To Members of the NASULGC System:

The annual appropriations bills continue to move forward in the House and Senate. This report provides a brief update on: (1) House floor action on the Agriculture bill; (2) Senate committee action on the Interior bill; and (3) the Senate 302(b) allocations and markup schedule for the DHS and Ag Appropriations bills.

House Passes Ag Appropriations Bill
The House of Representatives gave its approval to the F.Y. 2006 Ag Appropriations bill on June 8. The only amendment of broad interest to the NASULGC system was the amendment offered by Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) to increase the Hispanic Education Partnership funding line within the CSREES budget by $855,000. This amendment was adopted and the House level for this program is now set at $6,500,000.

Senate Committee Approves Interior Bill
The Interior Appropriations bill was marked up in subcommittee on June 7 and in full committee on June 9. Unfortunately, the 302(b) allocation for this bill was down substantially from last year's level and the subcommittee did not, therefore, agree to the NASULGC system's request for a funding line and appropriations for the EPA's Pesticide Application Safety Program or an increase in the share of U.S. Forest Service research going to universities.

Senate DHS and Ag Allocations and Markup Schedule
The DHS Subcommittee received a 302(b) allocation for F.Y. 2006 of $30.846 billion. The DHS appropriations bill is to be marked up in subcommittee on June 14 and full committee on June 16. The Ag Subcommittee received a 302(b) allocation for F.Y. 2006 $17.348 billion. The Ag funding bill is set to be marked up in subcommittee on June 21 and full committee on June 23.

Fred H. Hutchison
Fleishman Hillard Government Relations