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 full Appropriations Committee's markup and passage of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 spending bill:
 
“Our subcommittee has a broad jurisdiction that affects every American’s life each day. As Chairman, I take that responsibility seriously, and ensured our bill invests in America’s fundamental needs and rejects the Administration’s radical cuts. This bill assures Americans have access to safe, high quality, and low-cost food, medicine, and medical devices. We made sure to increase funding for rural communities including broadband, community facilities, water, and waste water. We included more funding for agricultural research so American agriculture continues to be the best in the world.
 
“I’m proud of this bill and the continued bipartisan spirit of my subcommittee.”
 
The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full Committee:
 
Rep. Bishop #1 – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
 
Rep. Aderholt #1 – The amendment restores language relating to genetic modification of embryos carried in the last four years. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
 
Rep. DeLauro #1, cosponsored by Rep. Price – The amendment blocks the USDA from issuing a final rule on swine inspection pending Office of Inspector General (OIG) study. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
 
Rep. Newhouse #1 – The amendment blocks the USDA from transferring or altering the jurisdiction over the Forest Service Job Corps. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
 
The bill reported out of committee in a vote of 29 to 21 and now awaits further consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.