Agriculture appropriations bill hits the Senate floor

“This is a very austere measure,” said Kohl. “Almost every category of funding is lower than last year and much lower than the year before.”

Blunt echoed his sentiments.

“We made many difficult decisions… in tightening our belts and living within our financial means,” he said.

Funding for the Department of Agriculture and FDA in the Senate bill is set at $20 billion, a slight cut from FY 2011. The Senate bill would provide more money than the version the House approved in June, which offered $17.25 billion in total spending for the programs.

Agriculture and FDA spending is grouped together in a package procedurally along with two other appropriations bills in what some lawmakers are calling a “minibus.”

A source within Senate Democratic leadership told The Hill on Monday that they hope to hold first votes on amendments on the legislation on Tuesday morning and complete work before the Senate adjourns for a weeklong recess set to begin on Thursday or Friday.