Putting Tribal Sovereignty
WASHINGTON – Last week, the House Appropriations committee advanced legislation that would cut USDA funding by 3%, significantly less than the 19% cut proposed by the President’s Budget Request. The bill largely maintains funding at current levels for Tribal-specific programs under both Rural Development and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). However, it includes significant cuts to farm ownership loans, conservation technical assistance, and certain fresh fruits and vegetables benefits.
The legislation maintains current funding levels for the Office of Tribal Relations at $5.19 million.
Increased funding for FDPIR, but cuts to other nutrition programs
The Committee increases funding for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) to $271 million, a $36 million increase. This funding change likely anticipates increased enrollment in FDPIR due to recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that reduce benefits for many households. The bill also maintains funding for the FDPIR demonstration project at $3 million.
The bill reduces funding for SNAP by $343 million and for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) by $200 million. It also reduces WIC’s cash value voucher for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables by 10%.
Cuts to farm ownership loans, conservation technical assistance
The Committee’s bill includes several major cuts to farm production and conservation (FPAC) programs, reducing loan authority for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Direct Farm Ownership loans by over 50% and reducing Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) technical assistance funding by 35%.
These cuts may have disproportionate impact in Indian Country. Native producers face significant challenges accessing capital, and FSA is often the “lender of first opportunity” in Indian Country. Cuts to Direct Farm Ownership Loans will likely make it substantially more difficult for Native producers to purchase farms, acquire land, and construct essential farm facilities.
The significant reduction in NRCS technical assistance funding may have far-ranging consequences for Tribes and Native producers who are managing worsening and more frequent extreme weather events. Many Tribes and Native producers are on the front lines of increased extreme weather events, including worsening drought, extreme heat, and flooding.
The legislation does set aside $15 million to fill current and anticipated vacancies in FSA county offices. FSA lost 25% of their staff, or 835 positions, in 2025, leading to significant delays for all producers in basic services, such as check endorsement and loan reviews. Unless funding is prioritized for filing vacancies in Indian Country or other severely impacted county offices, Native producers may continue to experience these delays.
What’s next?
It’s unclear if Congress will be able to pass the agriculture appropriations bill before the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The Senate has not yet introduced their version of the bill, and Congress has not successfully passed appropriations bills on time in recent years. Congress typically passes a short-term continuing resolution, extending current funding levels, until an agreement can be reached. Last year, however, Congress was unable to pass a continuing resolution, leading to a record breaking government shutdown, halting key USDA programs that Tribes and Native producers rely on.