WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The Senate has approved a continuing resolution to reopen the federal government and fund several key departments — including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — through next September. However, the plan still requires House passage and President Donald Trump’s signature to take effect.
The measure would end the shutdown once enacted, restoring full USDA operations from farm-program offices to market reporting, inspections, and nutrition programs after weeks of scaled-down service. It also guarantees back pay for federal employees and stabilizes agency budgets that producers depend on year-round.
For agriculture, the bill’s structure matters: it provides full fiscal-year funding for USDA rather than a short rolling extension, giving FSA, NRCS, AMS, and RMA clearer financial direction through harvest and into 2026. Loan servicing, disaster assistance, market reports, and grading and inspection programs would resume immediately after enactment. Nutrition programs like WIC and SNAP — which have been operating under court-directed contingency funding — would also regain secure appropriations.
Markets are watching for House action, where timing and amendments could still affect final passage. If the House clears the bill and the President signs it, USDA will return to normal operations and begin working through backlogs in payments, data releases, and delayed sign-ups. Until then, agencies remain in limited-service mode as producers wait for the final steps.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The Senate has cleared a path to reopen USDA, but full restoration of services depends on House approval and the President’s signature.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
·
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
·
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
January 20, 2026 12:25 PM
·
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
January 20, 2026 11:48 AM
·
In a landmark ruling delivered in late 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act.
January 19, 2026 11:25 AM
·
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
·
CoBank Knowledge Exchange’s Jeff Johnston shares the group’s positive perspective on expanding data centers into rural areas and weighs the risks and rewards for those communities.
January 16, 2026 01:44 PM
·
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
January 16, 2026 01:28 PM
·
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
January 16, 2026 01:26 PM
·
