Bill · H.R. 8646· House(119-HR-8646)
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027
- Introduced
- 5/1/2026
- Last activity
- 6/8/2026 — Received in the Senate.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Harris
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This bill, the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027," provides funding for various agricultural, food-related, and rural development programs. It allocates resources for food safety inspections, school nutrition, and domestic food programs like SNAP and WIC. The legislation also supports rural infrastructure, including housing, water, and telecommunications, with a focus on assisting persistent poverty counties. Additionally, it provides for agricultural research, international food security, and various agency oversight mandates. Finally, the bill establishes specific rules regarding animal food regulation, insurance research, and restrictions on certain agency activities.
Yes· 3 of 31
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
The bill is heavily focused on improving infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities in rural areas.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Large investments in SNAP, WIC, and rural housing assistance directly benefit low-income families.
Does this invest in rural communities?+7
Significant funds are directed toward rural water, waste disposal, and telecommunications infrastructure.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill implements various rescissions and stringent oversight to restrict how funds are used.
Does this give the federal government more power?-1
Increases Congressional oversight and restricts executive agency flexibility.
What Congress actually voted on
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 213–210
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
06/04/2026 · Roll call 205 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Cybersecurity Protection: The bill allocates at least $60,032,000 to the Office of the Chief Information Officer to meet cybersecurity requirements to protect departmental data and systems. (Office of the Chief Information Officer)
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Support for Rural Hospitals: A pilot program is established to assist rural hospitals in improving their long-term operations and financial health through technical assistance. (Rural Community Facilities Program)
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Affordable Housing Assistance: Significant funds are directed toward rural housing, including assistance for single family housing, rental housing, and a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of multi-family rental properties to ensure safe and affordable housing. (Rural Housing Service)
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Food Security and Nutrition: The bill provides substantial funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which includes provisions for fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and vegetables. (Food and Nutrition Service)
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Rural Infrastructure and Utilities: Funds are allocated for rural water, waste water, and waste disposal programs, as well as rural electrification and telecommunications to improve rural infrastructure. (Rural Utilities Service)
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Agricultural Research and Education: Funding is provided for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support agricultural experiment stations and education grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. (National Institute of Food and Agriculture)
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Support for Poverty-Stricken Areas: At least 10 percent of funds for various rural service and business programs must be allocated to assist persistent poverty counties. (Sec. 733)
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Increased Food Access for Children: The bill allows for the substitution of vegetable subgroups for fruits in school breakfast programs for specific school years. (Sec. 736)
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Improved Nutrition for Infants: The Secretary of Agriculture is required to amend food packages to include peanut-containing foods to assist with the early introduction of allergens. (Sec. 753)
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Protection for Pet Product Donors: Individuals, nonprofit organizations, and local governments are protected from civil or criminal liability when donating "apparently fit" pet products in good faith. (Sec. 774)
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New Insurance Options for Farmers: The bill directs the Corporation to research and develop index-based insurance policies to protect crops against losses from frost or cold weather. (Sec. 761)
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Financial Assistance for Water Infrastructure: The Arkansas Valley Conduit will receive a repayment contract to provide domestic water supplies to communities and households lacking reliable access. (Sec. 779)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Construction Materials: Funding for rural water and wastewater systems is restricted to projects that use iron and steel products produced in the United States, which could limit construction options. (Section 731)
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Strict Requirements for Grant Recipients: Certain programs, such as the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program, require grant recipients to meet a fifty percent cost-share requirement. (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
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Limitations on Agency Flexibility: The bill includes several provisions that restrict the Secretary's ability to transfer funds or reorganize offices without prior notification and approval from Congress, which could delay agency responses to changing needs. (Section 716)
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Restrictions on Food Safety Rules: Funds cannot be used to enforce certain food safety rules regarding produce, the regulation of meat and poultry, or the traceability of certain foods until specific dates. (Sec. 735, Sec. 758, Sec. 770)
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Ban on Certain Research: Funds cannot be used for research involving dogs or cats classified in pain categories D or E. (Sec. 782)
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Limitations on FDA Testing: Funds cannot be used to issue guidance recommending or requiring testing in dogs. (Sec. 781)
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Restrictions on Drug Shortage Mitigation: The act includes limits on using funds to help mitigate or prevent shortages of certain sterile injectable drugs used in cancer treatment. (Sec. 783)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Children+6Good For Farmers+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Women+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Students+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+3Increases Renewable Energy Investment+2Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6Increases Job Creation+5Improves Consumer Protection+4Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1Reduces Government Spending-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+6Increases Scientific Research Funding+6Increases Public School Funding+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+7Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves Religious Freedom+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid+5Improves Cybersecurity Defense+4Improves International Trade+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+5Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power-1
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 months ago | On agreeing to the Harris (MD) amendments (A001) Agreed to by voice vote. |
- 6/8/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 6/4/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 210 (Roll no. 205).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 212 (Roll no. 204).
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. Bynum moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (text: CR H3875)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3875-3876)
- Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed with further consideration of H.R. 8646.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8646 would be postponed.
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 8646.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1333, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Harris (MD) amendment en bloc.
- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 8646.
- The Speaker designated the Honorable Gabe Evans to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1333 and Rule XVIII.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3838-3862; text: CR H3843-3860)
- 6/3/2026
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 5/1/2026
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-632, by Mr. Harris (MD).
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 548.
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-131: Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act
- 119-HR-3732: BARK Act of 2025
- 119-HR-7464: TEMP Act
- 119-S-3843: TEMP Act
- 119-HRES-1333: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.