April 29, 2025

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Reconciliation 

Congress returns this week after a two-week recess and next steps for reconciliation will be the top legislative priority. On Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had a meeting in the Oval Office to discuss a path forward on the reconciliation package. The Speaker has said that he is working to get the bill done before Memorial Day Weekend, though the tight turnaround and wide range of cuts that still need to be negotiated could delay or derail that timeline. Seven House Committees are marking up their portions of the reconciliation package this week, including Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, and Defense. The House Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Ways and Means committees are on deck for marks ups next week, but the exact timing remains in flux. Republicans on the Agriculture Committee are eyeing SNAP as a place for cuts, despite this being a red line for Democrats. The scale of cuts within the Agriculture bill is also still up for debate falling somewhere between $230 billion proposed by the House and $1 billion proposed in the Senate. 

Retirements 

Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and No. 2 Democrat, Senate Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Rep. Jeanne Schakowsky (D-NH) all have announced their retirements over the past few weeks. House Agriculture Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) has officially announced her intent to run for Smith’s seat. Rep. Schakowsky serves as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. The Republicans are targeting New Hampshire as a state where they could win an extra Senate or House seat.

Administration

HHS, FDA Hold Press Conference on Food Dyes

Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary held a press conference last week announcing a plan to phase out synthetic dyes from the U.S. food system. Commissioner Makary announced that he will be encouraging food companies to voluntarily remove 6 different types of food dyes by the end of next year, and to remove Red Dye 3 before the deadline given by the previous administration. While there is no mandate for compliance, many states have already passed legislation banning food dyes, along with other additives.

EPA Issues Emergency E15 Waiver

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a wavier to allow the sale of E15 gasoline nationwide during the summer. In about half of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting on May 1 and at retail stations starting on June 1. EPA is now extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver for E15 gasoline following letters from lawmakers requesting an extension. The waiver will go into effect on May 1 when terminal operators would otherwise no longer be able to sell E15 and will initially remain in place through May 20, which is the maximum number of days allowed under the Clean Air Act.

USDA Rescinds Poultry Salmonella Proposal

USDA has announced they will be rescinding a Biden-administration rule requiring poultry companies to keep levels of salmonella bacteria under a certain level and test for six different types most common in foodborne illness cases. This comes following criticisms of the rule from the Meat Institute and poultry industry, who appealed saying that this rule would be costly and burdensome and would not address foodborne illness effectively. 

USTR Announces Action on Chinese Shipbuilding Practices

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will release their final determination on how to move forward on the Section 301 investigation into China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance. USTR put forth proposed actions that would include port charges of $1 million per U.S. port call for Chinese operated vessels, and $1.5 million on Chinese-built vessels. Industry stakeholders have raised concern over the potential new port fees as it could heavily sway the cost of importing and exporting products from American ports, with proposed fees potentially increasing shipping costs by 25% on container and non-containerized products. A public comment period will open on April 17 with comments due by May 19.

U.S. Forest Service Plans Reorganization

President Trump has ordered the layoffs of about 10% of workers within the Forest Service, moving more of the responsibility to states. It has been reported that the White House is considering an executive order creating a new agency for wildfire response, a major overhaul of fire funding, and a broader reorganization of Forest Service personnel. Many states are already moving funding toward wildfire relief due to increased fires across the country, and Governors are raising concerns with having less resources this year.

Secretary Rollins Rolls Out Disaster Relief Funding

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced she will be delivering aid through the Rural Development Disaster Assistance Fund for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses to recover from disasters that affected 31 states. In a ceremony with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Secretary Rollins announced $5 million will go towards rebuilding electric infrastructure after severe storms and wildfires in North Dakota, and that imported products containing more than 65% sugar will face additional tariffs on top of duties already applied through September 30, 2025. 

Notable News

• Meat Is Back, on Plates and in Politics – New York Times
• Should farm fields be used for crops or solar? Research suggests both – Phys.Org
• Four states have asked USDA to let them ban soda, candy from food assistance program – Reuters
• ‘MAHA moms’ are pushing for changes to America’s food system – Washington Post
• Grocery stores left the Beekman Corridor long ago. Residents are filling the gaps – NPR

This Week’s Legislation

• Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced the Stamp Out Invasive Species Act to help mitigate and prevent threats from invasive species.
• Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) introduced a package of Earth Day bills, including the Green Climate Fund Authorization Act, the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act, the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program (SWIFR) Reauthorization Act, and others.
• Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-NY) introduced the Climate Adaptation Plan Act (CAP) Act, which would direct the EPA to establish a grant program to facilitate the development of climate adaptation plans for local and tribal governments.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, April 29 

• 10:30 AM: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a Member Day hearing.
• 3:00 PM: The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold their Nomination Hearing for Luke Lindberg, U/S for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs & Devon Westhill, Assistant Sec. Of Agriculture for Civil Rights

Wednesday, April 30

• 10:00 AM ET: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “The Need for an Authorized State Department”
• 10:00 AM: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a hearing titled “Advancing Federal Water and Hydropower Development: A Stakeholder Perspective”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on “Building on the IIJA’s Successes: Identifying Opportunities to Strengthen Water Infrastructure Programs”
• 10:15 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing on “Assuring Abundant, Reliable American Energy to Power Innovation”

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.