Policy Updates and Issue News February 2025

Washington Overview

To say the least, it’s not your same ole Washington these days, no matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on. Uncertainty and confusion might best describe the environment permeating through all sectors. Law firms have a tsunami of new business as court challenges are filed against President Trump’s executive orders. The administration found it necessary to walk back on several executive orders that resulted in unintended consequences. An example was the firing of several of USDA’s Veterinary Services personnel working on bird flu. The National Grange is engaged with several coalitions to monitor the effect of executive orders on Grange policy that concern agriculture, food, health care, broadband, rural life, programs for the aging and more. National Grange policy is not opposed to trimming the federal deficit or reducing the size of the federal government. The return to the office order has caused a stir. Telework had become the norm among federal employees. As employees return to work in person, some are without offices and desks. Several agencies have relinquished unused office space. Congress is doubling down on budget reconciliation and a legislative package to enable President Trump’s policy priorities to move forward. The current short term federal budget expires on March 14.

Agriculture and Food

Rollins settles in

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins settled into her office at USDA on February 13 after being confirmed by the Senate on a vote of 72-28. She said her long-term goals include realigning the agency with its original intent of “working for our agriculture community, our farmers, ranchers and our rural communities.” In her prepared remarks at USDA, Rollins asked USDA personnel to understand the charge laid out before them:

That we are not administrators, we are stewards.
That we are not federal employees, we are servants of the people.
That we do not have a job, we have a mission.

Her entire fellow Texas state FFA officer team alumni showed up to welcome her to USDA with their blue jackets.

Hamp welcomes Rollins

National Grange president Chris Hamp sent a letter of welcome and congratulations to Secretary Rollins as she was confirmed. Hamp pointed to the Grange’s long history of working with USDA to foster vibrant rural communities and support the agriculture industry that serves as the backbone of our nation. She pledged that the Grange stands ready to collaborate with the Secretary and her team.

USDA releases frozen funds

The Department of Agriculture will release approximately $20 million in funding for several previously approved conservation program contracts that had been frozen by the push to overhaul the federal government. More funds are expected to be released soon including wildfire mitigation monies. In the meantime, some farmers and ranchers are struggling to make critical decisions ahead of spring growing season. Of particular concern are grants linked to Inflation reduction Act that funded projects such as rotational grazing systems, waterways, , the installation of solar panels, conversion from diesel to electric irrigation systems and other grants related to “climate smart” farm projects.

Ag Workforce

Agriculture’s migrant workforce in limbo

President Trump’s sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants could have a major impact on the agriculture industry which relies on migrant labor. In recent years, 42% of hired farm crop workers have no work authorization according to USDA. Feedback from agriculture producers is that the vast majority of undocumented immigrant workers are hardworking people who pay taxes and have contributed to the American society, some for decades. They fill jobs to make sure crops are planted and harvested, cows are milked and other labor- intensive jobs that aren’t appealing to many of Americans.

Temporary worker visa reform badly needed

American agriculture producers feel strongly that it is far better to import farm workers than to import our food. Without a better way to get a legal temporary ag workforce, America may have to depend on a growing supply of foreign-grown food. Temporary worker reform will take new legislation from Congress. But for the past 40 years, Congress has been unable to come to a consensus on updating legal, workable temporary worker immigration laws. The Labor Department’s current H-2A visa system is bureaucratic, expensive, administratively burdensome and slow. Stories abound of fruits, vegetables and other crops spoiling in the field before the H-2A workers arrive. The H-2A visa was designed for large operations. American agriculture desperately needs legal, simple temporary worker permit system for small and medium-size operations.

Health Care

Pharmacy benefit manager reform needed

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are negotiating entities between several parts of the prescription supply chain. Insurers work with PBMs as third-party contractors that manage prescription drug manufacturer benefits such as discounts and rebates. For instance, PBMs can negotiate greatly reduced costs of drugs from the manufacturer yet charge the patient full price at the pharmacy counter. In addition, drug manufacturers originally intended for the discounts and rebates to be passed directly to the patient. National Grange’s Burton Eller participated in a Capitol Hill briefing with a bipartisan group of congressmen, patient advocates and community pharmacists to call for legislation requiring full transparency and accountability of PBM practices as they affect prescription drug prices for the patient.

Multi-cancer screening bill reintroduced

The popular Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act has been introduced in the 119^th Congress. This legislation would require Medicare to cover the cost of this test that detects a wide range of cancers with a simple blood draw. The bill enjoyed a super majority of both the House and Senate as cosponsors in the 118^th Congress but failed to get floor action in December. The bill’s chief sponsor and House Budget Committee chairman (Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) quoted support from National Grange president Christine Hamp as well as Jimmy Gentry, North Carolina State Grange president, and Dwight Baldwin, Iowa State Grange president, whose members of Congress are cosponsors of the bill.

Taxes

Taxes are on Congress’ agenda

Major tax legislation is brewing on Capitol Hill. Most of the tax breaks we’ve enjoyed in recent years courtesy the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have expired or will expire by the end of 2025. The lower tax provisions from 2017 include personal tax rates, child tax credits, capital gains, estate taxes, depreciation and many more. The National Grange will be working hard to extend those lower tax rate provisions. The Grange is a member or the Family Business Tax Coalition and the Tax Aggies Coalition which enables the Grange to work with a large number of like-minded groups on common tax policy.

Trade

Tariff concerns

In early February, it appeared as though the United States was headed for a full-blown tariff trade war with Canada and Mexico. These are two of our top trading partners for agriculture products. Such a three-way trade scuffle would seriously affect farmers, ranchers, processors and many more. Upon the announcement of a 30-day pause by the White House, National Grange president Chris Hamp issued a statement of appreciation for this action by President Trump, President Sheinbaum of Mexico and Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada. Hamp urged the trio to “use the grace period to negotiate a fair and lasting agreement that protects rural livelihoods, strengthens our economy, and ensures that the burden of trade disputes does not fall on the backs of hardworking Americans.”

Reciprocal tariffs investigated

President Trump has instructed the Department of Commerce and the Office of U.S. Trade Representative to lead a study into non-reciprocal U.S. trade relationships and the use of reciprocal tariffs as a remedy. Reciprocal tariffs mean that whatever tariffs countries charge the United States, the U.S will charge those countries the same rate.

U.S. Postal Service

Postal changes proposed

The United States Postal Service is proposing operational changes to financially stabilize the agency which has operated at a loss for several years. Losses are over $6 billion for both 2023 and 2024. The plan, Delivering for America, would consolidate 19,000 delivery centers into new, larger and more centrally located sorting and delivery centers. The plan promises faster service to customers within 50 miles of the largest processing facilities. USPS promises no local post offices will be closed or services impacted by the new plan. The National Grange will be closely watching developments as they unfold.

But what about rural mail?

Does the plan discriminate against rural residents who live hundreds of miles from these large regional hubs? Pick up and drop off will occur primarily in the morning for post offices far from regional hubs, allowing rural mail and packages to sit for an extra day. Distance between local post offices and regional hubs could add another day to delivery. Outlying rural areas still rely on mail for communication and business transactions. Much of rural America is still waiting on high-speed internet. Rural residents depend upon the postal service to bring prescriptions, household goods, farm and ranch supplies, machinery parts and more. For many, the postal service is the only delivery service available. UPS, Amazon Prime, courier services and others do not deliver to the last mile of country road. The USPS is also in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting and efficiency initiative. There’s no word yet on what possible actions by the administration may be.