Appropriations for FY1998: U.S. Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Dec. 9, 1997 |
| Report Number |
97-201 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Ralph M. Chite, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The President signed into law the FY1998 appropriations act for USDA and related agencies
( P.L.
105-86 , H.R. 2160 ) on November 18, 1997. The House and Senate gave final approval
to the $49.55 billion measure on October 6 and 29, respectively. Two days after signing the bill, the
President exercised his line-item-veto authority by canceling funds for five agricultural research
projects, for total savings of $1.9 million. Congress has 30 calendar days to disapprove the
cancellations, once it returns in late January 1998.
The FY1998 measure provides $3.6 billion less than the FY1997 Act, which is $2.8 billion
below
the Administration request for FY1998, close to the House-initially passed level of $49.45 billion, and
nearly $1 billion below the Senate-passed level. Most of the difference between FY1998 and FY1997
funding requirements is accounted for by lower funding needed for food and nutrition programs
resulting from changes made by the 1996 welfare law.
Among the major provisions in P.L. 105-86 are:
a new appropriation of $188.6 million for sales commissions to private
insurance companies participating in the federal crop insurance program. (Full-funding level was
$202.5 million);
a 2.2% increase in funding for Conservation Operations, compared with an
Administration-requested increase of 16.5% over FY1997. Funding and acreage enrollment in the
Conservation Reserve Program was unaffected;
a $150 million cap on the non-appropriated Export Enhancement Program,
which recognizes $159 million in savings for FY1998;
an increase in spending above both the House- and Senate-proposed levels for
the rural development mission of USDA, albeit less than the Administration
request;
concurrence with a $100 million food stamp contingency reserve provided in
the House-passed bill, compared with $1 billion in the Senate version. Conferees also agreed to an
increase in WIC program spending, but less than the Administration request;
$1.9 billion for the research and education mission of USDA, an amount that
is higher than the Administration request and the House- and Senate-passed
bills;
rejection of the Administration request for new FDA general user fees and full
funding of an FDA initiative to curb underage tobacco consumption.
