{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=ABACFADF-AB42-4888-A57D-5A2E2CC71867", "Senator McConnell Secures Over $11 Million for Kentucky Agriculture and Rural Communities", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured more than $11 million in federal funding for several Kentucky-focused priorities included in the final FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.\n\nUniversity of Kentucky College of Agriculture\n\n$10 million for the University of Kentucky and USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) Forage-Animal Production Unit. The federal funding will be used to construct a new state-of-the-art agricultural research laboratory at the University. This builds upon federal funding previously secured by Senator McConnell for the project in FY 2020.\n\n\u201cThis federal investment marks a major step forward for agricultural research and innovation at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cI was proud to secure this funding on behalf of UK, which will support agricultural research vital to our farmers and rural communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to Senator McConnell for his continued leadership and steadfast support of Kentucky agriculture. This investment strengthens a decades-long partnership between the University of Kentucky and the USDA Agricultural Research Service \u2014 one that has yielded innovations vital to our state\u2019s signature industries, from beef and equine production to the emerging hemp economy,\u201d said UK President Eli Capilouto. \u201cWith this funding, we can continue developing science-based solutions that advance the productivity and profitability of Kentucky farms and improve the livelihoods of those who sustain them.\u201d\n\nOhio County Healthcare\n\n$1.35 million for Ohio County Healthcare (OCH) Hospital Infrastructure Improvement Project. This federal funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades at Ohio County Healthcare, including replacing the roof of the main hospital in Hartford, restructuring patient care areas, and other equipment updates.\n\n\u201cOhio County Healthcare is a vital resource for tens of thousands of residents who depend on it for quality medical care, and it provides important jobs and health benefits to many families in our region,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThese much-needed infrastructure improvements will ensure the hospital remains safe, reliable, and capable of delivering prompt emergency care when it\u2019s needed most.\u201d\n\n\"As a rural Critical Access Hospital, we are deeply committed to providing high-quality care to our neighbors\u2014many of whom face economic hardship and limited access to essential health services,\u201d said Shellie Shouse, CEO of Ohio County Healthcare. \u201cSenator McConnell\u2019s continued support of OCH is not just appreciated; it is vital. Without it, our ability to safeguard the health and well-being of our community would be severely compromised.\"\n\nIn addition to the federal funding wins, the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report includes additional language and provisions advanced by Senator McConnell to benefit Kentucky and the broader national interest.\n\nCloses the Intoxicating Hemp Loophole\n\nIncludes language to close a loophole that has allowed the sale of unregulated intoxicating THC products to be manufactured and sold nationwide, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products. The measure locks in the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill, which sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework. More info HERE.\n\nSupports White Oak Forest Conservation\n\nRecognizes the ecological and economic importance of White Oak forests and encourages the Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand conservation efforts. This provision supports Kentucky\u2019s signature bourbon industry and builds on McConnell-backed legislation like the White Oak Resiliency Act.\n\nEnhances Equine Health Research Funding\n\nEstablishes a dedicated line item in the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) budget for equine health. Previously equine health was grouped with programs for deer, sheep, goats, and other similar animals. This new structure provides greater transparency and a stronger focus on equine-specific research.\n\nEnsures Scientific Integrity in Alcohol Guidelines\n\nDirects the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA to rely solely on findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) when updating alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This provision addresses concerns raised during the Biden administration that the DGA Committee might rely on biased sources. It ensures that any guidance is based on sound science and independent expert review.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=ABACFADF-AB42-4888-A57D-5A2E2CC71867"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6302959993481636, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}