S.Amdt. 2599

Mr. Booker submitted amendment SA 2599 to hold the line on local food programs by making specific changes to the bill text. Looking out for the people, this amendment strikes section 10303(b) and strikes sections 10306 through 10308, replacing them with a new section focused on the reinstatement of local food cooperative agreements.

The purpose of this amendment is to put $866,000,000 in funding from the Treasury for fiscal year 2026 straight to the Secretary of Agriculture. This money is meant for the immediate reinstatement of local food cooperative agreements with States, territories, and Tribal governments that were terminated between March 1, 2025, and the date the Act is enacted.

Here is what the amendment aims to change or add:

• Appropriates $866,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to immediately bring back terminated local food cooperative agreements for States, territories, and Tribal governments.
• Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate and immediately transfer these funds by prorating the amounts originally given under the canceled agreements.
• Protects existing and reinstated agreements by stating the Secretary of Agriculture shall not cancel any of them for any reason other than fraud or malfeasance.
• Clearly defines the local food cooperative agreement program to include the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program Plus (and successor programs) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (and successor programs).