Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins laid out her plan to reorganize USDA last week, but many say they were caught off guard by the announcement. Now, lawmakers want answers.
Happening at 11:00 AM Eastern, the Senate Ag Committee will get to question Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden, the sole witness for the hearing. Senators John Boozman and Amy Klobuchar both said the consolidation plan came as a surprise. In a statement shortly after Rollins’ announcement, Senator Boozman said the best way to serve the U.S. ag community is by working together.
Secretary Rollins plans to close several USDA buildings in Washington, D.C., including one with more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance. Employees at those facilities would be split among five regional hubs across the United States.
Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar was one of the first to call for a congressional hearing, warning the reorganization would set U.S. agriculture back.
House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
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RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
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The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
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