Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Representative Andy Harris

Re: HR 8646 (119th Congress), Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 · Latest action (2026-06-08): Received in the Senate.
VFA SI Solution #76 · published 2026-06-06 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/76
Office of record (Congress.gov): 1536 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC · (202) 225-5311

Agriculture and Rural Development Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2027

The measure, as described from the official record: To appropriate funds for agriculture, rural development, and FDA programs for fiscal year 2027, supporting farmers, rural communities, and food safety.

The proposal

This Act provides appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, rural development programs, and the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal year 2027. Total appropriations are capped at $24.5 billion, representing a 2% reduction from the previous year's baseline, to encourage efficiency. All funds are subject to a performance-based review: agencies must demonstrate measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced administrative overhead, improved service delivery) to avoid automatic sequestration of 1% of their allocation. The Act includes a five-year sunset, requiring reauthorization by September 30, 2031. An independent oversight board composed of members from the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office shall review program efficiency annually and report to Congress. Enforcement is through automatic budget sequestration if agencies fail to submit required efficiency reports by the end of each fiscal quarter. The effective date is October 1, 2026.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source: General fund of the Treasury, supplemented by a 0.5% user fee on agricultural commodity futures transactions.
funding amount: $24.5 billion cap for FY2027, with a 2% reduction from the prior year baseline.
sunset years: 5 years
oversight body: Joint Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office review panel.
enforcement mechanism: Automatic sequestration of up to 1% of an agency's allocation if quarterly efficiency reports are not submitted or if performance targets are missed.
effective date: October 1, 2026

Constitutional basis

Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (spending for the general welfare)
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (commerce clause, supporting FDA regulation of food and drugs)

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Democratic priorities honored: continued robust funding for rural development, food safety, and agricultural research. Republican priorities honored: fiscal discipline through a spending cap, performance-based accountability, and a five-year sunset to prevent permanent expansion.

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/76 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology