Source: American Ag Network
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is leading a coalition of lawmakers urging the Trump Administration to release withheld funding for Level 1 National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) labs, which play a critical role in detecting and controlling animal disease outbreaks. These labs, located in 17 states including Wisconsin, are essential for protecting the U.S. food supply, maintaining trade access for farmers, and preventing grocery price increases.
The lawmakers warn that if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) does not release the remaining 58% of the $250,000 annual funding per lab—totaling $2.65 million—by July 31, 2025, lab operations may be disrupted or shut down. This could jeopardize containment of diseases like avian influenza and African swine fever. Baldwin and co-signers, including Senators Smith, Slotkin, Padilla, and Peters, stress that delaying these funds risks national food security and economic stability. They call for immediate action to ensure uninterrupted lab operations.