House Republicans continue struggling to reach agreement on their sweeping budget bill, but the measure is at least out of committee and headed to the House floor.
After a weekend of negotiations, the Budget Committee advanced the legislation in a rare Sunday night session when four hardline conservatives voted “present” rather than “no.” That allows the Big, Beautiful Bill Act to move to the House floor while the GOP leadership tries to nail down the necessary votes.
Frustrated Democrats demanded to know how the bill had been changed before the committee vote. Budget Chair Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, said it hadn’t been modified as of Sunday night.
For more on the bill and the rest of the D.C. agenda this week, read our Washington Week Ahead.
USDA office closures moving forward
Leases for some state offices housing USDA Rural Development functions are being terminated. That’s according to what a USDA official has told the resident commissioner for Puerto Rico.
In a May 16 letter to Pablo José Hernández Rivera, Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development Todd Lindsey said RD told the General Services Administration that 43 of 47 locations were “mission critical.” But USDA “has not received a response to its request to keep these locations open, and local GSA representatives have indicated at least some of these closures are moving forward,” Lindsey said.
“USDA will work with GSA to ensure any office that remains on the closure list meets all statutory requirements and proper notice is provided in advance to Congress,” Lindsey said.
Former state director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa says, “The Stevens Point office rental contract is ending early for the Rural Development state office. There is a sign in front of the building that says for sale or rent by the landlord. Missouri state office the same.”
Another source tells Agri-Pulse the Pennsylvania state office in Harrisburg is being closed.
USDA spokespeople who were asked last week about the closures said they could not “comment on matters relating to litigation.” Lindsey’s letter includes a list of state offices that GSA targeted for closure and USDA’s recommendations.
Rollins in Nebraska today
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is in Nebraska today with Gov. Jim Pillen and Rep. Adrian Smith. A department news release say Rollins “will roll out a policy plan to improve the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come.”
Rollins, the governor and Smith, who chairs the trade subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, will visit Wholestone Farms’ hog processing facility in Fremont before going to Ohnoutka Family Farm in Valparaiso.
Brazilian bird flu case could yield opportunities for U.S. poultry
Brazil has confirmed its first bird flu case, triggering import bans on Brazilian poultry products in China and the European Union, among others. The U.S. poultry sector could step in to fill supply gaps, industry says.
Brazil is the world’s largest poultry supplier, accounting for around 35% of global chicken meat trade. Around 14% of its 2024 exports went to China. But with the Chinese market forced to pivot to alternate suppliers, U.S. exporters are eyeing potential opportunities.
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“We feel for Brazil,” Greg Tyler, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, told Agri-Pulse. But he added that he is hoping the U.S. could soon enjoy an export boost.
“China will definitely have to get other supplies,” Tyler said. “With the ongoing trade negotiations with the Chinese, we feel that this is a perfect time to get things back on track with China.”
But, but, but: China still restricts imports from certain U.S. states that are bird flu-free, despite agreeing to lift restrictions under the Phase One deal for states clear of the virus.
U.S. industry welcomes more engagement on trade policy
Ag industry representatives are welcoming new weekly briefings from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on the status of ongoing trade negotiations.
“Having this weekly opportunity to ask questions to USTR is a big change,” an industry source told Agri-Pulse. Another industry representative said that the conversations with the administration’s cleared advisers are both more frequent and more “robust” than they had been under President Joe Biden.
The advisers were not privy to the exact details of the United Kingdom deal before it was public. Sources say the briefings focus on the bigger picture of trade talks, rather than specific provisions. But multiple attendees are hoping the regular briefing schedule is the advent of a return to closer trade policy cooperation between the administration and industry.
Read more about the weekly meetings on Agri-Pulse.com.
USDA ending seven advisory committees
USDA is disbanding seven advisory committees under an executive order by President Donald Trump to reduce the federal bureaucracy.
According to a Federal Register notice, the committees include the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, the Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton Standards, the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.
Also being axed are the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee and the Northwest Forest Plan Area Advisory Committee.
Termination of the committees came after the secretary determined they “were no longer necessary,” according to the notice.
But, but, but: Terminations of eight other advisory committees have been paused until further notice.
CNH inks deal with Starlink to provide satellite connectivity to farmers
CNH Industrial has signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite connectivity to farmers. The company’s brands include Case IH, New Holland and STEYR.
“Starlink's advanced satellite network offers reliable, low-latency internet,” CNH said, pointing in particular to benefits for producers using precision application.
Final word
“Food is not a luxury, it is fundamental to life.” – Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, during a House Budget committee debate on the budget reconciliation bill.
Lydia Johnson, Oliver Ward and Noah Wicks contributed to today’s Daybreak.
For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.
