Government Affairs Insights on Floral

February 25, 2025

House and Senate Budget Resolutions Direct Cuts to Agriculture

During the week of February 17, the Senate Committee on the Budget easily pushed its budget resolution out of committee along a party line vote of 11-10. The committee-approved resolution would direct the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Foresty to cut no less than $1 billion in mandatory spending in the next 10 fiscal years (FY 2026 through FY 2035). Following the Senate, the House Budget Committee passed its budget resolution along a party line vote of 21-16. Compared to the Senate, the House version of the resolution would direct the House Agriculture Committee to cut $230 billion within the committee’s jurisdiction during the same 10 fiscal year period. The budget resolution cannot and does not specify where each committee might find changes in the budget to meet the budget resolution’s requirements. In the ag committee’s jurisdiction, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program makes up more than 79 percent of the Farm Bill spending baseline in the next 10 years. Any major spending reductions required of the committees will force them to look to SNAP for much of the savings. Budget cuts of the magnitude of the House resolution’s $230 billion could complicate the ability of the committees and the Congress to pass a Farm Bill later this year.

The evening of February 20, the Senate initiated “Vote-A-Rama” and brought its Fiscal Year 2025 budget resolution (S.Con.Res.7) to the floor for debate. Lasting late into the night and early this morning, the Senate eventually passed its budget resolution by a vote of 52-48. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was notably the only Republican to vote against the budget resolution and with the Democrats. With the House returning this week from its brief recess, House Republican Leadership has indicated they plan t push through their resolution through the Rules Committee early this week, to then potentially see a vote on the floor as early as Wednesday, February 26. While the House (-$230 billion) and Senate (-$1 billion) are far apart with regards to the reductions in agriculture spending in their current budget resolutions, a single target must be agreed upon in conference between the two chambers before Congress can move forward with a budget reconciliation bill to enact the actual spending changes required by a single budget resolution agreed to by both the House and the Senate.

Brooke Rollins confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture

On Thursday, February 13, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brooke Rollins was officially confirmed on the Senate floor by a vote of 72-28. Prior to her confirmation vote, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry had favorably reported her unanimously 23-0 out of the Committee. Not surprisingly, Rollins was able to garner considerable support from Democrats for her nomination, unlike many other Trump appointees who were only confirmed on party line votes. Following the vote, she was sworn in as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture by Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a private ceremony. The following Friday, a welcome reception was held in her honor at the USDA Whitten Building where Rollins gave her first official remarks as USDA Chief. As the next Secretary, Rollins plans to materialize the Trump Administration’s agenda by supporting the American Farmer, defending the American's food self-sufficiency, and restoring agriculture-dependent small towns in the U.S. Now, having filled the top position at USDA helps streamline the process for other Senate confirmed positions at the Department to start going through the confirmation process and continue making progress in staffing up the Department.

Senate and House Ag Committee holds a series of hearings on the state of the farm economy

On February 11, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing titled, “Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country.” Featured testimony included representation from various producers across the country as well as an agricultural economist. Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that a new farm bill providing stability and support for farmers facing economic challenges is paramount to industry viability. Republicans focused on strengthening the farm safety net and avoiding the reliance on ad hoc agricultural disaster assistance, whereas Democrats argued that the Administration’s use of tariffs, firing of federal employees, and funding freezes will intensify trials and tribulations felt at the farm gate. Other topics discussed included the impact of tariffs, labor costs, the struggle to keep up with rising input costs, and the need for improved crop insurance and risk management tools to support the agricultural sector. You can watch the full hearing here. On February 5, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hosted a hearing titled, "Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part 1." This two panel hearing featured witnesses associated with both national agriculture advocacy organizations like American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmer's Union, as well individual trade associations representing various traditional row crops. In the hearing, Republicans and Democrats agreed that farmers are in crisis and passing a five-year farm bill is imperative. Issues like low commodity prices, high input costs, and an aging labor force were the key issues discussed in the hearing. Republicans focused on fixing the farm safety net by enhancing crop insurance and adjusting reference prices. Democrats criticized the Administration’s use of tariffs and argued it would increase hardships for farmers. Other topics discussed included the impact of trade wars, conservation programs, the challenges of market consolidation, and the importance of supporting young and specialty crop farmers. You can watch the full hearing here.

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