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HR4121119th CongressWALLET

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

Introduced

Summary

FY2026 funding for USDA, FDA, and nutrition programs. This bill would set line‑item appropriations, program rules, and many policy riders that shape farm support, rural housing, food safety, and nutrition spending through Sept. 30, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

27 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 4 costs, 11 mixed.

New fee on USDA guaranteed business loans

USDA could charge a one‑time fee of up to 3% of the guaranteed principal on Business and Industry loans. This would raise upfront borrowing costs for affected borrowers.

SNAP and WIC: new foods and limits

If enacted, WIC would have to add peanut-containing foods to infant packages within 180 days, and WIC milk amounts could not be cut below April 1, 2023 levels. USDA could let SNAP restrict buying some non‑nutritious foods to improve health. USDA could not enforce the 2016 SNAP “variety” rule until it expands the list of acceptable items and would use the older stock rules in the meantime. USDA would also study whether Buy American rules could apply to SNAP and WIC and report to Congress in one year.

School meals: funding cap and China ban

This bill would bar buying poultry or seafood imported from China for school meals. It would also cap Section 32 salaries and expenses at about $1.667 billion, including $485 million for child nutrition commodities, and limit carryover use for certain purchases to $350 million with two weeks’ notice. Unused funds on October 1, 2026 could carry into FY2027.

Vaping crackdown, tobacco rule on hold

At least $200 million would be set aside for FDA to go after illegal e‑cigarettes and vapes, including flavored disposable products. FDA would have to keep a public status list, work in a DOJ task force, and report to Congress twice a year. At the same time, FDA could not finalize or enforce the proposed tobacco manufacturing practice rule.

FDA slows new food rules and labels

FDA would be blocked from enforcing the big food traceability rule until at least August 1, 2028 and until it completes four tech tests and an expert panel review. FDA could not issue new Listeria rules for low‑risk foods until it reviews new science, and could not advance long‑term sodium rules until it studies short‑term targets. Makers could keep using the old federal “healthy” label rules through FDA’s compliance date, and states could not apply different rules during that period. FDA could not enforce certain produce safety rules on wine grapes, hops, pulse crops, or almonds.

Exclude prisoners from rural housing counts

USDA would stop counting people in prison when deciding eligibility or assistance levels for Rural Housing Service programs. This could help some rural areas qualify or receive more help.

Higher outbreak premium pay for APHIS staff

Premium pay for APHIS employees working on animal disease outbreaks would not count against normal pay caps if the Administrator approves. This would apply retroactively to January 1, 2023.

More access to rural and business loans

Former Rural Utilities Service borrowers and eligible nonprofit utilities would be able to seek assistance like current borrowers. The Agriculture Secretary could raise certain loan and guarantee levels by up to 25% with 15 days’ notice to Congress. Funds for loan costs in key rural programs would stay available until spent to cover obligations made this year.

Ban funding to label U.S. speech

Agencies could not use this bill’s money to label U.S. persons’ speech as mis‑, dis‑, or mal‑information. They also could not fund groups that tell companies to remove lawful speech by U.S. persons.

Protect religious marriage speech from penalties

The federal government could not use these funds to punish people or groups for acting or speaking based on a sincere belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. It would bar actions like denying grants, tax‑exempt status, or accreditation on that basis.

Stronger farm say in foreign deals

The Agriculture Secretary could be added case‑by‑case to national security reviews of foreign investments. The Secretary would notify the review panel about farm land sales, biotech deals, and other ag transactions that may pose risks, with a focus on entities of concern.

More rural aid for high-poverty counties

The bill would set aside at least 10% of certain USDA rural loans and grants for counties with long-term high poverty. These are places with 20% or more poverty over 30 years, including U.S. territories. A county seat that is up to 10% over the usual population limit could still qualify.

Clearer standards for pet and animal feed

If enacted, a federal standard would define when “natural” can appear on animal food labels and would preempt stricter state rules. Certain animal‑food ingredients listed in the 2025 AAFCO publication would be treated as GRAS unless FDA says otherwise. FDA would issue guidance within 18 months on pet food testing, energy protocols, calorie claims, and related topics.

Take back $200 million from prior funds

The bill would rescind $100 million from certain Inflation Reduction Act balances and $100 million from prior NRCS Conservation Operations funds. Emergency‑designated funds would not be touched.

Cuts WIC funds by $100 million

This bill would take back $100 million in unused WIC funds. Money marked as an emergency would not be touched. If enacted, some child nutrition services could see less support in 2026.

Higher off‑shift fees, horse inspections limited

USDA could charge plants for meat, poultry, and egg inspections outside approved shifts and on federal holidays. The fees would support inspection costs. USDA also could not use this bill’s funds to pay staff to inspect horses under specified laws and rules.

Buy American rules for rural water projects

Federal rural water and wastewater projects would need iron and steel made in the United States. Waivers could apply if U.S. supply is lacking, costs would rise by more than 25%, or the public interest requires it. The agency would post waiver requests and allow at least 15 days for comments. Up to 0.25% of program funds could be used for oversight. Projects with state-approved plans before enactment would be exempt.

Limits on 2025 alcohol diet guidance

For the 2025 Dietary Guidelines, HHS and USDA would use only specified parts of a NASEM report on alcohol and base advice on the preponderance of scientific and medical knowledge.

Keep El Reno grazing lab federal

The Grazinglands Research Laboratory at El Reno, Oklahoma could not be sold or transferred through September 30, 2026, unless another law allows it.

Small grants under prior farm law

The bill would provide $1.5 million for grants authorized under a prior farm law section. The money would stay available until spent.

Let Farm Service Agency carry over $20M for IT

The bill would let the Farm Service Agency keep up to $20 million in unused salary funds for IT through September 30, 2027. This could help keep farm program systems and county office tech working. It would not change farm payments directly.

USDA barred from new user fees

USDA could not use this bill’s funds to propose or implement new user‑fee regulations under the federal fee law after enactment. This would prevent new USDA user fees from being created with these funds.

Lower nonprofit overhead on USDA deals

USDA could pay no more than 10% indirect costs on certain cooperative agreements with nonprofits. USDA offices could also reimburse the Office of General Counsel for short‑term legal services using funds in this bill.

New label for some engineered animals

Products from engineered animals approved before February 19, 2019 would have to use the words “genetically engineered” before the market name. Producers and sellers would likely need new labels and packaging.

Only official flags at agency buildings

USDA, FDA, CFTC, and Farm Credit leaders could use funds to fly only the U.S. flag, state/territory/DC flags, Indian Tribal flags, official agency flags, or the POW/MIA flag over facilities.

Some agriculture deadlines pushed to 2026

This bill would change certain agricultural reporting target years from 2025 to 2026, effective upon enactment.

FDA plan for Abraham Accords bureau

Within 120 days, FDA would draft a plan, with State and partner countries, on where and how an Abraham Accords bureau could work at FDA. This plan would not create the bureau.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]

MD • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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