Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 4/12/21

The White House on Friday rolled out its so-called skinny budget, a fiscal 2022 spending plan that would raise funding for every major wing of the government.

The administration wants USDA to get a 16 percent bump, bringing its discretionary budget to $27.8 billion for the year starting in October, reports Pro Ag’s Ryan McCrimmon.

The highlights: Biden’s budget request mirrors many of the rural priorities included in his infrastructure blueprint, like broadband access, reclaiming abandoned mines and helping rural communities transition to cleaner energy sources. It also would expand funding for USDA research and education programs.

Next up: Congress can now get started writing the annual spending bills for each agency. But the appropriations process will run parallel to Democrats’ work on a sprawling infrastructure package, which is likely to dominate the agenda for several months.

Biden’s full budget request, including tax changes and more detailed funding plans, is expected later this spring.