House approves measure for Specialty Crop Block Grant funding
House approves measure for Specialty Crop Block Grant funding
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriation Committee approved the fiscal year 2006 funding bill May 25 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food & Drug Administration. During the bill's consideration, the committee approved an amendment containing $7 million in funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants authorized last year in the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act.
"We applaud Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) on his efforts to ensure funding for this important program," said Robert Guenther, vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. Through the hard work of the congressman and his staff, funding for this new program was included in the 'managers amendment' passed by the committee today.
The prior week, the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved a bill that included funding for neither the block grants nor any new programs. "This funding enables USDA to move forward in establishing regulations and a program framework that will allocate funding to the states, said United President Tom Stenzel. "Of course, we would have liked the full $44.5 million that was authorized, but we are grateful for Congressman Farr's tenacity in ensuring funding for this new program in the House version of the bill.
The full House must still approve the bill, and the Senate will prepare its version of the legislation before a final funding measure is signed by the president. This is the first step in the appropriations process that will continue over the summer.
"We applaud Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) on his efforts to ensure funding for this important program," said Robert Guenther, vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association. Through the hard work of the congressman and his staff, funding for this new program was included in the 'managers amendment' passed by the committee today.
The prior week, the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved a bill that included funding for neither the block grants nor any new programs. "This funding enables USDA to move forward in establishing regulations and a program framework that will allocate funding to the states, said United President Tom Stenzel. "Of course, we would have liked the full $44.5 million that was authorized, but we are grateful for Congressman Farr's tenacity in ensuring funding for this new program in the House version of the bill.
The full House must still approve the bill, and the Senate will prepare its version of the legislation before a final funding measure is signed by the president. This is the first step in the appropriations process that will continue over the summer.
