House Ag Spending Bill Cuts USDA Funding 3%

WASHINGTON – This week, the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee advanced the FY27 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, cutting USDA funding $675, a 3% cut from the previous fiscal year.   

The bill does not follow President Trump’s proposal to cut USDA funding by 19% and continues funding for several key programs that the White House proposed eliminating, including conservation technical assistance at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and Community Facilities Grants. 

The legislation maintains funding for the Office of Tribal Relations at $5.19 million, $190,000 above the White House’s proposal. The Office of Tribal Relations is responsible for advising the Secretary of Agriculture on Tribal issues, though the USDA Reorganization plan envisions a significantly expanded role for the Office. The Office of Tribal Relations is already very small in relation to the work it is asked to do. Without an increase in funding, the Office may not have sufficient staffing to meet any increased demands. 

At the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Committee would cut funding for staffing by $19 million but sets aside $15 million for filling vacancies at FSA county offices. The legislation also maintains $20 million for the Indian Land Acquisition program, which the Trump Administration proposed cutting.  

The bill would cut the cash value benefit for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) by 10%. This voucher provides additional funds for WIC beneficiaries to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. The White House proposed cutting the benefit by more than 50%, returning the program to pre-Covid funding levels. 

What’s next? 

Funding levels for additional programs will be included in the accompanying committee report, which is expected next Monday. The full House Appropriations Committee will begin marking up the bill on Tuesday, April 28.  

IFAI will publish updated funding levels for key USDA programs for Tribes and Native producers following the markup. IFAI’s analysis of Tribal implications of the President’s Budget Request for USDA is available here.