On June 29, the House began its consideration of the FY2001 agriculture appropriations spending bill (H.R. 4461) after a six-week delay over a provision dealing with Cuba. Several amendments were approved before the House turned its attention to the military construction appropriations conference report. The House is expected to complete its consideration of the bill when it returns the week of July 10.
An amendment by Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC) was approved by voice vote. It would allow funding in the bill to be used to carry out research on medical, biotechnology, food, and industrial uses of tobacco. In explaining his amendment, Rep. Hayes specifically cited a research project underway at North Carolina State and Georgetown University that is using a genetically modified version of the tobacco plant to develop a vaccine to prevent infection by human papillomavirus, a primary cause of cervical cancer.
Another amendment by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) also was approved by voice vote. The amendment would increase funding for senior citizen meal providers, including Meals on Wheels programs, by $20 million. The increased spending would be offset by reductions in the P.L. 480 Food for Peace programs.
Overall, the bill would provide $4.07 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and $9.5 billion for child nutrition programs. WIC received $4 billion last year and child nutrition programs were appropriated $9.6 billion.
