After a lengthy recess, the House Appropriations Committee passed the fiscal year 2026 funding bill for USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies in a party-line vote.
Among the notable additions to the $25.52 billion bill, which is about $1.16 billion below the fiscal 2025 level, was a manager's amendment that prevents the transition of Food for Peace into USDA. The committee also passed a Republican-backed amendment Monday night that would expand a study on the feasibility of a “Buy American” requirement in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include the WIC program.
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Subcommittee Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., initially floated the idea of the SNAP “Buy American” requirement during a hearing with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The measure was part of an en bloc amendment that also included a provision requiring grant recipients through the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program to provide a 50% cost-share.
By a voice vote, the committee also approved an amendment Monday night directing USDA to study and make recommendations to Congress on how to reduce market concentration and consolidation in the infant formula industry. This could include suggestions on whether Congress could alter the single-supply contract model under WIC to address issues found in the study.
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