Ag Would Get 3.3% of Stimulus Package
By Pork news staff
| Tuesday, February 03, 2009
In the House version, Agriculture programs, including nutrition assistance, rural development and conservation, would receive about $27 billion or about 3.3 percent, of the House-approved $825 billion economic stimulus package. That’s according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office.
Republicans are criticizing the House stimulus bill, because they argue it funds too many dubious programs and projects. Senate Republicans appear to be headed down that same path. President Obama wants a final bill on his desk by mid-month.
Among the agricultural programs in the package, nutrition-assistance programs accountant for $21 billion. Rural development programs would receive $5.1 billion, including $2.8 billion to deploy broadband technology in rural areas, and $1.5 billion for rural water and waste disposal projects. USDA’s infrastructure would benefit from facilities maintenance and computer improvements totaling nearly $500 million. Conservation and watershed programs would receive $400 million.
Source: National Pork Board
