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To: Chairwoman Kay Granger and Members of the House Appropriations Committee
From: National Taxpayers Union (NTU)
Date: June 6, 2023
Subject: Markup of Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, applauds the Committee’s efforts to limit spending to the Fiscal Year 2022 topline levels and to pass all appropriations bills into law.
We specifically commend your work on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The proposed appropriations bill would cut spending from Fiscal Year 2023 levels and would provide significant savings for taxpayers relative to the Biden administration’s budget request.
Additionally, NTU reiterates our support of Sections 768 and 769 of the bill. These provisions specify that none of the funds provided by the act may be used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a maximum nicotine level for cigarettes, to prohibit menthol cigarettes, or to prohibit menthol or other characterizing flavors in cigars. They would prevent overreach by regulators that would have significant negative impacts on taxpayers, farmers, retailers, consumers, manufacturers, state and local governments, and supply chains across the country.
One of the most important taxpayer priorities for Congress should be to reduce deficit spending. NTU strongly supports your efforts to accomplish this goal, starting with the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. We look forward to working with the Committee as it completes work on the remaining appropriations bills.