House Republicans narrowly passed a bill that makes significant cuts across the Department of Agriculture and related agencies that is being chided by Democrats for making steep cuts to food safety and child nutrition programs.

The measure narrowly passed on a vote of 217-203 Thursday, with 19 Republicans joining all House Democrats voting against the legislation, which makes a 21 percent cut to the FDA’s budget totaling $572 million below the president’s request — including $285 million or 12 percent just this year.

Democrats, including Rep. John Dingell – the Dean of the House – slammed Republicans for voting for the bill, charging that these deep cuts are ‘indefensible