Ag Appropriations Bill Passes House

The House of Representatives has passed the agriculture appropriations bill by a vote of 266 to 160, AgriMarketing reports. As passed, the bill would increase spending in fiscal year 2010 by nearly 11% over 2009, to nearly $23 billion. The bulk of the increase goes to USDA’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) feeding program and international food aid. Congressmen Paul Broun (R-GA) and Jack Kingston (R-GA) were among those who criticized the spending increase saying, “That’s outrageous! Because it’s clear, more spending does not create more jobs.”

The bill also contains more spending on food safety efforts at USDA and FDA.