May 12, 2026
Contents
- What We’re Watching
- Notable News
- This Week’s Legislation
- Upcoming Hearings
- Contact the Team
What We’re Watching
Congress
Farm Bill
Congress recessed last week and has returned in session this week. Since the passage of the House Farm Bill, the Senate is looking to draft their own legislation in the coming weeks. Negotiations are expected around E15, the SNAP cost-share with states, and farmer economic assistance funding.
Fertilizer Hearing
On Tuesday May 12, the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on the fertilizer supply chain. Witnesses include Andy Green, a principal at pro-competition firm Center Market Strategies; Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute; Trent Kubik, President of the South Dakota Corn Growers; Eddie Melton, President of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation; and Joshua Westling, CEO of J. Westling & Co.
USDA Reorganization Roundtable
On Wednesday, May 13, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden will hold a closed-door roundtable with the House Agriculture Committee to discuss the impact of the USDA reorganization plan. So far, USDA has announced reorganization plans for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, and the US Forest Service (USFS).
Congressional Delegation Travels to China
Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) traveled to Beijing to have meetings about cooperation to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, and supply chain security. The Senators discussed the importance of reciprocal trade and opening up China’s markets to sustained agriculture trade across beef, wheat, pulse crops, potatoes, apples, cherries, soybeans, grain sorghum, seafood, and other industries. The Senators met with Premier of China Li Qiang, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji, and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commision and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Administration
Administrative Plan to Lower Beef Prices
Reports indicated that the Trump administration was set to sign Executive Orders (EO) this week to lower the price of consumer beef prices. Expected were directives on increasing lending rates and reduction of environmental protections for predator species, and most notably a directive to temporarily suspend tariff-rate quotas on beef, which would lower the tariff rate on beef entering the US. This plan was met with opposition from cattle groups and some ag-state Members of Congress, which has caused a delay in the announcement from the administration.
USDA Announces Implementation of Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the publication of a final rule for implementation of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, restoring whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk options in federal Child Nutrition Programs for children and adults ages 2 and older. The rule will ensure schools and child nutrition programs can offer a wider range of dairy products, which aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030.
USDA Announces Final Rule on SNAP Stocking Standards
USDA has published the final rule for stocking standards for SNAP with an effective date in early November. In the final rule, they acknowledge that this is likely to make some currently authorized stores ineligible for continued participation in the program; however, they note that one of the goals of stocking standards is to further the purpose of the program to raise levels of nutrition among low-income households. They also noted that convenience stores represent a significant integrity risk. The new stocking requirements include seven distinct varieties of staple food items in each of the four staple food categories, three stocking units of each qualifying staple food variety, and one variety of perishable foods in three different staple food categories.
Notable News
- Opinion: The case for the UP-NS merger runs through America’s Heartland – AgriPulse
- MAHA Is Mad at Republicans. Some Democrats Want to Capitalize. – NOTUS
- What was lost at the FDA – STAT
- Higher Gas Prices are Seeping Into the Produce Aisle – Wall Street Journal
- Trump plan to relocate food stamp agency draws ire from its workers – Washington Post
- Trump gives EU ultimatum deadline to approve trade deal with US – BBC
- Bird flu vaccine research aims to protect both cattle and farm workers – Wisconsin State Farmer
- Report: ‘Ultra-Processed’ Classification Does Not Reliably Indicate Nutritional Value – Food Safety Magazine
This Week’s Legislation
- Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced S. 4483 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to streamline applications for farmers to be vendors under certain nutrition programs.
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced H.R. 8723 to amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit gambling on animal fighting ventures.
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced H.R.8722 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a memoranda of understanding with CFIUS with respect to reports under AFIDA and to update the AFIDA handbook.
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the Feed Our Kids Act to provide free breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snacks to every student in K-12 public schools across America.
Upcoming Hearings
Tuesday, May 12
- 3:00 PM ET: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee is holding a Hearing to examine Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers.
Wednesday, May 13
- 10:30 AM ET: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will be holding a Hearing to examine the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Environmental Protection Agency.
- 9:30 AM ET: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is holding a Hearing to examine the President’s Budget Request for the United States Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2027.
- 10:00 AM ET: House Natural Resources Committee is holding a Hearing titled “Examining the President’s FY 2027 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior.”
- 10:30 AM ET: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will be holding a Hearing to examine the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the United States Food and Drug Administration.
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.