Committee Approves Major Funding for WIC, Housing and Rural Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, worked to include major boosts for federal nutrition programs and funds to encourage rural economic growth in the economic recovery package as approved by the full Appropriations Committee.

“With people losing their jobs, it is essential substantial resources remain in place for struggling families throughout the country to put food on the table,” Kohl said.  “It is also important we promote job creation and economic stability in our rural communities, among the areas hardest hit by the slowdown.

“With this legislation, we can do that and help Americans during these tough economic times.”

Detailed highlights are as follows.

For nutrition initiatives, the legislation includes:

·        $16.562 billion for a temporary increase in Food Stamps.  Most economists agree that a food stamp increase, because of the way food stamps are distributed and spent, is one of the quickest ways for government to put resources into economic circulation;

·        $500 million for WIC;

·        $198 million to help school districts pay for school breakfast and lunch equipment; and

·        $150 million to help food banks meet unprecedented demand (67,000 local food pantries utilize TEFAP to help 25 million households nationwide).

For agriculture and rural communities, the legislation includes:

·        $1.375 billion to support loans and grants of $3.8 billion for rural water and waste disposal;

·        $395 million for watershed rehabilitation and flood prevention operation to provide for construction of flood prevention and water supply facilities;

·        $17.530 million to support $400 million in direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans;

·         $24.9 million to support $250 million in direct and guaranteed farm operating loans;

·        $200 million to support $11.5 billion in single family housing loans that will assist about 105,000 low income rural households with home ownership or foreclosure avoidance;

·        $127 million  to support $1.5 billion in loans and grants for Rural Community Facilities including hospitals, health clinics and public buildings;

·        $150 million to support $3 billion in loans and grants to support rural business expansion;

·        $200 million for biorefinery funds to assist in development of advanced biofuels;

·        $50 million for Rural Energy for America Program to promote energy efficiency on farms and rural small businesses; and

·        $200 million to support $993 million in loans and grants for distance learning, telemedicine and the broadband program.                                

To support the core missions of USDA and help create longer-term opportunities, the legislation includes:

• $300   million for replacement, modernization and upgrades of laboratories and   other USDA buildings;
• $100   million for competitive grants under the Agriculture and Food Research   Initiative (AFRI); and  
• $4   million for Farm Bill administration to ensure that farm bill programs are   properly carried out.

The measure as approved by the committee is now eligible for consideration on the Senate floor.

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