HYDE-SMITH: TWO APPROPRIATIONS BILLS WILL SUPPORT ARMY CORPS WORK AND AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN MISS.
Senate Committee Approves FY2019 Energy & Water Development, FY19 Agriculture, FDA Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday supported committee passage of two FY2019 appropriations bills that will support public infrastructure and agriculture programs in Mississippi.
Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee that has approved the FY2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill and the FY2019 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The bills are now available for consideration by the full Senate.
“The Senate is moving forward with appropriations bills that address some of ongoing and new infrastructure and flood control needs in Mississippi, in addition to USDA programs that can influence production, research, conservation and aquaculture in our state,” Hyde-Smith said. “I look forward to Senate consideration of these bills this summer.”
The committee-passed FY2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill funds the Army Corps of Engineers, including its extensive presence in Mississippi. The bill includes: $71.5 million for 27 authorized Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi; $75 million for Environmental Infrastructure nationwide, which would be eligible to assist communities throughout Mississippi with water and wastewater infrastructure projects; and $53.8 million for the Continuing Authorities Program to allow the Corps to undertake small, localized flood control and related projects.
The bill appropriates $29.1 million for 14 authorized flood control and navigation projects within the Yazoo-Mississippi River Basin, including Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake, Sardis Lake, the Port of Vicksburg, and the Port of Greenville. Funding is also provided to support the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the harbors at Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Rosedale.
In addition, the Senate bill directs the Corps to allocate not less than $30 million in additional funding to continue construction on important Mississippi River and Tributaries projects not outlined in the budget request. These projects could include the Delta Headwaters, Upper Yazoo, Big Sunflower, and Yazoo Backwater projects.
The FY2019 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, which is $710 million below the FY2018 enacted level, recommends funding for agriculture, rural development, conservation programs, and food and drug safety. It includes mandatory funding for nutrition assistance for children, families and seniors.
Hyde-Smith noted that the Senate bill increases funding for USDA Rural Development, including funding for infrastructure investments, water and wastewater grant and loan programs, and rural broadband and telemedicine programs.
Important to Mississippi, the legislation continues to fund extramural research projects involving work conducted at Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi, and other state institutions. It also supports funding through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to combat invasive plant species, like a cogongrass infestation that destroys cropland, forested lands, and wildlife habitat in Mississippi and other southeast states.
Within funding provided for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Senate bill directs the agency to continue the catfish inspection program and its work to ensure foreign imports meet the U.S. food safety standards.
The bill prohibits the closure of Farm Service Agency county offices and provides resources for information technology improvements and personnel across county offices.
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