February 25, 2025

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Budget Reconciliation

Last week, the Senate passed their proposed budget reconciliation framework while the House was in recess. They are planning two separate reconciliation packages – one for border, energy, and defense, and a separate package for tax policy towards the end of the year. The package would also direct the Agriculture Committee to find $1 billion in savings.

The House is working through their framework this week, which will only be one package that encompasses all of the priorities the White House requested. The Rules Committee voted on amendments on Monday evening, and the House will vote this week. Their package proposes $230 billion in agriculture funding cuts. For continuation of FY25 appropriations, the deadline to avoid a shutdown is March 14. Appropriators still do not have topline numbers in order to start their work in earnest.  

Hearings

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to consider Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the Secretary of Labor. Questions from the Committee focused mainly on the PRO Act, the joint-employer rule, the status of the National Labor Relations Board, and her past support of unions. While Senators did not ask about H2-A or agriculture labor specifically, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has committed to working with Chavez-DeRemer on immigration. They will likely vote on her nomination this week or next week.

Poultry Vaccinations

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA) led colleagues on a letter encouraging the USDA to act quickly to address the HPAI outbreak. The letter provides guidance based on industry members’ requests, including a strategy for vaccination in hens and turkeys, an HPAI Strategic Initiative to expand knowledge of prevention and response, and movement controls that apply to all animals that present risks.

Retirements

Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) both announced they will not be seeking re-election in 2026. Senator Smith has not yet endorsed a successor, but potential candidates include Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Governor Tim Walz (D), and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (D). Both Senators served on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Senator McConnell was on the Appropriations Committee.  

Administration

Secretary Rollins Announces Funding Rollout After Pause

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that she will be releasing the first tranche of funding that was paused due to the Trump administration freeze. The Secretary will be honoring contracts that had been made to farmers through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

In addition, USDA sent out a notice outlining the Secretary’s first week agenda, which also included policy briefings, meetings on HPAI, meetings with RFK Jr. on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives, field visits, and meetings with producers.

FDA Human Foods Program Receives New Leadership

FDA Human Foods Program Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones has submitted his resignation letter, which cited RFK Jr.’s past statements and plan for HHS, as well as noting difficulty carrying out duties with limited staff. Attorney Kyle Diamantas is expected to be announced as the new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. Diamantas is currently listed as a special assistant in the FDA commissioner’s office and had recently been a partner at the multinational law firm Jones Day, working with food and beverage industry clients. Diamantas was also previously part of a team that wrote about the FDA’s development of its systematic process for post-market assessment of chemicals in the food supply. 

Indian Prime Minister Visits DC to Discuss Agricultural Trade

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Washington DC to discuss a potential trade deal to reduce tariffs and expand agriculture trade opportunities. India was cited by President Trump as a country that would be targeted with the reciprocal tariff investigation. While they will not be signing a free-trade agreement, there could be a deal on the first iteration of negotiations by the fall.

EPA Allows E15 Access to States Year Round

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s decision to continue the April 28, 2025 implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 in midwestern states. The EPA will also consider granting requests for a one-year delay for states seeking additional time for compliance. These requests must be made by February 26, 2025. Until Congress takes action to address this, EPA will be considering issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 nationwide. 

Notable News

ICYMI: Listen to Torrey Advisory Group’s Executive Vice President Tara Smith on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers discussing the federal funding freeze and budget reconciliation HERE.

• With Multiple Tariffs Looming, Farmers Who Support Trump Grow Nervous – Washington Post
• Ethanol Poised for Success if Exports Sustain – CoBank
• Republicans Caught Between Trump And Farmers Pleading For Frozen Funds – Washington Post
• A Closer Look at RFK Jr.’s Stance on Ultra-Processed Foods – MinnPost
• South Korea Asks for Exemption from Trump’s Proposed Tariffs – UPI

This Week’s Legislation

• Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a Resolution to express support for the designation of February 15 through February 22, 2025, as “National FFA Week.”
• Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced the Protect the West Act to invest in reductions in wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and reduce wildfire suppression costs.
• Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) introduced a bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to create regional wildland fire research centers.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, February 25

• 10:00 AM: The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade will hold a hearing on “American Trade Enforcement Priorities.”

Wednesday February 26

• 9:30 AM: The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing titled “Leading the Charge: Opportunities to Strengthen America’s Energy Reliability”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing to examine the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Implementation and Case Studies
• 10:15 AM: The House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing on “Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy”
• 10:30 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Examining the Biden Administration’s Energy and Environment Spending Push”
• 10:30 AM: The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing to “Examine Perspectives from the Field, Focusing on Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy”
• 11:00 AM: The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency will hold a hearing titled “America Last: How Foreign Aid Undermined U.S. Interests Around the World” 

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, 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.