Policy Brief- September 21

Summary:

Farm Bill Passed Senate Agriculture Committee – Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) returned to the Senate which allowed the bill to pass 12-11, without Democratic support. Congress will have to pass a new farm bill or extend the 2018 version by the end of the calendar year. Senate Democrats continue to oppose the legislation without a two-year delay of new SNAP cost-sharing requirements for states.
USDA Reorg Paused – On Sept. 14, a judge temporarily paused the USDA’s reorganization plans until Oct. 2. This pause gives the judge extra time to review past legal issues, consider the full scope of the case, and decide whether to grant the plaintiffs’ Preliminary Injunction to stop reorganization. The pause temporarily stops USDA from requiring staff to report to new job locations or to decide whether to accept or refuse a reassignment or move. USDA also cannot punish employees for not responding to, declining, or refusing to move because of these paused deadlines. The pause on reorganization includes the Food and Nutrition Administration, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, among other USDA agencies.

Votes

None relevant to Indian Country food and agriculture.

Introduced Legislation:

R. 10342– American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026. This bill expands the definition of “farmer” or “farming,” makes fishing and seafood businesses eligible for USDA farm loans, and expands eligibility for USDA grants and rural development programs.
5309- COWS Act of 2026// This bill would expand the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide financial assistance for alternative manure management practices that reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. For Native American ranchers, the bill could create additional EQIP funding opportunities to help offset the cost of adopting conservation-focused livestock management practices.

Upcoming Committee Activity

None relevant to Indian Country food and agriculture.

Summary: The Rural Business Cooperative Service is accepting applications for the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program. This program helps agricultural producers develop, market, and sell value-added agricultural products by supporting centers that provide technical assistance and business services. Approximately $2.5 million is available for grants. The program anticipates making approximately three awards ranging from $600,000 to $1 million. Matching Funds are required for at least one-third of the project cost.

Indian Country Impact: The program may support Tribal efforts related to food sovereignty, value-added agriculture, local food systems, processing, marketing, and agricultural entrepreneurship by providing technical assistance and infrastructure rather than direct producer payments.

Plain language summary: This Executive Order is intended to help livestock producers, ranchers, and smaller meat processors compete with large meatpacking companies and access more markets. USDA is directed to strengthen competition in livestock markets, support small and regional meat processors, expand access to interstate meat markets, and increase enforcement against unfair practices by large market participants.

Indian country Impact: The EO could help Tribal ranchers and tribally owned meat-processing businesses by increasing processing capacity, expanding financing opportunities, and improving access to broader markets. The biggest uncertainty is that the Order does not specifically address Tribal governments or Tribal inspection systems.

Plain language summary:    This Executive Order states that ranchers are essential to the nation’s food supply and argues that additional federal action is needed to improve the financial viability of the U.S. ranching industry.

Indian Country Impact: Native cattle producers could benefit from efforts to improve market access and increase demand for U.S.-raised beef through country-of-origin labeling. Tribal ranching operations may also benefit if federal regulatory reviews lower costs or reduce barriers to livestock production.  Wolf delisting and predator-control provisions could affect Tribes in different ways, depending on their cultural, treaty, wildlife-management, and natural-resource interests. As agencies carry out these provisions, questions may arise about Tribal participation and consultation in wildlife and agricultural policy decisions.