July 14, 2026

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Congress returns this week from their Fourth of July recess with a lengthy agenda to work through before they adjourn again for the August recess. Members will be working through priority legislation, like the National Defense Authorization Act, a potential third reconciliation package, and nominations, as well as negotiating a path forward on President Trump’s top issue, the SAVE America Act.

The sudden passing of Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) over the weekend, and Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) undetermined return to the Senate following his hospitalization will only further complicate the path forward for legislation in the Senate as the vacancies will create an even tighter margin for the Republican majority.

Farm Bill

Additionally, the Senate version of the farm bill is still being negotiated and will need bipartisan support to move through the procedural floor hurdles. Notably, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) is still publicly positioning his desire to mark up the bill in Committee this month.

Support Letter for the Fair Credit for Farmers Act Sent to Congress

Last week, the National Family Farm Coalition, along with over 100 agricultural stakeholders, sent a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership urging the inclusion of the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in the farm bill. The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) would help to alleviate economic headwinds faced by farmers by limiting overcollateralization on FSA farm loans; improving credit access and terms; strengthen farmer-borrower rights; and provide economic relief through a two-year, low-interest direct loan payment deferral.

Administration

USDA, HHS Release 2026 Unified Regulatory Agendas

Last week, the 2026 regulatory agendas for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services were released. The agendas represent which regulatory actions the agencies are planning to take through the end of the year. Overall, many of the “Make America Healthy Again” priorities were listed for later in the year, including front-of-pack labeling and GRAS reform, but this is notably later than the dates Secretary Kennedy had indicated in public remarks. USDA included guidance around organic production, SNAP eligible foods, feedstocks, livestock production line speed, product labeling, forestry issues (like timber exports), conservation regulations, and other topics. Notably the HHS agenda omitted the ultra-processed foods definition from the list of intended actions. The full USDA list can be found here.

USDA Issues Guidance Around Court Decision on SNAP Waivers

Following a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the SNAP restriction waivers, USDA has ordered Iowa, Tennessee, Colorado, Nebraska, and West Virginia to pause waiver enforcement. A federal district court ruled that the USDA exceeded its legal authority when it approved five state waivers, and that they do not have the authority to restrict what can be purchased using SNAP. USDA is expected to appeal, and they have a 60-day window to do so.  

USTR Holds Section 301 Forced Labor Hearings

USTR held a three-day stakeholder hearing on its Section 301 forced labor investigation covering 60 countries. After finding that some countries lack adequate import bans on goods made with forced labor or fail to enforce existing bans, USTR proposed tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on affected imports. Food and agriculture stakeholders generally supported stronger enforcement but urged USTR to avoid broad tariffs that could disrupt legitimate supply chains, raise costs for farmers, manufacturers, and consumers, or create compliance challenges. Several groups called for any final tariffs to be targeted, supported by clear exclusions where appropriate, and focused on documented forced labor practices.

Administration Launches Effort for Healthier Options in Hospitals 

The Trump administration has launched a “Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge,” which is a voluntary commitment for hospitals to reduce highly processed foods and prioritize nutrient-dense options. Specifically, HHS is asking hospitals to reduce ultra-processed foods, improve cooking methods, limit processed meats, reduce sugar-sweetened beverages and foods high in sugars, sodium, and additives, and to emphasize whole grains, minimal processing, and plant-based options. It is part of a broader push to reform hospital meal options but is not an official requirement.  

Notable News

• Soybeans Firm as USDA Confirms China Buys: Corn and Wheat Hit Resistance - AgWeb
• States Secure Settlement with Deere & Company, Advancing Farmers’ Right to Repair – FTC
• Judge scraps SNAP junk food rules, dealing a blow to MAHA – POLITICO
• Why gas prices stay high despite falling oil prices - World Today Journal
• USDA lowers beef export sales by 90% amid growing doubts over data - Reuters
• USDA Unveils $500M SPUR Program to Protect Independent Beef Processors Amid Historic Cattle Shortage - Hoosier Ag Today
• Food giants defeat lawsuit calling ultraprocessed products addictive – Food Dive

This Week’s Legislation

• Rep. Robert Onder (R-MO) introduced H.R. 9636 to amend the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to require labor organizations to include certain audits in financial reports. 
• Rep. Mary Scanlon (D-PA) introduced the “Our Kids Act“ to make standard time permanent except in States that elect to observe daylight saving time.
• Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) introduced the “Getting Innovations to Patients During Shutdown Act“ to ensure the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can continue reviewing applications for new drugs and medical devices even if there is a lapse in government funding.
• Rep. John McGuire (R-VA) introduced the “Birthright Citizenship Clarification Act of 2026“ to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are not nationals or citizens of the United States at birth.
• Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) introduced the “Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act” that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAESM) to study the environmental impacts of data centers. 
• Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the “No PFAS in Cosmetics Act” to ban the use of intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics.
• Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) reintroduced the “Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act“ which would prohibit intentionally added (PFAS) in food packaging.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, July 14

• 10:00 AM: The House Appropriations Committee will hold a budget hearing on the Supreme Court of the United States. 
• 2:00 PM: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “U.S. Economic Security and Investment Abroad: Assessing Economic Security Zones.”

Wednesday, July 15

• 10:00 AM: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “Ending Supply Chain Dependency: Aligning Tools, Capital, and Partnerships.”
• 10:15 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on “Maintaining America’s Leadership in Biomedical Innovation: FDA’s Role in Advancing U.S. Drug Development.”
• 2:30 PM: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold hearings to examine S.1791, S.4200, S. 4239, S. 4383, S. 4410, S. 4458, S. 4561, S. 4605, S. 4715, H.R. 1687, H.R. 4090, H.R. 5587, H.R. 5631, H.R. 665, and H.R. 7831.
• 3:30 PM: The Senate Aging Special Committee will hold a hearing to examine behind the label, focusing on foreign ownership and control in America’s drug supply chain.

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.