Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office ruled Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack could use the Commodity Credit Corporation to fund climate programs, but some lawmakers wanted to limit his authority on using it.
The 2024 Ag Spending Bill held a provision to roll back Secretary Vilsack’s CCC spending authority. That move failed on the House floor, and the Senate bill did not even include it. However, Senator John Hoeven with the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee says feelings around CCC spending largely depend on who is in office.
Spending restrictions were put in place after the 2010 Congressional campaign, but were lifted in 2018 to compensate farmers for the trade war with China and the pandemic.
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While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.
Federal lawyers submitted a brief this week backing Bayer’s argument that federal laws governing herbicides like Roundup should prevent lawsuits over the popular chemical.
Despite the need for swift action, many ag lawmakers and industry groups argue that farm aid alone will likely not be sufficient to help farmers without improved trade relations with China.
SDRP Stage 2 now helps producers recover shallow, uninsured losses from major 2023–2024 disasters, with streamlined sign-ups open through April 30.
