Reps. Panetta and Adams Urge Congressional Leadership to Maintain $7.75 Billion in Agriculture Research Funding in Build Back Better Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, October 21 Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20) and Alma Adams (D-NC-12) led 30 Members of Congress in a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer requesting their assistance in preserving the $7.75 billion investment in agricultural climate research, agriculture innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure included in the Build Back Better Agenda. This investment is crucial to maintaining President Biden’s commitment to building sustainable and resilient agricultural communities, and the undersigned members look forward to working with congressional leadership and the White House on protecting these provisions. “As American farmers have consistently dealt with numerous challenges from an erratic market and extreme weather events to the existing pandemic, American government funding for agricultural research has remained dismally flat for the past fifty years,” said Rep. Panetta. “By increasing federal funding for agriculture research and development, we can play our part by supporting farmers who not only need it but also deserve it. The letter that I wrote and led seeks to reaffirm Congress’ commitment to farmers who continue to fight climate-induced production challenges and are willing to be part of the solution." “We can’t build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic without sustainable and equitable investments in the future of agriculture,” said Rep. Adams, Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “To reclaim our global leadership in food and agricultural science and rise to tackle the climate crisis, we must be a leader in research and innovation infrastructure. To make sure we’re making the most of every American’s talents, we must work diligently to improve equity and access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's research programs. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the $3.65 billion included for research facilities will support the most important drivers of equity in agriculture: minority-serving institutions and 1890s Land-Grant Institutions. The way to make this a reality is by protecting the $7.75 billion investment in agricultural climate research, agriculture innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure included in the House Agriculture Committee’s section of the Build Back Better Act.” This funding in the Build Back Better Agenda is crucial to achieving net-zero emissions and removing long-standing barriers to entry for socially disadvantaged producers. The provisions also direct funding towards minority-serving institutions, addressing President Biden’s goal of improving equity and access to federal programs. The letter can be viewed below this message. October 21, 2021 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Chuck Schumer Speaker of the House Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives United States Senate H-222, U.S. Capitol Room S-221, U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer: As you work with the White House to craft the Build Back Better Agenda, we write to respectfully request your assistance in protecting the $7.75 billion investment in agricultural climate research, agriculture innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure included in the House Agriculture Committee’s portion of the budget reconciliation legislation. This funding is critical to maintaining President Biden’s commitment to rebuilding our communities in both a sustainable and equitable manner. Investing in America’s agriculture research and development programs will be essential to addressing the climate crisis. According to a recent report from the Breakthrough Institute, doubling agricultural research and development between 2020 and 2030 would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by over 100 million tons. By providing our farmers, ranchers, and foresters with the tools they need to improve resiliency and scale climate-smart agriculture, we can ensure our agricultural communities are not only better equipped to adapt to climate-induced production challenges but also given the opportunity to be part of the climate solution. These investments will, in turn, help ensure both the safety and security of our national and global food supply. The agriculture research provisions included in the House Agriculture Committee’s budget reconciliation markup are also critical to ensuring the Build Back Better Agenda is rooted in President Biden’s promise to improve equity and access to federal programs. Of the $3.65 billion included for research facilities, a substantial portion of this funding will be directed toward minority-serving institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, and insular areas. We have also included significant funding for cooperative extension and scholarships through minorityserving institutions. These investments will help ensure socially disadvantaged and beginning producers – many of whom have previously struggled to participate in federal programs – gain access to the tools and knowledge they need to be successful in the twenty-first century. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to significantly fund food and agriculture research, innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure. These investments are crucial for the United States to achieve net zero emissions and address long-standing barriers to entry for socially disadvantaged producers. We are proud to support the funding included in the House Agriculture Committee’s reconciliation markup, and we look forward to working with you to ensure these investments are retained in any version of the Build Back Better Act. Sincerely, JIMMY PANETTA ALMA S. ADAMS, PH.D. Member of Congress Member of Congress STACEY E. PLASKETT SALUD CARBAJAL Member of Congress Member of Congress RO KHANNA MARK TAKANO Member of Congress Member of Congress JIM COSTA AL LAWSON Member of Congress Member of Congress ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON KATHY MANNING Member of Congress Member of Congress ZOE LOFGREN ANN KIRKPATRICK Member of Congress Member of Congress JOHN GARAMENDI MARILYN STRICKLAND Member of Congress Member of Congress PETER WELCH ANN McLANE KUSTER Member of Congress Member of Congress JIM COOPER DORIS MATSUI Member of Congress Member of Congress JERRY McNERNEY KAIALI’I KAHELE Member of Congress Member of Congress BOBBY L. RUSH ANGIE CRAIG Member of Congress Member of Congress CHELLIE PINGREE MARK POCAN Member of Congress Member of Congress JULIA BROWNLEY COLIN ALLRED Member of Congress Member of Congress JAHANA HAYES JOSH HARDER Member of Congress Member of Congress ALAN LOWENTHAL SANFORD D. BISHOP JR. Member of Congress Member of Congress