PEORIA, IL — Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research has been removed from the closure list and is recommended to be funded in President Trump’s FY2020 budget proposal sent to Congress. Over the last two budget cycles, Reps. LaHood and Bustos have worked tirelessly to ensure the Peoria Ag Lab remained fully funded despite being subjected to spending cuts and threatened closure in the President’s budget.
“During my time in Congress, Congresswoman Bustos and I have fought tooth and nail to ensure the Peoria Ag Lab remains fully funded year in and year out despite being cut from multiple budget proposals sent to Congress by the President. I am grateful to President Trump for recognizing the great work being done at the Ag Lab and for his decision to have the Lab fully funded in FY2020,” stated Rep. LaHood. “The innovative work being done at the Ag Lab is second to none and I am pleased that the President recognizes the impact the Lab has, not only on central Illinois, but our agriculture economy in the Midwest. I will continue to work in a bipartisan and bicameral manner in Congress to ensure the Peoria Ag Lab receives the appropriate funding.”
“Time and again, the president has proposed eliminating the Peoria Ag Lab and the hundreds of jobs that drive innovation for farmers, consumers and families across the country,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Congressman LaHood and I have worked arm-in-arm to protect the Ag Lab’s funding and keep the doors open – today’s announcement is a victory for Peoria and for bipartisan cooperation in Congress. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue working with community leaders, our U.S. Senators and Congressman LaHood to maintain funding for the facility and their groundbreaking research projects.”
Related:
LaHood, Bustos Invite Agricultural Research Service Administrator to Visit Peoria Ag Lab
LaHood, Bustos Announce New Hiring at Peoria Ag Lab
LaHood, Bustos Write USDA Seeking to End Functional Hiring Freeze at the Peoria Ag Lab
LaHood, Bustos Advocate for Peoria Ag Lab Funding
LaHood, Bustos Successfully Advocate for Peoria Agriculture Lab Appropriations Funding
LaHood, Bustos Tour Peoria’s Agriculture Research Facility
LaHood, Bustos, Durbin, Duckworth Urge President Trump to Scrap Plans to Close Peoria Ag Lab
