January 21, 2025

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Inauguration

On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the President of the United States in the Capitol rotunda. Following his ceremony, he made a series of announcements around which Executive Orders he will be rolling out on day one, under the categories of “Make America Safe Again;” “Make America Affordable and Energy Dominant Again;” “Drain the Swamp;” and “Bring Back American Values.” He later unveiled a list of Presidential Actions with additional specificity on what he will be prioritizing in the beginning of his administration, including a tariff plan, a global tax deal, realignment of foreign aid, declaring a national energy emergency, and securing our borders.

Confirmation Hearings

This Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee will be holding a hearing on the nomination of Brooke Rollins to be the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has been on the Hill holding courtesy meetings with Senators ahead of the hearing. President Trump also announced the nomination of Dudley Hoskins, current counsel at the Senate Ag Committee, to serve as undersecretary of marketing and regulatory programs; Luke Lindberg, President and CEO of South Dakota Trade, to be undersecretary for foreign agriculture affairs; Michael Boren, a businessman, to be the undersecretary for natural resources and environment; and Richard Fordyce, former Farm Service Agency administrator, to be undersecretary for farm production and conservation. On Tuesday, the agency rolled out additional key appointments, including Kailee Tkacz Buller as Chief of Staff of USDA, Preston Parry as Deputy Chief of Staff of USDA, and other positions here.

Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. This week, they will vote on whether to confirm him. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will also vote this week on whether to confirm Governor Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior.

Senator Rounds Letter on EID Tags

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) wrote a letter last week to USDA Secretary Vilsack and APHIS Administrator Michael Watson raising concerns about the implementation of Electronic Identification (EID) rulemaking. The letter states that after this rule went into effect on November 5, 2024, veterinarians started reporting a shortage of these tags. The letter requests the suspension of enforcement until USDA can provide adequate EIDs for farmers to be able to comply.

Congressional Letter on Bird Flu

Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) led a letter, signed by 7 other lawmakers, to President Trump asking that he continue strong interagency coordination between USDA and HHS to monitor highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The letter encourages the virus stockpiles remain in place and that support continues to ensure industry stakeholders and farmers can contain the spread of the virus. 

Administration

FDA Prohibits Red Dye 3 in Foods

The FDA announced a ban on the use of FD&C Red No. 3 based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This comes in response to a petition in 2022 from various advocacy groups, like the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group. The dye is primarily used in food products like candy, cakes, cupcakes, icings, and some pharmaceuticals. Any manufacturer using Red No. 3 in their products will have until January 15, 2027 or January 18, 2028 to reformulate products.

FDA Puts out RFI on Poppy Seeds

FDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) on industry practices related to poppy seeds to better understand the agricultural, industry, manufacturing, and supply chain practices currently being used, and whether certain practices increase or reduce the presence of opiate alkaloids on poppy seeds.  The agency has also requested information on methods to monitor and control opiate alkaloid levels. Comments are due to the Agency by April 15, 2025. 

IRA Funding for Biofuels Announced

The Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office and the Environmental Protection Agency announced $6 million will be going toward three projects to advance biofuel development and support energy and emissions innovation. The projects will also provide industry with technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and grow the renewable fuels sector. The projects can be found here. 

Notable News

• How Will AI Change the Food and Drink Industry? – Technology Networks
• Trump Upended Trade Once, Aims To Do So Again With New Tariffs – Reuters
• The Long-Term Health Effects Of L.A. County Wildfire Smoke – Los Angeles Times
• Trump Tasks Congressman With Writing Executive Order He Could Issue To Halt Offshore Wind – AP
• Rep. Chellie Pingree: Make America Healthy Again? Let’s See if They’re Serious. – The Hill

This Week’s Legislation

• Congressman Robert Wittman (R-VA) introduced a bill to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water.
• Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) introduced an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the clean fuel production credit.
• Congresswoman Brittany Petersen (D-CO) introduced a bill that would require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a program for post-disaster reforestation and restoration Program.
• Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the BUILT USA Act, which would establish a 10% tariff on all imports. 

Upcoming Hearings

Wednesday, January 22

• 10:00 AM: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing to Consider the Nomination of Sean Patrick Duffy, of Wisconsin, to be Secretary of Transportation.

Thursday, January 23

• 10:00 AM: The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing to Consider the Nomination of Brooke Rollins, of Texas, to be Secretary of Agriculture.

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 Snell, Heath Brandt, 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.