---
Subject: Fw: Ag Bill with N.M. Benefits Sent to President Bush
Importance: High
Looks like the Senate passed the ag approps bill. I find it curious that Senator Domenici makes no mention of COOL.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MATT LETOURNEAU
NOVEMBER 3, 2005 (202) 224-7098
AG BILL WITH N.M. FUNDING, BENEFITS SENT TO BUSH
Domenici Supported Funds for Ag Research, Food Stamps & WIC
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today voted with the Senate to grant final passage to an agriculture and nutrition spending bill that includes his funding to support agriculture-related projects carried out in New Mexico.
With the 81-18 Senate vote Thursday, the FY2006 Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill now goes to President Bush to be signed into law.
Domenici, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured funding for a wide variety of projects carried out in New Mexico, primarily at New Mexico State University. The bill is now ready to be signed into law by President Bush.
"Our final bill takes care of some of the most essential government programs. This is a very difficult time for our nation because of spending constraints, but this bill ensures that social programs like WIC and food stamps will serve the people who need them. It also continues our commitment to making American agriculture the most cutting-edge in the world. New Mexico is at the forefront of this new technology, so this bill is good news for our state," Domenici said.
The measure (HR.2744) provides $40.7 billion for the Food Stamp program, of which $3 billion is a reserve to be available through FY2007; $179.9 million for Commodity Supplemental Food Program; and $5.26 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill has $7.2 billion for Child Nutrition Programs, which together with other available funds will make a total of $12.4 billion available in FY2006 to fund the school lunch, breakfast and other nutrition programs.
For New Mexico, Domenici gained $2.35 million for the continued operation of the Agricultural Products Food Safety Laboratory, which is $200,000 above FY2005 funding. The lab is supported by the Federal Drug Administration at the Physical Sciences Laboratory at NMSU. Domenici secured $1.75 million for the laboratory last year.
At Domenici's request, $1.85 million is approved through the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) to continue support for the Bioinformatics Institute for Model Plant Species at the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe.
Domenici also supported a $547,000 appropriation for a Rapid Syndrome Validation Program for Animals that continues development of an early detection and reporting system for infectious animal diseases. In addition, the bill includes $93,000 for an Organic Waste Utilization program.
The Rapid Syndrome Validation Program is a multi-institution consortium consisting of NMSU, Sandia National Laboratories and Kansas State University. The program involves an internet-based system for early detection and reporting of outbreaks of infectious diseases in food animals.
The Organic Waste Utilization program addresses the growing problem of raw dairy waste. Specifically, the program aims to find ways to co-compost dairy waste with other organic materials to reduce the contamination of ground and surface water with nitrate, the spread of noxious odors, and increased soil salinity.
As a rural state, New Mexico will benefit from over $1.26 billion approved for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, including $676.8 million for research and education activities, $456.0 million for extension activities, and $128.2 million for integrated activities. New Mexico universities will also benefit from the $6.0 million provided for the USDA to support Hispanic Serving Institutions.
The following are projects and programs in the Senate's FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that were supported by Domenici during the bill's development:
National Center for Genome Resources - At Domenici's request, $1.85 million is approved through the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) to continue support for the Bioinformatics Institute for Model Plant Species at the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as authorized in Section 227 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act (P.L. 106-224). This is $100,000 above the current level. Funding is allocated through the University of Iowa at Ames.
Noxious Weeds (Rangeland Ecosystem) Research - At Domenici's request, the conferees continue ARS and CSREES funding for cooperative research on broom snakeweed and locoweed at the Jornada Range in Las Cruces. The Senate bill includes approximately $550,000 through these agencies, which is the current level.
Arid Lands Research - At Domenici's request, a total of approximately $3.32 million is provided through ARS for expanded research in rangeland resource management, irrigated farming technology, and environmental horticulture at the Jornada Range in Las Cruces. This is $120,000 above the current level. The President proposed to eliminate these three projects in his budget.
Cotton Ginning Research - Continues cotton ginning research on long-staple cotton in New Mexico at the current level.
Agricultural Products Food Safety Laboratory - At Domenici's request, approximately $2.35 million is approved through FDA's food safety program to continue operation of this lab at the Physical Sciences Laboratory of New Mexico State University (NMSU), which is $200,000 above the current level. The Senate Committee includes language on the Food Technology Evaluation Laboratory, and areas for which it will do work for FDA.
WERC Food Safety Education and Technology - Language is included in the Senate Committee Report at Domenici's request, stating its expectation that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue its support for the Waste Management Education and Research Consortium (WERC) and its work in food safety technology verification at no less than the 2005 level, which is about $100,000.
Drought Policy - The Senate Committee Report includes Domenici language acknowledging the need for a national drought policy and directing USDA to carry out the recommendations of the National Drought Policy Commission report, Preparing for Drought in the 21st Century, and to coordinate USDA mission areas to provide a response to drought-stricken areas in as prompt and meaningful a way as possible. This language appears under the Office of the Secretary.
Hispanic Serving Institutions - Domenici-endorsed funding for HSIs through the CSREES/Extension Service totals $6.0 million for FY 2006, the same as the current level.
Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers - The bill includes $6.0 million to continue this program at the current level.
Cataloging Genes Associated with Drought and Disease-resistance Crop Plants - At Domenici's request, $233,000 is provided through CSREES special research grants to continue this project at NMSU.
Organic Waste Utilization - At Domenici's request, a $93,000 CSREES special research grant is provided.
Soilborne Disease Prevention in Irrigated Crops - At Domenici's request, the Committee continues this CSREES special research grant associated with chile wilt at $182,000.
Renewable Oil Resources from Desert Plants - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $211,000.
Nematode Resistance Genetic Engineering Research - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $139,000.
Southwest Consortium on Plant Genetics and Water Resources - At Domenici's request, the Congress continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $392,000, an increase of $19,000 above the 2005 level.
Extension Service - $456.0 million is approved for USDA extension services, an increase of $10.4 million above the current level.
Rural Economic Development through Tourism - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues CSREES Extension Service funding for this program and provides $348,000.
Range Improvement - At Domenici's request, the Senate continue CSREES Extension Service funding for this program and provides $244,000, an increase of $12,000 above the 2005 level.
Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Management - At Domenici's request, $1.0 million is approved to continue these activities in New Mexico, Texas, and Montana, which is the same as the current level.
Efficient Irrigation - At Domenici's request, the bill continues support for New Mexico and Texas to work on efficient irrigation by providing $1.68 million through CSREES Special Research grants, and $2.33 million through the CSREES Extension Service program. The total in the bill is $4.0 million for this purpose.
Imported Fire Ant - Within the $2.15 million provided to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for imported fire ant control, the Senate Committee continues the FY 2005 level of assistance for the State of New Mexico.
Predation Management - Within the $1.2 million in the APHIS budget for integrated predation management activities, $147,000 is provided to New Mexico and Arizona for this purpose.
Rural Water Circuit Rider Program - At Senator Domenici's request, $13.75 million is approved to continue this technical assistance program to aid small rural water systems, which is the same as the current level.
New Mexico Water and Wastewater Assistance - The Senate Committee encourages USDA to consider applications for water and wastewater loans and grants through the Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) for several New Mexico pueblos and communities, including:
· Jal water and sewer upgrades;
· Eunice water and sewer upgrades;
· Lovington utility improvements;
· Tatum water system upgrades;
· Hobbs wastewater treatment plant;
· Columbus;
· Lordsburg;
· San Ildefonso Pueblo;
· Mesquite; and
· Navajo Tribal Utility Authority-Crownpoint Chapter.
NMSU Rapid Syndrome Validation Program - At Domenici's request, $547,000 is provided through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for New Mexico to continue development of an early detection and reporting system for infectious animal diseases. This is about $95,000 above the current level.
New Mexico Riparian Restoration Activities - $537,000 is provided through NRCS for riparian restoration activities along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers in New Mexico, which is approximately the current level.
Grassroots Source Water Protection - $3.75 million is approved though the Farm Service Agency to implement the Grassroots Source Water Protection program. The recommendation is $530,000 million above the 2005 level. Funding was previously provided through the National Resources Conservation Service.
Tribal College funding - At Domenici's request, continued funding is provided for the programs serving tribal colleges, such as $2.0 million for extension agents, and $4.46 million through the Rural Community Advancement Program for community facility grants to tribal colleges.
RCAP Indian Tribe Set-aside - At Domenici's request, the Senate bill provides a set-aside within the Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) for Indian tribes totaling $25 million, the same as the current level.
Sandoval Health Commons Project - At Domenici's request, the Senate Committee Report includes the Sandoval Health Commons Project in New Mexico as one for which USDA should consider an application for RCAP community facility loans and grants, and also for a telemedicine loan or grant through the Rural Utilities Service.
New Mexico Rural Development Response Council - The Senate Committee Report also encourages USDA to give consideration to an application for a RCAP rural business opportunity grant by this New Mexico group.
Bovine Tuberculosis - At Domenici's request, the Conference Report contains the following language: The conferees are aware of an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in New Mexico and, in response, that an MOU has been executed between USDA and that state. The conferees urge the Secretary to use authorities and resources of the Department to provide testing, monitoring, surveillance, and other services, as needed, toward the control and eradication of this disease.
Grasshopper Eradication - The Senate Report contains language requested by Senator Domenici noting that there is a grasshopper outbreak in southeastern New Mexico and urging APHIS to assist the State of New Mexico with survey, control, and eradication efforts. The Conference Report provides $5.56 million overall for grasshopper eradication efforts.
Colonias Infrastructure - At Domenici's request, $25 million for colonias infrastructure projects along the Southwest border, the same as the current level.
Economic Impact Initiative Grants - The Congress continues funding at $18 million for these grants to areas with extreme unemployment or severe economic depression. The President proposed to eliminate funding for this program, under which jurisdictions in New Mexico have received funding.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - The bill includes $179.9 million for Commodity Assistance programs. This amount includes $108.3 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), an increase of $1.4 million over the 2005 level. For the farmers' market program, $20 million is approved. For the senior farmers' market program, $15 million is provided through the Farm bill.
WIC - The Senate approve $5.26 billion for the WIC program, an increase of $22 million above the FY 2005 level, to fully fund the projected caseload in FY2006.
Child Nutrition Programs - $7.2 billion is provided for child nutrition programs. Together with other available funds, a total of $12.4 billion will be available in FY2006 to fund the school lunch and breakfast programs and other nutrition programs.
Food Stamp Program - $40.7 billion is provided for food stamps in FY 2006, of which $3 billion is a reserve to be available through FY2007. Within this amount, up to $4 million can be used to purchase bison for the food distribution program on Indian reservations from Native American producers and cooperative organizations without competition.
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Subject: Fw: Ag Bill with N.M. Benefits Sent to President Bush
Importance: High
Looks like the Senate passed the ag approps bill. I find it curious that Senator Domenici makes no mention of COOL.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MATT LETOURNEAU
NOVEMBER 3, 2005 (202) 224-7098
AG BILL WITH N.M. FUNDING, BENEFITS SENT TO BUSH
Domenici Supported Funds for Ag Research, Food Stamps & WIC
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Pete Domenici today voted with the Senate to grant final passage to an agriculture and nutrition spending bill that includes his funding to support agriculture-related projects carried out in New Mexico.
With the 81-18 Senate vote Thursday, the FY2006 Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill now goes to President Bush to be signed into law.
Domenici, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured funding for a wide variety of projects carried out in New Mexico, primarily at New Mexico State University. The bill is now ready to be signed into law by President Bush.
"Our final bill takes care of some of the most essential government programs. This is a very difficult time for our nation because of spending constraints, but this bill ensures that social programs like WIC and food stamps will serve the people who need them. It also continues our commitment to making American agriculture the most cutting-edge in the world. New Mexico is at the forefront of this new technology, so this bill is good news for our state," Domenici said.
The measure (HR.2744) provides $40.7 billion for the Food Stamp program, of which $3 billion is a reserve to be available through FY2007; $179.9 million for Commodity Supplemental Food Program; and $5.26 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill has $7.2 billion for Child Nutrition Programs, which together with other available funds will make a total of $12.4 billion available in FY2006 to fund the school lunch, breakfast and other nutrition programs.
For New Mexico, Domenici gained $2.35 million for the continued operation of the Agricultural Products Food Safety Laboratory, which is $200,000 above FY2005 funding. The lab is supported by the Federal Drug Administration at the Physical Sciences Laboratory at NMSU. Domenici secured $1.75 million for the laboratory last year.
At Domenici's request, $1.85 million is approved through the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) to continue support for the Bioinformatics Institute for Model Plant Species at the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe.
Domenici also supported a $547,000 appropriation for a Rapid Syndrome Validation Program for Animals that continues development of an early detection and reporting system for infectious animal diseases. In addition, the bill includes $93,000 for an Organic Waste Utilization program.
The Rapid Syndrome Validation Program is a multi-institution consortium consisting of NMSU, Sandia National Laboratories and Kansas State University. The program involves an internet-based system for early detection and reporting of outbreaks of infectious diseases in food animals.
The Organic Waste Utilization program addresses the growing problem of raw dairy waste. Specifically, the program aims to find ways to co-compost dairy waste with other organic materials to reduce the contamination of ground and surface water with nitrate, the spread of noxious odors, and increased soil salinity.
As a rural state, New Mexico will benefit from over $1.26 billion approved for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, including $676.8 million for research and education activities, $456.0 million for extension activities, and $128.2 million for integrated activities. New Mexico universities will also benefit from the $6.0 million provided for the USDA to support Hispanic Serving Institutions.
The following are projects and programs in the Senate's FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that were supported by Domenici during the bill's development:
National Center for Genome Resources - At Domenici's request, $1.85 million is approved through the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) to continue support for the Bioinformatics Institute for Model Plant Species at the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as authorized in Section 227 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act (P.L. 106-224). This is $100,000 above the current level. Funding is allocated through the University of Iowa at Ames.
Noxious Weeds (Rangeland Ecosystem) Research - At Domenici's request, the conferees continue ARS and CSREES funding for cooperative research on broom snakeweed and locoweed at the Jornada Range in Las Cruces. The Senate bill includes approximately $550,000 through these agencies, which is the current level.
Arid Lands Research - At Domenici's request, a total of approximately $3.32 million is provided through ARS for expanded research in rangeland resource management, irrigated farming technology, and environmental horticulture at the Jornada Range in Las Cruces. This is $120,000 above the current level. The President proposed to eliminate these three projects in his budget.
Cotton Ginning Research - Continues cotton ginning research on long-staple cotton in New Mexico at the current level.
Agricultural Products Food Safety Laboratory - At Domenici's request, approximately $2.35 million is approved through FDA's food safety program to continue operation of this lab at the Physical Sciences Laboratory of New Mexico State University (NMSU), which is $200,000 above the current level. The Senate Committee includes language on the Food Technology Evaluation Laboratory, and areas for which it will do work for FDA.
WERC Food Safety Education and Technology - Language is included in the Senate Committee Report at Domenici's request, stating its expectation that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue its support for the Waste Management Education and Research Consortium (WERC) and its work in food safety technology verification at no less than the 2005 level, which is about $100,000.
Drought Policy - The Senate Committee Report includes Domenici language acknowledging the need for a national drought policy and directing USDA to carry out the recommendations of the National Drought Policy Commission report, Preparing for Drought in the 21st Century, and to coordinate USDA mission areas to provide a response to drought-stricken areas in as prompt and meaningful a way as possible. This language appears under the Office of the Secretary.
Hispanic Serving Institutions - Domenici-endorsed funding for HSIs through the CSREES/Extension Service totals $6.0 million for FY 2006, the same as the current level.
Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers - The bill includes $6.0 million to continue this program at the current level.
Cataloging Genes Associated with Drought and Disease-resistance Crop Plants - At Domenici's request, $233,000 is provided through CSREES special research grants to continue this project at NMSU.
Organic Waste Utilization - At Domenici's request, a $93,000 CSREES special research grant is provided.
Soilborne Disease Prevention in Irrigated Crops - At Domenici's request, the Committee continues this CSREES special research grant associated with chile wilt at $182,000.
Renewable Oil Resources from Desert Plants - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $211,000.
Nematode Resistance Genetic Engineering Research - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $139,000.
Southwest Consortium on Plant Genetics and Water Resources - At Domenici's request, the Congress continues this CSREES special research grant and provides $392,000, an increase of $19,000 above the 2005 level.
Extension Service - $456.0 million is approved for USDA extension services, an increase of $10.4 million above the current level.
Rural Economic Development through Tourism - At Domenici's request, the Senate continues CSREES Extension Service funding for this program and provides $348,000.
Range Improvement - At Domenici's request, the Senate continue CSREES Extension Service funding for this program and provides $244,000, an increase of $12,000 above the 2005 level.
Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Management - At Domenici's request, $1.0 million is approved to continue these activities in New Mexico, Texas, and Montana, which is the same as the current level.
Efficient Irrigation - At Domenici's request, the bill continues support for New Mexico and Texas to work on efficient irrigation by providing $1.68 million through CSREES Special Research grants, and $2.33 million through the CSREES Extension Service program. The total in the bill is $4.0 million for this purpose.
Imported Fire Ant - Within the $2.15 million provided to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for imported fire ant control, the Senate Committee continues the FY 2005 level of assistance for the State of New Mexico.
Predation Management - Within the $1.2 million in the APHIS budget for integrated predation management activities, $147,000 is provided to New Mexico and Arizona for this purpose.
Rural Water Circuit Rider Program - At Senator Domenici's request, $13.75 million is approved to continue this technical assistance program to aid small rural water systems, which is the same as the current level.
New Mexico Water and Wastewater Assistance - The Senate Committee encourages USDA to consider applications for water and wastewater loans and grants through the Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) for several New Mexico pueblos and communities, including:
· Jal water and sewer upgrades;
· Eunice water and sewer upgrades;
· Lovington utility improvements;
· Tatum water system upgrades;
· Hobbs wastewater treatment plant;
· Columbus;
· Lordsburg;
· San Ildefonso Pueblo;
· Mesquite; and
· Navajo Tribal Utility Authority-Crownpoint Chapter.
NMSU Rapid Syndrome Validation Program - At Domenici's request, $547,000 is provided through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for New Mexico to continue development of an early detection and reporting system for infectious animal diseases. This is about $95,000 above the current level.
New Mexico Riparian Restoration Activities - $537,000 is provided through NRCS for riparian restoration activities along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers in New Mexico, which is approximately the current level.
Grassroots Source Water Protection - $3.75 million is approved though the Farm Service Agency to implement the Grassroots Source Water Protection program. The recommendation is $530,000 million above the 2005 level. Funding was previously provided through the National Resources Conservation Service.
Tribal College funding - At Domenici's request, continued funding is provided for the programs serving tribal colleges, such as $2.0 million for extension agents, and $4.46 million through the Rural Community Advancement Program for community facility grants to tribal colleges.
RCAP Indian Tribe Set-aside - At Domenici's request, the Senate bill provides a set-aside within the Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) for Indian tribes totaling $25 million, the same as the current level.
Sandoval Health Commons Project - At Domenici's request, the Senate Committee Report includes the Sandoval Health Commons Project in New Mexico as one for which USDA should consider an application for RCAP community facility loans and grants, and also for a telemedicine loan or grant through the Rural Utilities Service.
New Mexico Rural Development Response Council - The Senate Committee Report also encourages USDA to give consideration to an application for a RCAP rural business opportunity grant by this New Mexico group.
Bovine Tuberculosis - At Domenici's request, the Conference Report contains the following language: The conferees are aware of an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in New Mexico and, in response, that an MOU has been executed between USDA and that state. The conferees urge the Secretary to use authorities and resources of the Department to provide testing, monitoring, surveillance, and other services, as needed, toward the control and eradication of this disease.
Grasshopper Eradication - The Senate Report contains language requested by Senator Domenici noting that there is a grasshopper outbreak in southeastern New Mexico and urging APHIS to assist the State of New Mexico with survey, control, and eradication efforts. The Conference Report provides $5.56 million overall for grasshopper eradication efforts.
Colonias Infrastructure - At Domenici's request, $25 million for colonias infrastructure projects along the Southwest border, the same as the current level.
Economic Impact Initiative Grants - The Congress continues funding at $18 million for these grants to areas with extreme unemployment or severe economic depression. The President proposed to eliminate funding for this program, under which jurisdictions in New Mexico have received funding.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - The bill includes $179.9 million for Commodity Assistance programs. This amount includes $108.3 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), an increase of $1.4 million over the 2005 level. For the farmers' market program, $20 million is approved. For the senior farmers' market program, $15 million is provided through the Farm bill.
WIC - The Senate approve $5.26 billion for the WIC program, an increase of $22 million above the FY 2005 level, to fully fund the projected caseload in FY2006.
Child Nutrition Programs - $7.2 billion is provided for child nutrition programs. Together with other available funds, a total of $12.4 billion will be available in FY2006 to fund the school lunch and breakfast programs and other nutrition programs.
Food Stamp Program - $40.7 billion is provided for food stamps in FY 2006, of which $3 billion is a reserve to be available through FY2007. Within this amount, up to $4 million can be used to purchase bison for the food distribution program on Indian reservations from Native American producers and cooperative organizations without competition.
--30--
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