July 21, 2026

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Reconciliation & Appropriations

The House Budget Committee released a third reconciliation package, which they marked up in the Budget Committee on Thursday, and expect to bring to the House floor next week for passage. The $95 billion package includes $12 billion for agricultural assistance along with funding for the conflict in Iran, intelligence, and for the SAVE Act, which is the President’s priority election legislation. There are no spending offsets, which will likely hinder support from conservatives in the House and Senate.

The House Appropriations Committee also released a “clean” continuing resolution for FY2027 that would hold federal funding steady through December 4. The House is proceeding with procedural votes today to move forward on the FY27 CR, the budget resolution, and the FY27 National Defense Reauthorization Act (NDAA) before breaking for the five-week August recess.

Hearings

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee scheduled a legislative session for July 22 to mark up a series of food and health related bills. Included in the list of legislation is the Making America’s Food Safer Act and the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act. The Making America’s Food Safer Act has not been officially introduced but is being led by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and focuses on FDA inspections, information sharing, and port of entry changes. The Childhood Diabetes Act is led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who is the Ranking Member of the Committee, and would require front-of-pack labels for sugar-sweetened beverages and products with a high-intensity sweetener, as well as prohibiting the advertising of products subject to the front-of-pack labeling to children. The legislation also includes a definition for “ultra-processed food” and front-of-pack labeling requirements for these products.

Administration

Food and Agriculture Stakeholders Urge Targeted Approach in Section 301 Forced Labor Hearings 

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) held a three-day stakeholder hearing on its Section 301 forced labor investigation covering 60 countries including Canada, Mexico and the European Union. 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. Over 100 government representatives and industry stakeholders participated in the hearing. 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. Of note, the National Coffee Association, Organic Trade Association and the Consumer Brands Association all submitted comments and participated in the hearing. A final determination on the investigation is due by November 29, 2026, after which USTR may recommend responsive action, such as tariffs and/or other trade measures. 

President Trump Announces Tariffs on Canadian Goods

President Trump issued three separate proclamations imposing tariffs on certain Canadian goods, citing Canada’s “discrimination against or an unreasonable and unequal imposition on” U.S. exports. Utilizing Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. will impose a 50% ad valorem tariff on products covered by the three proclamations: provincial restrictions on U.S. alcoholic beverages, national tariff-rate quotas and U.S.-made vehicles, and TRQs for U.S. dairy products, particularly cheese. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect in 30 days (August 19) and will apply to covered Canadian imports at the maximum rate allowed under Section 338. Goods compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will not be exempt. Notably, the affected food and agricultural imports extend beyond the dairy and alcoholic beverage proclamations. The Motor Vehicles proclamation includes nearly 200 food, agriculture, and forestry products, including honey, flowers, prepared mixes, and wood products.

Department of Commerce Makes Preliminary Determination Around Mushrooms from Canada 

The Department of Commerce released a preliminary determination that fresh mushrooms being imported from Canada are being sold in the United States at a “less than fair value” (LTFV). The Department investigated fresh mushrooms from Canada between July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and the deadline for the preliminary determination was on July 13, 2026. The Department will now instruct the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries around merchandise, and CBP will require a cash deposit for estimated antidumping duties. Public comments are open for relevant stakeholders.  

USDA FPAC and FSA Announce Member Briefings

The USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area and Farm Service Agency (FSA) are holding a series of upcoming stakeholder briefings to discuss implementation of disaster assistance and commodity loan programs from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The sessions will allow industry groups to hear from specific program specialists. Sessions will take place from July 21 through July 27, and address the Tree Assistance Program (TAP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm‑Raised Fish (ELAP); Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Forage Program (LFP); and the Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs).

DHS Releases Public Charge Rule

The Department of Homeland Security released a final rule on public charge. This rule allows DHS to consider whether an individual applying for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status to be ineligible if deemed likely at any time to become a “public charge” and using SNAP or WIC participation as a determining factor. The rule will take effect on September 18, 2026. Anti-hunger advocates have warned that even families who are eligible for SNAP or WIC may forgo benefits out of fear. The notice of the rule notes the high number of mixed-status households currently using SNAP.

Notable News

• Brazil readies ‘tough’ response to new Trump tariffs, sources say – Reuters
• U.S. expands attacks on Iran, which calls Strait of Hormuz a ‘red line’ as it strikes back – PBS News
• General Mills, ADM, Walmart Team Up on 40,000 Acres of Regenerative Agriculture – Successful Farming
• Foreign-Owned Farmland Faces Growing Scrutiny From States and USDA – Ag Web
• Housing, imports and consumers: 3 fresh reads on the economy – Axios
• Whey Protein Prices Hit Record Highs as GLP-1 Drugs and Health Trends Boost Dairy Demand – Dairy Herd

This Week’s Legislation

• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced the “Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act” to restore competition in the meatpacking industry by reducing excessive concentration and market power. 
• Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced S. 4996 to regulate market concentration and competition in the food and agriculture industry.
• Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) introduced the “Tariff Impacted Farmer Support Act of 2026” to provide targeted financial relief and support for farmers who produce cotton, soybeans, corn, and poultry.
• Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) introduced H.R. 9717 to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize certain treatment of customer property during commodity broker bankruptcy.
• Rep. Zachary Nunn (R-IA) introduced the “Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence (FARM AI) Act” to accelerate the deployment of AI across American agriculture.
• Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the “Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act” to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report on barriers to participation in Department of Agriculture programs faced by certified organic farms.
• Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced the “Stop Retail Food Store SNAP Trafficking Act” to improve the accuracy of estimates of retail food store trafficking in the SNAP benefits.
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the “Protecting America’s Food Supply Act” to improve oversight of imported food products.”
• Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026 to require warning labels on sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.
• Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the “Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Prevention Act” to set requirements for the regulation by the FDA of nitrous oxide products. 
• Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) introduced the “Fair Seeds for Farmers Act” to lower grocery costs and take on consolidation of corporate power.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, July 21

• 10:00 AM: The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on “Examining Customer Protections and Market Integrity in Sports Event Prediction Markets.“
• 10:00 AM: The House Judiciary Committee will hold a markup on the “Permanent Trump Secure Border Act.”
• 2:00 PM: The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026,” the “SAFE CATTLE Act,” the “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026,” and the “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026.”

Wednesday, July 22

• 9:30 AM: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to examine the Federal Regulatory Commission.
• 10:00 AM: The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing “For the Purpose of Receiving Testimony from Chief Tom Schultz, U.S. Forest Service.”
• 10:00 AM: The House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on “Funding Lapses: Analyzing Shutdown Reform.”

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.