Key Takeaways
- The House budget proposal for the USDA reduces discretionary spending by $675 million compared to the current budget.
- Funding for key programs like food assistance and conservation operations will see cuts, though some programs will remain at or close to current levels.
- The bill maintains “Buy American” provisions and includes measures against discrimination based on traditional marriage beliefs.
Budget Overview for USDA
The House’s proposed budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reduces discretionary spending by $675 million, marking a 3% decrease from the current budget. The total discretionary budget would remain at $22.5 billion, which is still higher than the administration’s proposed budget of $20.7 billion—a 19% reduction from current levels.
The House Appropriations Committee asserts that the bill prioritizes the safety of the nation’s food and drug supply, support for farmers and ranchers, and access to nutrition programs for low-income Americans. The focus is on maintaining fiscal responsibility while putting the interests of American producers and consumers first.
The bill proposes a reduction in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) salaries and expenses account to $1.1 billion, down $19.1 million from FY2026. This comes after an $84 million cut last year, resulting in a total proposed reduction of $103 million over two years. Notably, the bill allocates $15 million for filling farm loan officer positions in county offices and prohibits county office closures or relocations without congressional approval.
For the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the budget earmarks $800 million for conservation operations, which is a $50 million reduction from FY2026 but an improvement over the $739 million cut sought by the administration. This indicates a continuing trend of decreasing funding for conservation initiatives.
The bill also proposes a significant cut to the Food for Peace program, reducing its budget to $900 million from $2 billion in FY2025. Meanwhile, the McGovern-Dole program for international food assistance will maintain its funding at $240 million. The USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs would see a budget reduction to $614,000.
Other notable budget allocations include $1.8 billion for the Agricultural Research Service—a 7% decrease, though not as severe as the administration’s request. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service budget remains mostly unchanged at $1.16 billion, while the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will receive about $1.046 billion, which aligns closely with the administration’s proposal.
Rural Development funding is set to decrease from $312 million to $270 million, in sync with administrative requests. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service budget will also shrink from $82 million to $63.6 million with the administration aiming for elimination of this funding.
The Office of the Chief Economist and the Office of the Secretary will experience minimal budget changes, with $29.5 million and $55.2 million allocated, respectively.
In addition to budgetary provisions, the bill includes measures to maintain the Agriculture Secretary’s role within a national committee that examines foreign investments in agricultural land, particularly those involving countries identified as risks, such as China and Russia.
The FDA’s budget is retained at $7.1 billion, and the bill emphasizes the retention of “Buy American” provisions aimed at maximizing domestic purchasing. Notably, it prohibits funding discrimination based on traditional marriage beliefs.
Overall, while the proposed budget reflects some cuts, it simultaneously aims to protect essential services and support for agricultural communities across the nation.
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