. Forest Service.2 It also funds the Food Department of Agriculture (USDA), excluding the U.S. Forest Service.2 It also funds the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and, in and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and, in
even-numbered fiscal years, CFTC. even-numbered fiscal years, CFTC.
Jurisdiction is with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and their Subcommittees Jurisdiction is with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and their Subcommittees
on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The
bill includes mandatory and discretionary spending, but the discretionary amounts are the primary bill includes mandatory and discretionary spending, but the discretionary amounts are the primary
focusfocus
(Figure 2). Some programs are not in the authorizing jurisdiction of the House or Senate . Some programs are not in the authorizing jurisdiction of the House or Senate
Agriculture Committees, such as FDA; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Agriculture Committees, such as FDA; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC); or child nutrition (checkered regions iInfants, and Children (WIC); or child nutrition (checkered regions i
n Figure 2).
The federal budget process treats discretionary and mandatory spending differently:3
The federal budget process treats discretionary and mandatory spending differently:3
Discretionary spending is controlled by annual appropriations acts and receives is controlled by annual appropriations acts and receives
most of the attention during the appropriations process. The annual budget
most of the attention during the appropriations process. The annual budget
resolution4 process sets spending limits for discretionary appropriations. Agency resolution4 process sets spending limits for discretionary appropriations. Agency
operations (salaries and expenses) and many grant programs are discretionary. operations (salaries and expenses) and many grant programs are discretionary.
2 Although the Forest Service is part of USDA, its appropriations jurisdiction is in the Interior Appropriations Act. 3 See CRS In Focus IF11032, Budgetary Decisionmaking in Congress; and CRS Report R44582, Overview of Funding
Mechanisms in the Federal Budget Process, and Selected Examples.
4 See CRS Report R42388, The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction.
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Mandatory spending55
isis
carried in the appropriation and usually advanced carried in the appropriation and usually advanced
unchanged, since it is controlled by budget rules during the authorization
unchanged, since it is controlled by budget rules during the authorization
process.6 Spending for so-called entitlement programs is determined in laws such process.6 Spending for so-called entitlement programs is determined in laws such
as the 2018 farm bill7 and 2010 child nutrition reauthorization.8 as the 2018 farm bill7 and 2010 child nutrition reauthorization.8
In the FY2020 appropriation (P.L. 116-94), the discretionary amount is 15% ($23 billion) of the
In the FY2020 appropriation (P.L. 116-94), the discretionary amount is 15% ($23 billion) of the
$153 billion total. Mandatory spending carried in the act comprised $129 billion, about 85% of $153 billion total. Mandatory spending carried in the act comprised $129 billion, about 85% of
the total, of which about $106 billion is attributable to programs in the 2018 farm bill. the total, of which about $106 billion is attributable to programs in the 2018 farm bill.
Within the discretionary total, the largest spending items are WIC, agricultural research, rural
Within the discretionary total, the largest spending items are WIC, agricultural research, rural
development, FDA, foreign food aid and trade, farm assistance loans and salaries, food safety development, FDA, foreign food aid and trade, farm assistance loans and salaries, food safety
inspection, animal and plant health programs, and technical assistance for conservation program. inspection, animal and plant health programs, and technical assistance for conservation program.
The main mandatory spending items are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The main mandatory spending items are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
and other food and nutrition act programs, child nutrition (school lunch and related programs), and other food and nutrition act programs, child nutrition (school lunch and related programs),
crop insurance, and farm commodity and conservation programs that are funded through USDA’s crop insurance, and farm commodity and conservation programs that are funded through USDA’s
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). SNAP is referred to as an “appropriated entitlement” and Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). SNAP is referred to as an “appropriated entitlement” and
requires an annual appropriation.9 Amounts for the nutrition program are based on projected requires an annual appropriation.9 Amounts for the nutrition program are based on projected
spending needs. In contrast, the CCC appropriations reimburse spending from a line of credit.10 spending needs. In contrast, the CCC appropriations reimburse spending from a line of credit.10
2 Although the Forest Service is part of USDA, its appropriations jurisdiction is in the Interior Appropriations Act. 3 See CRS In Focus IF11032, Budgetary Decisionmaking in Congress; and CRS Report R44582, Overview of Funding Mechanisms in the Federal Budget Process, and Selected Examples.
4 See CRS Report R42388, The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction. 5 Mandatory spending creates funding stability and consistency compared to annual discretionary appropriations. In 5 Mandatory spending creates funding stability and consistency compared to annual discretionary appropriations. In
agriculture, it originated with farm commodity programs that had uncertain outlays due to weather and markets. agriculture, it originated with farm commodity programs that had uncertain outlays due to weather and markets.
6 See CRS Report 98-560,
6 See CRS Report 98-560,
Baselines and Scorekeeping in the Federal Budget Process. .
7 P.L. 115-334 (Agricultural Act of 2018). See CRS Report R45425, 7 P.L. 115-334 (Agricultural Act of 2018). See CRS Report R45425,
Budget Issues That Shaped the 2018 Farm Bill. .
8 P.L. 111-296 (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010). See CRS In Focus IF10266, 8 P.L. 111-296 (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010). See CRS In Focus IF10266,
Child Nutrition Reauthorization
(CNR): An Overview. .
9 See CRS Report RS20129,
9 See CRS Report RS20129,
Entitlements and Appropriated Entitlements in the Federal Budget Process. .
10 See CRS Report R44606, 10 See CRS Report R44606,
The Commodity Credit Corporation: In Brief. .
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Figure 2. Scope of Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations
Budget authority in billions of dollars
Budget authority in billions of dollars
Source: CRS. CRS.
Notes: SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; CCC = Commodity Credit Corporation; FCIC = SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; CCC = Commodity Credit Corporation; FCIC =
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; Section 32 = Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income and Supply; WIC = Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; Section 32 = Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income and Supply; WIC =
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; CSFP = Commodity Supplemental Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; CSFP = Commodity Supplemental
Food Program; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; FSA = Farm Service Agency, incl. Farm Production and Food Program; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; FSA = Farm Service Agency, incl. Farm Production and
Conservation Business Center; RMA = Risk Management Agency; FSIS = Food Safety and Inspection Service; Conservation Business Center; RMA = Risk Management Agency; FSIS = Food Safety and Inspection Service;
APHIS = Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; NRCS = Natural Resources Conservation Service. Does APHIS = Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; NRCS = Natural Resources Conservation Service. Does
not show agencies under $0.5 bil ion. Spending in the General Provisions are presented with the agencies. not show agencies under $0.5 bil ion. Spending in the General Provisions are presented with the agencies.
Key Budget Terms
Budget authority is the main purpose of an appropriations act or a law authorizing mandatory spending. It is the main purpose of an appropriations act or a law authorizing mandatory spending. It
provides the legal basis from which to obligate funds. It expires at the end of a period, usually after one year unless provides the legal basis from which to obligate funds. It expires at the end of a period, usually after one year unless
specified otherwise (e.g., two years or indefinite). Most funding amounts in this report are budget authority. specified otherwise (e.g., two years or indefinite). Most funding amounts in this report are budget authority.
Obligations are contractual agreements between a government agency and its clients or employees. These occur are contractual agreements between a government agency and its clients or employees. These occur
when an agency agrees to spend money from its budget authority. The Antideficiency Act prohibits agencies from when an agency agrees to spend money from its budget authority. The Antideficiency Act prohibits agencies from
obligating more budget authority than is provided in law, such as during a government shutdown. obligating more budget authority than is provided in law, such as during a government shutdown.
Outlays are the payments (cash disbursements) that satisfy a valid obligation. Timing of outlays may differ from are the payments (cash disbursements) that satisfy a valid obligation. Timing of outlays may differ from
budget authority or obligations because payments from an agency may not occur until services are fulfil ed, goods budget authority or obligations because payments from an agency may not occur until services are fulfil ed, goods
are delivered, or construction is completed, even though an obligation occurred. are delivered, or construction is completed, even though an obligation occurred.
Program level represents the sum of the activities undertaken by an agency. A program level may be higher than represents the sum of the activities undertaken by an agency. A program level may be higher than
a budget authority if the program (1) receives a budget authority if the program (1) receives
user fees, (2) includes , (2) includes
loans that are leveraged by an expectation that are leveraged by an expectation
of repayment (loan authority may exceed budget authority), or (3) receives of repayment (loan authority may exceed budget authority), or (3) receives
transfers from other agencies. from other agencies.
Rescissions are actions that reduce budget authority after enactment. They generally score budgetary savings. are actions that reduce budget authority after enactment. They generally score budgetary savings.
CHIMPS (Changes in Mandatory Program Spending) are adjustments via an appropriations act that can change (Changes in Mandatory Program Spending) are adjustments via an appropriations act that can change
available funding for mandatory programs. CHIMPS usually change spending for one year and may score either as available funding for mandatory programs. CHIMPS usually change spending for one year and may score either as
an increase or decrease to outlays. They do not change the underlying authority of the program in law.an increase or decrease to outlays. They do not change the underlying authority of the program in law.
For more background, see CRS Report 98-721, For more background, see CRS Report 98-721,
Introduction to the Federal Budget Process. .
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Recent Trends in Agriculture Appropriations
Discretionary Agriculture appropriations reached a 10-year low in FY2013 after decreasing from Discretionary Agriculture appropriations reached a 10-year low in FY2013 after decreasing from
a high in FY2010. Since FY2013, they have gradually increased 19% over seven years. Changes a high in FY2010. Since FY2013, they have gradually increased 19% over seven years. Changes
within titles have generally been proportionate to changes in the overall bill, though some areas within titles have generally been proportionate to changes in the overall bill, though some areas
have sustained relative increases, such as FDA (related agencies) and rural development. have sustained relative increases, such as FDA (related agencies) and rural development.
The stacked bars i
The stacked bars i
n Figure 3 represent the discretionary authorization for each appropriations represent the discretionary authorization for each appropriations
title. The total of the positive stacked bars is the budget authority in Titles I-VI. In FY2018, title. The total of the positive stacked bars is the budget authority in Titles I-VI. In FY2018,
USDA reorganization affected the placement of some programs between Titles I and II of the bill USDA reorganization affected the placement of some programs between Titles I and II of the bill
(most noticeably the Farm Service Agency). In most years, the cumulative appropriation for the (most noticeably the Farm Service Agency). In most years, the cumulative appropriation for the
agencies is higher than the official discretionary total in the spending allocation (the blue line) agencies is higher than the official discretionary total in the spending allocation (the blue line)
because of the budgetary offset from negative amounts in Title VII (general provisions) and other because of the budgetary offset from negative amounts in Title VII (general provisions) and other
negative scorekeeping adjustments. These negative offsets are mostly due to rescissions of prior-negative scorekeeping adjustments. These negative offsets are mostly due to rescissions of prior-
year unobligated funds and, before FY2018, limits placed on mandatory programs. year unobligated funds and, before FY2018, limits placed on mandatory programs.
Historical trends may be tempered by inflation adjustments, as shown in the dotted line. In
Historical trends may be tempered by inflation adjustments, as shown in the dotted line. In
FY2020 the inflation-adjusted total is 0.2% less than it was in FY2011 and 2.8% less than it was FY2020 the inflation-adjusted total is 0.2% less than it was in FY2011 and 2.8% less than it was
in FY2018. in FY2018.
Figure 3. Discretionary Agriculture Appropriations, by Title, FY2011-FY2021
Source: CRS. CRS.
Note: For FY2021, Adm. is the Trump Administration’s requestFor FY2021, Adm. is the Trump Administration’s request
, House is House-reported. For comparability, includes CFTC in Related . For comparability, includes CFTC in Related
Agencies in all columns regardless of jurisdiction. The inflation-adjusted line was calculated using the gross Agencies in all columns regardless of jurisdiction. The inflation-adjusted line was calculated using the gross
domestic product price deflator. Amounts printed diagonally indicate the solid line, which is the subcommittee domestic product price deflator. Amounts printed diagonally indicate the solid line, which is the subcommittee
allocation. allocation.
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Action on FY2021 Appropriations
Administration’s Budget Request
The Trump Administration released its FY2021 budget proposal to Congress on February 10, The Trump Administration released its FY2021 budget proposal to Congress on February 10,
2020.11 USDA concurrently released its more detailed budget summary and justification,12 as did 2020.11 USDA concurrently released its more detailed budget summary and justification,12 as did
the FDA,13 the CFTC,14 and the Farm Credit Administration.15 The Administration also the FDA,13 the CFTC,14 and the Farm Credit Administration.15 The Administration also
highlighted separately some of its proposed reductions and eliminations.16 highlighted separately some of its proposed reductions and eliminations.16
For accounts in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations bill, the Administration’s budget
For accounts in the jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations bill, the Administration’s budget
requests $19.9 billion, a $3.6 billion reduction from FY2020 (-15%;requests $19.9 billion, a $3.6 billion reduction from FY2020 (-15%;
Table 3, Figure 3).17 This is 17 This is
compiled based on the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture subcommittee, including the CFTC. compiled based on the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture subcommittee, including the CFTC.
The primary changes in the Administration’s request compared to what Congress enacted in
The primary changes in the Administration’s request compared to what Congress enacted in
FY2020 include reductions to the following: FY2020 include reductions to the following:
Foreign assistance (-$1.97 billion, -90%), mostly by eliminating funding for , mostly by eliminating funding for
Food for Peace Title II grants (-$1.73 billion) and the McGovern-Dole
Food for Peace Title II grants (-$1.73 billion) and the McGovern-Dole
International Food for Education (-$220 million).18 International Food for Education (-$220 million).18
Domestic nutrition assistance programs (-$1.06 billion), mostly from , mostly from
reductions to the WIC program (-$549 million, -9%) and the commodity
reductions to the WIC program (-$549 million, -9%) and the commodity
assistance program (-$264 million, -77%). In addition, the Administration assistance program (-$264 million, -77%). In addition, the Administration
proposes rescinding more from unspent WIC balances than was done by the proposes rescinding more from unspent WIC balances than was done by the
enacted FY2020 General Provisions (-$200 million), which contributes to the enacted FY2020 General Provisions (-$200 million), which contributes to the
overall budget effect of the request. overall budget effect of the request.
Farm Production and Conservation mission area (-$200 million, -7%), ,
mostly from defunding watershed programs that are typically not requested by
mostly from defunding watershed programs that are typically not requested by
the Administration. the Administration.
Agricultural research agencies (-$151 million net, -4%), including from the , including from the
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities (-$143 million, -74%); ARS
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facilities (-$143 million, -74%); ARS
salaries and expenses (-$46 million, -3%); the Economic Research Service (-$23 salaries and expenses (-$46 million, -3%); the Economic Research Service (-$23
million, -27%); and formula research grants (-$53 million). The request would million, -27%); and formula research grants (-$53 million). The request would
increase competitive research (+$175 million) and create funding for the Office increase competitive research (+$175 million) and create funding for the Office
of Chief Scientist (+$6 million).19 of Chief Scientist (+$6 million).19
Rural development (-$130 million), from reductions to rural business , from reductions to rural business
development programs (-$95 million, -90%); rural housing programs (-$92
development programs (-$95 million, -90%); rural housing programs (-$92
11 OMB, 11 OMB,
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix. , Appendix.
12 USDA, 12 USDA,
FY2021 USDA Budget Summary; and USDA, ; and USDA,
FY2021 Budget Explanatory Notes for Committee on
Appropriations. .
13 FDA,
13 FDA,
FY2021 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees. .
14 CFTC,14 CFTC,
FY2021 President’s Budget Request. .
15 Farm Credit Administration, 15 Farm Credit Administration,
FY2021 Proposed Budget and Performance Plan. .
16 OMB, 16 OMB,
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Major Savings and Reforms, Major Savings and Reforms
. 17 This represents the Administration’s request based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various 17 This represents the Administration’s request based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various
legislative proposals that would change mandatory programs and any related changes to appropriations. legislative proposals that would change mandatory programs and any related changes to appropriations.
18 A similar reduction is discussed in CRS Report R46255,
18 A similar reduction is discussed in CRS Report R46255,
International Food Assistance: FY2020 Appropriations. .
19 CRS Report R46341, 19 CRS Report R46341,
Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2021. .
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million, -5%); rural water and the regular rural broadband and distance
million, -5%); rural water and the regular rural broadband and distance
learning/telemedicine accounts (-$58 million, -8%); and a net reduction to the learning/telemedicine accounts (-$58 million, -8%); and a net reduction to the
rural broadband rural broadband
E-ConnectReConnect program (-$50 million net,20 -17%). The program (-$50 million net,20 -17%). The
Administration would increase rural development salaries and expenses (+$64 Administration would increase rural development salaries and expenses (+$64
million net) and create a new Higher Blends Infrastructure Initiative (+$100 million net) and create a new Higher Blends Infrastructure Initiative (+$100
million). million).
Regulatory agencies (-$50 million), mostly by reducing the Agricultural , mostly by reducing the Agricultural
Marketing Service (-$40 million, -21%) and the Animal and Plant Health
Marketing Service (-$40 million, -21%) and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (-$10 million, -1%). Inspection Service (-$10 million, -1%).
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (-$89 million, -28%, to be replaced , to be replaced
by new user fees).
by new user fees).
Eliminating other appropriations that were in General Provisions (-$140 that were in General Provisions (-$140
million).
million).
These reductions are offset by increases to the following:
These reductions are offset by increases to the following:
USDA administration (+$142 million, +30%), mostly by increasing the Office , mostly by increasing the Office
of Chief Information Officer (+$76 million, +155%); buildings and facilities
of Chief Information Officer (+$76 million, +155%); buildings and facilities
(+$25 million, +19%); the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (+$11 million, (+$25 million, +19%); the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (+$11 million,
+117%); and Departmental Administration (+$6 million, +27%). The request +117%); and Departmental Administration (+$6 million, +27%). The request
would create an Office of Safety, Security and Protection (+$25 million) and an would create an Office of Safety, Security and Protection (+$25 million) and an
Office of Information Affairs (+$2.5 million). It would reduce the Office of Office of Information Affairs (+$2.5 million). It would reduce the Office of
Public Partnership and Engagement (-$4 million, -68%). Public Partnership and Engagement (-$4 million, -68%).
Food Safety Inspection Service (+$38 million, +4%). .
Food and Drug Administration (+49 million, +2%). .
Budget Caps, Subcommittee Allocations, and Sequestration
Budget enforcement has procedural and statutory elements. The procedural elements relate to a Budget enforcement has procedural and statutory elements. The procedural elements relate to a
budget resolution and are enforced with points of order. The statutory elements impose budget resolution and are enforced with points of order. The statutory elements impose
discretionary spending limits and are enforced with budget caps and sequestration.21 discretionary spending limits and are enforced with budget caps and sequestration.21
Budget Resolution
Typically, each chamber’s Appropriations Committee receives a top-line limit on discretionary
Typically, each chamber’s Appropriations Committee receives a top-line limit on discretionary
budget authority, referred to as a “302(a)” allocation, from the Budget Committee via an annual budget authority, referred to as a “302(a)” allocation, from the Budget Committee via an annual
budget resolution. The Appropriations Committees then in turn subdivide the allocation among budget resolution. The Appropriations Committees then in turn subdivide the allocation among
their subcommittees, referred to as the “302(b)” allocations.22 their subcommittees, referred to as the “302(b)” allocations.22
For FY2021, the House and Senate Budget Committees have not reported a budget resolution.
For FY2021, the House and Senate Budget Committees have not reported a budget resolution.
20 The FY2021 budget request would move funding for the 20 The FY2021 budget request would move funding for the
rural broadband E-Connect programRural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (also known as ReConnect) into the regular Rural into the regular Rural
Utilities Service program account (+$250 million) while eliminating funding that was in the General Provisions title of Utilities Service program account (+$250 million) while eliminating funding that was in the General Provisions title of
the FY2020 appropriation (-$300 million). This is separate from the supplemental $100 million for the FY2020 appropriation (-$300 million). This is separate from the supplemental $100 million for
E-ConnectReConnect that was that was
in the CARES Act coronavirus appropriation. in the CARES Act coronavirus appropriation.
21 CRS Report R42388,
21 CRS Report R42388,
The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction. .
22 References to 302(a) and 302(b) are to sections of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 22 References to 302(a) and 302(b) are to sections of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
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Budget Caps
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA, P.L. 112-25) set discretionary budget caps from FY2013
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA, P.L. 112-25) set discretionary budget caps from FY2013
through FY2021 as a way of reducing federal spending.23 Sequestration is an across-the-board through FY2021 as a way of reducing federal spending.23 Sequestration is an across-the-board
backstop to achieve budget reductions if spending exceeds the budget caps (2 U.S.C. §901(c)).24 backstop to achieve budget reductions if spending exceeds the budget caps (2 U.S.C. §901(c)).24
Subsequent Bipartisan Budget Acts (BBAs) have avoided sequestration on discretionary
Subsequent Bipartisan Budget Acts (BBAs) have avoided sequestration on discretionary
spending—with the exception of FY2013—by raising those caps four times in two-year spending—with the exception of FY2013—by raising those caps four times in two-year
increments in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019 increments in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019
(Figure 4).25 25
Most recently, the BBA of 2019 (P.L. 116-37) raised the cap applicable to FY2021 nondefense
Most recently, the BBA of 2019 (P.L. 116-37) raised the cap applicable to FY2021 nondefense
discretionary spending to $627 billion. Agriculture appropriations are part of the nondefense discretionary spending to $627 billion. Agriculture appropriations are part of the nondefense
spending category. The BBA provides language to execute (or “deem”) the caps for the spending category. The BBA provides language to execute (or “deem”) the caps for the
appropriations process without a budget resolution.26 appropriations process without a budget resolution.26
The $627 billion nondefense budget cap for FY2021 is about 1% greater than the cap that was
The $627 billion nondefense budget cap for FY2021 is about 1% greater than the cap that was
used to write the FY2020 appropriations. This cap is to be shared among many appropriations used to write the FY2020 appropriations. This cap is to be shared among many appropriations
subcommittees when spending allocations are made. subcommittees when spending allocations are made.
Discretionary Spending Allocations
In the absence of a budget resolution and without committee meetings during the coronavirus pandemic, subcommittee allocations have not been announced in either chamber. On July 9, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee reported its 302(b) subcommittee allocations (H.Rept. 116-143). The discretionary allocation for Agriculture is $23.98 billion, an increase of 2% above FY2020 levels. Subcommittee allocations have not been released in the Senate.
Figure 4. BCA Discretionary Limits, FY2014-FY2021
Budget authority in billions of nominal dollars
Budget authority in billions of nominal dollars
Source: CRS Insight IN11148, CRS Insight IN11148,
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019: Changes to the BCA and Debt Limit..
23 CRS Report R44874, 23 CRS Report R44874,
The Budget Control Act: Frequently Asked Questions. .
24 CRS Report R42972, 24 CRS Report R42972,
Sequestration as a Budget Enforcement Process: Frequently Asked Questions. .
25 CRS Insight IN11090, 25 CRS Insight IN11090,
Increasing the BCA Spending Limits: Characteristics of Previously Enacted Legislation. .
26 CRS Insight IN11148, 26 CRS Insight IN11148,
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019: Changes to the BCA and Debt Limit. .
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House Action
The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held hearings in February and March 2020 In February and March 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic paused development of the regular appropriations bills, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held hearings on the request for USDA overall, the FDA and FCA budget requests, and the USDA and HHS on the request for USDA overall, the FDA and FCA budget requests, and the USDA and HHS
Offices of Inspector General.27Offices of Inspector General.27
Neither the Agriculture subcommittee nor the Appropriations Committee has
On July 6, 2020, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee marked up a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill marked up a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill
.
Senate Action
The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on the USDA budget request in March 2020.28 Neither the Agriculture subcommittee nor the Appropriations Committee has marked up a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill.
27 House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, hearing videos at https://appropriations.house.gov/subcommittees/agriculture-rural-development-food-and-drug-administration-and-related-agencies-116th/congress_hearing.
28 by voice vote. On July 9, the full committee reported the bill by voice vote after adopting a manager’s amendment and one other amendment (H.R. 7610, H.Rept. 116-446). The House-reported bill was added as Division B of a four-bill minibus appropriation (H.R. 7608) that is scheduled for consideration in the House.
The House-reported Agriculture appropriations bill would provide $23.97 billion in discretionary appropriations, an increase of $489 million (+2%) over the regular annual FY2020 appropriation. Generally speaking, the House-reported bill does not include most of the reductions proposed by the Administration and is $4.07 billion greater than the Administration’s request.
Table 3 provides details of the House-reported bill at the agency level; Table 2 summarizes it by titles of the bill. The primary changes in the bill that comprise the $489 million increase, compared to the annual enacted FY2020 appropriation, include increases to the following:
Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (also known as ReConnect; +615 million,
+205%), to expand rural broadband.28 This provision is in the General Provisions title of the bill.
Foreign Assistance (+$72 million, +3%), to increase Food for Peace Title II
grants and McGovern-Dole Food for Education.
Food and Drug Administration (+$41 million, +1%). Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area (+$17 million,
+1%), including $28 million more for the FPAC Business Center, $4 million more for Conservation Operations, and offset by $20 million less from the Watershed and Flood Prevention program.
Changes from FY2020 in the House-reported bill also include reductions to the following:
Domestic Food Programs (-$183 million, -3%), mostly from the WIC program,
though the Commodity Assistance Program would increase by $46 million.
Rural Development (-$17 million, -1%), mostly from reductions to Rural
Utilities programs (-$50 million), Rural Housing programs (-$24 million), and Rural Business programs (-$7 million), offset by an increase for program administration (+$64 million).
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (-$11 million, -3%). Agricultural programs (-$8 million, -0.1%), including a reduction of $142
million from ARS mostly from buildings and facilities, offset by increases to several agencies including $48 million more for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, +$27 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
27 House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, hearing videos at https://appropriations.house.gov/subcommittees/agriculture-rural-development-food-and-drug-administration-and-related-agencies-116th/congress_hearing.
28 See CRS In Focus IF11262, The ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program.
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Service, and +$34 million for the Food Safety Inspection Service, +$13 million for department administration accounts.
Other appropriations (-$32 million), to various miscellaneous programs in the
General Provisions title (not including the ReConnect program mentioned above).
Senate Action The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on the USDA budget request in March 2020.29 Neither the Agriculture subcommittee nor the Appropriations Committee has marked up a FY2021 Agriculture appropriations bill.
29 Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, hearing videos at https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/ Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, hearing videos at https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/
subcommittees/agriculture-rural-development-food-and-drug-administration-and-related-agencies. subcommittees/agriculture-rural-development-food-and-drug-administration-and-related-agencies.
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Table 3. Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations, by Agency, FY2019-FY2021
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Title I. Agricultural Programs
Departmental Administration
Departmental Administration
(Table A-1)
390.4
390.4
472.8
472.8
0.8
0.8
614.7
614.7
—485.8
—
—
—
—
+141.9
+141.9
—+13.0
Research, Education and Economics
Agricultural Research Service
Agricultural Research Service
1,684.5
1,684.5
1,607.1
1,607.1
—
—
1,418.0
1,418.0
—1,464.9
—
—
—
—
-189.1
-189.1
—-142.2
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
1,471.3
1,471.3
1,527.4
1,527.4
—
—
1,590.8
1,590.8
—1,575.3
—
—
—
—
+63.4
+63.4
—+47.9
National Agricultural Statistics Service
National Agricultural Statistics Service
174.5
174.5
180.3
180.3
—
—
177.5
177.5
—183.4
—
—
—
—
-2.8
-2.8
—+3.1
Economic Research Service
Economic Research Service
86.8
86.8
84.8
84.8
—
—
62.1
62.1
—86.7
—
—
—
—
-22.6
-22.6
—+1.9
Under Secretary
Under Secretary
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
—
—
6.8
6.8
—6.1
—
—
—
—
+6.0
+6.0
—+5.3
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
1,014.3
1,014.3
1,045.9
1,045.9
55.0
55.0
1,035.6
1,035.6
—1,073.0
—
—
—
—
-10.3
-10.3
—+27.1
Agricultural Marketing Service
Agricultural Marketing Service
160.3
160.3
188.2
188.2
45.0
45.0
148.4
148.4
—190.1
—
—
—
—
-39.7
-39.7
—+2.0
Section 32 (M)
Section 32 (M)
1,374.0
1,374.0
1,404.0
1,404.0
—
—
1,
1,
431.0
—
—
—
+27.0
—359.9
1,359.9
—
—
-44.1
-44.1
Under Secretary
Under Secretary
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.8
—
—
0.9
0.9
—0.8
—
—
—
—
+0.1
+0.1
—+0.0
Food Safety
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
1,049.3
1,049.3
1,054.3
1,054.3
33.0
33.0
1,092.4
1,092.4
—1,088.6
—
—
—
—
+38.1
+38.1
—+34.2
Under Secretary
Under Secretary
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
—
—
0.8
0.8
—0.8
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Subtotal, Title I
Discretionary
6,033.9
6,163.1
133.8
6,148.0
—6,155.5
—
—
—
—
-15.12
—-7.6
Mandatory (M)
Mandatory (M)
1,374.0
1,374.0
1,404.0
1,404.0
—
—
1,
1,
431.0
—
—
—
+27.0
—
Subtotal
7,407.9
7,567.1
—
7,579.0
—
—
—
+11.9
—359.9
1,359.9
—
—
-44.1
-44.1
Subtotal
7,407.9
7,567.1
—
7,507.8
7,515.4
—
—
-59.3
-51.8
CRS-12
CRS-12
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 21
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Title II. Farm Production and Conservation
Farm and Commodity Programs
Business Center Business Center
216.4
216.4
203.9
203.9
—
—
243.6
243.6
—232.2
—
—
—
—
+39.7
+39.7
—+28.3
Farm Service Agen
Farm Service Agen
cyc
1,494.2
1,494.2
1,541.7
1,541.7
3.0
3.0
1,484.
1,484.
98
—1,542.7
—
—
—
—
-56.
-56.
89
—+1.0
FSA Farm Loans: Loan Authori
FSA Farm Loans: Loan Authori
tyd
7,987.7
7,987.7
8,431.0
8,431.0
—
—
8,906.7
8,932.28,916.8
—
—
—
—
—
+
+
485.8
—475.7
+501.2
Risk Management Agency
Risk Management Agency
58.4
58.4
58.4
58.4
—
—
59.4
59.4
—59.4
—
—
—
—
+1.1
+1.1
—+1.0
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (M)
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (M)
15,410.6
15,410.6
9,959.0
9,959.0
—
—
8,716.0
8,716.0
—8,716.0
—
—
—
—
-1,243.0
-1,243.0
—-1,243.0
Commodity Credit Corporation (M)
Commodity Credit Corporation (M)
15,410.0
15,410.0
26,309.0
26,309.0
14,000.
14,000.
0e
25,553.1
25,553.1
—25,553.1
—
—
—
—
-755.9
-755.9
— -755.9
Conservation Programs
Conservation Operations
Conservation Operations
819.5
819.5
829.6
829.6
—
—
830.2
830.2
—833.8
—
—
—
—
+0.6
+0.6
—+4.2
Watershed and Flood Prevention
Watershed and Flood Prevention
150.0
150.0
175.0
175.0
—
—
0.0
0.0
—155.0
—
—
—
—
-175.0
-175.0
—-20.0
Watershed Rehabilitation Program
Watershed Rehabilitation Program
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
—
—
0.0
0.0
—12.0
—
—
—
—
-10.0
-10.0
—+2.0
Under Secretary
Under Secretary
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
—
—
1.1
1.1
—0.9
—
—
—
—
+0.2
+0.2
—+0.0
Subtotal, Title II
Discretionary
2,748.8
2,819.0
3.0
2,618.7
—2,835.5
—
—
-200.23
—+16.5
Mandatory (M)
Mandatory (M)
30,821.1
30,821.1
36,268.5
36,268.5
14,000.0
14,000.0
34,269.6
34,269.6
—34,269.6
—
—
—
—
-1,998.9
-1,998.9
—-1,998.9
Subtotal
Subtotal
33,569.9
33,569.9
39,087.5
39,087.5
14,003.0
14,003.0
36,888.3
36,888.3
—37,105.1
—
—
—
—
-2,199.2
-2,199.2
—-1,982.4
Title III. Rural Development
Salaries and Expenses (including transfer
Salaries and Expenses (including transfer
s)f
686.8
686.8
697.8
697.8
—
—
761.5
761.5
—761.9
—
—
—
—
+63.
+63.
67
—+64.1
Rural Housing Service
Rural Housing Service
1,606.0
1,606.0
1,686.7
1,686.7
—
—
1,595.0
1,595.0
—1,662.9
—
—
—
—
-91.7
-91.7
—-23.8
RHS Loan Authori
RHS Loan Authori
tyd
28,293.8
28,293.8
28,646.0
28,646.0
—
—
27,240.0
28,646.027,260.0
—
—
—
—
—
-1,
-1,
386406.0 .0
—+0.0
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
98.6
98.6
105.0
105.0
20.5
20.5
110.4
110.4
—98.2
—
—
—
—
+5.4
+5.4
—-6.8
RBCS Loan Authori
RBCS Loan Authori
tyd
1,026.4
1,026.4
1,088.9
1,088.9
1,000.0
1,000.0
1,500.0
1,500.0
—1,088.9
—
—
+411.1
+0.0
CRS-13
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 21
—
—
+411.1
—
Rural Utilities Service
620.2g
750.3g
25.0
942.6h
—
—
—
+192.3
—
RUS Loan Authorityd
8,419.9
8,401.2
—
7,518.0
—
—
—
-883.2
—
CRS-13
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 21
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
House
Under Secretaryi
—i
0.8
—
1.0
—
—
—
+0.2
—reported
Rural Utilities Service
620.2g
750.3g
25.0
942.6
700.1g
—
—
+192.3
-50.1
RUS Loan Authorityd
8,419.9
8,401.2
—
7,518.3
8,401.2
—
—
-882.8
+0.0
Under Secretaryh
—h
0.8
—
1.0
0.8
—
—
+0.2
+0.0
Subtotal, Title III
3,011.7g
3,240.6g
45.5g
3,410.5
—3,224.0g
—
—
—
—
+169.9
+169.9
—-16.6
Subtotal, RD Loan Authorityd
Authorityd
37,740.0
38,136.1
1,000.0
36,278.0
—36,258.3
38,136.1
—
—
-1,858.1
—-1,877.7
+0.0
Title IV. Domestic Food Programs
Child Nutrition Programs (M)
Child Nutrition Programs (M)
23,140.8
23,140.8
23,615.1
23,615.1
8,800.0
8,800.0
25,040.9
25,040.9
—25,131.4
—
—
—
—
+1,425.8
+1,425.8
—+1,516.3
WIC Program
WIC Program
6,075.0
6,075.0
6,000.0
6,000.0
500.0
500.0
5,451.5
5,451.5
—5,750.0
—
—
—
—
-548.5
-548.5
—-250.0
SNAP, Food and Nutrition Act Programs (M)
SNAP, Food and Nutrition Act Programs (M)
73,476.9
73,476.9
67,886.3
67,886.3
15,910.
15,910.
0j0i
68,281.4
68,281.4
—68,277.4
—
—
—
—
+395.1
+395.1
—+391.1
Commodity Assistance Programs
Commodity Assistance Programs
322.1
322.1
344.2
344.2
850.0
850.0
80.7
80.7
—390.7
—
—
—
—
-263.5
-263.5
—+46.5
Nutrition Programs Administration
Nutrition Programs Administration
164.7
164.7
155.9
155.9
—
—
155.3
155.3
—156.4
—
—
—
—
-0.6
-0.6
—+0.5
Under Secretary
Under Secretary
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
—
—
0.8
0.8
—0.8
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Subtotal, Title IV
Discretionary
6,620.3
6,566.0
1,350.0
5,700.7
—6,383.3
—
—
—
—
-865.3
—-182.7
Mandatory (M)
Mandatory (M)
96,560.0
96,560.0
91,436.3
91,436.3
24,710.0
24,710.0
93,309.8
93,309.8
—93,323.4
—
—
—
—
+1,873.5
+1,873.5
—+1,887.1
Subtotal
Subtotal
103,180.3
103,180.3
98,002.3
98,002.3
26,060.0
26,060.0
99,010.5
99,010.5
—99,706.7
—
—
—
—
+1,008.2
+1,008.2
—+1,704.4
Title V. Foreign Assistance
Foreign Agricultural Service
Foreign Agricultural Service
213.9
213.9
215.5
215.5
4.0
4.0
193.7
193.7
—222.2
—
—
—
—
-21.8
-21.8
—+6.7
Food for Peace Title II, and admin. expenses
Food for Peace Title II, and admin. expenses
1,500.
1,500.
1g
1,725.1
1,725.1
—
—
0.1
0.1
—1,775.1
—
—
—
—
-1,725.0
-1,725.0
—+50.0
McGovern-Dole Food for Education
McGovern-Dole Food for Education
210.3
210.3
220.0
220.0
—
—
0.0
0.0
—235.0
—
—
—
—
-220.0
-220.0
—+15.0
CCC Export Loan Salaries
CCC Export Loan Salaries
8.8
8.8
6.4
6.4
—
—
6.4
6.4
—6.4
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Office of Codex Alimentarius
Office of Codex Alimentarius
4.0
4.0
4.8
4.8
—
—
4.8
4.8
—4.8
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—
—
+0.0
—
Under Secretary
0.9
0.9
—
0.9
—
—
—
+0.0
—
Subtotal, Title V
1,938.0
2,172.7
4.0
205.9
—
—
—
-1,966.8
—
CRS-14
CRS-14
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 27 link to page 22 link to page 28 link to page 28 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 27 link to page 22 link to page 28 link to page 28 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
Admin. House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Under Secretary
0.9
0.9
—
0.9
0.9
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
Subtotal, Title V
1,938.0
2,172.7
4.0
205.9
2,244.4
—
—
-1,966.8
+71.7
Title VI. Related Agencies
Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
3,080.5
3,080.5
3,171.5
3,171.5
163.0
163.0
3,220.4
3,220.4
—3,212.3
—
—
—
—
+48.9
+48.9
—+40.8
Commodity Futures Trading Commissio
Commodity Futures Trading Commissio
nknj
[268.0]
[268.0]
315.0
315.0
—
—
226.5
226.5
—304.0
—
—
—
—
-88.5
-88.5
—-11.0
Subtotal, Title VI
[3,348.5]
3,486.5
163.0
3,446.9
—3,516.3
—
—
—
—
-39.6
—+29.8
Title VII. General Provisions
Changes in Mandatory Programs, CHIMPSlPSk
a. Conservation programs
a. Conservation programs
[-60.2
[-60.2
]ml
-60.2
-60.2
—
—
-60.2
-60.2
—-60.2
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
b. Nutrition programs
b. Nutrition programs
+5.0
+5.0
+9.0
+9.0
—
—
—
—+0.0
+12.0
—
—
—
—
-9.0
-9.0
—+3.0
c. Farm Production & Conservation Bus. Ctr.
c. Farm Production & Conservation Bus. Ctr.
[+60.2
[+60.2
]ml
+60.2
+60.2
—
—
+60.2
+60.2
—+60.2
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
d. Other CHIMPS and mandatory rescissions
d. Other CHIMPS and mandatory rescissions
+10.0
+10.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Subtotal, CHIMPS (Table B-1)
+15.0
+9.0
—
+0.0
—+12.0
—
—
—
—
-9.0
—+3.0
Rescissions (discretionary)nm (Table B-2)
-505.0
-1,015.1
—
-1,200.0
—-1,000.0
—
—
—
—
-184.9
—+15.1
Other appropriations (Table B-3)
a. Emergency/disaster programs
a. Emergency/disaster programs
—
—
535.
535.
0o0n
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-535.0
-535.0
—-535.0
b. Water and Waste Water
b. Water and Waste Water
75.0
75.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
c. Broadband pilo
c. Broadband pilo
thto
125.0
125.0
300.0
300.0
100.0
100.0
—h
—0.0o
915.0
—
—
—
—
-300.0
-300.0
—+615.0
d. Food for Peace
d. Food for Peace
216.0
216.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
e. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
e. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
—
—
—
—
12,500.
12,500.
0p
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
f. Other appropriations
f. Other appropriations
77.5
77.5
140.3
140.3
—
—
—
—
—108.4
—
—
—
—
-140.3
-140.3
—-31.9
Subtotal, Other appropriations
493.5
975.3
12,600.0
0.0
—1,023.4
—
—
—
—
-975.3
—+48.1
Subtotal, Title VII
3.5
-30.8
12,600.0
-1,200.0
—35.4
—
—
—
—
-1,169.2
—+66.2
CRS-15
CRS-15
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 31 link to page 22 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 28
link to page 21 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 31 link to page 22 link to page 21 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 22 link to page 28
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Actsa
requestb
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Scorekeeping Adjustmentsq (Table B-4)
Emergency declaration in this bil
Emergency declaration in this bil
—
—
-535.
-535.
0o0n
—a
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
+535.0
+535.0
—+535.0
Other scorekeeping adjustments
Other scorekeeping adjustments
-404.0
-404.0
-398.0
-398.0
—
—
-
-
403424.0 .0
—-421.0
—
—
—
—
-
-
526.0 .0
—-23.0
Subtotal, Scorekeeping adjustmentsq
-404.0
-933.0
—
—
-403424.0
—-421.0
—
—
—
—
+530509.0
—+512.0
Totals
Discretionary: Senate basis w/o CFTCkTCj
23,032.7 [23,169.1]
14,299.3
19,701.3
—
—
—
-3,467.9
—680.2 [23,669.4]
—
—
-3,488.9
+500.3
Discretionary: House basis w/ CFTCkTCj
[23,300.7]
23,484.1
14,299.3
19,927.8
—906.7
23,973.4
—
—
-3,556577.4
—+489.3
Mandatory (M)
Mandatory (M)
128,755.1
128,755.1
129,108.8
129,108.8
38,710.0
38,710.0
129,010.4
—128,939.3
128,952.8
—
—
—
—
-
-
98.4
—169.6
-156.0
Total: Senate basis w/o CFTC
Total: Senate basis w/o CFTC
151,787.8 [152,278.0]
151,787.8 [152,278.0]
53,009.3
53,009.3
148,
148,
711.7
—619.4 [152,622.3]
—
—
—
—
-3,
-3,
566.3
—658.5
+344.3
Total: House basis w/ CFTC
Total: House basis w/ CFTC
[152,055.8]
[152,055.8]
152,593.0
152,593.0
53,009.3
53,009.3
148,
148,
938.2
—845.9
152,926.3
—
—
—
—
-3,
-3,
654.8
—747.0
+333.3
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
Notes: Amounts are nominal discretionary budget authority in mil ions of dol ars unless labeled otherwise. “(M)” indicates that the account is mandatory authority (or Amounts are nominal discretionary budget authority in mil ions of dol ars unless labeled otherwise. “(M)” indicates that the account is mandatory authority (or
primarily mandatory authority). Bracketed amounts are not in the official totals due to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison. primarily mandatory authority). Bracketed amounts are not in the official totals due to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison.
a. Total from four coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts (P.L. 116-123, P.L. 116-127, P.L. 116-136, P.L. 116-139), all of which was emergency spending. a. Total from four coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts (P.L. 116-123, P.L. 116-127, P.L. 116-136, P.L. 116-139), all of which was emergency spending.
Although amounts were not designated as mandatory, they are grouped here for comparison to accounts that are in the annual appropriations. See detail in CRS In
Although amounts were not designated as mandatory, they are grouped here for comparison to accounts that are in the annual appropriations. See detail in CRS In
Focus IF11491, Focus IF11491,
Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture and Related Agencies Due to COVID-19. .
b. The request is based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various legislative proposals.
b. The request is based on current law and does not reflect the Administration’s various legislative proposals.
c. Includes regular FSA salaries and expenses plus transfers for farm loan program salaries and administrative expenses. Also includes farm loan program loan subsidy, c. Includes regular FSA salaries and expenses plus transfers for farm loan program salaries and administrative expenses. Also includes farm loan program loan subsidy,
State Mediation Grants, Dairy Indemnity Program (mandatory funding), and Grassroots Source Water Protection Program. Does not include appropriations to the
State Mediation Grants, Dairy Indemnity Program (mandatory funding), and Grassroots Source Water Protection Program. Does not include appropriations to the
Foreign Agricultural Service for export loans and P.L. 480 administration that are transferred to FSA. Foreign Agricultural Service for export loans and P.L. 480 administration that are transferred to FSA.
d. Loan authority is the amount of loans that can be made or guaranteed with a loan subsidy. This amount is not added in the budget authority subtotals or totals.
d. Loan authority is the amount of loans that can be made or guaranteed with a loan subsidy. This amount is not added in the budget authority subtotals or totals.
e. The CARES Act (P.L. 116-136) provided $14 bil ion of reimbursement to the CCC after a June 2020 financial statement. Although it is not budget authority for e. The CARES Act (P.L. 116-136) provided $14 bil ion of reimbursement to the CCC after a June 2020 financial statement. Although it is not budget authority for
direct coronavirus support and not counted in CARES Act accounting, it is comparable to the CCC reimbursement in regular annual appropriations.
direct coronavirus support and not counted in CARES Act accounting, it is comparable to the CCC reimbursement in regular annual appropriations.
f.
f.
Rural Development salaries and expenses include a base amount plus transfers from the three rural development agencies. Amounts presented for the agencies
Rural Development salaries and expenses include a base amount plus transfers from the three rural development agencies. Amounts presented for the agencies
therefore include program funds for loans and grants. therefore include program funds for loans and grants.
g. Excludes a portion of the other appropriations that are provided separately in General Provisions (s
g. Excludes a portion of the other appropriations that are provided separately in General Provisions (s
ee Table B-3). .
CRS-16
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h. The
h. The
ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program that was created in the FY2018 appropriation has been funded by separate appropriation in the General Provisions title. In
FY2019 and FY2020 it is augmented by a transfer from the Cushion of Credit account that is available outside the appropriations caps. For example, in FY2020, appropriators direct $555 mil ion to ReConnect from $300 mil ion appropriated in General Provisions and $255 mil ion from the Cushion of Credit account. For FY2021, the Administration requests $250 mil ion in the Rural Utilities Service account rather than through General Provisions.
i.
The USDA-initiated reorganization in 2017 created an “Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development” as part of the Office of the Secretary rather than the USDA-initiated reorganization in 2017 created an “Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development” as part of the Office of the Secretary rather than the
previously Senate-confirmed undersecretary position. The 2018 farm bil reinstated the undersecretary position, and the FY2020 appropriation funds it as such. previously Senate-confirmed undersecretary position. The 2018 farm bil reinstated the undersecretary position, and the FY2020 appropriation funds it as such.
ji. .
In addition to the specified supplemental amounts for the SNAP account in the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-
In addition to the specified supplemental amounts for the SNAP account in the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-
127, §1101) authorized and appropriated open-ended funding for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. The amount displayed does not include 127, §1101) authorized and appropriated open-ended funding for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. The amount displayed does not include
the P-EBT funding. the P-EBT funding.
k. j.
Jurisdiction for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is in the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Financial Services Jurisdiction for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is in the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Financial Services
Appropriations Subcommittee. After FY2008, CFTC is carried in the enacted Agriculture appropriations in even-numbered fiscal years. It is always carried in House Appropriations Subcommittee. After FY2008, CFTC is carried in the enacted Agriculture appropriations in even-numbered fiscal years. It is always carried in House
Agriculture subcommittee markup but never in Senate Agriculture subcommittee markup. Bracketed amounts are not in the Agriculture appropriations totals due Agriculture subcommittee markup but never in Senate Agriculture subcommittee markup. Bracketed amounts are not in the Agriculture appropriations totals due
to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison. to differing House-Senate jurisdiction for CFTC but are shown for comparison.
l.
k. Includes reductions (limitations and rescissions) and increases to mandatory programs that are known as CHIMPS. Includes reductions (limitations and rescissions) and increases to mandatory programs that are known as CHIMPS.
m. l.
These bracketed amounts were not in the official CBO scoring of CHIMPS. Appropriations acts in FY2018 and FY2019 transferred mandatory conservation funding These bracketed amounts were not in the official CBO scoring of CHIMPS. Appropriations acts in FY2018 and FY2019 transferred mandatory conservation funding
into the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, but the official CBO scoring of appropriations at that time did not record it as a CHIMP the way that into the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, but the official CBO scoring of appropriations at that time did not record it as a CHIMP the way that
the FY2020 scoring reflects. For more background, see CRS Report R46011, the FY2020 scoring reflects. For more background, see CRS Report R46011,
FY2020 Appropriations for Agricultural Conservation. .
nm. Rescissions are actions that permanently reduce a budget authority subsequent to an enacted appropriation. They score budgetary savings. Any rescissions from . Rescissions are actions that permanently reduce a budget authority subsequent to an enacted appropriation. They score budgetary savings. Any rescissions from
mandatory programs are included with the CHIMPS.
mandatory programs are included with the CHIMPS.
on. Emergency appropriations in FY2020 include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5 bil ion for the Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program, which was offset with $1.5 . Emergency appropriations in FY2020 include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5 bil ion for the Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program, which was offset with $1.5
bil ion in rescissions
bil ion in rescissions
(Table B-3). .
o. The ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program that was created in the FY2018 appropriation has been funded by separate appropriation in the General Provisions title. In
FY2019 and FY2020 it is augmented by a transfer from the Cushion of Credit account that is available outside the appropriations caps. For example, in FY2020, appropriators direct $555 mil ion to ReConnect from $300 mil ion appropriated in General Provisions and $255 mil ion from the Cushion of Credit account. For FY2021, the Administration requests $250 mil ion in the Rural Utilities Service account rather than through General Provisions.
p. Includes $9.5 bil ion specified in the CARES Act for payments to farmers and $3 bil ion from indefinite authority in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act that p. Includes $9.5 bil ion specified in the CARES Act for payments to farmers and $3 bil ion from indefinite authority in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act that
USDA used for the Farmers to Families Food Boxes Program.
USDA used for the Farmers to Families Food Boxes Program.
q.
q.
“Scorekeeping adjustments” are not necessarily appropriated items and may not be shown in Appropriations Committee tables but are part of the official CBO “Scorekeeping adjustments” are not necessarily appropriated items and may not be shown in Appropriations Committee tables but are part of the official CBO
score (accounting) of the bil . They predominantly include “negative subsidies” in loan program accounts (mostly from receipt of fees) and adjustments for
score (accounting) of the bil . They predominantly include “negative subsidies” in loan program accounts (mostly from receipt of fees) and adjustments for
emergency designations in the bil . emergency designations in the bil .
CRS-17
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Other Appropriations Issues
Policy-Related Provisions
Besides setting spending authority, appropriations acts are also a vehicle for policy-related Besides setting spending authority, appropriations acts are also a vehicle for policy-related
provisions that direct executive branch actions.provisions that direct executive branch actions.
2930 These provisions, limitations, or riders may have These provisions, limitations, or riders may have
the force of law if they are included in the act’s text, but their effect is generally limited to the the force of law if they are included in the act’s text, but their effect is generally limited to the
current fiscal year unless they amend the current fiscal year unless they amend the
U.S. Code, which is rare in appropriations acts. , which is rare in appropriations acts.
Report language may also provide policy instructions. Although report language does not carry
Report language may also provide policy instructions. Although report language does not carry
the force of text in an act, it often explains congressional intent, which the agencies may be the force of text in an act, it often explains congressional intent, which the agencies may be
expected to follow. expected to follow.
In the past, Congress has said that committee reports and the joint explanatory statement need to
In the past, Congress has said that committee reports and the joint explanatory statement need to
be read together to capture all of the congressional intent for a fiscal year. For example, the be read together to capture all of the congressional intent for a fiscal year. For example, the
explanatory statement for the FY2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations act instructs that the explanatory statement for the FY2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations act instructs that the
earlier House and Senate reports should be read together with the conference agreement: earlier House and Senate reports should be read together with the conference agreement:
Congressional Directives. The statement is silent on provisions that were in both the The statement is silent on provisions that were in both the
House Report (H.Rept. 116-107) and Senate Report (S.Rept. 116-110) that remain House Report (H.Rept. 116-107) and Senate Report (S.Rept. 116-110) that remain
unchanged by this agreement, except as noted in this statement. unchanged by this agreement, except as noted in this statement.
The House and Senate report language that is not changed by the statement is approved
The House and Senate report language that is not changed by the statement is approved
and indicates congressional intentions. The statement, while repeating some report and indicates congressional intentions. The statement, while repeating some report
language for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language referred to above unless language for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language referred to above unless
expressly provided herein.expressly provided herein.
3031
COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriations in FY2020
In March and April 2020, Congress passed and the President signed four supplemental In March and April 2020, Congress passed and the President signed four supplemental
appropriations acts in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic—designated Coronavirus appropriations acts in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic—designated Coronavirus
Disease 2019, or COVID-19.Disease 2019, or COVID-19.
3132 These acts in FY2020 include support for programs in the These acts in FY2020 include support for programs in the
jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. The four acts are: jurisdiction of the Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. The four acts are:
1. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L.
1. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L.
116-123, March 6, 2020);
116-123, March 6, 2020);
2. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127, March 18, 2020);
2. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127, March 18, 2020);
3. CARES Act (P.L. 116-136, March 27, 2020); and
3. CARES Act (P.L. 116-136, March 27, 2020); and
4. Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139,
4. Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139,
April 27, 2020).
April 27, 2020).
These acts together specify $36 billion of appropriations to programs in the jurisdiction of the
These acts together specify $36 billion of appropriations to programs in the jurisdiction of the
Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. In addition, the second act authorized indefinite Agriculture appropriations subcommittees. In addition, the second act authorized indefinite
funding for commodity food assistance, from which the USDA has announced that it would funding for commodity food assistance, from which the USDA has announced that it would
obligate $3 billion to date.obligate $3 billion to date.
3233 The third act provided for $14 billion of reimbursement for the CCC The third act provided for $14 billion of reimbursement for the CCC
2930 See CRS Report RL30240, See CRS Report RL30240,
Congressional Oversight Manual. .
3031 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, committee , committee
print, 116th Cong., 2nd Sess., January 2020, 38-679 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2020), p. 305. print, 116th Cong., 2nd Sess., January 2020, 38-679 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2020), p. 305.
3132 CRS In Focus IF11491, CRS In Focus IF11491,
Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture and Related Agencies Due to COVID-19. .
3233 The Farmers to Families Food Box Program, discussed in CRS Report R46347, The Farmers to Families Food Box Program, discussed in CRS Report R46347,
COVID-19, U.S. Agriculture, and
USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). .
Congressional Research Service
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18
18
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
that, while not immediately available for obligation and not counted as COVID-19 relief, is
that, while not immediately available for obligation and not counted as COVID-19 relief, is
comparable to the regular CCC reimbursements in annual Agriculture appropriations acts and is comparable to the regular CCC reimbursements in annual Agriculture appropriations acts and is
included in this report. included in this report.
Columns labeled “COVID-19 Acts” i
Columns labeled “COVID-19 Acts” i
n Table 2, Table 3, and other appendix tables summarize and other appendix tables summarize
these combined $53 billion of appropriations through the coronavirus supplemental acts. All of these combined $53 billion of appropriations through the coronavirus supplemental acts. All of
this spending is designated as emergency spending and not counted against budget caps. this spending is designated as emergency spending and not counted against budget caps.
Budget Sequestration Continues on Mandatory Spending
Sequestration is a process to reduce federal spending through automatic, largely across-the-board Sequestration is a process to reduce federal spending through automatic, largely across-the-board
reductions that permanently cancel budget authority. Sequestration is triggered as a budget reductions that permanently cancel budget authority. Sequestration is triggered as a budget
enforcement mechanism when federal spending exceeds statutory budget goals. enforcement mechanism when federal spending exceeds statutory budget goals.
Despite the BBA agreements that have raised discretionary spending caps to avoid sequestration
Despite the BBA agreements that have raised discretionary spending caps to avoid sequestration
on discretionary accounts, sequestration still impacts mandatory spending. Sequestration on on discretionary accounts, sequestration still impacts mandatory spending. Sequestration on
mandatory accounts began in FY2013 and continues to the present. Congress has amended the mandatory accounts began in FY2013 and continues to the present. Congress has amended the
BCA five times to extend sequestration on mandatory spending accounts. The original sunset of BCA five times to extend sequestration on mandatory spending accounts. The original sunset of
sequestration was to be FY2021; it is now scheduled to continue through FY2029. Sequestration sequestration was to be FY2021; it is now scheduled to continue through FY2029. Sequestration
has reduced mandatory spending by about 6% per year, amounting to about $1.5 billion of has reduced mandatory spending by about 6% per year, amounting to about $1.5 billion of
reductions annually from agriculture accounts in recent years. Seereductions annually from agriculture accounts in recent years. See
Appendix C for effects. for effects.
Congressional Research Service
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Appendix A. Appropriations in Administrative Accounts
Table A-1. USDA Departmental Administration Appropriations
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Secretary
5.1
5.1
5.1
5.1
—
—
5.1
5.1
—5.1
—
—
—
—
+0.1
+0.1
—+0.1
Assistant to the Sec. for Rural Developmen
Assistant to the Sec. for Rural Developmen
ta
0.8
0.8
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Office of Homeland Security
Office of Homeland Security
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
—
—
1.3
1.3
—1.3
—
—
—
—
-0.2
-0.2
—-0.2
Public Partnership and Engagemen
Public Partnership and Engagemen
tb
4.7
4.7
6.2
6.2
—
—
2.0
2.0
—6.5
—
—
—
—
-4.3
-4.3
—+0.3
Assistant Secretary for Admin.
Assistant Secretary for Admin.
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
—
—
0.9
0.9
—0.9
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Departmental Administration
Departmental Administration
22.3
22.3
21.4
21.4
—
—
27.2
27.2
—22.5
—
—
—
—
+5.8
+5.8
—+1.1
Asst. Sec. Congressional Relations
Asst. Sec. Congressional Relations
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
—
—
3.9
3.9
—3.9
—
—
—
—
+0.1
+0.1
—+0.1
Office of Communications
Office of Communications
7.5
7.5
7.3
7.3
—
—
7.4
7.4
—7.4
—
—
—
—
+0.1
+0.1
—+0.1
Subtotal
46.6
46.1
—
—
47.98
—47.6
—
—
—
—
+1.7
—+1.5
Executive Operations
Office of Chief Economist
Office of Chief Economist
21.3
21.3
24.0
24.0
—
—
20.9
20.9
—21.3
—
—
—
—
-3.2
-3.2
—-2.8
Office of Hearings and Appeals
Office of Hearings and Appeals
15.2
15.2
15.2
15.2
—
—
15.5
15.5
—15.4
—
—
—
—
+0.3
+0.3
—+0.2
Office of Budget, Program Analysis
Office of Budget, Program Analysis
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.5
—
—
20.7
20.7
—9.7
—
—
—
—
+11.1
+11.1
—+0.1
Subtotal
46.0
48.8
—
—
57.1
—46.4
—
—
—
—
+8.3
—-2.4
Other Administration
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer
55.6
55.6
66.6
66.6
—
—
142.8
142.8
—73.4
—
—
—
—
+76.2
+76.2
—+6.8
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
—
—
11.1
11.1
—6.1
—
—
—
—
+5.1
+5.1
—+0.1
CRS-20
CRS-20
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Agency or major program
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
—
—
0.9
0.9
—0.9
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Office of Civil Rights
Office of Civil Rights
24.2
24.2
24.2
24.2
—
—
20.6
20.6
—22.9
—
—
—
—
-3.6
-3.6
—
Buildings and facilities
60.0
128.2
—
152.8
—
—
—
+24.6
—
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection
—
—
—
25.0
—
—
—
+25.0
—-1.3
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection
—
—
—
25.0
23.2
—
—
+25.0
+23.2
Buildings and facilities
60.0
128.2
—
152.8
108.2
—
—
+24.6
-20.0
Hazardous materials management
Hazardous materials management
3.5
3.5
4.5
4.5
—
—
3.5
3.5
—7.5
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+3.0
Office of Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
—
—
100.4
100.4
—99.8
—
—
—
—
+2.2
+2.2
—+1.6
General Counsel
General Counsel
45.1
45.1
45.1
45.1
0.8
0.8
45.9
45.9
—45.6
—
—
—
—
+0.7
+0.7
—+0.4
Office of Information Affairs
Office of Information Affairs
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.5
2.5
—
—
—
—
—
—
+2.5
+2.5
—
—
Office of Ethics
Office of Ethics
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
—
—
4.2
4.2
—4.2
—
—
—
—
+0.1
+0.1
—+0.1
Subtotal
297.7
377.9
0.8
509.8
—391.8
—
—
—
—
+131.9
—+13.9
Total, Departmental Administration
390.4
472.8
0.8
614.7
—485.8
—
—
—
—
+141.9
—+13.0
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
a. The USDA-initiated reorganization in 2017 created an “Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development” as part of the Office of the Secretary rather than the a. The USDA-initiated reorganization in 2017 created an “Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development” as part of the Office of the Secretary rather than the
previously Senate-confirmed undersecretary position. The 2018 farm bil reinstated the undersecretary position, and the FY2020 appropriation funds it as such.
previously Senate-confirmed undersecretary position. The 2018 farm bil reinstated the undersecretary position, and the FY2020 appropriation funds it as such.
b. Formerly, this was the Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
b. Formerly, this was the Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
CRS-21
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Appendix B. Appropriations in General Provisions
Table B-1. General Provisions: Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS)
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
CHIMPS and mandatory rescissions
P.L. 116-6
94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Farm bill programs
Farm Security Rural Investment Act
Farm Security Rural Investment Act
conservation programs conservation programs
[-60.2
[-60.2
]0a
-60.2
-60.2
—
—
-60.2
-60.2
—-60.2
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Farm to School
Farm to School
+5.0
+5.0
+9.0
+9.0
—
—
0.0
——
+12.0
—
—
—
—
-9.0
-9.0
—+3.0
Subtotal, farm bill programs
+5.0
-51.2
—
—
-60.2
—-48.2
—
—
—
—
-9.0
—+3.0
Other CHIMPS
Farm Production & Conservation (FPAC)
Farm Production & Conservation (FPAC)
Business Center Business Center
[+60.2
[+60.2
]0a
+60.2
+60.2
—
—
+60.2
+60.2
—+60.2
—
—
—
—
+0.0
+0.0
—+0.0
Food for Progress
Food for Progress
+10.0
+10.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total CHIMPS
+15.0
+9.0
—
—
+0.0
—+12.0
—
—
—
—
-9.0
—+3.0
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
Note:
a. Amounts in brackets were not in the official CBO scoring of CHIMPS. The FY2019 appropriations act transferred mandatory conservation funding into the Farm a. Amounts in brackets were not in the official CBO scoring of CHIMPS. The FY2019 appropriations act transferred mandatory conservation funding into the Farm
Production and Conservation Business Center, but the official CBO scoring of appropriations at that time did not record it as a CHIMP the way that the FY2020
Production and Conservation Business Center, but the official CBO scoring of appropriations at that time did not record it as a CHIMP the way that the FY2020
scoring reflects. For more background, see CRS Report R46011, scoring reflects. For more background, see CRS Report R46011,
FY2020 Appropriations for Agricultural Conservation. .
CRS-22
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Table B-2. General Provisions: Rescissions from Discretionary Accounts
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Rescissions from discretionary accounts
P.L. 116-6 94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children Women, Infants, and Children
-500.0
-500.0
-1,000.0
-1,000.0
—
—
-1,200.0
-1,200.0
—-1,000.0
—
—
—
—
-200.0
-200.0
—+0.0
Electric loan refinancing
Electric loan refinancing
—
—
-15.1
-15.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
+15.1
+15.1
—+15.1
USDA unobligated balances
USDA unobligated balances
-5.0
-5.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total
-505.0
-1,015.1
—
—
-1,200.0
—-1,000.0
—
—
—
—
-184.9
—+15.1
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
Table B-3. General Provisions: Other Appropriations
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Program
P.L. 116-6
94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
FDA buildings and facilities
FDA buildings and facilities
—
—
20.0
20.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-20.0
-20.0
—-20.0
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
—
—
—
—
12,500.
12,500.
0a
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Agriculture Risk Coverage pilot
Agriculture Risk Coverage pilot
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Dairy Innovation
Dairy Innovation
—
—
20.0
20.0
—
—
—
—
—1.0
—
—
—
—
-20.0
-20.0
—-19.0
Mitigation banking
Mitigation banking
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—-5.0
Conservation Reserve Program pilot
Conservation Reserve Program pilot
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—-1.0
Citrus greening
Citrus greening
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
—
—
—
—
—8.5
—
—
—
—
-8.5
-8.5
—+0.0
Protecting Animals with Shelter Grants
Protecting Animals with Shelter Grants
—
—
2.0
2.0
—
—
—
—
—3.0
—
—
—
—
-2.0
-2.0
—+1.0
Fruit fly quarantine payments
Fruit fly quarantine payments
9.0
9.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
CRS-23
CRS-23
link to page 30 link to page 30
link to page 30 link to page 30
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Program
P.L. 116-6
94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Geographically disadvantaged farmers
Geographically disadvantaged farmers
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
—
—
—
—
—2.0
—
—
—
—
-2.0
-2.0
—+0.0
Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach
Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—5.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+0.0
Water Bank
Water Bank
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-4.0
-4.0
—-4.0
Rural Energy Savings Program
Rural Energy Savings Program
10.0
10.0
12.0
12.0
—
—
—
—
—12.0
—
—
—
—
-12.0
-12.0
—+0.0
Agriculture Business Innovation Center
—
—
—
—
2.0
—
—
—
+2.0
Renewable Energy
—
—
—
—
10.0
—
—
—
+10.0
Maturing mortgage pilot
Maturing mortgage pilot
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—-1.0
Rural microentrepreneur assistance program
Rural microentrepreneur assistance program
3.0
3.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Water and Waste Water
Water and Waste Water
75.0
75.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Waste water pilot
Waste water pilot
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—-5.0
Broadband pilo
Broadband pilo
tb
125.0
125.0
300.0
300.0
100.0
100.0
—b
—915.0
—
—
—
—
-300.0
-300.0
—+615.0
Distance Learning Telemedicine
Distance Learning Telemedicine
16.0
16.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Rural Hospital Technical Assistance
Rural Hospital Technical Assistance
—
—
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—2.0
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+1.0
Tribal Demonstration Projects
Tribal Demonstration Projects
—
—
3.0
3.0
—
—
—
—
—3.0
—
—
—
—
-3.0
-3.0
—+0.0
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
2.0
2.0
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—5.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+0.0
Healthy Fluid Milk
Healthy Fluid Milk
—
—
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—1.0
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+0.0
RISE grants
RISE grants
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—-5.0
NIFA military veterans grants
NIFA military veterans grants
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—5.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+0.0
Genome to Phenome
Genome to Phenome
—
—
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—1.0
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+0.0
NIFA 1890 land grants, Centers of Excellence
NIFA 1890 land grants, Centers of Excellence
5.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
—
—
—
—
—14.0
—
—
—
—
-6.0
-6.0
—+8.0
Tribal Student Scholarships
Tribal Student Scholarships
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—5.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+0.0
International Agriculture Education
International Agriculture Education
Fellowship
—
—
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—1.0
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+0.0
Pol inator Research Coordinator
Pol inator Research Coordinator
—
—
0.4
0.4
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-0.4
—
Urban Agriculture Office
—
5.0
—
—
—
—
—
-5.0
—
Food Loss Liaison
—
0.4
—
—
—
—
—
-0.4
—0.4
—
—
-0.4
+0.0
CRS-24
CRS-24
link to page 30 link to page 30 link to page 31
link to page 30 link to page 30 link to page 31
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Program
P.L. 116-6
94
19 Acts
request
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Urban Agriculture Office
—
5.0
—
—
7.0
—
—
-5.0
+2.0
Food Loss Liaison
—
0.4
—
—
0.5
—
—
-0.4
+0.1
Food for Peace
Food for Peace
216.0
216.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Food for Progress
Food for Progress
6.0
6.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Nutrition Assistance Program Study
Nutrition Assistance Program Study
—
—
6.0
6.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
-6.0
-6.0
—-6.0
Micro-grants for Food Security
Micro-grants for Food Security
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—5.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+0.0
School breakfast expansion
School breakfast expansion
—
—
5.0
5.0
—
—
—
—
—15.0
—
—
—
—
-5.0
-5.0
—+10.0
Subtotal, other spending provisions
493.5
440.3
12,600.0
—
—0.0
1,023.4
—
—
—
—
-440.3
—+583.1
Disaster/Emergency programs
Ebola prevention and treatment
Ebola prevention and treatment
—
—
+535.0
+535.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—-535.0
-535.0
Rescission of unobligated emergency funding
Rescission of unobligated emergency funding
—
—
-1,500.0
-1,500.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—+1,500.0
+1,500.0
WHIP (Wildfire, Hurricanes Indemnity Program)
WHIP (Wildfire, Hurricanes Indemnity Program)
—
—
+1,500.0
+1,500.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—-1,500.0
-1,500.0
Subtotal, disaster/emergency programs
—
—
+535.0c
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—-535.0
-535.0
Total
493.5
975.3c
12,600.0
0.0
—1,023.4
—
—
—
—
-975.3
—+48.1
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
Note: Excludes supplemental appropriations outside the annual appropriations act. Excludes supplemental appropriations outside the annual appropriations act.
a. Includes $9.5 bil ion specified in the CARES Act for payments to farmers and $3 bil ion from indefinite authority in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act that a. Includes $9.5 bil ion specified in the CARES Act for payments to farmers and $3 bil ion from indefinite authority in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act that
USDA used for the Farmers to Families Food Boxes Program.
USDA used for the Farmers to Families Food Boxes Program.
b. The ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program that was created in the FY2018 appropriation has been funded by separate appropriation in the General Provisions title. In
b. The ReConnect Broadband Pilot Program that was created in the FY2018 appropriation has been funded by separate appropriation in the General Provisions title. In
FY2019 and FY2020 it is augmented by a transfer from the Cushion of Credit account that is available outside the appropriations caps. For example, in FY2020,
FY2019 and FY2020 it is augmented by a transfer from the Cushion of Credit account that is available outside the appropriations caps. For example, in FY2020,
appropriators direct $555 mil ion to ReConnect from $300 mil ion appropriated in General Provisions and $255 mil ion from the Cushion of Credit account. For appropriators direct $555 mil ion to ReConnect from $300 mil ion appropriated in General Provisions and $255 mil ion from the Cushion of Credit account. For
FY2021, the Administration requests $250 mil ion in the Rural Utilities Service account rather than through General Provisions. FY2021, the Administration requests $250 mil ion in the Rural Utilities Service account rather than through General Provisions.
c. Appropriations designated as emergency spending in FY2020 and are not counted against the discretionary spending limit include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5
c. Appropriations designated as emergency spending in FY2020 and are not counted against the discretionary spending limit include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5
bil ion for WHIP, which was offset with $1.5 bil ion in rescissions (see
bil ion for WHIP, which was offset with $1.5 bil ion in rescissions (see
Table B-4). .
CRS-25
CRS-25
link to page 31 link to page 31 link to page 31 link to page 28
link to page 31 link to page 31 link to page 31 link to page 28
Table B-4. General Provisions: Scorekeeping Adjustments
Budget authority in millions of dollars
Budget authority in millions of dollars
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
Change: FY2020 to...
P.L. 116-
COVID-
Admin.
House-
Admin.
House-
Scorekeeping adjustment
P.L. 116-6
94
19 Acts
requesta
Housereported
Senate
Enacted
request
Housereported
Loan program negative subsidies
Rural housing negative subsidy
-135.0
-135.0
-125.0
-125.0
—
—
-
-
125130.0 .0
—-130.0
—
—
—
—
+0-5.0 .0
—-5.0
Rural community facilities negative subsidy
-72.0
-72.0
-72.0
-72.0
—
—
-
-
7288.0 .0
—-88.0
—
—
—
—
+0-16.0 .0
—-16.0
Rural elec. & tele. loan negative subsidy
-173.0
-173.0
-176.0
-176.0
—
—
-
-
176175.0 .0
—-175.0
—
—
—
—
+
+
01.0 .0
—+1.0
Rural water & waste loan negative subsidy
-2.0
-2.0
-3.0
-3.0
—
—
-
-
32.0 .0
—-2.0
—
—
—
—
+
+
01.0 .0
—+1.0
Ag credit loan negative subsidy
-23.0
-23.0
-23.0
-23.0
—
—
-
-
2327.0 .0
—-27.0
—
—
—
—
+0-4.0 .0
—-4.0
Subtotal, negative subsidies
-405.0
-399.0
—
—
-399422.0
—-422.0
—
—
—
—
+0-23.0
—-23.0
Denali Commission
Denali Commission
—
—
—
—
—
—
-
-
42.0 .0
—
—
—
—
—
—
-
-
42.0 .0
—+0.0
Child nutrition equipment grants
Child nutrition equipment grants
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—1.0
—
—
—
—
-1.0
-1.0
—+0.0
Emergency designations not counted in allocation
Emergency designations not counted in allocation
—
—
-535.
-535.
0b
—c
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
+535.0
+535.0
—+535.0
Total
-404.0
-933.0
—
—
-403424.0
—-421.0
—
—
—
—
+530509.0
—+512.0
Source: CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB CRS, using appropriations text and reports; unpublished CBO tables; OMB
FY2021 Budget of the U.S. Government, Appendix; and USDA , Appendix; and USDA
FY2020 Budget
Explanatory Notes. .
Notes: A negative subsidy for a loan program generally occurs when the interest rate and/or fees charged to the borrowers are more than sufficient to cover the costs A negative subsidy for a loan program generally occurs when the interest rate and/or fees charged to the borrowers are more than sufficient to cover the costs
of the risk of default (Government Accountability Office, “Credit Reform: Current Method to Estimate Credit Subsidy Costs Is More Appropriate for Budget Estimates of the risk of default (Government Accountability Office, “Credit Reform: Current Method to Estimate Credit Subsidy Costs Is More Appropriate for Budget Estimates
Than a Fair Value Approach,” GAO-16-41, January 2016, p. 8). Than a Fair Value Approach,” GAO-16-41, January 2016, p. 8).
a. The Administration’s request does not specify the negative subsidies for the loan programs. This table assumes continuation of amounts in FY2020 pending CBO a. The Administration’s request does not specify the negative subsidies for the loan programs. This table assumes continuation of amounts in FY2020 pending CBO
scorekeeping that wil accompany FY2021 House and Senate markup.
scorekeeping that wil accompany FY2021 House and Senate markup.
b. Appropriations designated as emergency spending in FY2020 include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5 bil ion for the Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program,
b. Appropriations designated as emergency spending in FY2020 include $535 mil ion for Ebola and $1.5 bil ion for the Wildfires and Hurricane Indemnity Program,
which was offset with $1.5 bil ion in rescissions of prior-year emergency appropriations (see
which was offset with $1.5 bil ion in rescissions of prior-year emergency appropriations (see
Table B-3). .
c. Amounts in the coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts were all designated as emergency spending and are not noted further here because the acts faced no
c. Amounts in the coronavirus supplemental appropriations acts were all designated as emergency spending and are not noted further here because the acts faced no
budget constraint.
budget constraint.
CRS-26
CRS-26
link to page 32 link to page 32 link to page 32 link to page 32
link to page 32 link to page 32 link to page 32 link to page 32
Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Appendix C. Budget Sequestration
Sequestration is a process to reduce federal spending through automatic, largely across-the-board Sequestration is a process to reduce federal spending through automatic, largely across-the-board
reductions that permanently cancel mandatory and/or discretionary budget authority.reductions that permanently cancel mandatory and/or discretionary budget authority.
3334 A A
sequestration rate is the percentage reduction that is subtracted from an appropriated budget sequestration rate is the percentage reduction that is subtracted from an appropriated budget
authority to achieve an intended budget goal. authority to achieve an intended budget goal.
Sequestration is triggered as a budget enforcement mechanism when federal spending exceeds
Sequestration is triggered as a budget enforcement mechanism when federal spending exceeds
statutory budget goals.statutory budget goals.
3435 Sequestration is currently authorized by the Budget Control Act (BCA, Sequestration is currently authorized by the Budget Control Act (BCA,
P.L. 112-25). For discretionary accounts, sequestration continues through FY2021. For mandatory P.L. 112-25). For discretionary accounts, sequestration continues through FY2021. For mandatory
accounts, Congress amended the BCA to continue sequestration through FY2029. accounts, Congress amended the BCA to continue sequestration through FY2029.
OMB computes sequestration rates annually
OMB computes sequestration rates annually
. Table C-1 shows the rates of sequestration that have shows the rates of sequestration that have
been announced and the total amounts of budget authority that have been cancelled from accounts been announced and the total amounts of budget authority that have been cancelled from accounts
in Agriculture appropriations. in Agriculture appropriations.
Table C-1. Summary of Sequestration on Agriculture Accounts
(million dollars)
(million dollars)
Budget
Authority
Sequestered
Sequestration
Subject to
Budget
Fiscal Year
Ratea
Sequestrationb
Authorityb
Discretionary Spending
2013
2013
5.0%
5.0%
23,064
23,064
1,153
1,153
Mandatory Spending
2013
2013
5.1%
5.1%
13,987
13,987
713
713
2014
2014
7.2%
7.2%
14,610
14,610
1,052
1,052
2015
2015
7.3%
7.3%
15,795
15,795
1,153
1,153
2016
2016
6.8%
6.8%
26,748
26,748
1,819
1,819
2017
2017
6.9%
6.9%
24,429
24,429
1,686
1,686
2018
2018
6.6%
6.6%
19,938
19,938
1,316
1,316
2019
2019
6.2%
6.2%
24,682
24,682
1,530
1,530
2020
2020
5.9%
5.9%
23,352
23,352
1,378
1,378
2021
2021
5.7%
5.7%
29,841
29,841
1,701
1,701
Source: CRS, compiled from OMB, CRS, compiled from OMB,
Reports to the Congress on the Joint Committee Reductions, various fiscal years. various fiscal years.
Available for FY2018-FY2021 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sequestration-reports-orders and Available for FY2018-FY2021 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sequestration-reports-orders and
for FY2013-FY2017 at https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/legislative_reports/sequestration. for FY2013-FY2017 at https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/legislative_reports/sequestration.
a. Sequestration rates listed here are for nonexempt, nondefense accounts as determined by OMB. a. Sequestration rates listed here are for nonexempt, nondefense accounts as determined by OMB.
b. Totals are computed by CRS for accounts and programs that are in the jurisdiction of Agriculture b. Totals are computed by CRS for accounts and programs that are in the jurisdiction of Agriculture
appropriations.
appropriations.
3334 CRS Report R43411, CRS Report R43411,
The Budget Control Act of 2011: Legislative Changes to the Law and Their Budgetary Effects. .
3435 CRS Report R42972, CRS Report R42972,
Sequestration as a Budget Enforcement Process: Frequently Asked Questions. .
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Research Service
27
27
link to page
link to page
1413 Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Discretionary Spending
For discretionary spending, sequestration is authorized through FY2021 if discretionary defense For discretionary spending, sequestration is authorized through FY2021 if discretionary defense
and nondefense spending exceed caps that are specified in statute (2 U.S.C. §901(c)). and nondefense spending exceed caps that are specified in statute (2 U.S.C. §901(c)).
In FY2013, the timing of the appropriations acts and the first year of sequestration resulted in
In FY2013, the timing of the appropriations acts and the first year of sequestration resulted in
triggering sequestration on discretionary spending. triggering sequestration on discretionary spending.
In FY2014-FY2020, BBAs in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019 (P.L. 113-67, P.L. 114-74, P.L. 115-
In FY2014-FY2020, BBAs in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019 (P.L. 113-67, P.L. 114-74, P.L. 115-
123, and P.L. 116-37, respectively) have avoided sequestration on discretionary spending. These 123, and P.L. 116-37, respectively) have avoided sequestration on discretionary spending. These
BBAs raised the discretionary budget caps that were placed in statute by the BCA and allowed BBAs raised the discretionary budget caps that were placed in statute by the BCA and allowed
Congress to enact larger appropriations than would have been allowed. The enacted Congress to enact larger appropriations than would have been allowed. The enacted
appropriations in FY2014-FY2020 met the spending limitations of the revised budget caps, and appropriations in FY2014-FY2020 met the spending limitations of the revised budget caps, and
therefore no sequestration on discretionary accounts was necessary. therefore no sequestration on discretionary accounts was necessary.
For FY2021, the BBA of 2019 (P.L. 116-37) similarly provides a higher discretionary cap that
For FY2021, the BBA of 2019 (P.L. 116-37) similarly provides a higher discretionary cap that
may avoid sequestration (see may avoid sequestration (see
“Budget Caps, Subcommittee Allocations”).).
3536
Mandatory Spending
Sequestration Occurs and Continues
For mandatory spending, sequestration is presently authorized and scheduled to continue through
For mandatory spending, sequestration is presently authorized and scheduled to continue through
FY2029, having been amended and extended by budget acts that were subsequent to the BCA (2 FY2029, having been amended and extended by budget acts that were subsequent to the BCA (2
U.S.C. §901a(6)). That is, sequestration of mandatory spending has not been avoided by the U.S.C. §901a(6)). That is, sequestration of mandatory spending has not been avoided by the
BBAs and continues to apply annually to certain accounts. BBAs and continues to apply annually to certain accounts.
The original FY2021 sunset on the sequestration of
The original FY2021 sunset on the sequestration of
mandatory accounts has been extended five accounts has been extended five
times as an offset to pay for raising the caps on times as an offset to pay for raising the caps on
discretionary spending to avoid sequestration in spending to avoid sequestration in
the near term (or as a general budgetary offset for other authorization acts): the near term (or as a general budgetary offset for other authorization acts):
1. Congress extended the duration of mandatory sequestration by two years (until
1. Congress extended the duration of mandatory sequestration by two years (until
FY2023) as an offset in BBA 2013.
FY2023) as an offset in BBA 2013.
3637
2. Congress extended it by another year (until FY2024) to maintain retirement
2. Congress extended it by another year (until FY2024) to maintain retirement
benefits for certain military personnel (P.L. 113-82).
benefits for certain military personnel (P.L. 113-82).
3. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts another year
3. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts another year
(until FY2025) as an offset in BBA 2015.
(until FY2025) as an offset in BBA 2015.
3738
4. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts for two
4. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts for two
years (until FY2027) as an offset in BBA 2018 (P.L. 115-123, §30101(c)).
years (until FY2027) as an offset in BBA 2018 (P.L. 115-123, §30101(c)).
3839
5. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts by another
5. Congress extended sequestration on nonexempt mandatory accounts by another
two years (until FY2029) as an offset in BBA 2019 (P.L. 116-37, §402).
two years (until FY2029) as an offset in BBA 2019 (P.L. 116-37, §402).
3940
3536 CRS Insight IN11148, CRS Insight IN11148,
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019: Changes to the BCA and Debt Limit. .
3637 CBO, CBO,
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, December 11, 2013, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/44964. , December 11, 2013, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/44964.
3738 CBO, CBO,
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, October 28, 2015, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/50938. In addition to , October 28, 2015, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/50938. In addition to
extending sequestration and related to mandatory spending in agriculture, crop insurance was used as an additional extending sequestration and related to mandatory spending in agriculture, crop insurance was used as an additional
budgetary offset in BBA 2015. The effect was temporary, however, and the crop insurance reduction was restored. For budgetary offset in BBA 2015. The effect was temporary, however, and the crop insurance reduction was restored. For
more background, see the section on crop insurance and the Standard Reinsurance Agreement in CRS Report R44240, more background, see the section on crop insurance and the Standard Reinsurance Agreement in CRS Report R44240,
Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2016 Appropriations. .
3839 CBO, CBO,
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, February 8, 2018, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/53556. , February 8, 2018, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/53556.
3940 CBO, CBO,
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, July 23, 2019, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/55478. , July 23, 2019, https://www.cbo.gov/publication/55478.
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link to page 32 link to page 32
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Exemptions from Sequestration
Some USDA mandatory programs are statutorily exempt from sequestration. Those expressly
Some USDA mandatory programs are statutorily exempt from sequestration. Those expressly
exempt by statute are the nutrition programs (SNAP, the child nutrition programs, and the exempt by statute are the nutrition programs (SNAP, the child nutrition programs, and the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program)Commodity Supplemental Food Program)
4041 and the Conservation Reserve Program. and the Conservation Reserve Program.
4142 Some prior Some prior
legal obligations in the Federal Crop Insurance legal obligations in the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation42Corporation43 and the farm commodity programs and the farm commodity programs
may be may be
exempt43exempt44 as determined by OMB. as determined by OMB.
4445
Generally speaking, the experience since FY2013 is that OMB has ruled that most of crop
Generally speaking, the experience since FY2013 is that OMB has ruled that most of crop
insurance is exempt from sequestration, while the farm commodity programs, disaster assistance, insurance is exempt from sequestration, while the farm commodity programs, disaster assistance,
and most conservation programs have been subject to it.and most conservation programs have been subject to it.
4546
Implementation of Sequestration
Nonexempt mandatory spending in FY2021 is to be reduced by a 5.7% sequestration rat
Nonexempt mandatory spending in FY2021 is to be reduced by a 5.7% sequestration rat
e (Table
C-1) and thus would be paid at 94.3% of what would otherwise have been provided. This is and thus would be paid at 94.3% of what would otherwise have been provided. This is
projected to result in a reduction of about $1.7 billion from mandatory agriculture accounts in projected to result in a reduction of about $1.7 billion from mandatory agriculture accounts in
FY2021, including over $1.3 billion from the CCC that has $23 billion of budget authority FY2021, including over $1.3 billion from the CCC that has $23 billion of budget authority
subject to sequestration. subject to sequestration.
For example, for the farm commodity programs that support farm income such as the Agricultural
For example, for the farm commodity programs that support farm income such as the Agricultural
Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs,Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs,
4647 payments to farmers are computed by a payments to farmers are computed by a
regular formula authorized in the farm bill, and the final actual payment to the farmer is reduced regular formula authorized in the farm bill, and the final actual payment to the farmer is reduced
by the sequestration rate. For programs that operate on a fixed budget authority, such as the by the sequestration rate. For programs that operate on a fixed budget authority, such as the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Market Assistance Program, the sequestration Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Market Assistance Program, the sequestration
rate is applied to the available budget authority for the fiscal year. rate is applied to the available budget authority for the fiscal year.
4041 2 U.S.C. §905(h). 2 U.S.C. §905(h).
4142 2 U.S.C. §905(g)(1)(A). 2 U.S.C. §905(g)(1)(A).
4243 2 U.S.C. §905(g)(2). 2 U.S.C. §905(g)(2).
4344 2 U.S.C. §906(j). 2 U.S.C. §906(j).
4445 Some administrative expenses may be subject to sequestration, and therefore programs that are otherwise exempt Some administrative expenses may be subject to sequestration, and therefore programs that are otherwise exempt
may have a relatively small sequestration-eligible amount compared to their total budget authority. This has been the may have a relatively small sequestration-eligible amount compared to their total budget authority. This has been the
case for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, SNAP, child nutrition programs, and WIC.case for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, SNAP, child nutrition programs, and WIC.
4546 CRS Report R42050, CRS Report R42050,
Budget “Sequestration” and Selected Program Exemptions and Special Rules. .
4647 CRS In Focus IF11161, CRS In Focus IF11161,
2018 Farm Bill Primer: ARC and PLC Support Programs. .
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Appendix D. Action on Agriculture Appropriations,
FY1996-FY2021
Table D-1. Congressional Action on Agriculture Appropriations Since FY1996
House Action
Senate Action
Final Appropriation
Fiscal
CRS
Year
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Enacted
Public Law
Report
1996
1996
6/14/1995
6/14/1995
6/27/1995
6/27/1995
7/21/1995
7/21/1995
9/13/1995
9/13/1995
9/14/1995
9/14/1995
9/20/1995
9/20/1995
10/21/1995
10/21/1995
E P.L. 104-37
E P.L. 104-37
95-624
95-624
1997
1997
5/30/1996
5/30/1996
6/6/1996
6/6/1996
6/12/1996
6/12/1996
7/10/1996
7/10/1996
7/11/1996
7/11/1996
7/24/1996
7/24/1996
8/6/1996
8/6/1996
E P.L. 104-180
E P.L. 104-180
IB96015
IB96015
1998
1998
6/25/1997
6/25/1997
7/14/1997
7/14/1997
7/24/1997
7/24/1997
7/15/1997
7/15/1997
7/17/1997
7/17/1997
7/24/1997
7/24/1997
11/18/1997
11/18/1997
E P.L. 105-86
E P.L. 105-86
97-201
97-201
1999
1999
6/10/1998
6/10/1998
6/16/1998
6/16/1998
6/24/1998
6/24/1998
6/9/1998
6/9/1998
6/11/1998
6/11/1998
7/16/1998
7/16/1998
10/21/1998 O P.L. 105-277
10/21/1998 O P.L. 105-277
98-201
98-201
2000
2000
5/13/1999
5/13/1999
5/24/1999
5/24/1999
6/8/1999
6/8/1999
6/15/1999
6/15/1999
6/17/1999
6/17/1999
8/4/1999
8/4/1999
10/22/1999
10/22/1999
E P.L. 106-78
E P.L. 106-78
RL30201
RL30201
2001
2001
5/4/2000
5/4/2000
5/16/2000
5/16/2000
7/11/2000
7/11/2000
5/4/2000
5/4/2000
5/10/2000
5/10/2000
7/20/2000
7/20/2000
10/28/2000
10/28/2000
E P.L. 106-387
E P.L. 106-387
RL30501
RL30501
2002
2002
6/6/2001
6/6/2001
6/27/2001
6/27/2001
7/11/2001
7/11/2001
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
7/18/2001 10/25/2001 11/28/2001
7/18/2001 10/25/2001 11/28/2001
E P.L. 107-76
E P.L. 107-76
RL31001
RL31001
2003
2003
6/26/2002
6/26/2002
7/26/2002
7/26/2002
—
—
7/23/2002
7/23/2002
7/25/2002
7/25/2002
—
—
2/20/2003
2/20/2003
O P.L. 108-7
O P.L. 108-7
RL31301
RL31301
2004
2004
6/17/2003
6/17/2003
7/9/2003
7/9/2003
7/14/2003
7/14/2003
7/17/2003
7/17/2003
11/6/2003
11/6/2003
11/6/2003
11/6/2003
1/23/2004
1/23/2004
O P.L. 108-199
O P.L. 108-199
RL31801
RL31801
2005
2005
6/14/2004
6/14/2004
7/7/2004
7/7/2004
7/13/2004
7/13/2004
9/8/2004
9/8/2004
9/14/2004
9/14/2004
—
—
12/8/2004
12/8/2004
O P.L. 108-447
O P.L. 108-447
RL32301
RL32301
2006
2006
5/16/2005
5/16/2005
6/2/2005
6/2/2005
6/8/2005
6/8/2005
6/21/2005
6/21/2005
6/27/2005
6/27/2005
9/22/2005
9/22/2005
11/10/2005
11/10/2005
E P.L. 109-97
E P.L. 109-97
RL32904
RL32904
2007
2007
5/3/2006
5/3/2006
5/9/2006
5/9/2006
5/23/2006
5/23/2006
6/20/2006
6/20/2006
6/22/2006
6/22/2006
—
—
2/15/2007
2/15/2007
Y P.L. 110-5
Y P.L. 110-5
RL33412
RL33412
2008
2008
7/12/2007
7/12/2007
7/19/2007
7/19/2007
8/2/2007
8/2/2007
7/17/2007
7/17/2007
7/19/2007
7/19/2007
—
—
12/26/2007 O P.L. 110-161
12/26/2007 O P.L. 110-161
RL34132
RL34132
2009
2009
6/19/2008
6/19/2008
—
—
—
—
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
7/17/2008
7/17/2008
—
—
3/11/2009
3/11/2009
O P.L. 111-8
O P.L. 111-8
R40000
R40000
2010
2010
6/11/2009
6/11/2009
6/18/2009
6/18/2009
7/9/2009
7/9/2009
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
7/7/2009
7/7/2009
8/4/2009
8/4/2009
10/21/2009
10/21/2009
E P.L. 111-80
E P.L. 111-80
R40721
R40721
2011
2011
6/30/2010
6/30/2010
—
—
—
—
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
7/15/2010
7/15/2010
—
—
4/15/2011
4/15/2011
Y P.L. 112-10
Y P.L. 112-10
R41475
R41475
2012
2012
5/24/2011
5/24/2011
5/31/2011
5/31/2011
6/16/2011
6/16/2011
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
9/7/2011
9/7/2011
11/1/2011
11/1/2011
11/18/2011 O P.L. 112-55
11/18/2011 O P.L. 112-55
R41964
R41964
2013
2013
6/6/2012
6/6/2012
6/19/2012
6/19/2012
—
—
Pol ed out
Pol ed out
4/26/2012
4/26/2012
—
—
3/26/2013
3/26/2013
O P.L. 113-6
O P.L. 113-6
R43110
R43110
2014
2014
6/5/2013
6/5/2013
6/13/2013
6/13/2013
—
—
6/18/2013
6/18/2013
6/20/2013
6/20/2013
—
—
1/17/2014
1/17/2014
O P.L. 113-76
O P.L. 113-76
R43110
R43110
2015
2015
5/20/2014
5/20/2014
5/29/2014
5/29/2014
—
—
5/20/2014
5/20/2014
5/22/2014
5/22/2014
—
—
12/16/2014 O P.L. 113-235
12/16/2014 O P.L. 113-235
R43669
R43669
2016
2016
6/18/2015
6/18/2015
7/8/2015
7/8/2015
—
—
7/14/2015
7/14/2015
7/16/2015
7/16/2015
—
—
12/18/2015 O P.L. 114-113
12/18/2015 O P.L. 114-113
R44240
R44240
2017
2017
4/13/2016
4/13/2016
4/19/2016
4/19/2016
—
—
5/17/2016
5/17/2016
5/19/2016
5/19/2016
—
—
5/5/2017
5/5/2017
O P.L. 115-31
O P.L. 115-31
R44588h
ttp://w
ww.crs
.gov/Reports/
R4458
8R44588
2018
2018
6/28/2017
6/28/2017
7/12/2017
7/12/2017
9/14/2017
9/14/2017
7/18/2017
7/18/2017
7/20/2017
7/20/2017
—
—
3/23/2018
3/23/2018
O P.L. 115-141
O P.L. 115-141
R45128
R45128
2019
2019
5/9/2018
5/9/2018
5/16/2018
5/16/2018
—
—
5/22/2018
5/22/2018
5/24/2018
5/24/2018
8/1/2018
8/1/2018
2/15/2019
2/15/2019
O P.L. 116-6
O P.L. 116-6
R45230
R45230
2020
2020
5/23/2019
5/23/2019
6/4/2019
6/4/2019
6/25/2019
6/25/2019
9/17/2019
9/17/2019
9/19/2019 10/31/2019 12/20/2019 O P.L. 116-94
9/19/2019 10/31/2019 12/20/2019 O P.L. 116-94
R45974
R45974
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House Action
Senate Action
Final Appropriation
Fiscal
CRS
Year
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Subcmte.
Cmte.
Floor
Enacted
Public Law
Report
2021
—
—2021
7/6/2020
7/9/2020
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—R46437
Source: CRS. CRS.
Notes: E = enacted as standalone appropriation (eight times over 25 years); O = omnibus appropriation (15 E = enacted as standalone appropriation (eight times over 25 years); O = omnibus appropriation (15
times); Y = year-long CR (two times). “Pol ed out” refers to a procedure that permits a Senate subcommittee to times); Y = year-long CR (two times). “Pol ed out” refers to a procedure that permits a Senate subcommittee to
transmit a bil to its ful committee without a formal markup session. See CRS Report RS22952, transmit a bil to its ful committee without a formal markup session. See CRS Report RS22952,
Proxy Voting and
Polling in Senate Committee. .
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Author Information
Jim Monke Jim Monke
Specialist in Agricultural Policy
Specialist in Agricultural Policy
Key Policy Staff
Area of Expertise
Name
Agricultural appropriations, USDA budget
Agricultural appropriations, USDA budget
Jim Monke
Jim Monke
Agricultural Marketing Service
Agricultural Marketing Service
Joel Greene
Joel Greene
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Tadlock Cowan
Tadlock Cowan
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Rena Mil er
Rena Mil er
Conservation
Conservation
Megan Stubbs
Megan Stubbs
Crop insurance
Crop insurance
Randy SchnepfStephanie Rosch
Disaster assistance
Disaster assistance
Megan Stubbs
Megan Stubbs
Farm Commodity Programs
Randy Schnepf
Farm Service Agency
Farm Service Agency
Jim Monke
Jim Monke
Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
Agata Dabrowska
Agata Dabrowska
Food safety, generally
Food safety, generally
Renée Johnson
Renée Johnson
Food safety, meat and poultry inspection
Food safety, meat and poultry inspection
Joel Greene
Joel Greene
International food assistance
International food assistance
Alyssa Casey
Alyssa Casey
Nutrition and domestic food assistance
Nutrition and domestic food assistance
Randy Alison Aussenberg
Randy Alison Aussenberg
Kara Clifford Bil ings Kara Clifford Bil ings
Research and extension
Research and extension
Genevieve Croft
Genevieve Croft
Rural development
Rural development
Alyssa Casey
Alyssa Casey
Trade
Trade
Anita Regmi
Anita Regmi
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Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
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