Budget Hearing - U.S. Department of Agriculture

House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

2025-05-07

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Summary

This hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed the budget and programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under Secretary Brooke Rollins, focusing on the first hundred days of the Trump administration[ 00:08:49-00:09:21 ] [ 00:32:32 ]

. Secretary Rollins outlined the administration's priorities, including food safety, eliminating wasteful spending, empowering states, and putting farmers first[ 00:33:14-00:33:18 ] . Members of the committee raised questions and concerns regarding budget cuts, delayed disaster relief, trade policies, and support for various agricultural programs and farmers[ 00:09:48-00:10:52 ] [ 00:23:36-00:23:48 ] .

Themes

Budget Cuts and Frozen Funds

The administration's FY26 budget request indicates significant reductions and eliminations for several USDA programs[ 00:12:55-00:13:04 ]

. Democratic members expressed strong concerns about the legality and impact of unlawfully freezing and impounding congressionally appropriated funds for agencies and programs that assist American farmers[ 00:23:36-00:23:48 ] . Programs cited as frozen, canceled, or cut include the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, local food purchase programs, EQIP, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, ReConnect Broadband, and various food assistance initiatives. Secretary Rollins clarified that the discretionary part of the USDA's $215 billion annual budget, totaling $30 billion, is subject to proposed cuts of about 21%, aimed at rooting out wasteful spending and restoring federalism[ 00:33:28-00:33:52 ] [ 00:33:18 ] . She stated that out of $20 billion in frozen funds, all but $5 billion have been unfrozen and are being realigned with administration priorities, which include less focus on climate and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A specific grant for research on natural fibers for feminine hygiene products was brought up, which had been mistakenly characterized by the administration as a study on "menstrual cycles of transgender mice" and subsequently canceled.

Disaster Relief and Farmer Support

Committee members commended the swift implementation of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), noting that payments are already being made to farmers and ranchers[ 00:09:53-00:09:58 ]

[ 01:18:15 ] . However, there was significant concern regarding the slow rollout of the remaining $21 billion in disaster funds allocated for natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, affecting regions from California to Florida[ 00:10:37-00:10:52 ] . Secretary Rollins announced that these disaster funds, including block grants that require state agreements, are expected to begin moving out to farmers by the end of the month[ 00:52:27-00:52:35 ] . Specific issues included support for livestock producers and the re-establishment of a quality loss adjustment program to cover crop losses[ 00:45:59-00:46:17 ] . The Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant, tailored for small and medium-sized farmers in New England, was also discussed, with calls for its prompt implementation.

Trade Policy and Tariffs

A major point of discussion was the agricultural trade deficit, which Secretary Rollins stated reached over $50 billion under the Biden administration, compared to a $0 deficit during the previous Trump administration[ 00:34:41-00:34:45 ]

[ 01:20:07 ] . While some members raised concerns about the negative impact of new tariffs on farmers, particularly in specialty crops, due to trade uncertainty[ 01:12:36-01:12:41 ] , the Secretary expressed confidence that upcoming trade agreement announcements would be highly beneficial for American farmers. She mentioned her upcoming international travels to promote American agricultural products and realign trade commitments. Historically, tariffs were noted to have cost taxpayers billions in bailouts and caused American farmers to lose significant markets for products like cotton and pecans[ 01:03:25 ] .

SNAP and Nutrition Programs

The subcommittee discussed reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with a focus on promoting nutritious foods and potentially restricting purchases of sugary drinks[ 00:12:22-00:12:37 ]

. Secretary Rollins highlighted that sugary drinks constitute a significant portion of SNAP purchases, and the administration is working with states to implement waivers to address this[ 00:37:03-00:37:07 ] [ 00:37:16-00:37:23 ] . A "Buy American" requirement for SNAP was also suggested to support domestic farmers. Concerns were raised about the funding for the cash value voucher for fruits and vegetables in the WIC program and its potential reduction. The Secretary also discussed the "Maha movement" at USDA, supporting healthy food initiatives, and indicated efforts to prioritize nutrient-dense, locally-sourced foods in potential "Maha boxes"[ 01:07:21-01:07:26 ] .

Staffing and Administrative Efficiency

Concerns were voiced about staffing cuts at USDA, particularly in FSA county offices, which some members reported as understaffed or even closed[ 00:41:21-00:41:27 ]

. Secretary Rollins clarified that the reduction in staff was primarily due to "deferred resignations" rather than firings and stated that no deferred resignations were accepted from critical FSA or APHIS offices. She explained that USDA staffing levels had increased significantly from 97,000 to 113,000 employees between the two Trump administrations, with many positions created using Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding. The Secretary emphasized the administration's commitment to streamlining regulations, cutting red tape, and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse across USDA programs.

Avian Influenza and Research

USDA's response to the avian influenza outbreak, which began in 2022 and affected poultry and dairy cattle, was a point of discussion[ 00:11:00-00:11:17 ]

. Secretary Rollins highlighted a five-point plan to address the issue, which she credited with a 56% decrease in wholesale egg prices[ 00:34:28-00:34:33 ] . There were concerns about past USDA collaborations with Chinese labs, specifically the Wuhan Institute of Virology, on gain-of-function research related to bird flu viruses. Secretary Rollins committed to discontinuing funding for any such projects that may still be ongoing.

Land Use and Ownership

Members raised significant concerns about the placement of solar panels on prime farmland and the increasing foreign ownership of agricultural land, particularly by China[ 00:09:48-00:09:52 ]

. Secretary Rollins described foreign ownership of farmland as a critical national security issue and stated that the administration is developing federal and state-level solutions to address it.

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely contentious and partisan, marked by sharp exchanges, particularly between Democratic members and Secretary Rollins[ 01:34:53-01:34:53 ]

. While Republican members generally expressed support for the Secretary's efforts to curb spending and streamline operations[ 01:38:31-01:38:33 ] , Democratic members voiced frustration over budget freezes and program cancellations, often challenging the legality and reasoning behind these actions[ 00:23:36-00:23:48 ] . An underlying sense of urgency and concern for the financial struggles of farmers and the implications of policy changes was palpable across the aisle[ 01:12:36-01:12:41 ] . Despite the disagreements, there was an overarching attempt to maintain a respectful, albeit direct, dialogue[ 01:13:38-01:13:45 ] [ 01:35:44-01:35:44 ] .