House Appropriations Subcommittees Approve USDA, DOT, State FY 2011 Bills
During the week of June 28, 2010, the following House Appropriations Committee Subcommittees held mark-ups of their FY 2011 appropriations bills. During the mark-up, the Subcommittees approved their bills for full Committee Action.
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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies;
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and
(The FY 2011 appropriations bills have not yet been introduced. The bills are expected to be introduced after the full Appropriations Committee has conducted its own mark up.)
Agriculture, FDA and Related Agencies
FDA Oversight of Food, Cosmetics, Pet Food, Would Receive Funding Increase
The Subcommittee’s bill would fund the Food and Drug Administration at $2.6 billion, an increase of $214 million over what was enacted for FY 2010, for oversight of foods, drugs, medical devices, pet food, cosmetics, tobacco products, vaccines, and more.
Additional Funds for Imported Food Oversight, Foreign Drug Facility Inspections
Subcommittee Chairman DeLauro expressed concern about the existing structure of FDA, especially as it pertains to drug safety. In FY 2011, the Subcommittee is funding more inspections of foreign drug facilities and providing more funds to improve oversight of imported food. For example, the bill would provide a $16 million increase to the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for activities related to food safety.
FSIS Food Safety System Modernization Would be Funded
The Food Safety Inspection Service, which his responsible for meat and poultry safety, would be funded at over $1 billion, an increase of 18.4 million over what was enacted for FY 2010. Subcommittee Chairman DeLauro noted that the Subcommittee has included language to establish a science-based panel that is supported by a wide range of stakeholders to analyze the food safety system at FSIS and develop recommendations on how to modernize it.
APHIS Would Receive $25 Million Less Funding in FY 2011
The Subcommittee’s bill would provide the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with $884 million, a decrease of just over $25 million over what was enacted for FY 2010.
No Funding for National Animal ID System in FY 2011
The Subcommittee has zeroed out funding for the voluntary National Animal ID System as over $147 million has been spent on this program since 2004 and the Subcommittee still has not seen a clear plan from USDA on its successful implementation.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/23/10 news, 10032320, for BP summary of the Administration’s FY 2011 budget request for USDA, FDA, etc.)
Transportation and Related Agencies
FMCSA Funding for Motor Carrier Safety Would be Increased
The Subcommittee’s bill would provide the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with $547.5 million, an increase of $9 million from what was enacted for FY 2010. The FMCSA funding would include $260 million for motor carrier safety operations and programs and $310 million for motor carrier safety grants.
FMCSA National Driver Register Would be Funded
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be provided $883 million, an increase of $26.8 million from what was enacted for FY 2010. This funding includes $6.7 million for the National Driver Register.
Hazmat and Pipeline Funding Would be Increased by $10 Million
The Subcommittee’s bill would provide the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration with $173.9 million, an increase of almost $10 million over what was enacted for FY 2010.
FMC Would Receive Slight Increase in Funding
The Subcommittee bill would provide the Federal Maritime Commission with $25.3 million, an increase of 1.16 million over what was enacted for FY 2010.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/26/10 news, 10032645, for BP summary of the Administration’s FY 2011 budget request for DOT and its agencies.)
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies
Export and Investment Assistance Funding Would be Decreased
The Subcommittee’s bill appears to provide less funding in FY 2011 for export and investment assistance than was enacted for FY 2010, including less funding for the Export-Import Bank and Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/22/10 news, 10042251, for BP summary of the State Department’s FY 2011 budget request.)