WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — A partial government shutdown is currently in effect in Washington, though several key agencies tied to agriculture remain unaffected—for now.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, continues to operate under funding plans finalized last year and signed into law following the previous shutdown.
Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate passed a spending package that would fund the government through September. However, the House was not in session to take up the measure. Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill Monday morning, and House Speaker Mike Johnson told Meet the Press he is confident the partial shutdown will be resolved by Tuesday.
Farm Bill 2.0 in Focus for February
Meanwhile, attention is turning to the Farm Bill, where lawmakers are eyeing a late February markup.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson is pushing what is being called a “Farm Bill 2.0,” aimed at addressing priorities left out of the broader legislative package passed last year. A proposed “skinny Farm Bill” could advance items such as E15 expansion, additional farmer assistance, and rural development initiatives.
Committee members caution that cost estimates and the recent passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa could slow progress. Still, House Republicans say they are hopeful a floor vote could take place before the Easter recess.
On the Senate side, the Agriculture Committee may soon see a shift in leadership, depending on the outcome of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s run for Minnesota governor. If Klobuchar is elected, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey could step in as the committee’s top Democrat.
Booker would bring a different perspective to the role as a vegan and supporter of conservation-focused programs. Republican members say they have worked with Booker in the past and expect him to continue engaging on agricultural issues despite philosophical differences.
As budget negotiations and Farm Bill discussions unfold, lawmakers say the coming weeks will be critical for setting the direction of agricultural policy in 2026 and beyond.
