December 2, 2025

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Congress returns this week from their Thanksgiving recess to wrap up end of year priorities, with only 13 days of session remaining in the House and 12 days of session remaining in the Senate. A major focus will be on reaching a deal around the American Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which was a main point of contention during the recent government shutdown. Congress also has to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the end of the year and come to an agreement on FY2026 funding for the remaining nine appropriations bills before January 30, 2026. While the final bills likely won’t be approved until next year, watch for Congress to try to make progress on moving another mini-bus funding package before the holiday recess.  

The House and Senate have also released their respective 2026 session calendars. You can find the House calendar here, and the Senate calendar here.

Administration

Trump Administration Considers Changes to Broad Based Categorical Eligibility for SNAP

The Trump administration is considering a proposal on SNAP that would affect broad-based categorical eligibility, also termed the “benefits cliff.” While the details of the proposal have not been made public, the Heritage Foundation included a similar proposal in their Project 2025 report, which has been used by the White House as a guideline for some policy and regulatory activity. The section within the Project 2025 document criticizes the definition of a “benefit,” and links it to driving up fraud among SNAP participants and to allowing those who should not qualify to enroll. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that eliminating broad-based categorical eligibility could cut SNAP for 6 million people and affect automatic enrollment in free school meals.  

USDA Announces Purchase of Specialty Crops

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced $30 million of specialty crop purchases under Section 32, which will be used to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service will be purchasing $15 million of fresh oranges, $10 million of grapefruits, and $5 million of mandarin oranges.  

President Trump and President Xi Work Toward Soybean Deal

President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on purchases of soybeans, resulting in China purchasing 10 cargoes of American soybeans and around $300 million in contracts as of last week. The cargoes will be scheduled for a January shipment. This agreement follows criticism of the Trump administration from farmers, who have seen soybean purchases decline due to increasing tariff rates on China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Chinese purchases of soybeans will reach 87.5 million tons of US products over the next three and a half years. 

USDA Unveils Screwworm Website 

USDA has launched a new Unified New World Screwworm (NWS) website, which will centralize information on NWS and reflect federal containment efforts, which have been outlined in Secretary Rollins’ five-point plan. The site will also provide resources for stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public, and will provide the latest USDA-verified information among US and Mexico officials. The website can be found here. 

Notable News

• The Various Sides of “Healthy Food” State Laws – The Acheson Group 
• How Food Assistance Programs can Feed Families and Nourish their Dignity – The Conversation 
• New WOTUS Rule Could Bring Clarity for Rural Landowners — If It Sticks – RFD TV 
• EPA to provide $3 billion to US states to reduce lead in drinking water – Reuters 
• The U.S. produces a lot of food waste. This place wants to address it – NPR 

This Week’s Legislation

• Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the McStopping Chains from Using SNAP EBT to Make Entrees (McSCUSE ME) Act,which would make changes to the Restaurant Meals Program within SNAP.
• Representatives Joe Morelle (D-NY) and Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced the Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act to increase funding for the USDA’s Hunger Clearinghouse Hotline.
• Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced a bill, HR 6294, to require health warning labeling of foods, and to impose restrictions on advertisements directed at children.
• Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Supporting American Wood and Mill Infrastructure with Loans for Longevity (SAWMILL) Act to permanently reauthorize the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP).
• Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD) introduced the Food Bank Emergency Support Act to double TEFAP’s funding to fill the emergency gap when SNAP lapses in funding.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, December 2 

• 3:00 PM: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining will hold a Hearing on Pending Legislation. 

Wednesday, December 3 

• 9:00 AM: The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax will hold a Hearing on Promoting Global Competitiveness for American Workers and Businesses. 
• 10:00 AM: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a Hearing titled “Sea Lion Predation in the Pacific Northwest.” 
• 2:00 PM: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a Hearing on “Unleashing American Energy Dominance and Exploring New Frontiers.” 
• 10:15 AM: The House Budget Committee will hold their Member Day Hearing. 

You can find the full list of hearings for the week here.  

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.