June 23, 2026

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Farm Bill

Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans have indicated that the Senate farm bill discussion draft will be released Tuesday, June 23 and are hoping to mark up the bill prior to the August recess. Notably, the Committee has shared that controversial provisions were left out of the draft, and the bill is currently budget neutral. However, with an amendment process, we could see provisions such as year-round E15, clarification to state authorities regarding Prop 12, pesticide labeling language, farmer economic assistance, and a delay to the SNAP cost-share (which is the Democrat’s requirement for participation in the process), on the table for inclusion.

Appropriations

The Senate Appropriations Committee postponed the markups of the FY2027 Agriculture-FDA, Mil-Con VA, CJS, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills that had been scheduled for June 25. As a reminder, the Committee had previously planned to mark up a three-bill package on June 4, but that markup was postponed due to disagreements over funding and amendments. The latest delay appears to be largely attributed to the absence of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) whose presence Republicans will need in order to report the bills out of committee.

Senators Urge CMS to Adjust Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation

Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), joined by a bipartisan group of colleagues, are urging CMS to revise implementation of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, warning that current guidance may disadvantage smaller rural hospitals and clinics. In a letter to CMS, the senators pointed to ongoing financial strain across rural health systems, including more than 200 hospital closures or service reductions since 2010, and asked for greater flexibility to ensure funding reaches frontline providers most in need. Specifically, they called for lifting caps on infrastructure and capital investments and clarifying the ability to make direct payments, arguing these changes are critical to strengthening long-term access to care in rural communities.

House Ag Labor Bill Update

House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) has indicated that the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) will be introduced at the end of June. Currently, the Agriculture Committee is circulating the bill for cosponsors and seeking stakeholder statements of support for the bill. Following the introduction, the expectation is that the bill will be referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Of note, there have been challenges in the past with moving ag-specific legislation, as Members on the Judiciary Committee are often hesitant to address agricultural labor separately from broader immigration issues.

Administration

USDA announces FAS, AMS, and RD Reorganizations

USDA announced new details regarding reorganization plans for the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and Rural Development (RD) mission areas, aimed at improving efficiency and better aligning services with stakeholders, including relocating significant portions of staff outside the National Capital Region. The plan includes establishing an FAS operational support hub in Kansas City, alongside a phased relocation of portions of the Washington, D.C.-based workforce to Kansas City and Beltsville, Maryland, while maintaining a smaller presence in Washington, D.C. for trade policy and congressional engagement. Rural Development will similarly shift select positions to regional hubs in St. Louis, Missouri and the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. USDA is also implementing targeted changes within AMS to reduce siloing and improve coordination by moving commodity-specific functions within its Fair Trade Practices Program into their respective commodity programs, with all programs continuing without interruption and a reduced long-term footprint in Washington.

Agencies Clarify Dairy Access to H-2A Program

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Labor (DOL) issued a policy memo clarifying that dairy operations may utilize the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, but only for positions that meet the existing requirement for “temporary or seasonal” labor. The guidance does not create new rules or expand the program to year-round work; it simply reaffirms that dairies can utilize the existing program without additional procedures but must still adhere to the seasonality requirement. Industry groups welcomed the clarification, while noting that broader congressional action is still needed to address ongoing workforce challenges.

U.S.-Mexico Hold Round Two of USMCA Negotiations; Trilateral Virtual Meeting Set for July 1

Last week, the U.S. hosted Mexican negotiators in Washington, DC for their second official round of negotiations under the USMCA Review. During this round they continued discussions on economic security, autos and rules of origin and steel and aluminum. And for the first time, they engaged in discussions around agriculture, labor, and environment. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the two countries also agreed to support the establishment of a committee to review the implementation of Chapter 12 (Sectoral Annexes) of the USMCA to enhance regulatory compatibility. Negotiations are in very early stages with more to be worked through in coming rounds. The two countries have agreed to meet for a third round in July in Mexico City, but no official dates have been set yet. Separately, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are expected to hold their first trilateral meeting on July 1, according to reports out of Canada and Mexico.

USTR Seeking Input on New U.S.-China Board of Trade

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is hosting a public comment process on the scope and design of a new government-to-government mechanism, the U.S.-China Board of Trade, intended to manage bilateral trade on an ongoing basis. USTR is also seeking feedback on categories of non-sensitive products which could include agricultural goods, that could warrant tariff modifications on both sides to promote a more balanced and reciprocal trade relationship while preserving broader tariff tools tied to economic and national security concerns. Comments are due July 10, with rebuttal comments due July 27.

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) Definition

In an article published by Bloomberg, the definition of “ultra-processed foods” is anticipated to be released in the coming weeks or months and is expected to create an exemption for “healthy” items and infant formulas. The UPF definition is likely to focus on emulsifiers, stabilizers, and artificial colors, among others. Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantis said that it could inform other regulatory actions, like front-of-pack labeling, even though the article reports that the definition is not expected to be issued as a formal regulatory step and would be intended for research consistency. There are several requirements for foods to qualify as “healthy” under the FDA’s criteria, including containing fruit, vegetables, grains, protein or dairy, the categories recommended under the Dietary Guidelines, and can only contain a limited amount of saturated fat, sodium or added sugars.

Federal Judge Blocks Food Restriction Pilots for SNAP

A federal judge has blocked several state pilot programs that would have restricted the use of SNAP benefits to purchase items such as soda and candy. The Court found that the U.S. Department of Agriculture exceeded its authority by approving these waivers, noting that Congress controls the definition of eligible “food” under federal law. The ruling applies to pilot efforts in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, and vacates the Agency’s prior approvals for those programs. The judge also cited procedural issues, including failure to meet federal notice requirements for projects with significant public impact. The decision may have broader implications for similar efforts, as more than 20 states have pursued comparable SNAP food restriction waivers.

Notable News

• USDA reports three new cases of screwworm, bringing total to 15 – Reuters
• U.S. and Iran agree to ‘road map’ for final deal, mediators say – NPR
• Cattle-on-Feed: June Feedlot Inventory Rises as Placements Trail Trade Expectations – RFD-TV
• Heat, wind and drought conditions spark wildfires in the U.S. West – PBS News
• Republicans push USMCA renewal – Politico
• States’ SNAP Food Choice Restrictions – FRAC

This Week’s Legislation

• Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the “FIRE SMART Act” which would amend the EPA to expand funding eligibility for projects with fire suppression benefits in high-risk rural areas.
• Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the “SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act” that would allow blended workforces to carry out the supplemental nutrition assistance program in certain conditions.
• Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced the “Fresh Produce for Families Act” to allow for commodities under the emergency food assistance program to be ordered through the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
• Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the “American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act” that would permanently reauthorize the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Progam, to establish regional food systems hubs.
• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced S.4779 to support nutrition, farmers, the seafood industry, agricultural research, wood energy and innovation, and indigenous self-determination.
• Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced S.4794 that would require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a report regarding cybersecurity in precision agriculture technologies.
• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) introduced the “Paraquat Prevention Act” that would cancel all registered uses of paraquat under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
• Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Derek Schmidt (R-KS) introduced the “USDA Field Office Stability Act” that would prohibit the closure or relocation of certain Department of Agriculture offices.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, June 23

• 2:00 PM: The House Rules Committee will hold a meeting on H.R. 8595 – National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027; H.R. 9022 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027; and other measures.

Wednesday, June 24

• 10:00 AM: The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing “To Review the Implementation of Farm Safety Net, Disaster, and Conservation Programs.”
• 10:15 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing titled “Trash to Treasure: Examining Legislation to Support Domestic Critical Mineral Recovery and Recycling.”

Thursday, June 25

• 10:00 AM: The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing “To Review Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System.”
• 10:00 AM: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled “Beneath the Surface: Earth MRI and America’s Resource Potential.”
• 10:30 AM: House Select Committee on China will hold a hearing titled “China’s Economic Espionage and Subnational Influence in the United States”

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.