Articles by Philip Brasher

House Republicans will seek to push through critical portions of their massive budget package this week, including elements of the farm bill, cuts to nutrition assistance and expanded tax benefits. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins heads to the United Kingdom to talk trade, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces questioning on Capitol Hill.

Next week is shaping up to be a big one for ag policy. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says she’ll release her plan next week for reorganizing and downsizing her department. But she told members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting on Tuesday the downsizing won’t be as “drastic” as some observers fear.

Farmer sentiment improved in April despite the continued uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff plans and the stiff duties imposed on imports from China, according to the monthly Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

FDA is expanding the use of unannounced inspections at foreign facilities that produce foods and medicines, building on a pilot program already used in India and China.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday the department will unveil its reorganization plan next week and it won’t be as “drastic” as many have feared. Speaking to members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Rollins confirmed that about 15,000 USDA employees had taken buyouts. 

The Senate Agriculture Committee voted along party lines Monday evening to send two USDA nominations to the Senate floor: Stephen Vaden to be deputy ag secretary and Tyler Clarkson to be USDA’s general counsel.

Colorado River dollars take hit in funding freeze * SNAP backers try to stem cuts * Trump to meet with Canada’s PM

WGA sues ALRB over card check * House Ag delays action on spending * Trade enforcement funds up in budget proposal

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins faces back-to-back hearings this week, while House Republican leaders continued to struggle to agree on tax policy and deep cuts to SNAP and Medicaid that could be key to their budget reconciliation efforts.

President Donald Trump is proposing to slash non-defense spending by nearly 23% in a fiscal 2026 budget that contains $5 billion in cuts to USDA programs, including agricultural research, international food aid, conservation technical assistance to farmers, and rural development. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative is a clear winner in the White House plan.