[MPWG] MIKULSKI ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR FDA, MARYLAND ’S AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT:        Melissa Schwartz
July 19, 2007 202-228-1122
                                                                        
http://mikulski.senate.gov
 
MIKULSKI ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR FDA, MARYLAND’S AGRICULTURE 
INITIATIVES 

Spending bill also includes increased funding for FDA’s Office of Women’s 
Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the 
Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the Agriculture, Rural 
Development and Food and Drug Administration 2008 spending bill includes 
$90.6 billion in federal funding for Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
initiatives, including agricultural research and education programs, 
natural resources conservation programs, domestic food assistance programs 
and rural housing, economic and community development throughout the 
country.  The legislation, passed by the full Senate Appropriations 
Committee this afternoon, also funds the Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA), headquartered in Maryland.
“Every community around the country is impacted by this federal funding. 
In Maryland, it means good news for our agriculture and farming 
industries, and all of our hardworking employees at FDA,” said Senator 
Mikulski.  “I applaud the people who work on Maryland’s farms, and in our 
federal labs, universities and other research facilities for their 
commitment.  I will continue to fight to put money in the federal 
checkbook to support their important work.” 
The bill provides $1.75 billion for the FDA, a $186 million increase over 
last year’s funding request.  The funding includes a 25 percent increase 
for the Office of Women’s Health, funded at $5 million this year.  Since 
1994, Senator Mikulski has championed increased funding for the Office of 
Women’s Health, which has received approximately $4 million a year since 
2002. 
“For 16 years, the Office of Women’s Health has led the way in improving 
the health and well-being of women across the United States.  It ensures 
that women’s needs are safeguarded when drugs and medical devices are 
evaluated, and they serve as advocates for women’s health research 
programs and activities,” said Senator Mikulski.  “It is critical that we 
make sure women are not left behind when it comes to their health.”
Senator Mikulski also secured $500,000 for the Appalachian Center for 
Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University in Allegany County. 
The center, which collaborates with the University of Maryland 
Biotechnology Institute, will continue researching the medicinal uses of 
native plants and promote this industry for economic development purposes 
in Appalachia.

In the next step of the appropriations process, the bill will move to the 
Senate floor for a vote, which has not yet been scheduled. 

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