Key Takeaways
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will testify before Congress regarding significant budget cuts proposed by President Trump.
- House Republican leaders are struggling to achieve a $230 billion reduction in spending, impacting SNAP and other programs.
- National Farmers Union members are advocating for a strong farm bill to address challenges facing farmers, including rising costs and volatile markets.
Agriculture Secretary Faces Budget Scrutiny
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is set to appear before Congress for hearings this week, amid ongoing debates among House Republican leaders over budget cuts to key programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid. This follows the recent release of President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget, which proposes an 18% reduction in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Rollins is expected to face tough questions regarding the proposed spending cuts, which would affect agricultural research, rural development, food aid, and technical assistance for conservation. The USDA has not yet disclosed results from two rounds of employee buyouts but plans to present a reorganization plan later this month. This plan may involve relocating certain USDA functions to different agencies, as well as further staff layoffs.
The House Agriculture Committee had plans to advance its section of the budget reconciliation bill that aligns with Trump’s policy priorities. However, lawmakers are struggling to finalize the necessary $230 billion reduction in spending over the next decade. Significant cuts to SNAP are seen as essential to accommodate new tax policies and support funding for farm bill programs, particularly regarding higher reference prices in the Price Loss Coverage program.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania is facing pressure to reconcile the $230 billion target with funding needs for farm bill programs without heavily cutting SNAP benefits or transferring a larger portion of funding costs to states. Some Republican members, including Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin, have expressed concerns about shifting costs to state budgets, highlighting that states are not in a position to absorb such substantial financial burdens.
Rep. Don Bacon from Nebraska also opposes expected state cost-sharing, suggesting the $230 billion target might need revision to prevent cuts that harm those in need. Similarly, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, along with House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington, emphasized the urgency of addressing federal spending to prevent potential economic crises, defending cuts to Medicaid due to its importance for rural health providers.
In response to these budget discussions, over 100 members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) will converge on Capitol Hill to voice their concerns over the rural economy. The group is scheduled to engage in meetings emphasizing challenges they face, such as trade tensions, rising input costs, and uncertainty about the renewal of the farm bill. NFU President Rob Larew has stated that family farmers are increasingly anxious about their financial stability without a solid, long-term farm bill to mitigate risks.
The NFU has outlined five critical priorities for the anticipated farm bill, focusing on enhancing the farm safety net, expanding voluntary conservation programs, ensuring fairness in the marketplace, and creating effective risk management strategies.
This week also features various relevant events in Washington. On May 5, the National Association of Farm Broadcasters will host a conference, and the Food Research Action Center will conduct the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. Rollins’ testimonies in front of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees will occur on May 6 and 7, respectively, where she will discuss the USDA’s budget requests and pertinent agricultural issues.
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