WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped the Senate Appropriations Committee pass the Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This bipartisan legislation would fund critical federal agencies and programs that support rural communities, food safety, and America’s robust agricultural industry. The bill also supports Michigan’s agriculture priorities as well as high-impact local projects across Michigan. The bill now advances to the full Senate. 

“This bipartisan legislation delivers on key priorities for the state of Michigan and our entire country,” said Senator Peters. “It will help keep our communities safe, modernize our agriculture industry, strengthen our supply chains, and provide critical resources for working families and their children. This legislation shows the progress that is possible when we work together in a commonsense, bipartisan way.” 

The bill includes numerous measures led and supported by Peters, including: 

Funding to Support Rural Communities in Michigan:

$1.5 Million in Funding for Alpena to Replace Fire Truck: The bill would provide $1,500,000 for the City of Alpena to replace an essential aerial ladder fire truck to ensure first responders can safely and efficiently carry out their operations for the community.  

$1.7 Million in Funding for Escanaba to Purchase New Fire Truck: The bill includes $1,700,000 for the Escanaba Public Safety Department to purchase an aerial ladder fire truck to help ensure first responders can continue to provide safe and efficient emergency and fire services for the community.  

$225,000 in Funding to Expand Childcare in Stanton: The bill includes $225,000 in funding to expand the Central Montcalm Public School’s Early Childhood Center to provide more childcare and educational services for the community. 

$200,00 in Funding to Improve Access to Caro Area District Library: The bill includes $200,000 to modernize the 46-year-old elevator at the Caro Area District library to improve accessibility at the library.  

Supporting Farmers & Michigan’s Agricultural Sector

Funding for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): This bill includes robust funding for APHIS, which helps farmers combat specialty crop pests. This funding would support Peters’ push to pass his Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act, legislation that aims to reduce the spread of and advance research on the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive insect that harms fruit growers and their crops in Michigan and across the country.  

Research to Advance Technology in Agriculture: Peters supported a provision in the bill to provide significant funding for the Agricultural Research Service Crop Production Program, which would allow researchers to identify and develop new methods for increasing crop production sustainably using emerging technologies. These methods include satellites, geospatial systems, and artificial intelligence. 

Promoting Urban Farming and Indoor Agriculture Sector: The bill includes funding for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program, which seeks to promote urban, indoor, and other innovative agricultural practices that have been adopted for use in both urban and rural areas to bolster local food systems and extend short growing seasons. 

Expanding the Use of Renewable Energy Systems: The bill includes funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help farmers, producers, and rural business owners make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments to lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resiliency of their operations. 

Boosting Agricultural Research: The bill includes funding for National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which provides funding for key research projects that can contribute to substantial breakthroughs in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. 

Strengthen Public Health & Expand Nutrition Assistance:

Funding to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets: Peters secured $3 million in funding for the Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding to facilities who harbor survivors of domestic violence, along with their pets, as well as animal shelters that partner with domestic violence service providers. This program was established by Peters’ PAWS Act, which was first signed into law in 2018. 

Language Requiring the FDA to Develop Monitoring Guidelines for Human Cell and Tissue Products (HCT/P): The bill includes language Peters secured that would require the FDA to examine the feasibility of implementing tissue-tracking protocols for HCT/Ps, similar to those required for solid organs and blood products. This provision builds on Senator Peters’ previous efforts to prevent tuberculosis contaminations in HCT/Ps, including introduction of the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Products Safety Act, which would establish an education campaign to prevent tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks from infected HCTP donations. Last year, Peters also sent a letter urging the FDA to provide additional guidance and updated donor ineligibility criteria for human issue transplant products. 

Funding to Prevent Future Infant Formula Shortages: The bill includes a $15 million increase for food safety, which will help the FDA expand its oversight efforts to prevent future infant formula shortages. Funding will be used to hire additional staff, enhance surveillance and monitoring and refine laboratory methods for detecting contamination of infant formula. This funding will help expand upon Peters’ Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act, which seeks to strengthen FDA’s oversight of infant formula manufacturing to improve the security of our nation’s infant formula supply and ensure American families have access to safe, affordable formula. 

Expanding Nutrition Assistance: The bill expands resources to help meet the nutrition needs of American families across the country. The bill fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides nutrition assistance to roughly 7 million women and children nationwide and includes funding to support fruit and vegetable benefits. The bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which assists approximately 42 million people per month. Additionally, the bill fully funds vital nutrition programs aimed at supporting children in school, such as the federal school lunch and breakfast programs, and the Summer EBT program. The funding provided by this bill will support approximately 5 billion lunches and 2.7 billion breakfasts to children across the country. 

Improving Food Safety: The bill provides robust funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a vital agency that helps protect the safety and resiliency of America’s food supply. 

Improving Public Infrastructure:

Strengthening Dam Infrastructure: The bill includes $2 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Watershed Rehabilitation Program. This program provides technical and financial assistance to communities seeking to extend the service life of aging dam infrastructure and bring dams into compliance with current safety and performance standards. 

Rental Assistance in Rural Communities: The bill provides funding for rental assistance for Americans living in rural areas to help expand access to safe and affordable housing options.  

###