HOUSE & SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES
For questions on the note below, please contact the Delta Strategy Group team.
On May 6, the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture,” with Secretary Brooke Rollins as the witness.
On May 7, the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a complementary hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) budget, with a second round of testimony from Secretary Rollins.
Attached is a summary of the hearing prepared by Delta Strategy Group, which includes several high-level takeaways.
Key Takeaways
The following is a summary of the main topics explored in the hearing, with further details in the Discussion section below.
- Rollins detailed how the administration’s efforts are leveling the playing field for producers by identifying unfair import/export barriers, addressing sanitary and phytosanitary obstacles, and advocating for lower foreign tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. She discussed programs that support producers and diversify U.S. export market access amidst increasing input costs and decreasing commodity prices. She underscored the President’s commitment to reprioritizing U.S. agricultural producers.
- Rollins cautioned against disregarding the $50 billion agricultural trade deficit as she called for reasserting U.S. agriculture’s position as a net exporter. She reiterated USDA’s ongoing efforts to improve foreign market access for U.S. producers and address the agricultural trade deficit. She noted how USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs is well positioned to provide expanded access to foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products and reduce reliance on foreign products and supply chains.
- Republican Senators stressed that passing a viable Farm Bill requires addressing outdated and inadequate farm safety nets, with Senator Hyde-Smith (R-MS) warning that failing to do so could jeopardize the passage of a new Farm Bill. Senator Hoeven (R-ND) highlighted that the lack of agreement on updating the countercyclical safety net and passage of a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, paired with emergency assistance and market-based aid, was only a temporary solution to allow for negotiations on longer-term reforms.
- House and Senate Committee and Subcommittee Chairs urged USDA to expedite deployment of the remaining $21 billion in Congressionally authorized disaster relief. Rollins highlighted USDA measures to support producers, citing the USDA’s issuance of $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). She confirmed USDA’s upcoming release of its $21 billion Supplemental Disaster Relief (SDR) package.
- Rollins clarified that the proposed budget cuts apply solely to USDA’s discretionary spending, which comprises fourteen percent of the annual budget.
- Rollins reviewed how the administration is implementing measures to improve operational efficiencies and address workforce challenges, along with efforts to efficiently to avoid program duplication and reduce taxpayer waste. She referenced her memorandum to ensure that Farm Service Agency (FSA) and National Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) offices are adequately staffed.
- The discussion raised how it is critical the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is to ensuring producers maintain access and competitiveness regarding crop protection tools and technology, with Rollins stating how U.S. industries and economy thrive with innovation. She highlighted recent funding providing the opportunity to research preventative measures and areas for growth, with projects resulting in outcomes that benefit both producers and consumers.
- Committee and Subcommittee Ranking Members warned that the President’s trade policy could jeopardize U.S. market access abroad, potentially harming export opportunities for American producers. Senator Representative DeLauro (D-CT) warned that the administration’s stance puts farmers on the front lines, arguing that bailouts will be needed to shield farmers from the consequences of the administration’s agenda.