U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) today announced that the Senate has passed the FY 2012 Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, sending them to the President’s desk for signature. Hagan voted in favor of the bipartisan bill, which passed 70-30.

“The bipartisan bill we passed tonight funds several critical agencies while staying consistent with the fiscal discipline Congress agreed to earlier this year,” said Hagan. “I was pleased to support this bill that will ensure our agriculture and rural communities, transportation projects, and law enforcement officers have the funds needed for another fiscal year.”

The bill provides full funding to carry out the federal crop insurance program, which insures producers against catastrophic losses.  The administration estimates that $3.1 billion will be needed for crop insurance programs in FY 2012. The bill also allocates $75 million for the Risk Management Agency, which administers the federal crop insurance program. Today’s bill provides $1.6 billion for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), whose North Carolina offices provide vital services to our state’s farmers and rural communities.

“In North Carolina, 85 of our 100 counties are rural, and many of the programs I supported today will help keep our rural communities vibrant. I am particularly concerned with ensuring that our North Carolina farmers who suffered so much in the wake of Hurricane Irene are able to get back on their feet, and the bipartisan bill we passed today includes funding for catastrophic crop insurance,” said Hagan.

The Agriculture provisions included $80.4 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $18.2 billion for child nutrition programs including school lunch and breakfast programs, and $6.6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

The bill allocates $200 million for the Economic Development Administration for disaster relief activities and as much as $400 million for Community Development Block Grants for disaster relief activities.

“Funding to help our Irene-ravaged communities has been instrumental in getting North Carolinians back on their feet, and I will continue working to ensure our state has the federal support needed for a full recovery,” said Hagan.

In order to support our law enforcement officers, the bill contains approximately $200 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program that helps promote community policing across the United States by awarding money to local law enforcement agencies. From the start of 2010 to September 1, 2011, North Carolina has received over $13 million in COPS grants that have helped keep North Carolina communities safe. In addition, the bill contains $413 million in grants to address domestic violence and sexual assault.  

The Transportation provisions include $39.1 billion for federal highway funding from the Highway Trust Fund, as well as $1.7 billion in emergency disaster relief funding for the Federal Highway Administration, to assist states in rebuilding federal highways that were damaged by major natural disasters, such as Hurricane Irene.

The bill also includes $7.4 billion for air traffic organization activities, and approximately $1.3 billion for aviation safety activities, including for additional flight standards inspectors and additional aircraft certification inspectors to keep air travel safe and efficient.

Finally, the bill included $50 million in security funding for the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte that Hagan worked closely with leadership to include.

“We want convention goers to experience the best of our beautiful city of Charlotte and safely enjoy all the amenities North Carolina has to offer. The economic impact of the convention will be a terrific boost for the many businesses, restaurants, stores and hotels in the area and it is important that our safety officials have the support they need to make the convention a positive event for everyone involved.