Kim Schrier: “I am so glad that my amendment to fund the Research Facilities Act was included in this government spending package. We…”

“I am so glad that my amendment to fund the Research Facilities Act was included in this government spending package. We need to address our deferred research maintenance backlog and increase investments in next-generation agriculture research. This research is critical, as farmers in my district face daunting challenges. For example, the ability for researchers to conduct experiments on plants under various environmental stresses is critical for understanding how crops respond to new climate conditions. Modern facilities can also help researchers screen new crop varieties and understand the impacts of a changing climate on things like nutrient density and susceptibility to pestilence. Many farmers in Washington State rely on the tremendous research done at institutions like Washington State University. Ensuring that they have modern facilities, cutting-edge facilities, will make it easier for them to attract and keep world-class researchers. These investments will reposition the United States for leadership, long-term success, and competitiveness around the world, and make sure we are leading in agricultural research and food research.”