Putting Tribal SovereigntyPolicy
What we do
The IFAI Policy team assists Tribal Nations in strengthening their food systems and agricultural initiatives by delivering timely and accurate analyses of federal laws and policies that affect Tribal agriculture.
Policy RESOURCES
Policy Brief- May 4
Summary: Check out the General Ag Policy Updates section for updates from Congress regarding last week’s House passing its version of the 2026 Farm Bill and the FY27 Agriculture Appropriations markup. The first 2026 meeting of the FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation...
House Passes the Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives passed its Farm Bill on Thursday, largely along party lines. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain path forward. Congress last passed a Farm Bill in 2018. IFAI identified over 70 provisions in...
EPA STAG Cuts May Threaten Treaty-Protected Resources
WASHINGTON - As Congress reviews the President’s proposed FY27 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget, one line item that deserves particular attention in Indian Country is the proposed 83% reduction to State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG). While the...
**UPDATE** IFAI Releases 2026 Farm Bill Tracker for Indian Country
WASHINGTON -(Updated - 4/29/26) IFAI's 2026 House Farm Bill amendment tracker has been updated to reflect the Rule reported by the House Rules Committee last night. Ten of the 60 amendments identified by IFAI as having Tribal implications were made in order. Amendment...
Policy Brief- April 28
Summary: It's a busy week for agriculture in the House, with an expected vote on the 2026 House Farm Bill (R.7567 - Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026) and a Committee markup on the FY2027 Agriculture Appropriations bill. See General Ag Policy Updates below...
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...
Policy Brief- April 21
Summary: It's a busy few weeks for agriculture policy in Congress! The House Appropriations Committee will be releasing the FY27 Agriculture Appropriations bill this week, with a full committee markup scheduled for April 28. Check back here for IFAI’s appropriations...
IFAI Analyzes FY27 USDA Budget’s Impact on Indian Country
WASHINGTON - The President’s Budget Request for fiscal year 2027 proposes significant cuts to USDA programming and staffing, amidst a controversial reorganization plan and large-scale staff departures over the past year. The budget proposal, which outlines the...
House to Vote on Farm Bill Last Week of April
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the 2026 Farm Bill during the week of April 27, according to a recent notice from the House Rules Committee. Amendments are due Wednesday, April 22. House leadership faces tight margins passing the...
Policy Brief- April 15
Summary: Check out IFAI’s analysis of the U.S. Forest Service reorganization here. Congress is back from a two-week recess. There are several Congressional hearings this week about the proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2027, including House Budget Committee and Senate...