To Members of the NASULGC System:

Thanks to your swift and active participation, the amendment offered by Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) that would have cut over $16 million from CSREES failed by a vote of 185-235 on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday. Your phone calls were vital in helping preserve the funding we’ve all worked so hard to achieve. This was a big win for the NASULGC system and the CSREES. The Appropriations Committee is well aware and appreciative of our active participation to help defeat the amendment. Below is the link to the vote on the amendment. A “no” vote was a vote to protect CSREES. http://www.nasulgc-bac.com/documents/FY2007/HRC_188.htm

There were additional amendments adopted that impact CSREES accounts. The House increased the Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Affairs by $200,000; Hispanic Education Partnership Grants by $700,000; and Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers by $100,000. These increased were paid for by reducing NRI by $1,000,000. The House also added $3,200,000 to the Organic Transition Program under Integrated Activities.

The full bill, containing $18.4 billion in F.Y. 2007 Agriculture funding, passed the House by a vote of 378-46. This total is $96 million less that what was enacted for F.Y. 2006, but $564 million more than the President’s Budget Request.

As you know, much can and will happen between now and the time the F.Y. 2007 Agriculture Appropriations bill is signed into law. As the measure continues through the Senate and through Conference, we must be ever vigilant to protect and build on what we’ve accomplished so far.

Thanks again for your effective efforts on behalf of the land-grant system.

Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations