U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has secured assurances that funding for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish at Mississippi State University (MSU) will remain intact despite potential federal budget cuts. The confirmation came during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing where Hyde-Smith engaged with Russell T. Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The hearing was convened to discuss President Trump’s proposal to rescind $9.4 billion in previously-appropriated funds. During the session, Hyde-Smith praised efforts to control federal spending while highlighting the importance of discretionary spending scrutiny.
Hyde-Smith emphasized the significance of MSU’s Fish Innovation Lab, which is funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Development Assistance account. The lab receives $3 million annually and focuses on teaching sustainable aquaculture practices to enhance food security globally.
“I want to bring to your attention an example of how Development Assistance funds are being put to good use,” Hyde-Smith stated, underscoring the lab’s mission aligned with global food security goals.
Vought assured that priority programs like MSU’s would be protected within available foreign assistance funding, stating, “We will still have $5 billion nearly in this funding for priorities and programs like this.”
Hyde-Smith extended an invitation to Vought and his staff to visit the lab, expressing appreciation for collaboration on maintaining its funding.
The MSU Fish Innovation Lab operates under MSU’s Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security and began receiving USAID grants in 2018 with support from Hyde-Smith.
During his testimony, Vought defended the proposed rescissions package targeting over $8.3 billion primarily from foreign aid programs while retaining funds for essential initiatives.
President Trump submitted his rescissions request on June 3 under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, initiating a 45-day period for congressional approval. The House passed the package on June 12 by a narrow vote of 214-212.
