Cole Votes to Support America’s Farmers, Ranchers, and Agriculture Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) voted in favor of H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the Fiscal Year 2027. This legislation funds the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Commodity Future Trading Commission. After voting in favor of the legislation, Congressman Cole released the following statement:

"As the representative for over 13,000 farms and ranches in Oklahoma's Fourth District alone, I know this to be true: when American agriculture is strong, America is strong. Today's Agriculture funding bill recognizes that simple truth," said Congressman Cole.

"This legislation supports our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It invests in research to keep our nation's agriculture industry competitive and in food safety through important inspection resources and protecting American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases. The bill reinforces America First principles by advancing 'MAHA' priorities and ending Biden-era regulations and Climate Corps funding. It strengthens rural communities, so many of which I represent in Oklahoma, by prioritizing funding for home ownership loans, broadband investments, and infrastructure development. On top of that, the bill tightens oversight of foreign purchases of agricultural land, reinforcing critical national security priorities," said Congressman Cole.

"From the farm to the dinner table, the FY-27 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act puts the American people first and I am proud to have voted in favor of it today,"said Congressman Cole.

Key Provisions Secured for Oklahoma in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the Fiscal Year 2027

• $35 million for the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program, which will help support the over 2,100 watersheds in Oklahoma and enhance their flood control efforts. $10 million of these dollars are specifically for states, like Oklahoma, specializing in corrugated metal pipe projects.
• $3 million for the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.
• $50 million loan authorization level for the Rural Energy for America Program. 20% of this is allocated for distributed wind investments, supporting small wind operations in Oklahoma.
• $271 million, which is a $36 million increase over the enacted number, for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Oklahoma has the highest participation in this program out of any state, so this increased funding will help the over 20,000 tribal citizens in the state have access to food assistance.
• Over $1.5 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct research, education, and extension activities which support our nation's land-grant universities like Oklahoma State University, Langston University, and the College of Muscogee Creek, execute agricultural innovation and advancements.
• $435 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
• $3 million for research developments focusing on Oklahoma initiatives such as wheat breeding, wildfire prevention, barley resiliency, and biosecurity.
• $24 million for the Circuit Rider Program, which helps support the over 3,000 technical assistance visits that Oklahoma Rural Water Association circuit riders carry out each year.
• $481.5 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
• $14 million for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment and Services Grant Program, which will help the over 60 counties in Oklahoma experiencing veterinarian shortages.
• $115.5 million for Cattle Health with $10 million specifically for the New World Screwworm initiative and an increase of $700,000 for Asian Longhorned Tick outreach and education efforts.
• $410.8 million increase for food safety state inspections to ensure states, like Oklahoma, are receiving proper reimbursements for meat and poultry inspection programs.

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