Bill passes Committee by a vote of 27-0
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for projects in Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27-0, provides $27.1 billion in discretionary funding. Committee markup of the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill is an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
“By assisting Maine’s farmers and investing in critical agricultural research and nutrition programs, this bill would support rural communities throughout the state,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Bill Highlights:
Local Projects: More than $25 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine.
PFAS Research: $10 million, an increase of $3 million above the FY 2025 enacted level, for the Center of Excellence for PFAS solutions throughout Agricultural and Food Systems in conjunction with the University of Maine.
Potato Research: Maintains full funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s potato research programs.
Potatoes in School Breakfast: Maintains provision that allows school food authorities to provide potatoes through the School Breakfast Program.
Farm Loss: Includes language directing the Farm Services Agency to provide a report to the Committee on what factors are leading to agricultural production and farm loss in New England, and to include historical and projected data on acreage and crop types.
Neurology Drug Program: $5 million for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Neurology Drug Program to support the development of policies and guidance to keep pace with emerging brain science.
Nutrition: Fully funds nutrition assistance programs that support low-income women, children, and seniors.
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