Released: July 24, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 7608 by the full House of Representatives, a ‘minibus’ or package of four fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, including the Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs sections:
“Our section of the minibus truly touches the life of every American by robustly funding food and medical device safety, rural and farm production programs, agriculture and medical research initiatives, plus national and international food assistance—among other programs that benefit the America people.
“We also included an important amendment to give the FDA the ability to recall unsafe drugs from the market, which are preying on Americans’ fear during this once in a lifetime pandemic. Another much-needed amendment will redirect $500 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Secretary to the Farm Service Agency to reimburse producers, processors, and other agricultural employers for personal protective equipment and other safety measures needed to keep workers safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
“As Vice Chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I am glad the bill includes more funding and improvements for national security, veterans’ healthcare, and safe housing for our military families. The State-Foreign Operations section provides vital funding increases to our ever-important diplomacy and humanitarian efforts that keep American leadership strong. The Interior-Environment section provides more funds for urgent infrastructure needs, clean drinking water, and supports the character of our nation—our National Parks.
“This is a good bipartisan bill and I urge the Senate to pass it quickly.”
Congressman Bishop’s floor speech on the full attributes of the Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration section is here.
The full text of the bill is here. A summary is here.
Press release issued from Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr.