Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego announced that the Senate’s Agriculture and Rural Development funding bill, now moving to the House, includes more than $2.7 million for six projects in Arizona. The funding will support fire and police services and improve flood control in rural areas. Kelly said, “Families in rural Arizona need affordable housing, clean drinking water, and access to healthy food. That’s what we’re working to deliver while giving Arizona firefighters and cops the tools to keep those communities safe,” and Gallego stated, “I’m proud to have fought for nearly $3 million for Arizona included in this agriculture appropriations package,” according to the Office of the Senator.
The Senate’s Agriculture and Rural Development funding bill includes $26 billion for rural homeownership in Arizona, $1.7 billion for affordable rental housing, and $1.3 billion for water system upgrades. It also provides funding for nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC, supports STEM education at Tribal colleges, agriculture programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and instructs the USDA to prioritize Arizona’s Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, as reported by the Office of the Senator.
The funding bill calls for the FDA to review delays in prescription drug approvals and continues support for partnerships addressing rare neurodegenerative diseases. It also includes provisions for rural development, public safety, healthcare, and education. A full breakdown of funded projects and programs is available in the agriculture funding bill summary, as stated by the Office of the Senator.
