House Clears Budget Resolution, Unlocking the Reconciliation Process 

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended budget framework, pushing the reconciliation process forward, getting the chamber closer to the goal of “one big, beautiful bill.” The resolution passed 216-214, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) being the only two Republicans to join House Democrats in voting against the framework.

The passage of this resolution paves the way forward for the reconciliation process that Republicans hope to use to push the President’s legislative priorities through initiatives like extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Though the budget framework now exists, the House and Senate have vastly different instructions on getting there, despite House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) being roughly aligned on a spending cut target of $1.5 trillion. The House Agriculture Committee specifically has been instructed to cut $230 billion over ten years, while the Senate Agriculture Committee has only been directed to cut at least $1 billion within the same fiscal period.

After the two-week recess, the House is expected to begin the Committee markup process ahead of the Senate during the next work period, although it’s worth noting reconciliation will have a challenging time moving forward until mutual Committee toplines can be met.

USDA Cancels the Funding for Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plans to cancel the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities (PCSC), a $3 billion Biden-era initiative. This program was created to promote climate-friendly agricultural practices by incentivizing farmers to implement carbon-reducing techniques and expand climate-smart commodity markets.

While this program will no longer exist moving forward, USDA has announced a new initiative called the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program. This program plans to support farmers by reprioritizing advancements and innovations within the agriculture industry while ensuring that funding for these programs goes directly to farmers. AMP will prioritize direct producer benefits, requiring that:

• At least 65% of federal funds go directly to farmers and ranchers.
• Grantees must have enrolled at least one producer by December 31, 2024.
• Grantees must have made a payment to at least one producer by the same date.

USDA noted in their announcement that PCSC grantees are encouraged to reapply for the AMP program under the revised criteria. Additionally, USDA will honor all eligible contracted expenses before April 13, 2025.

USDA Announces New Presidential Appointments

On Monday, the USDA announced the most recent slate of presidential appointments across the entire Department. Please refer to the following list of new names and appointments:

• Bailey Archey was appointed to serve as Policy Advisor in the Marketing and Regulatory Programs. She most recently worked for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) as a Legislative Assistant covering her agriculture portfolio.
• Kelsey Barnes was appointed to be a Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Rural Development, Biofuels (RDB), and Research, Education, and Economics. She most recently serves as the Director of Government Affairs at the Farm Journal Foundation and was previously Chief of Staff to the Rural Business Cooperative Service at USDA.
• Bill Beam was appointed to be administrator for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Production and Conservation. He formerly served as Deputy Administrator of Farm Programs for FSA in the first Trump Administration.
• Aubrey Bettencourt was appointed to be Chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). She most recently served as Global Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for Netafim, an Orbia Company. 
• Jordan Bonfitto was appointed Chief of Staff for Market and Regulatory Programs. He most recently served as Director of Governmental Affairs at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
• Seth W. Christensen was appointed as the Director of Communications of the USDA. He most recently served as Assistant Agency Director and the Chief of Media, Communications, and Preparedness at the Texas Division of Emergency.
• Trey Forsyth was appointed as Chief of Staff for Food Safety. He formerly served as a Professional Staff Member for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry under Chairman John Boozman (R-AR).
• Dr. Jaye L. Hamby was appointed Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Hamby previously led and directed proprietary research efforts. 
• Natalie Ihrman was appointed Press Secretary. She previously worked for Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
• Dr. Alveda King was appointed Senior Advisor on Faith and Community Outreach. She is a guardian of The King Family Legacy, Chair of the AFPI Center for the American Dream, founder of Alveda King Ministries, and co-founder of She Leads Georgia and Speak for Life.
• Courtney Knupp was appointed to be Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary for Trade and Food Safety. She most recently served as the Vice President of International Market Development at the National Pork Board.
• Maggie Linden was appointed Senior Advisor for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. She previously worked in government relations for clients in the agriculture and food industry.
• David Matthews was appointed Director of State Operations for Rural Development. He previously served in the Food and Nutrition Service, the Farm Service Agency, and as a representative of the White House.
• James Miller was appointed Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service. Miller has extensive senior leadership experience in financial and operational management across the healthcare, nonprofit, and government sectors.
• Brian Mizoguchi was appointed Deputy General Counsel. He previously served in the Office of General Counsel at USDA as both an Associate and Assistant General Counsel.
• Ricki Schroder was appointed Chief of Staff for Research, Education, and Economics. He previously served as Professional Staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture under Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).
• Alison Slagell was appointed Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Farm Production and Conservation, and Immigration. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK).
• Tucker Stewart was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. He most recently served as General Counsel and the Senior Agricultural Policy Advisor for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS).
• Pat Swanson was appointed Administrator for the Risk Management Agency within Farm Production and Conservation. She most recently served as director for the American Soybean Association and completed her term on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board.
• T.W. Shannon was appointed Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Rural Prosperity. He served as the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2013 to 2014.
• Carlee Tousman was appointed Director of Special Projects. She previously served as Director of Events at Teneo and as Deputy Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Alec Varsamis was appointed Deputy Director of Communications. He previously served in the first Trump Administration as Press Secretary at the USDA.
• Audra Weeks was appointed Director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs. She served in the first Trump Administration as Deputy Press Secretary.