September 3, 2025

Contents

• What We’re Watching
• Notable News
• This Week’s Legislation
• Upcoming Hearings
• Contact the Team

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Congress has returned from the month-long recess, and will face a lengthy agenda for September. The main priority will be passing an appropriations package, or an extension, to avoid a shutdown on September 30. Additionally, the House Agriculture Committee is set to introduce a skinny farm bill, which could be marked up at the end of the month or beginning of October. There does not appear to be any agreements on either package, even though negotiators have limited time and a long agenda.

Additionally, House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) has been looking to draft and mark up a “skinny” farm bill package to address farm bill provisions that were not covered in the reconciliation package that passed earlier this summer. However, it is unclear whether a bill can be passed with bipartisan support due to Democrats’ criticism of the reconciliation package, as well as other must-pass legislation that will likely take priority.  

Ethanol for America Act Introduced to Simplify E15 Regulations 

A bipartisan bill titled the Ethanol for America Act has been introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE-3) in the House and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) in the Senate, aiming to simplify regulations for fuel retailers that offer E15, a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol. The legislation aims to ease labeling and infrastructure requirements, allowing broader use of existing equipment and reducing costs for consumers. Supported by Growth Energy, the bill would require the EPA to finalize pending rules from 2021, potentially boosting domestic biofuel production and expanding markets for U.S. farmers. Read more here.  

Administration

USDA Extends Comment Period on Reorganization

USDA opened a comment period on July 24 requesting information on the agency reorganization plan. Originally, comments were due at the end of August, but the deadline was extended through September 30. The proposed plan would relocate departments under USDA to regional hubs in Raleigh, NC; Kansas City, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Collins, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT as well as consolidating operations in Washington, DC. 

Department of Justice Requests Information on State Legislation

The Department of Justice opened a Request for Information asking the public to comment on state laws that “significantly and adversely affect the national economy or interstate commerce” as well as suggested solutions. Comments are also encouraged to include whether there is federal legislative or regulatory means for pre-emption and which federal agency has the expertise to address concerns. Comments are due by September 15. 

White House Trade Negotiations Continue

The White House and European Commission took a major step forward by officially posting their  Joint Statement on a United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. In the Agreement, the EU outlined commitments to eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and provide preferential treatment to certain U.S. food and agricultural goods. The U.S. committed to maintaining new most favored nation tariff rate of 15% on goods from the EU, unless the previous  most favored nation rate was above 15%. Though, the U.S. will maintain current Sec. 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum and their derivatives. Last week the European Commission engaged in the next significant step around the Agreement by putting forth their tariff reduction proposal to Parliament and Council for approval.   

As of Monday September 1, the Canadian government will no longer maintain current retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports if the product meets the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin. Though, Canada will retain tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos. The announcement puts Canada in line with current U.S. tariff policy. According to the announcement, Canada will also start a new round of stakeholder consultations in September in preparation for the USMCA Review Process. 

EPA Revises Diesel Exhaust Rules

The EPA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have issued updated guidance on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) regulations, extending the time before diesel engine performance is limited due to sensor faults. The changes affect Selective Catalytic Reduction systems used in modern diesel engines, enabling heavy-duty trucks and farm equipment to operate with greater operational flexibility. The policy is expected to save farmers and truckers an estimated $727 million annually in reduced downtime and repair costs, while maintaining emissions standards. Click here to read an op-ed by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.  

Department of Labor Rolls Back H-2A Wage Rule 

Last week, a judge in Louisiana vacated a Biden-era regulation that determined the Adverse Effect Wage Rate under the H-2A program using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey instead of the USDA Farm Labor Survey. This ruling comes following increased frustration among farmers that rely on guestworker programs but cannot keep up with the costs of utilizing the H-2A program. 

USDA Implements Crop Insurance Enhancements under OBBBA 

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced the implementation of Federal Crop Insurance Program provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key updates include:  

• Expanded support for beginning farmers and ranchers, with premium subsidies starting at 15 percentage points in the first two years and tapering to 10 points through year ten. 
• Increased accessibility and affordability for Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and other area-based programs like SCO, ECO, MCO, HIP-WI, and FIP-SI. 
• Improved affordability across unit structures, especially for enterprise and whole farm units.  

These changes will be effective immediately for all crops with sales closing dates on or after July 1, 2025. The only exception is the increased SCO subsidy, which will be available for the 2027 crop year. However, the premium subsidy for ECO has been increased by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board to match the subsidy for SCO, which will allow farmers similar coverage to cost. RMA is encouraging producers to consult their crop insurance agents for details. Click here for more information. 

USDA Releases WASDE Report 

USDA released the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The report is prepared monthly by the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) and provides market-moving annual forecasts for supply and use of U.S. and world wheat, rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton. Pages 1-5 of the report give brief summaries of major commodity crops. View the full report here.  

Notable News

• Robert Bonnie: We Can Do Something About Stressed-Out Forests – New York Times 
• 1.2 million immigrants are gone from the US labor force under Trump, preliminary data shows – Associated Press 
• America’s Food Reckoning – Axios 
• A historic change in how Americans buy groceries is underway as SNAP benefit cuts begin – CNBC 
• US still working on trade deals despite court ruling, USTR says – Reuters    

This Week’s Legislation

Check back next week for more updates. 

Upcoming Hearings

Wednesday, September 3 

• 10:15 AM ET: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a Hearing on “Examining Opportunities to Advance American Health Care through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies.” 
• 2:00 PM ET: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a Hearing on H.R. 2073 (Rep. Newhouse), “Defending our Dams Act” 

Thursday, September 4 

• 10:00 AM ET: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a Hearing on the President’s 2026 Health Care Agenda 

Contact the Team

Feel free to contact Michael Torrey, Tara Smith, Cassandra Kuball, Barbara Patterson, Katie Naessens, Julie McClure, Nona McCoy, Danielle Nelson, Ashley Smith, Olivia Lucanie, Caroline Sowinski, Eden Lambert, Tracy Boyle, or Grace Walker with any questions or comments.

Food and agricultural organizations that need the right results in Washington, D.C. can trust Torrey Advisory Group to put its relationships, reputation, and expertise to work on your issue. Since 2005, the firm has successfully provided legislative and regulatory guidance, issues management, and association management services to a wide variety of clients. Learn more about us at torreydc.com.