Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

# Summary of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 This is the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development programs, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies. **Key Funding Areas:** - Rural Development Loan Fund - Rural Housing Insurance Fund - Rural Utilities Service programs (water, waste disposal, broadband) - Food and Drug Administration (including user fee funding) - Agricultural research and extension programs - Food assistance programs (Child Nutrition, WIC) **Major Restrictions and Provisions:** 1. **Funding Limitations:** - Section 714 limits funds for section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 to $1,427,930,000 - Section 705 allows funds for direct and guaranteed loans to remain available until expended - Section 707 extends availability of funds for Federal Crop Insurance 2. **Prohibited Activities:** - Section 744: Prohibits using funds to promote or advance Critical Race Theory - Section 755: Prohibits implementing Executive Order 13985 or related equity plans - Section 758: Prohibits discriminatory actions against persons based on religious beliefs regarding marriage - Section 762: Prohibits using funds to inspect horses under certain provisions - Section 768: Prohibits implementing certain food traceability regulations until pilot projects are completed 3. **Notable Policy Changes:** - Section 760: Amends the definition of "hemp" to exclude certain synthetic cannabinoids - Section 772: Requires inclusion of peanut-containing foods in WIC food packages - Section 773: Requires regular testing of inbound molasses for quality verification 4. **Administrative Rules:** - Section 716 establishes strict requirements for reprogramming funds - Section 710 limits first-class travel for federal employees - Section 713 prohibits blocking access to pornography on government computers - Section 719 prohibits executive branch agencies from producing prepackaged news stories 5. **Rescissions:** - Section 754 rescinds $40 million from previous appropriations - Section 765 rescinds $50 million from prior year conservation funds The Act contains numerous specific restrictions on program implementation, reporting requirements, and funding limitations across various agricultural, food safety, and rural development programs. The document is highly detailed with specific prohibitions on certain types of regulations, research, and activities, reflecting the political priorities of the Congress that passed it.