House Republicans specifically omitted language restricting access to the abortion drug mifepristone in their newly released farm funding bill after a similar effort last year led to a failed 2024 plan, exposing intraparty divisions over the issue.
The powerful Republican-led House Appropriations Committee announced the legislation Monday afternoon, as committee leaders continue on an aggressive timeline to pass all 12 of the party’s annual budget bills before Congress recesses in August.
Notably, however, the text is absent a provision aimed at nullifying Biden administration rules that would allow mifepristone to be sold in pharmacies and dispensed by mail, something Republicans previously sought as part of their fiscal 2024 farm funding plan.
The bill was not introduced after Republican leaders struggled to pass a previous one due to opposition from moderates, and because abortion remains a top public concern. Some voters There are just a few months until the crucial November election.
The bill funds the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and seeks total discretionary budgets of more than $25 billion for fiscal year 2025, below current levels.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chairman of the subcommittee that developed the plan, touted the newly announced plan in a statement Monday as one that will “support rural communities, strengthen our food supply, continue critical investments in agricultural research and rural broadband, and ensure the FDA ensures the safety of drugs and medical devices.”
“This year’s agriculture spending bill also focuses on addressing the nutritional needs of SNAP participants by giving states the opportunity to participate in pilot programs that limit unhealthy foods,” he also said.
Among the Republican points of emphasis: Page 126 The plan, summarized, includes a measure that “allows states to voluntarily participate in a pilot program to limit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase unhealthy foods.” state.
But this bill and others have already faced opposition from Democrats, who say the bills would threaten vulnerable people’s access to food.
“This bill makes it harder for hard-working people to buy a home in a rural area and cuts water and waste subsidies that help families and businesses have access to clean drinking water,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro (R-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement.
“At a time when families around the world are struggling to feed their children, this bill would cut Food for Peace to its lowest level since 2002 and implement the misguided ‘SNAP Choice’ pilot program.”
