Alford Secures Support for Missouri Farmers and Ranchers as Appropriations Committee Advances FY2027 Ag Appropriations Bill

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee passed the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill for fiscal year 2027.

"The FY2027 Agriculture appropriations bill is a fiscally responsible measure that cuts waste, backs our farmers and ranchers, strengthens rural America, and prioritizes food security while advancing President Trump's America First agenda," said Congressman Alford.

"As a member of the Committee, I'm proud to have secured more than $4 million in direct federal investments for Missouri's Fourth District through this process. Missouri's hardworking producers and families win big with smarter funding for research, animal and plant health, and nutrition programs that deliver real results. This bill keeps our farms strong, our food supply secure, and taxpayer dollars working harder for the heartland."

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Alford secured $4,254,782 in reasonable federal investments for the Fourth District to help turn the "Show Me State" into the "Grow Me State," including:

• $1,597,750 to modernize the Cass County Sherriff's Digital Forensics Unit, including the construction a secure addition to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, to address growing demand for digital evidence processing by providing updated laboratory space, climate-controlled evidence storage, upgraded infrastructure, and specialized forensic equipment to support law enforcement investigations.
• $450,000 for water quality and fire protection improvements in the City of Lexington to enhance water quality, reliability, and public safety for residents and businesses in Lexington while strengthening the overall resilience of the community's water system.
• $1,000,000 to construct a new public safety building in El Dorado Springs for both the Fire and Police Departments, enhancing the services first responders can provide to the community.
• $1,000,000 for wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Higginsville, including installation of a new wastewater pump station and force main, to centralize treatment and provide essential sanitary sewer services.
• $207,032 to upgrade the 911 emergency system in Morgan County by modernizing the call handling system as well as hardware and software with support, enabling NextGen Core Services connection to the ESI net, implementing Text-to-911, and Net Clock.

Additional Alford priorities secured in the FY2027 Agriculture appropriations bill include:

• Expands efforts to addresses foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the USDA's tracking system for foreign-owned land and ensuring the Secretary of Agriculture remains a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review agricultural transactions that implicate national security.
• Continued support for agricultural research and education at the University of Missouri, including $3 million for Livestock Genetic Engineering and Health Research and dedicated funding for the Center for Agroforestry.
• $10 million in dedicated funding for the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), which provides satellite and aerial imagery used for weather forecasting and agriculture.
• The PURR Act, which establishes the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) as the sole regulatory authority over pet food for dogs and cats. The pet food industry is a major job creator in Missouri.
• A provision to allow frozen fruits and vegetables in the GusNIP program, in line with Congressman Alford's SHOPP Act.
• A $500,000 increase in funding for the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) to support Missouri pork producers.
• Continued support for efforts to combat High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to support Missouri poultry producers.
• New support for research on diseases in cattle spread by Asian Longhorned Ticks to support Missouri cattle ranchers.
• Enhanced support for Operation Stork Speed by bolstering the domestic infant formula supply by encouraging more efficient and streamlined formula manufacturing inspections.

Read the bill text here.

Read a summary of the legislation here.

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