Ag Appropriations Process Kicks Off With The Same Partisan Fight

The FY ’26 Ag appropriations process has kicked off in Congress and once again, the process is partisan.  Subcommittee Chair Andy Harris launched the markup, announcing the GOP’s $25 billion bill.

“…a $1.1 billion or 4.2% decrease from FY ’25 enacted levels.  In a setting of $2 trillion deficits, that modest constraint is necessary.”

This while still prioritizing farm programs, crop insurance, disaster aid, research, ag disease prevention and rural broadband, but cutting $100 million in WIC nutrition carryover funds.  Still, Harris insists:

“This legislation reflects a clear, conservative commitment to fiscal responsibility, while ensuring that America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities remain a top priority.”

But Democrats, in lock-step opposition, recoiled, and not just over WIC and rural housing cuts.

“This bill makes a 9%, $109 million cut to FSA, a $46 million, 13% cut to Rural Development staffing, at a time when farmers are already showing up to county offices that are understaffed or totally empty,” Top Ag Appropriations Democrat Sanford Bishop said.

Bishop complained the bill cuts $788 million from the Food for Peace Program, a key market for U.S. producers.  Democrats joined Bishop in opposing the bill, but majority Republicans advanced it to the full Appropriations Committee.

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