The pace of change under the current administration can be challenging for those in the agriculture community to track. The latest emerging issues involve sweeping tariffs this week, a new USDA program to release billions in agricultural relief and ongoing budget reconciliation efforts.

As tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China are being rolled out, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins promised she would protect farmers from the economic repercussions. She cited previous efforts by USDA chief Sonny Perdue in Trump’s first administration. Rollins said she is committed to traveling the world and expanding market access for all U.S. crops and producers. Rollins also said she would protect farmers’ interests as Making America Health Again (MAHA) policy discussions create concerns about potential pesticide and GMO bans.

The USDA will launch the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, which will release the $31 billion in economic and disaster aid allocated by Congress. Rollings emphasized they are on track to release $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers in the coming weeks. The program focuses on streamlining applications for producers to receive disaster relief dollars.

The House of Representatives and Senate each passed their budget resolutions, beginning the reconciliation process. The challenge is to determine how much can be cut from agricultural spending. The House plan would require the Agricultural Committee to identify $230 billion in savings. This would likely come from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Senate plan outlines a $1 billion floor in cuts from the Agriculture Committee. Republicans in the Senate will not have enough support to cut SNAP anywhere close to the House number.

The administration is contemplating how revenue from tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China can be counted to achieve a deficit-neutral bill.

Finally, the House Ag Committee membership has been finalized by filling two open Democrat positions. Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine and Salud Carbajal from California will fill the open slots.

Read more about the latest moves in Washington affecting agricultural producers here.