Policy Updates and Issue News May 2026

House passes farm bill

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the “mini” farm bill 2.0, by a bipartisan vote of 224-200. The legislation updates federal programs not dealt with in legislation passed into law last year. Congress had not completed a full, five-year farm bill since 2018. The bill’s E15 provision to allow year-round use of 15% corn-based ethanol blend was stripped from the bill because of opposition from small oil refiners. However, the E15 provision was then introduced as a stand-alone measure and passed the House several days later. A bipartisan amendment was adopted 280-142 to remove a provision that would have established federal supremacy of federal pesticide labeling laws over state and local regulations. An attempt to remove language that nullifies animal welfare laws like California’s Proposition 12 was unsuccessful. The National Grange joined over 400 farm, ranch, landowner, food, financial, conservation, and other groups in support of the bill’s final passage. Farm bill consideration now moves to the Senate.

Attorney General to probe beef processors

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has announced the Justice Department will investigate major beef processors for potential antitrust violations. Justice is reviewing over three million documents and interviewing hundreds of industry participants, including cattlemen, marketers, and processors. Four large companies (Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods, and National Beef) handle 85% of all beef processing.

Planned USDA reorganization raises concern about loss of talent

Reorganization at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proceeding as stakeholders express concern about its impact. Union representatives report that a vast majority of USDA employees say they will not move to proposed new locations across the country. USDA officials argue that reorganization will make the department more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people it serves, and that employees moving out of the National Capital Region will be able to find better housing outside of the D.C. area. The reorganization plan also proposes closing the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in suburban Beltsville, Maryland, and relocating research programs to facilities across the country, better aligned with regional agricultural needs. This has raised concern among producers, scientists, lawmakers, and agricultural organizations, including the National Grange. Beltsville has long been considered the flagship of agricultural research in America. The House Appropriations Committee has included language in its FY27 funding bill that gives clear direction to USDA to keep Beltsville and other existing Agricultural Research Service facilities operating unless otherwise approved by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.