▶ 0:06:11Well, welcome and thank you for joining today's hearing, where we'll hear from secretary rollins from the us department of agriculture. After a brief opening remarks, members will receive testimony from our witness today, and then the hearing will be open to questions. So good morning, everyone. I'd like to welcome you all to today's hearing and extend a special thanks to the honorable brooke rollins for joining us for her second appearance before the house committee on agriculture.
▶ 0:06:35I'm very proud to call secretary rollins a friend, and we're grateful for both her leadership and for taking time out of her busy schedule to be with us today. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the empty seat in this hearing room. Former chairman david scott was a friend, a brother in the lord, and a fierce advocate for the farmers that he represented.
▶ 0:06:58His presence here today is dearly missed, and I was proud to honor his legacy by renaming the 1890 scholarship program after him in the 2026 farm bill. I also want to wish congressman barrett a very happy birthday today. [applause] when the committee. Our work revolves around a core question what can we do to help rural america?
▶ 0:07:25We go about answering that question through hearings, briefings, roundtables, farm visits and listening sessions. However, the legislation that we ultimately pass is not where this discussion ends. That is where usda steps in and begins their important work of implementing the programs that we have authorized. There's no better example of this than the work that we've seen with the implementation of the working families tax cuts bill.
▶ 0:07:48This was the largest investment in american agriculture in a generation, and usda has put in the work to get dollars out the door. Just last week, usda announced sign up process for producers to take advantage of the 30 million base acres added to the arc and plc commodity programs. I'm very proud to see these investments roll out in a timely manner. Secretary rollins, I want to thank you for being a partner with us in this process.
▶ 0:08:16Your work makes it possible for us to ensure help reaches the producers who need it most. Great things are coming with the working families tax cuts, and I'm eager to implement all the critical programs we included in. I also want to acknowledge the important work your team has done to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse within the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Your support and leadership have made it possible to restore integrity to this program in ways that congress intended.
▶ 0:08:44I look forward to hearing more specifics today about your department's efforts to improve state administration of this program. Hopefully, we'll be sending even more work your way soon. I know president trump wants a farm bill on his desk, and we we look forward to getting him one to sign in the near future.
▶ 0:09:04The farm food and national security act of 2026 is a significant step forward for producers, and I know you will continue your diligent work once that bill gets across the finish line. I also want to thank you for the work your team has been doing to boost the domestic production of fertilizer. For critical crop inputs, we must focus on solutions for both today and the future.
▶ 0:09:27And I believe the administration's approach does that exactly that usda's efforts in the last year to combat the spread of the new world screwworm have also been commendable. The administration's action to prevent exposure in the us stopped the spread of this pest for as long as possible. While the detection yesterday wasn't what we were hoping for.
▶ 0:09:46I know usda will continue to make the necessary efforts to eradicate screwworm once again throughout the eradication process, it is imperative that usda, state animal health officials, industry groups, and members of congress work together to effectively deploy the whole of government response that has been planned for months. I also know that I'm not alone when I say thank you for your commitment to farm assistance.
▶ 0:10:11The farmer assistance program was a necessary step to hold producers over until updated policies kick in. Additionally, the decision to dedicate leftover resources from fba to the assistance for specialty crop farmers program was much appreciated. While I believe there's still more to be done on that front, I thank you for recognizing the need and making the most of the limited dollars that you have available.
▶ 0:10:35Please continue to communicate with the committee on how we may be helpful to you as we work to get our farm economy back on stable ground. We know that communication is the bedrock of the important relationship between usda and the house committee on agriculture. Just a few weeks ago, we hosted deputy stephen vaden, deputy secretary stephen vaden, to speak to committee members about the usa reorganization process.
▶ 0:11:02This was a productive discussion in which good questions were asked and thoughtful answers were given. I look forward to continuing that discussion, among others, today with secretary rollins. I know that supporting our nation's farmers, ranchers and rural communities remains her top priority, and I know her insights will be helpful as we continue our legislative work this congress. So thank you again, secretary rollins, for your service and your testimony. And with that, I now yield to the ranking member craig for her opening remarks. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:11:30I want to start by saying that former chairman scott, the empty seat next to me was a true fighter for hungry veterans in his district. For students of historically black 1890 land grant institutions hoping to become the next generation of agriculture leaders and for family farmers. That is exactly why the issues facing farm country today require a serious approach. We owe congressman scott that much.
▶ 0:12:01Madam secretary, welcome. Almost a year ago to the day you appeared before this committee for the first time during that hearing, republicans and democrats voiced their concerns about the pressing issues of the day facing farm country and rural communities. Even then, we discussed input costs, commodities prices, tariffs, food assistance programs, and usda's important role in addressing all of these issues and more.
▶ 0:12:30I left that hearing hoping that you would heed the advice of this committee and chart a course for your agency that met the needs of working families and family farmers. Instead, what we have witnessed is blind loyalty to a reckless president and administration. Over this past year, you and this administration have failed farmers and working americans. Time after time after time. Let's recap your record.
▶ 0:13:00Since you were last here. President trump doubled down on his reckless tariff agenda, destroying critical export markets and driving up costs for all americans. It costs farmers an estimated $15 billion in lost sales to china last year alone, while american farmers were reeling from the fallout of these tariffs and calling on the administration for relief.
▶ 0:13:28President trump instead gave argentina $20 billion and handed their ranchers a sweetheart deal, allowing more beef to be imported at the expense of american cattlemen. It's truly stunning.
▶ 0:13:45When you finally did listen to the pleas from farm country for relief, it was woefully inadequate, picking winners and losers by providing some farmers with only a fraction of the relief they needed, particularly specialty crop growers, sugar beet farmers and foresters. Only 6% of farmers reported that their financial situation improved from last year. 6%.
▶ 0:14:12Madam secretary, I'm embarrassed for you. Farm bankruptcies surged 46% nationwide in trump's first year back in office, an astounding 70% in the midwest. And just this past april, farm bankruptcy surged to their highest monthly total since early 2020.
▶ 0:14:35In president trump's first term, farmers began 2026 hoping for a course correction. And what has this administration done? Start a war with iran with no strategy, forethought, or care for what the consequences would be for american agriculture or working people.
▶ 0:14:58As a result, critical supplies have been choked off from leaving the strait of hormuz, driving fertilizer and diesel costs to staggering new levels and making it nearly impossible for farmers to turn a profit. And while all of this is happening, what have you, as secretary, been doing? Proclaiming that the golden age of agriculture is just around the corner.
▶ 0:15:24For over a year now, I can promise you that corner is so long, no farmer in america can see around it. And mind you, this is just talking about farm country. You've also made the largest cut to food assistance in the history of our country. At a time when more and more people are struggling to afford their food. Then you went on tv and bragged about kicking over 4 million americans off food assistance.
▶ 0:15:56People like joseph meyers from my home state of minnesota. He's a former farmhand who is going to lose snap benefits because of the new so-called one big, beautiful bill, in his words, quote, when the food stamps come to an end, then it's going to be really suffering. He's 58, can't perform physical labor anymore and works at the local food bank about ten hours a week.
▶ 0:16:23But republicans decided that's not enough for him to deserve snap benefits. And over the last year, I've watched you brag about taking food away from millions of americans like Mr. meyers. You've put on some big show about this golden age in agriculture. Honestly? It's disgusting. The only person this has been a golden age for is the president himself.
▶ 0:16:45A personal $1.8 billion slush fund paid for by the american taxpayer, a ballroom custom built for his fancy dinners paid for by corporate donors, putting his face on a $250 bill, building arches, carving his name into buildings. And that doesn't even include his crypto or shoddy cell phone business interests.
▶ 0:17:09A farmer in iowa put it better than I could, so I will close with his words, quote, people are hurting out here. The rhetoric about the golden age of agriculture right around the corner. That doesn't match the reality of what's going on on the ground at all. I wish I thought you would listen, but unfortunately, I do believe at this point that you are just another trump acolyte and I'm calling you out for it. Mr. chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:17:37>> chair, I would request that other members submit their opening statements for the record, so our witness may begin her testimony and ensure that there's ample time for questions. And pleased to welcome to the committee our witness for today, usda secretary brooke rollins. Madam secretary, you. Thank you for joining us. You. We will now proceed to your testimony. You have five minutes. The timer in front of you will count down to zero, at which point your time is expired. Secretary rollins, please begin when you're ready. >> great. Thank you so much, chairman thompson.
▶ 0:18:07Your partnership and friendship and many on this committee over the last year and four months has just been such a unexpected blessing. So I just want to start there. Thank you. Thank you, ranking member craig. We have a lot to talk about, but but hopefully during your five minutes I can respond to some of those accusations. But also thank you to all the distinguished members of this committee. I appreciate the opportunity to provide an update on the department of agriculture. Since we last met just over a year ago.
▶ 0:18:36At the outset, I'd like to acknowledge that there are two people we've already talked about, congressman scott david scott, but two people that aren't with us that that were here last year in this room. Of course, one chairman scott and the other, doug lamalfa, both were incredible champions for american agriculture. Doug became a dear friend and whispered in my ear a lot about forestry and about his home, his home area.
▶ 0:19:03And and I've missed him every day since he left. And of course, chairman david scott for helping create, amongst many other things, helping create, steward and shepherd the 1890 scholarship program. I know we all feel their absence and take comfort that their incredible legacy will live on for years to come. One month from today, we will celebrate a truly magnificent milestone, the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration of independence.
▶ 0:19:33As the declaration's principle author thomas jefferson once noted, agriculture is indeed our wisest pursuit. More than just an economically vital industry, it helps make our very freedom possible if we are to secure the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must fight for the future prosperity of american agriculture with every fiber of our being. And for the last 14 months, it has been my greatest honor to do so.
▶ 0:20:00Today is the 500th day since president trump returned to office and under his leadership, putting hard working farmers, ranchers, and rural america back at the center of policy making and has never been more important than today that we deliver for the men and women who work the land, who tend the livestock, and who call the heartland home. The challenges facing our farmers are real. In rural america.
▶ 0:20:24The trump administration inherited a farm economy that saw the cost of doing business skyrocket. Under the previous administration, commodity prices plummeted from a 30 year high. Farm income experienced historic declines in those four years, our farmers saw not one new trade deal in those four years under the last administration.
▶ 0:20:50And when we came back when we left in 2021, we had an $8 billion agricultural surplus trade surplus. When we came back, it was a $50 billion agricultural trade deficit. These numbers are staggering. Over the past 16 months, we've worked nonstop to reverse this trajectory for american ag. But such a seismic reroute cannot happen overnight.
▶ 0:21:17I hope we will continue to work together, and I'm so grateful for many members of this committee on the other side of the aisle who have been wonderful to work with in the last year, and very grateful for their partnership as they fight for their farmers in their home districts.
▶ 0:21:31President trump and congressional republicans delivered historic wins for farmers and rural america in the working families tax cut wins, including increasing reference prices for the first time in over a decade after the last administration couldn't get a farm bill done, adding up to 30 million new base acres for farm safety net programs.
▶ 0:21:56These are game changers, saving 2 million family farms from the death tax and permanently doubling small business expensing under section 179. And that's just a very short list of win after win after win for rural america, the largest investment in rural america in history was in the working families tax cut act of about $250 million.
▶ 0:22:18Input costs, of course, remain top of mind for our farmers, including fertilizer availability and affordability. President trump has activated our entire cabinet to address this long standing problem that demands both short term and long term solutions. From waiving the jones act for the short term to speed permitting instead of a couple of years, 45 days. What will be the largest ammonia plant in the world in louisiana.
▶ 0:22:47We will now break ground on that in just a couple of weeks, with about 90 other fertilizer projects, infrastructure projects going on around our country now on fast speed, I'm confident we will meet this fertilizer challenge as well as other input challenges in the future, and and look forward to doing so.
▶ 0:23:05One of my very first actions, and we talked about this a year ago, just a couple of weeks after I was sworn in by justice clarence thomas, we launched a comprehensive $1 billion plan to combat avian flu and the cost of eggs. That plan has worked and is working. The wholesale price of eggs has dropped over 90% since last year. Hpai cases in commercial poultry and turkey flocks are down 61% since last year.
▶ 0:23:31We, of course, invested a significant amount of money in biosecurity and in partnering with our great egg farmers around the country, and the number of birds infected dropped almost 50%. Since that plan launched. And along with eggs, the cost of other staples has continued to decline, including butter, potatoes, berries, many more vegetables, proteins, yogurts, etc. We are taking all threats to our producers extremely seriously, so I'll take a moment, Mr.
▶ 0:24:02Chairman, to talk about the screwworm detection. And of course, we can dive in with any of you in your q and a yesterday we received confirmation for the presence for the first time in 45 years, the presence of a new world screwworm case within the united states, and with the exception of a couple in florida and others in the last number of years, we found that and was confirmed in a three week old calf in la pryor, texas.
▶ 0:24:29While this development is a serious threat to our livestock and wildlife, it isn't caught, hasn't caught us off guard. We were ready and prepared under the last administration and after having the dairy and gap, which is the the biological barrier between south america and central america, which held the screwworm at bay since the 1960s, that that that barrier, barrier and gap crumbled under the last administration with open borders and the proliferation of the mexican
▶ 0:25:00Cartels and their illicit cattle trafficking, the new world screwworm began to make its way north, hitting mexico in 2023 and 2024. All models showed that this pest would be here by last summer, with the extremely aggressive action, with the support of this committee and in entire across government effort, we began to push back very significantly.
▶ 0:25:26Starting february of last year, the aggressive action we took across the trump administration and with our state and local partners, bought us almost a year of critical time to prepare for what happened yesterday. We have now activated our new world screwworm response playbook, which includes detailed protocols and procedures for just this scenario. We've established a 20 kilometer zone around the detection and implementing quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in the region.
▶ 0:25:55In fact, I'll be there next week. We have expedited a targeted release of sterile flies in the affected area to prevent the pests from reproducing, and are increasing trapping for new world screwworm flies along the border. We are ramping up surveillance and also management in our wildlife. In short, we are using every tool at our disposal to eliminate this threat to our livestock producers and to our national security, and we will actively keep you updated.
▶ 0:26:20Thankfully, this pest does not represent any sort of challenge to our food safety, and that's a really important message. This is a flesh eating pest that lands on mammals, on livestock, on deer, etc. It is not a threat to our food supply. We have beaten screwworm before and we will do so again and again. I don't have time to get into all the details, but if anyone has questions, I'll look forward to ensuring I can answer all of them.
▶ 0:26:48We're also ensuring our farmers can compete and win on the international stage and in global markets. Already in the first year, we have secured 19 new trade deals in one year and leveling the playing field to lay the foundation for that long term prosperity. I know all of us are working to achieve on both sides of the aisle. We now predict that that $50 billion agricultural trade deficit that we inherited in one year will be cut by 42%.
▶ 0:27:20This is billions of dollars back in our farmers pockets that were lost in the last administration. We are expecting that even this year, year two of our second term, that american producers will set export records in key global markets. It's an incredible time. As we expand opportunity for the long term, we are also putting our farmers first by providing the short term support that is needed to survive.
▶ 0:27:44Whether the farmer bridge assistance program, the specialty crop assistance program, and so many others that we've been deploying over the last year, we have delivered at usda tens and tens of billions of dollars into targeted direct relief to help our farmers weather these rising input costs, devastating storms, and market disruptions. Another group of producers, just very quickly I talked about on the west coast last week are our cotton growers.
▶ 0:28:09The last administration turning a blind eye as our cotton growers suffered for the first time in american history, america became number two in cotton exports when brazil took over yet another market from our country. During the four years of the last administration. Reasserting american cotton dominance is essential, which is why we are going big, as well as many other commodities, etc.
▶ 0:28:31In the days ahead, in partnership with secretary kennedy, our most significant reset of federal nutrition policy, we believe in perhaps american history through the make america healthy again movement.
▶ 0:28:43Our new dietary guidelines are science based and entirely devoted to ensuring that american farmers and ranchers are at the center of these new dietary guidelines and therefore become the direct model and driver for our nutrition policy in america, which is a huge win for our producers in this country. It's important to remember that usda's largest line item by far, is what we spend on nutrition programs, not on the farmers.
▶ 0:29:13Taken together, usda spends nearly $400 million every day on 16 nutrition programs, $400 million every day on the 16 nutrition programs last year, programs like the national school lunch program, which took effect 80 years ago today, plays a crucial lifeline to fellow americans in need.
▶ 0:29:36Restoring the integrity of these programs, including in snap, is very, very important to this administration and to our usda. Already in one year, we have made over 900 arrests, 900 arrests in the snap program, over 120 convictions very quickly, and with $132 million already in restitution. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Only the republican states have shared their data with us.
▶ 0:30:05So most of this fraud we have found is actually in the red states. We are obviously in litigation with all the blue states to get that data and to hopefully, at some point, be able to partner with them to root out more fraud. Also, on the topic of law and order from day one, this administration has been clear that farm security is national security.
▶ 0:30:23Last summer, we launched our national farm security action plan that boldly integrates agriculture into the national security strategy for our country for the first time ever, which is sort of stunning, but really glad we're finally getting there. Our plan treats the ownership of farmland and who's purchasing farmland, animal disease, defense, and our food supply chains as the major national security issue that they are. And we continue to work with our congressional and state partners on this issue.
▶ 0:30:54Our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities serve the vital role of feeding and fueling and clothing our entire nation and the world. And as we celebrate that 250 years of freedom, including at the great american state fair on the national mall this summer in front of the people's department, usda. I hope we will continue to fight together for these men and women who help make our country great and our freedom possible. I look forward to taking your questions. Thank you so much. >> well, thank you for your important testimony today.
▶ 0:31:24At this time, members will be recognized for questions in order of seniority, alternating between majority and minority members in order of arrival. For those who joined us after the hearing convened, uh, you'll be recognized for five minutes each in order to allow us to get to as many questions as possible. And I'll recognize myself for five minutes. Madam secretary, I appreciate your work to support the american cattle ranchers and ensure that misguided plans to import additional foreign beef are not finalized.
▶ 0:31:53I also want to thank you for the time and effort you all have dedicated to addressing the new world screwworm. From your coordination with mexico to the additional sterile fly facilities, enhanced research into emergency technologies, and the response playbook, and numerous other activities. Usda's work has been tireless, and I commend you and your team for that. I know the texas in south texas yesterday is not what we wanted, but we are prepared to fight this.
▶ 0:32:19Containing the spread through quarantine measures and fly dispersals and deploying treatment options to any animals that may be infected, and continued education to producers and consumers alike will be crucial as we look forward. It is also important that we have frank conversations about returning to a sense of normalcy at the border.
▶ 0:32:40The closure has resulted in a full stop of the cattle we traditionally import into the country, and has encouraged mexico to build out their own feeding and processing infrastructures, meaning that they're benefiting from us genetics while taking inventory away from domestic producers. Because transmission can happen through a number of vectors, including through wildlife, companion animals and humans.
▶ 0:33:03We need to keep talking about next best steps for the southern border, including a reopening that includes rigorous checkpoints, treatment and quarantine measures. Uh, madam secretary, again, I want to thank you and your team for your efforts to combat the new world screwworm, and I appreciate the comments that you made in your opening statements. If you have any anything further to add? I'm going to give you a few minutes to do so. Uh, otherwise I'll, I'll move on to my first question. >> no, I appreciate that.
▶ 0:33:31I would like to take just a moment on the new world. Screwworm. So it's a it's a, it is a vexing challenge that we thought we had beaten in the 1960s and 1970s. Uh, as I mentioned, uh, unfortunately that was wrong. As the screwworm began to make its way back towards us in 2021, the way we defeated it before, you need about 400 million sterile flies per week to actually mate with the bad flies, sterilize them.
▶ 0:33:57And then, of course, the way that the flesh is in wounds, uh, becomes, uh, open to these, these screwworms, which are actually flies. The flies land in the wound. They lay their eggs. The larvae then is what actually eats the eats, the, uh, the flesh. If you catch it right away, you can save the animal, uh, and put them back into the supply system after a number of days. If you don't catch it right away, then that's where the problem ensues. Back when we did beat it again, as I mentioned, it's about 400 million sterile flies a week.
▶ 0:34:27And that was in the 1960s, 1970s, because over years we had taken we as a country, we as a hemisphere had taken our eye off the ball thinking it was it was eradicated. Um, we got down to only a hundred million sterile flies in production a week in a facility in panama. So that is what we, you know, that the country, not we, me or usda, but the country really had relied on to keep it out of central america and mexico, etc. So here we are.
▶ 0:34:56When we got in last year, uh, I was presented with the information. It's starting to move its way up. I went to the president and I said, this is going to be a massive problem because we need 400 million to 500 million flies per week to beat this back. We only have one facility in our entire hemisphere, and it's only producing 100 million flies per week. So got immediate approval to begin permitting and construction on what will be the largest facility in the world on this. And that is being built right now in mission, texas.
▶ 0:35:25So instead of a couple years of permitting our army corps of engineer, our secretary of the war, put it at the top of the list, got it fast tracked, and we broke ground about 3 or 4 months ago. That facility will come online when it next year. When it does, it'll produce about 300 million flies per week in addition to the 100 million from panama. And then we outfitted an additional mexican facility in metapa for another $100 million. So we will get back to the point where we're able to push it back and eradicate it.
▶ 0:35:53But until that point, which is likely sometime next year, uh, our effort in trapping surveillance, uh, we had fda fast track, a lot of treatment. We've got a national veterinary supply stockpile that was loaded onto a plane this morning, is headed to south texas right now. Uh, I've already done a lot of press on this, so making sure that we're over communicating, especially to our producers, uh, is paramount, of course, for arizona, new mexico, and california.
▶ 0:36:20It's also a challenge, but the screwworm continues to be between 500 and 800 miles away from those borders. It's really south texas where we're really combating this every day. The point of that, Mr. chairman, is that we are on it. We've invested almost $1 billion since we came in the door last year to make sure that this doesn't happen again. >> well, thank you, madam secretary, and I'll yield back what few seconds I have and now recognize the ranking member for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:36:51Madam secretary, do you know how many farms we lost in the united states last year? >> uh, I know you were talking about the bankruptcies. I know that about 315 farms of 1.88 million are moving through bankruptcy right now. >> excuse me? We lost 15,000 farms last year. Well, that's a. >> conversation I would. Really like to have. >> fourth and fifth generation farms. >> okay, so not.
▶ 0:37:16>> 15,000, 15,000 farms because of bad policy on the part of this administration. So, you know, I'm sorry, I'm going to ask the questions here today. >> okay. I would love a question. >> do you know how much money farmers lost last year? What their losses were? Last year it was $28 billion. You're the secretary of agriculture, $28 billion.
▶ 0:37:41>> well, it depends how you calculate that, because I don't think you're taking into account all the crop protection, all the insurance, all of the the different programs that went through to support our farmers. >> right. And if this administration didn't have terrible policies, we would not need all that support for family farmers because we would have export markets still left in china. Thank you for that. >> what's the ranking member that is absolutely 100% not correct. When we lost all of our trade access around the world, we went to. >> madam secretary billion.
▶ 0:38:10Reclaim my time on behalf of family farmers. >> that was not the. >> reclaiming my time means you stop administration. That's that's what it means in this building. You stop talking when I reclaim my time. What's the national average of farm diesel right now? >> the national average of diesel. >> diesel? Yeah. What's what's. >> the deal has increased because of the iranian conflict. >> how much? How much was it? How much was it right. >> before the iranian conflict, it had gone way up under the all inputs under the last administration increased about 40%. That's what we inherited.
▶ 0:38:42>> reclaiming my time, madam secretary joe biden is no longer the president of the united states. Mr. trump is. Your party controls congress. You own these numbers at this point in time. I'm sick of hearing you blame an administration from a year and a half ago. You own every single bit of this since you don't know the answer. In may, the average price of diesel was 541 a gallon.
▶ 0:39:06That's up 95% from a year ago, the entire year in which this administration was in power in the white house, the house and the senate. Uh, let me ask you another question to see if you know anything about farm policy. Since the start of the iran war, how much have fertilizer prices increased for american farmers. >> for different pockets of fertilizer? Nitrogen, I'm sure, is what you're talking about, which is ammonia.
▶ 0:39:34That's increased about 40%, uh, based on the closure of the strait of hormuz. The others are a little more stable. But but we are now it did go up almost 90% under the biden years. So even though we're we're hitting record numbers. >> reclaiming my time. You are in power. You own this entire town. This is madam secretary. Do you know what? Reclaiming my time. >> okay, I just asked you not to be so rude. I mean, I'd really like to have a legitimate conversation.
▶ 0:40:03>> do you know what percentage of farmers now say they can't afford fertilizer for this year as a result of the president's war in iran? >> well, it depends on the geographic location. My southeast. >> 70% is the answer. >> those are the numbers. That's that's not correct. >> madam secretary, do you know what the snap fraud rate actually is? According to the most recent estimates from usda, the fraud rate. >> well, that is based on data we're receiving from the states that we can't verify.
▶ 0:40:28That's the whole point of this, is we have no ability to verify california, minnesota, where the fraud has been. >> reclaiming my time. It was 1.6%, according to usda. >> your state is saying we only have 1.6% fraud rate, which we all know is an absolute joke. >> I'll say it again. The usda's own data found 1.6%. I don't know, I don't think your I don't. Think so.
▶ 0:40:55Understand the difference between error rates and fraud rates, I honestly don't. It is one of the lowest program, the lowest fraud rate in any program in america is the snap program. >> the lowest fraud rate of any program in america is the snap program one. You can't be serious when you say that. >> your own data says 1.6%. That's because. >> the states you're. >> claiming told us that once more and you won't. >> allow us to confirm it. >> you. You've.
▶ 0:41:24You've bragged on tv that it's a great thing that you kicked 4 million people off. >> snap. The ability to work. The righteousness of work is, is, is not. >> reclaiming my time. Seven we should be proud. >> that's the goal of these welfare. >> madam secretary, I'm asking you these questions because these issues, this committee, it's all personal. >> you're not asking questions for an answer. You're asking questions to make. >> reclaiming my time again. >> I would like to actually have a mike thompson. >> madam secretary. Mr.
▶ 0:41:52Chair, she talked over half of my time here. So, look, when you describe the farm economy as the golden age, this administration needs to wake up and start understanding that family farmers are in need. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And secretary rollins, thank you for being here today.
▶ 0:42:14I want to start my first question by thanking you for your leadership on the great american cotton plan that usda announced last week. As congress considers additional ways to help the domestic cotton industry, one proposal continuing to gain traction is the bipartisan buying american cotton act, which would encourage greater use of U.S. grown fiber, support more textile manufacturing in the united states, and help shift sourcing away from regions associated with forced. Labor.
▶ 0:42:44Secretary, how do these priorities align with the goals of the great american cotton plan, and what are the. What role can. Can the stronger demand play in U.S. cotton advancing this agenda? >> well, this is the. Again, the work is in this. This is this is a a job that I just every day wake up and it isn't easy. I don't take it lightly. It's a seven day a week work. It's 20 hours a day.
▶ 0:43:10But the opportunity to identify where there has just been such bad policy making over many years, uh, and, and seeing what has happened to some of our farmers. Cotton is one of those. And to see how the world has taken our market over a number of years. And, and that's for a lot of reasons. I mean, the, the, the what we wear is often shipped in now from other countries. It's cheaper synthetic fiber.
▶ 0:43:35So I think the buy in american cotton act, the the baca as well as aligning with our great american cotton plan, they are 100% aligned. And what's really exciting about this is, is again, in a bipartisan way, uh, everyone is really, I think, woken up to the making america healthy again movement. And what I've been talking about, it isn't just what we're eating in the food and putting our farmers back in charge, but it's also what we wear, the sheets that we sleep in, etc. And there's nothing better than great american cotton.
▶ 0:44:05And so getting back to that, plants, not plastics. I like to say america, not brazil, because brazil is the one that's taken most of our market on. That is an incredible opportunity for cotton farmers. >> secretary, I'd like to discuss also the new world screwworm for a moment. And first, I want to thank you, secretary rollins, for your being extremely transparent and quick in response to the situation in texas yesterday.
▶ 0:44:32And I know your testimony outlined highlighted the work the administration has done to combat the fly, both in mexico and here at home. So let's visit for a moment about that. Uh, tell me about the contingency plans, as you mentioned earlier. Tell me about the the focus with which the department is putting on this. You obviously, and the department are taking this very, very seriously. Correct? >> well, that's correct, and I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about it.
▶ 0:45:02I didn't want to take too much time in my opening statement, but but this is an issue that there should have been a facility that broke ground three years ago. Frankly, whenever it began to move our way, this should have been something that we were investing in mexico in from 2021 to 2024, as it began to move our way very significantly. Um, just a big shout out to president trump.
▶ 0:45:26You know, the, I know we're going to get a lot of hate in here and I hate it, but the idea of returning the power to the people and, and, and shrinking the size and right sizing the footprint of government is all very righteous work. And that's what the american people voted for. But at the same time, to envision that while we were doing all of that work last spring, I walk into the oval office, I make the case to the president of the united states that, yes, we are cutting government.
▶ 0:45:55We're working really hard not to be so, so, so big, especially in washington. The 10th amendment that states and the local government should be the ones doing most of the policy making. But, sir, we're going to need $1 billion to launch a new facility to break ground, to really invest on the other side of the border, to slow down. And if we do nothing, or if we do business as usual, the screwworm will be here in the summer of last year, and we will not be prepared. And almost without hesitation, he said, go.
▶ 0:46:24So so we've been we've been working really hard. >> so you're working very hard, creating more facilities, increasing the production at existing facilities. I understand trying to improve the viability of the male flies to make them more attractive, so to speak, in this process. That's correct. Uh, working on ways to try and create higher percentages of male fly since that's the fly that matters in this context. >> that's right. >> uh, all of those things, which is why we invest in agricultural research, correct?
▶ 0:46:51Why we invest in having the infrastructure for these kind of struggles, because this will never go completely away. We just have to be vigilant and prepared from now on. Correct. Secretary. >> ever vigilant and ever watchful and talking to, I was on the phone with about 50 of our cattle ranchers in texas last night. Late last night I said, the single we're getting the treatments down to you. We've got the veterinarians, we're surging veterinarians, we're surging, uh, inspectors. Et cetera. But it is now up to you to keep eyes on your animal.
▶ 0:47:21That's the. >> most important thing, chairman. >> thank you so much. >> now, recognize gentleman from california, Mr. costa, for five minutes. Thank you very much. >> Mr. chairman and secretary rollins. And for for being here. Uh, you've been on the job for a little over a year. Um, I'm glad you're ready to talk about, uh, the challenges. My farmers in the san joaquin valley, one of the richest agricultural regions in the country, are hurting. Uh, not only then, when farmers are hurting, farm workers are impacted.
▶ 0:47:48And as we know, and your testimony indicated previously, farm, uh, agriculture is a national security issue. I say that every time we have a hearing. I'm a third generation farmer, and I know very much firsthand the impacts that farmers are, are faced with. Um, it's not a slogan in the san joaquin valley. We live that every day. Let me give you some numbers, madam secretary.
▶ 0:48:13California brings $61.2 billion of the farm gate last year, grows nearly half the nation's vegetables, more than three quarters of the fruits and nuts, and ships, $26.3 billion in farm exports last year, the largest exporter in the country. So when the usda acts, my farmers feel it first. And, uh, bankruptcies are up. That's a fact. You may not like it. My farmers don't like it either. Uh, and so what are we doing about it?
▶ 0:48:43Your testimony says the reorganization plan that I have a lot of questions about brings usda closer to serve the communities we serve. But you're moving into five hubs, not one in california, the number one agriculture state in the nation. My growers need help just as much as other growers around the country on farm programs, conservation research, disaster aid, school purchase programs, which is critical. Those offices are scattered around the country, not closer to my farmers. That's a runaround.
▶ 0:49:12And I must tell you that, um, you know, the usda is closer to california farmers, uh, on the map. Can you show me where? In fact, uh, it's skips the biggest ag state in the nation. How it becomes closer. >> well, a lot to unpack there. But, sir, to answer that last point, what I will say is we are moving hubs to kansas city, to indiana, which is closer to california than washington, D.C. uh, we've also got a hub in salt lake, salt lake city and in colorado.
▶ 0:49:43>> let me give you a different take. Uh, okay. I've been here for 22 years. Farmers and their associations, they're smart folks. When they come to washington, they not only visit the usda, they visit the trade office, they visit the department of interior. They meet with their members of congress. Now, you want to put this into five different hubs. Uh, that's not effective. That's a runaround. >> we still have. >> the headquarters here. We're going to need to talk about that. Do you have any desire or willingness to evaluate whether or not california might be possible for a hub? >> yes or no?
▶ 0:50:12I would be very welcome to that. And in fact, we've we've adjusted some things along the way based on feedback. >> let's talk about that later. Trade critical. >> just call me anytime. >> percent of california's agricultural exports is exported. And this disastrous trade war brought on between the tariffs, uh, you've tried to do damage control.
▶ 0:50:32It happened in the first trump administration, $28 billion taken out of the commodity credit conservation to deal with the damage that occurred b b before the trump first trade war. Um, so you $11 billion for row crops. I think that's probably appropriate. But what about specialty crops? Specialty crops associations say they think they need at least $5 billion to deal with the impact of these trade wars.
▶ 0:50:59Um, and it's got skyrocketed and it's cut off key trade partners that these markets are hard to access and develop. Uh, you've lumped them together with sugar and sugar needs help as well for $1 billion. Uh, that's not the $5 billion that the specialty crops believe they deserve. I know on friday in california, you announced an increase, but it's still paltry compared to the damage that's occurred, uh, crop relief. And it's about fairness, madam secretary.
▶ 0:51:27And I don't think there's fairness being demonstrated. California exports to china collapsed 64% in the last year and a half. Almonds are down 77%. Fresno county alone, which I represent, lost $246 million last year. You cannot find a single bottle of california wine, which is pretty good, I may tell you, in canada, in a restaurant or in a store, they are responding with their pocketbook.
▶ 0:51:56Uh, and if this trump's trade war is making matters worse, you can look at the impacts of iran, the the fact that the straits of hormuz are closed has impacted shipping lanes, pistachios, walnuts, almond shippers and producers can't move their products to the region. So two direct questions. First, beyond the payments announced so far, will you commit to additional assistance for specialty crop growers taking losses from the president's war with iran?
▶ 0:52:25Yes or no? >> we'll be happy to look on that. It's a matter of funding. And the c.c.c. Is, as you know, the one big, beautiful bill, the working families tax cut. It was big. >> I didn't think it was beautiful. I'll have to save my questions for later. Thank you madam. >> I'm happy to follow up on on california and otherwise. We had a remarkable visit there last week. Thank you. >> now, recognize the gentleman from arkansas, Mr. crawford, for five minutes. >> madam secretary, thank you for being here.
▶ 0:52:51And I want to say at the outset here it's a very refreshing to have an actual aggie that's occupying the, uh, the secretary position. Uh, very refreshing for a change. Your credentials in that space are unassailable. Thank you. Um, real quick, fertilizer has been a topic of conversation. I want to go back to fertilizer because I think it's in our national interests, um, to secure our own sources of fertilizer production.
▶ 0:53:16Um, our supply chain is very fragile and our, our production base is extremely limited. I think we've regulated ourselves into that position. But let me just say this, that I don't want to see the mistake made that we've done with other endeavors where we see big pharma, we see big oil and the small players are priced out.
▶ 0:53:35And the reason I say that is because from a geographic perspective, I think it's more important that we atomize the industry because they are positioned to address the needs in a given geography, which actually enhances the viability of of that industry and improves outcomes as it applies to a fragile supply chain. So I just want to get your feedback on that and how important that is, and making sure that we're empowering the little guys like they like in helena, arkansas, along the mississippi river in my district where they're getting ready to put fertilizer plant online and what that will mean to that region.
▶ 0:54:05>> I. >> I think. >> that, yeah, I think we're talking about the el dorado, arkansas, uh, urea and ammonium nitrate fertilizer plant, which is really exciting. I know I mentioned in the, in the top of the, of the comments, the importance of national security that what I have learned, uh, moving into this job, I knew it was a major challenge, but the fact that we've offshored our fertilizer, our seeds, our supply chains, our processing over a number of years really is a national security issue.
▶ 0:54:33We used to produce our own fertilizer almost exclusively in this country. In the last couple of decades. We now only produce about half of the fertilizer that we need, which means we're reliant on china and russia and other foreign countries and some foreign adversarial countries. This is a solvable problem in the long run. And so the light that has been shown on the fertilizer industry to rebuild in america cannot be overstated. Uh, as I mentioned, we've got big plants going in everywhere. The world's biggest plant. We're going to be breaking ground.
▶ 0:55:04I'll be in some states in the next few weeks talking about it. But I think your point is a really, really important one. We've got, you know, a couple dozen, three dozen really great fertilizer plant projects going on. One is a $4 million project actually in minnesota, uh, miss craig, where that's going to be and come online. It's an organic fertilizer company. We have an $80 million one coming online in the state of washington.
▶ 0:55:27So making this a national security issue and understanding it as such is allowing chris wright at the department of energy to invest in our fertilizer plants under the energy bucket of funding. It's allowing howard lutnick at commerce with his investment fund to invest in fertilizer plants. It's allowing lee zeldin at epa to allow us to move out much more quickly and to lift some of the regulations so that we can get these fertilizer plants on line very quickly so we don't have this issue again in the future.
▶ 0:55:57>> I appreciate your understanding and awareness, and obviously you get it. And that's important to our our small fertilizer producers so they can make a big impact on the ag industry. Let me shift gears real quick and leave you with this. Um, I'm concerned about our policy, uh, governing plc and our payments that take that basically are made in arrears. I would say that if, if conditions are bad enough in a given year that they trigger a payment, that the payment is necessary in that year, not putting it off for 12 to 14 months.
▶ 0:56:25And so what I've sought to do is to actually create an opportunity for advanced partial payments for producers to help offset some of the interest expense associated with continuing to produce. Without those payments being made. I would want to get your feelings on whether or not you can appropriately implement that if and when that policy is is, uh, signed into law, because I think it's important to provide the resources in real time and not make farmers wait for 12 to 14 months when the damage is already done. >> I couldn't agree more with that.
▶ 0:56:54And we've got the best team on the field. If, if if it moves forward, we will get it implemented. And it's especially important with additional 30 million acres that we're now adding into those programs that that we're able to do this quickly. >> thank you. I appreciate that, and I yield back. >> thank you sir. >> yields back. Now recognize the gentleman from massachusetts, Mr. mcgovern for five minutes. >> thank you very much. And, madam secretary, let me begin on a positive note. Um, being from massachusetts, I see that you're drinking a cup of dunkin coffee, which I think is the best coffee in the world. >> yes. They're in the basement of the usda building, but I.
▶ 0:57:25>> I need to tell you that your secretary of health and human services is is going after dunkin big time. So we won't tell him. We'll just. >> that's right. >> here. We say we're all for. But we still like donuts a little bit over there at usda. >> but, um, but while I'm glad that you're here, uh, taking questions, taking questions, I have to be honest with you. I wish that you would take the time to talk with farmers in my district who have been totally screwed over by this administration. They are livid. They are mad. They are off. My farmers can't afford fertilizer. Uh, it's at record highs because of your administration.
▶ 0:57:55They can't afford diesel because of this president's reckless, illegal war. They can't afford farm equipment. It's more expensive than ever because of the stupid tariffs. Their markets have vanished because you illegally halted the local food procurement programs. In some states, they can't even call their local usda offices because some of them have been closed. And because of this administration's cruel cuts to food assistance, many people in my community can no longer afford to buy fresh and local produce.
▶ 0:58:23People are tired of the gaudy ballrooms and the slush funds and the, you know, and and the corruption that is, uh, on display before their very eyes. Uh, they're sick and tired of the mar a lago class being enriched and getting richer while everybody else gets ignored. Um, earlier this year, you even bragged about kicking 4.5 million people off nutrition assistance, saying that was, quote, good news.
▶ 0:58:50Well, a new report from the nonpartisan center on budget and policy priorities found that the number includes at least 700,000 children. Now, I say at least because that's data from less than half the country. That number is going to be in the in the millions. Let me say that again. 700,000 kids plus have lost their food assistance. That's not good news. Hunger is getting worse in this country. And by the way, the average snap benefit is only about $2 per person per meal. You can't even afford to buy your dunkin coffee.
▶ 0:59:20Uh, with the average snap benefit right now. So do you stand by your comment that kicking people off of food assistance is somehow good news? >> so, sir, most of those based on the numbers were fraudulent. The 700,000 number of children is not correct. Uh, that is not a nonpartisan group that that gave you that number. And, uh, and, and again, we should, we're back to where we were, uh, pre-covid and this idea that we should put more and more people on food stamps is just not correct.
▶ 0:59:51>> madam secretary. I mean, I've talked to many of the people who have lost their benefits. They, they, they haven't been moved off of snap. They've been kicked off of snap. These are people who actually need and rely on this food assistance to provide basic nutrition for their families. Hunger is getting worse in the united states of america. We all should be ashamed of that. Uh, and that's, by the way, before the $200 billion in snap cuts go into effect that were part of the big ugly bill. Let me ask you another question. >> may I respond? I'll be super fast. Yeah.
▶ 1:00:17What I will say is that wages are at the highest rate they've been in american history. >> our unemployment is at. >> the lowest rate. We have more people working. Costs have never cost, have. >> never. >> been higher. >> have never been higher. Go to a grocery store. People are putting groceries back on the shelf because they can't afford to pay their bill. So let me ask you speak about healthy food and specifically about toxic cancer, cancer causing chemicals like glyphosate, uh, that gets sprayed on our crops. This administration promised to make america healthy again.
▶ 1:00:47This is a yes or no question. Is glyphosate. Do you believe that it's safe? >> glyphosate has been proven safe when used correctly, both in the european union. Eu uses it and in america when used correctly, I I'm actually surprised on the agriculture committee. Um, if we were to move away from glyphosate overnight, we would completely destroy our food supply system in this country. So the secretary kennedy and I, you know, obviously we have to take a good look at it.
▶ 1:01:17Regenerative farming is is. >> a big part. Of this. You know, I want to submit, for the record, the world health organization's analysis of this. Chairman thompson has been pushing the senate to include a liability shield for chemical companies that make glyphosate. After we stripped it out of the house, it was a republican amendment from representative luna that got stripped. Uh, the chairman of the committee called it a danger to the nation. Do you agree that representative luna's amendment is a danger to the nation? >> we have to be so careful and intentional. We y'all.
▶ 1:01:45I mean, we're talking about preserving and protecting american farmers. >> do you. >> believe the greatest american. >> chemical companies deserve liability protection? >> the very far. Listen, we cannot destroy our farmers and ranchers ability to plant and and make a living every day. I mean, this is the whole point of this committee. >> so you believe even though you're saying that glyphosate is safe, that they should have some sort of liability protection. >> it's safe when used correctly. >> so do you believe if liability.
▶ 1:02:14>> are enacting policy that allows china to be our sole source of crop protection, we will lose. >> freedom for our country? >> I say it is expired. >> causes cancer. Madam. >> we should. >> say it causes cancer. >> now recognize the gentleman from georgia, Mr. scott, for five minutes. >> by the way, I would love to come to massachusetts and visit your farmers. I'm sorry. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Madam secretary, I'm glad to see you.
▶ 1:02:39You're you're here on a day that, uh, happens to coincide with the national defense authorization act. And there are almost ten members of this committee that are also on the armed services committee. And so that is, uh, you'll see people coming and going. And I know my friend Mr. crawford, who's a gang of eight, was called down to a skiff. So, um. >> good to see you. Thank you. >> good to see you too. But I, uh, I just a couple of things on the last statements that were made.
▶ 1:03:06If you're under 18, you were exempt from any of the changes that we made on snap benefits. If you're over 64, 65 and over, you're exempt from any of the changes that we made on the snap benefits. And the language on glyphosphate was specific to the label on the jug, and had nothing to do with the chemical in the jug. Just a few facts that I think the american citizens should know. But, um, a lot's been talked about with trade here, secretary rollins.
▶ 1:03:33And um, the european union has adopted a lot of non-tariff trade barriers against the united states and its producers, uh, including the european union deforestation regulation, which they turned around and exempted their own countries from in many cases. And so I want to just say I'm thankful that we have a president of the united states that is not allowing other countries to adopt not just tariffs against U.S.
▶ 1:04:02Products, but the non-tariff trade barriers that have been detrimental, um, to our country. We simply couldn't look the other way and say, yes, sir. Thank you, sir. May we have another sir, the way, uh, the previous administration was doing it in destroying the markets that our agricultural producers sold into. Um, I want to move now though to, um, as I mentioned, forest, the emergency forest restoration program.
▶ 1:04:27My understanding is that georgia, my home state, is out of funds and letters are now beginning to go out with approved, but lack of funds. What is the level of remaining funds in the national f arp program, and is there any additional funding to be released at the federal level? >> uh, let me get back to you on that. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but understand, it is a it is an important issue for your state. So, so yeah, we'll, uh, we'll continue that conversation.
▶ 1:04:57>> thank you for that. I also want to ask you about the supplemental disaster relief program. I mean, you're, you're, uh, organization has been very quick to make course corrections and I appreciate that while others pretend we can do a lot of great things without, um, and get it right 100% of the time, true leaders are willing to course correct as, and I consider you a true leader.
▶ 1:05:21Um, is there anything we can do from the congressional perspective on the front end to help ensure issues like we had with the arp funds? Um, don't happen again and making sure that those dollars go out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible. >> the I think the challenge with arp was that it required negotiations with every state, uh, in terms of the granting process.
▶ 1:05:49And tyler harper in your state was, was incredible. But the back and forth and the back and forth, probably on both sides, we learned a lot from and this is true of a lot of the different grants. Some moved out very, very quickly, others took a little bit longer. But I think at this point we are almost completely closed that program. I think there may be vermont and maybe 1 or 2 others up in the northeast, but but I think that's the learning experience for us. But it's a good flag.
▶ 1:06:14I'll go back to the team and make sure we've made a list of what those are and, and what we can do better the next time. Having said that, congressman, I think, you know, we have moved out these programs in this funding in about half as much time as previous usda s have. The one farmer, one file allowed us in four days to move out 57,000 different farmer payments as we move to more technology. Uh, so we're making huge progress on that front. And hopefully we'll be able to hand off these programs to the next administration.
▶ 1:06:43>> secretary rollins, the first conversation I had with you was about highly pathogenic avian avian influenza. And, um, a potential vaccine vaccine. And, um, I appreciate exactly what you said in that meeting. We, we need a vaccine, but we don't need a vaccine that doesn't work. Um, my question is what, what plans are you looking at to move a high path vaccine strategy forward?
▶ 1:07:12>> we are evaluating that every day, congressman. And, and we understand the great, great anxiety of the industry itself. There's obviously some trade implications as well. But the good news here is based on biosecurity implementation that we did last year, our hpai incident rates are down almost 60% since a year ago today. So the the farmers, the egg farmers have made the changes as we're looking at a vaccine and we're making tremendous progress.
▶ 1:07:42>> secretary rollins, I appreciate you and I appreciate having a president that is, uh, taking our challenges seriously. >> thank you sir. Good to see you. >> now recognize doctor adams from north carolina. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, madam secretary, for being here today. I, I do have some serious concerns and questions I want to raise with you. Uh, first of all, the real truth is that farm country is in crisis, and the people that I represent deserve and need answers.
▶ 1:08:11American farmers wake up before dawn. They don't ask for handouts. They ask for fair markets, reliable policy, and a government that doesn't make life harder for them. Government has made life harder for our farmers. And so this administration has failed them on all three counts. But let me just be clear about something. What's happening happened on your watch. And under the laws of this administration, we're seeing an increase in everyday costs, cuts to nutrition programs, pushing many, including children and veterans, off nutrition assistance.
▶ 1:08:40We're seeing a useless tariff battle and the abandonment of small farmers. So let me begin with with this administration's war on nutrition, we're already seeing millions lose access to nutrition benefits from the implementation of h.r. One. Not a beautiful thing. Uh, 17000 individuals in mecklenburg county, which I represent, uh, have already lost their food assistance assistance benefits.
▶ 1:09:07And we're talking about people being pushed out, pushed off of these benefits, not who are not able bodied adults. They avoiding work. They're workers. Uh, they're elderly individuals. They can't navigate a new bureaucratic work verification system. They're veterans who, who fell through the cracks of the needless administrative agenda, their children, whose families are caught up in the in the turbulence of economic downturns.
▶ 1:09:35And this administration helped cause that, uh, snap participation nationwide fell by 4 million people between july 2025, uh, enactment in february 2026. And that's not efficiency. That is hunger. Uh, snap is not just a nutrition program. It's an economic and agricultural market driver. So, madam secretary, this administration cut snap, terminated local food programs, gutted fsa, other regional office staffing. And then you called that reform.
▶ 1:10:06But reform implies measuring outcomes. Uh, and it implies accountability. It implies that somebody somewhere in that building is tracking what what happens next. So please tell me, does usda have a long term data and tracking system in place to measure the widening of the poverty gap, increase that hunger, that increased hunger throughout the country and the collapse of a grocery access and rural communities and other areas with limited access.
▶ 1:10:36And that's a yes or no. No question. >> yes. >> okay. Thank you. Well, listen, it's still causing a lot of harm. But secretary rollins, you serve at the pleasure of this and you've used a farm country, uh, as a bargaining chip, not a priority. This department and the administration really needs to be accountable, uh, for soaring production costs. Reduce global export demand.
▶ 1:11:02Uh, markets, uh, our farmers spent building decades building have been handed to countries like brazil and argentina and australia. While this administration picked trade fights that it had no plan to win. So can I get a specific number? Do you know how many billions of dollars in agricultural exports to china?
▶ 1:11:26Has the united states lost as a direct result of retaliatory tariffs imposed by our trading partners since this administration took office? Do you have a specific number? >> actually, we've increased exports in the billions, about $22 billion in the last year since taking over. So I think your your information is wrong. >> well over 14 almost 15 billion. Madam secretary, 15 billion. Uh, that's from china alone, not to mention other trading partners. Well, let me move on.
▶ 1:11:54Uh, as the usda secretary, uh, have you conducted a comprehensive economic impact assessment of the retaliatory tariffs on american agricultural producers? Have you have you done that? >> yes, ma'am. And corn exports are up 20%. Dairy is up 11%, tree nuts up 21%, ethanol is up 20%. And fresh fruits and veggies are up 4% just in the last year. Okay. We've we've struck 19 new trade deals. >> okay. >> let me, uh, so.
▶ 1:12:25>> we're getting I have I have another question or part of that. So can we get this committee, get an analysis within the next 30 days? >> yes, ma'am. >> okay, great. So let me ask you, I've talked to you, I think before about the 1890s. I'm in 1890 graduate. Yes, ma'am. And I worked with Mr. scott a lot on on the on the issues. And the department of agriculture, in my opinion, has a legal and moral obligation to support the 1890 historically black colleges and universities. But right now, we're failing that obligation.
▶ 1:12:53Uh, you've proposed separating the 1890 research program from the extension programs. That's creating a major problem. I really wish you would take another look at that. >> well, I sure will. I had all the the 1890 presidents in about a month ago, and we had an incredible conversation and are partnering together. So I would love to get more information on that. >> all right. So I'll follow up with you. Is that okay? >> yes, ma'am. And we'll get the 30 day trade very much to you as well within 30 days. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:13:24>> I yield back. >> now, recognize the gentleman from north carolina, Mr. rouzer, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And first, Mr. chairman, I want to thank you and the ranking member for honoring and recognizing david scott in his service, as well as doug lamalfa, uh, in his service. Both were incredible, incredible members of this committee, uh, and great americans and patriots too. So, uh, miss, uh, madam secretary, great to see you. >> you too. >> and first, I want, I want to thank you for visiting my home state of north carolina and our producers down there.
▶ 1:13:54I know they really enjoyed seeing you a few days ago. And, uh, I'll just say that, um, I appreciate your attention to the export markets for all of our commodities and, uh, some of which you, you and I have talked about personally from time to time, uh, when we run across each other and, uh, so greatly, greatly appreciate that, uh, we've got a lot of folks that are feeling a lot of pressures. And, uh, those export markets are obviously really key.
▶ 1:14:22Uh, which brings me to a broader point, uh, because I was listening to the conversation, the debate earlier at the outset of the, uh, the hearing. And, uh, you know, I, I think if you look at the broader picture, uh, for 40 years plus, uh, american agriculture, republican administrations, democrat administrations, the whole philosophy was production should go where it, where it's cheapest and that not all
▶ 1:14:53That's, uh, often not been, uh, to the advantage of this country. And, uh, so I, I think, uh, I think people who understand the broad picture really appreciate what president trump is doing. He's trying to level the playing field. Uh, and, you know, you don't do this overnight. I mean, you had 40, 50 years of china, china, china, china. I can't tell you how many people when I work for U.S.
▶ 1:15:17Senator jesse helms and then later elizabeth dole, uh, line after line after line of people would come in the office and say, if we can just get our our market in china. Yeah. Uh, you know, it's, it's going to make everybody better. And, and we're going to be able to change their communist regime and they're going to become more democratic. And my old boss would look at them and, and more or less say, you can take the tiny dragon and turn it into a big dragon. Uh, because they're going to keep their communist philosophy.
▶ 1:15:47You know, china has a hundred year plan to annihilate this country and every other democrat nation, democratic nation around the world. And, uh, and of course, I think it's important for us to recognize too, uh, how much brazil plays into that. Uh, they are basically a centerpiece of chinese, uh, dictatorial communist policy in south america.
▶ 1:16:09And, uh, if you look at our commodities grown in north carolina, uh, the one place where we're being outpaced in a big way and unfairly so is, is brazil. And, uh, so there are a lot of reasons for that, but one of the big reasons for that is this 40, 50 year philosophy that that has been in place that the president, uh, you know, in his first year and a half has done a tremendous and you, you as well, the entire administration has done a tremendous job. Thank you. To rebalance the playing field.
▶ 1:16:40And I love the great american cotton plan. Uh, you know, cotton is a is a big part of our agriculture economy in north carolina. And textiles obviously is a mainstay, uh, in, in the state, although endured a lot of hardship over the years because of the policies I was just talking about. Uh, so can you talk from the administration standpoint about your plans for great american cotton and in its role for american textiles and what we're doing to rebalance the trade, uh, aspect on that front?
▶ 1:17:12>> yeah, that was really well said. And I'll just add a little bit to that. In 2023, america lost our, our, uh, our crown as the, the world's cotton export, uh, leader to brazil. Uh, brazil in the last few years has also taken corn, soybeans, processing, etc. These are major national security issues that we are taking very, very seriously.
▶ 1:17:34Uh, cotton, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, is at the very top of that list to see the decimation of the policies that have happened to our cotton farmers and other farmers along the way due to bad trade, is really sort of eye opening. Uh, usda will be investing significant resources, time, etc. Treasurer, etc. To ensure that we can rebuild that great american industry. And alongside that, you know, north carolina will be the textile industry.
▶ 1:18:02We used to have a couple thousand textile mills in this country. And now I think we're down to maybe 100 maybe, and a lot of those in north carolina. So this is the onshoring putting america first, getting back to putting our citizens, our businesses first, and ensuring we're securing our country for the next 250 years. And, and while I've been talking about cotton a lot in the last few days, we've talked about a lot of the different commodities over the last year and four months.
▶ 1:18:28And, and we're working really hard to get that market back, but also to make sure people understand, I don't know, congressman, if you were in here, but the make america healthy again movement isn't just about food, although that's the driver. It's about what we wear as well. And so plant not plastics, america, not brazil or china. >> yeah. Gentleman's time has expired. >> thank you congressman. >> thank you. Uh, now recognize jim lee from connecticut, Mrs. hayes, for five minutes. >> thank you. And thank you, secretary rollins, for being here.
▶ 1:18:57Recently, the usda announced plans to reorganize, reallocate, and rename the food, nutrition and consumer services mission area, which includes the food and nutrition services, or fns, the agency responsible for administering snap and other critical nutrition programs. On may 11th, I sent a letter to the department of agriculture, along with 47 of my democratic colleagues, requesting information regarding this reorganization.
▶ 1:19:25I listed a series of questions that we were looking for answers to. I received a response this morning, which I haven't really had time to review thoroughly from deputy secretary vaden, in which he says, quote, notably absent were these questions raised in this public letter, and he would welcome an opportunity to provide information.
▶ 1:19:45Perhaps deputy secretary vaden forgot that he had a hard stop and members were not allowed to speak, and that this was a a private, off the record round table on a topic that is so critically important. And the american public needs to hear answers to this. So I'd like to take the opportunity to talk to you about some of these things.
▶ 1:20:06The letter that I sent highlighted concerns about fns losing nearly 30% of its workforce since the start of this administration and this reorganization, leaving critical nutrition programs dangerously short staffed at precisely the moment where they are needed most. In the response that I received, uh, secretary deputy secretary vaden made egregious statements blaming both the obama and biden administration for, um, some of the gaps in in the disbursement of food.
▶ 1:20:35He blamed union bosses, government shutdowns, and the chevron relocation, but does not address any of the concerns that I listed. So, uh, the department, I feel the department should be able to talk about this in full public view and let people understand the answers to these very critical questions. I am open to hearing your thoughts on this reorganization. And it should not be behind closed doors.
▶ 1:20:59So while I can't go through all of the questions, uh, just a few that I had were, um, how many employees will be impacted by this organization and how will the usda fill vacancies resulting from the reorganization while there's a hiring freeze? And then I guess one of my primary concerns is how do you intend to maintain regional program expertise and relationships with state agencies under this new hub, uh, structure?
▶ 1:21:27>> uh, I'll take the last one first and then if I forget any, let me know. Congresswoman, uh, first on the expertise in the new hubs, our, our goal is that this actually becomes even more effective because we'll be out in the country with the very people that we're serving versus here in washington. Uh, we're moving several of the hubs to the middle of the country. We have some on the west coast and some on the east coast. And, and no one has been cut. No employees have been cut in that reorganization. No food. Um, aid has been compromised.
▶ 1:21:57Uh, this is really an effort to get closer to the people that we serve and out of the washington, dc area. So I apologize if there was a hard stop, but not everyone got their questions answered. We'll reschedule. >> well, can I, I guess just in the interest of time, because I do only have five minutes. Yes. He said he would welcome a second opportunity to provide information. Uh, can we just can you commit here today, at least to a first opportunity to at least answer the questions that were asked in the letter? >> yes. >> okay. Thank you.
▶ 1:22:26My next question I just want to follow up on on rep adam's question. Predictably, uh, about snap in the state of connecticut, more than 5000 people, connecticut residents lost access to benefits. Yesterday, my connecticut governor, ned lamont, committed $8.5 million in emergency federal aid. And from a response, uh, a fund that was created in response to federal cuts, it will be a one time $300 grocery assistance card for residents.
▶ 1:22:55But this is a state government cleaning up a federal mess. Miss adams asked you it just as a yes or no question, I'd ask you to just give us some details on what your department is doing to take steps that to ensure that families who lose snap benefits do not fall deeper into food insecurity over the next over the coming months and years. >> again, the the economy. We have more people working than ever before. Our unemployment numbers are the lowest they've ever been.
▶ 1:23:23Wages are high in the blue collar, uh, in the highest I think they've been. And so as a result of that, that is the goal. It's a supplemental nutrition assistance program for when the times are the toughest. Now, if there are stories of families who. Sorry. >> my question was, what is your department plan to do to take steps to ensure that families don't fall deeper? Um, families that lost benefits don't fall deeper into hunger?
▶ 1:23:50>> well, that's exactly what we're doing by ensuring that the families that really need this are the ones that are getting it. Snap had a 40% increase in the last administration, 40% in terms of the outlay that was going out. >> my time is unexpired. But again, you have not answered the question about what the usda plans to do to ensure that families don't fall deeper into hunger, I yield back. >> thank you. Gentleman from mississippi, Mr. kelly, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And I, like Mr.
▶ 1:24:17Rouzer, also want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for recognizing former chairman david scott. What a tremendous, amazing. And Mr. lamalfa, earlier, we lost two of the, uh, the mentors on this committee who showed us all how it should be run. And I and we'll miss them, but we take forward the way that they work on this committee. Secretary rollins, thank you for being here today. Um, I also want to thank you for your visits to mississippi. They mean so much.
▶ 1:24:44I want to begin by thanking you and president trump for putting american farmers back at the center of our agricultural policy. Farmers across mississippi appreciate, uh, president trump's commitment to strengthening the farm economy and ensure an agriculture remains a priority. I also appreciate your leadership at usda and your work to implement the president's agenda on the behalf of the american producers. I also want to pat the chairman in this committee.
▶ 1:25:11And getting 10.5 billion in assistance to our farmers a year and a half ago, and the president following up with another ten plus billion. That was so important to do, because our farmers are really struggling with input costs, uh, with bad markets and all those things. So I thank y'all for all the improvement. Mr. rouzer stole my thunder on the great american cotton plan. Uh, and you articulated that, but that is also so important to states like mississippi.
▶ 1:25:36So I just want to thank you for your hard work in that, uh, turning to another challenge facing producers in mississippi, our state has experienced a series of drought conditions over the last several years. Cattle producers in particular, have seen tremendous losses in forage and hay production. As a result, congress passed some very positive enhancements to the livestock forage program in the working families tax cut act. Can you update the committee on the status of implementation of these changes to the program? >> yes we are.
▶ 1:26:04We are getting very close to being, uh, taking that to conclusion, of course, the new reference prices go into effect this fall. Uh, a lot of those working family tax cut programs have really, uh, have moved out and have made a tremendous difference to the country. I think that's why you see a lot more people going back to work. But specific to that program, we're really close on that. Uh, if you want to follow up with me directly, we'll give you exact exact timeline. >> absolutely, secretary. And as usda works to deliver these improvements, I also want to touch on the role of the farm service agency.
▶ 1:26:34The vital role of fsa cannot be overstated. As the most farmer facing agency with offices in nearly every county across the country, fsa is key to helping producers make operational decisions. With the monumental changes made to the farm safety net last summer, the agency support is even more important as fsa been adequately staffed and equipped to meet the needs of our producers and swiftly implement these provisions.
▶ 1:27:03>> I can't again to, to your point, overstate the importance of these fsa offices. There's no doubt there is room for efficiency. It is congressionally, it is statute that there has to be an office in every county. So no offices have closed, even though I think the congressman from massachusetts mentioned their office closures. But we are really digging in. This year I visited multiple fsa offices, sitting down with the teams that are in there.
▶ 1:27:29I've thanked them because some of them are operating at 50, 60% of the staff that they had before we came into office. And and so I will recognize there is room for improvement. We are working really hard to get that improved. And what I will say, and this is true for anyone, republican or democrat, if you have specific fsa offices that are saying we're weeks behind, we cannot get this funding out without more help. What we'll do is we've been moving around in nebraska with the fires.
▶ 1:27:57We relocated some fsa offices from non-fire, parts of the state of nebraska to where the fire hit the most for our producers. And while we're restaffing. >> secretary rollins, I'm a veteran and I love it when people who haven't served want to talk about what we do and don't for our veterans. Uh, I don't like it when veterans who don't deserve benefits get benefits that they don't deserve because it takes away from those who actually deserve it.
▶ 1:28:22I feel the same way about our snap program, the fraud and abuse that was rampant in some areas, uh, that took away from the well deserving. So they got less of what they needed because someone who didn't deserve anything was getting fraud, uh, snap benefits.
▶ 1:28:35So I just really want to thank the administration for tightening up the shot group on this stuff, for making sure that anyone who deserves benefits gets as much snap benefits as they can to have the nutrition benefits for their children and their families, and that we're taking away from those who are illegally getting these benefits, who are getting double benefits or improperly using them. So thank the administration and you, secretary rollins, for tightening up that shot group and making sure the people that need it most get more.
▶ 1:29:04With that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> may I respond to my 12 seconds, the red states that shared their data with us. That's where we found the 200,000 dead people, the 500,000 people receiving more than one benefit. These are in the red states that have the tighter controls than the blue states. Can you imagine the fraud in these blue states? Once we can access the data and figure out how to make this program better, it's it's going to be stunning. >> thank you. I'm now recognize the gentlelady from ohio, miss brown, for five minutes.
▶ 1:29:35>> thank you, chairman thompson and ranking member craig. Secretary rollins, over the last year, this administration has repeatedly said that we are entering a golden age, a golden age of american agriculture. Well, frankly, that would come as news to the farmers and ranchers I talked to in ohio and around the country, because the only thing that is truly golden right now is the price of fertilizer.
▶ 1:29:57While farm country and rural america struggle, farmers are facing trade wars and real wars, rising input costs and shrinking export markets, cuts at usda and tightening margins, all because of policy choices made by this administration. For many producers, the question isn't how much they're making, it's whether they'll make it through another season.
▶ 1:30:25So you all can call this the golden age if you want, but the numbers tell a different story, and so do the farmers living it every day. So, madam secretary, yes or no? Are you aware that the farm bankruptcies increased by 46% last year? According to the american farm bureau. >> out of 1.77 million. >> reclaiming my time. It's a yes or no.
▶ 1:30:49And are you aware that usda estimates show that farm income fell roughly 25,000,000,000 billion following the implementation of tariffs? Yes or no? >> that was based on the years before? >> yes, sir. >> we lost our export markets. >> reclaiming my question, are you? According to a recent farm bureau survey, six out of ten farmers report that their financial situation is getting worse. These are simple, yes or nos. >> we have opened the market. >> reclaiming my time.
▶ 1:31:18These are facts, secretary rollins. So this is what a golden age of agriculture looks like. Because if rising bankruptcies, falling farm income, and worsening financial conditions are a sign of a golden age, I hate to see what a downturn looks like. There's no. And on the trade front, this is my time, secretary rice. This is my time. Secretary expanding. Mr. chairman, point of order.
▶ 1:31:46And on the trade front, the president. >> really appreciate. >> secretary rollins. This is my time. I know this is my time. Mr. chairman. Point of order. >> in a dignified manner. >> oh, you be dignified and I'll be dignified because this is my time. And when I ask a question, if it's a yes or no, I expect a yes or no answer. >> this is. >> why, secretary rice, respectfully. I'm so happy.
▶ 1:32:12And on the trade front, the president recently defended his beijing bailout, supporting chinese ownership of U.S. farmland by stating, and I quote, you want to see farm prices drop. You want to see farmers lose a lot of money. Just take that out of the market. Another easy yes or no question. Madam secretary, do you agree with the president that china should own our farmland? >> china is a massive threat to america. The president has recognized this over and over again.
▶ 1:32:42We have to protect american farmland. >> thank you. Madam secretary. I'd like to turn to another example where I think there is a significant gap between the story this administration is telling and the reality americans are experiencing. Recently, you described it as good news that roughly 4.5 million people have been quoted moved off. Snap. Now, if those families were leaving snap because of wages were rising and people no longer needed assistance, I think we'd all celebrate that.
▶ 1:33:12But that's not what's happening. The reality is, the reality is that 4.5 million people were kicked off the program to pay. For tax cuts for the wealthy. Through h.r. One. Families and children are not leaving the snap program because they're doing better. They're being forced off because of eligibility changes, new administrative barriers, and states preparing for the enormous cost shifts that they know is coming. And you know this.
▶ 1:33:40So I'm really struggling to understand why you think pulling the rug out from under children, seniors, veterans and families that have fallen on hard times. Good news. >> can you explain. >> why americans should view losing access to food assistance as. >> can I. >> explain. >> when grocery. >> prices remain high and food insecurity continues to affect families across this. >> country, I would love to explain. Thank you. So snap increased 40% under the last administration. The amount of fraud, as I mentioned in the red states, 200,000 dead people.
▶ 1:34:11>> reclaiming half a million. I mean, this is really part of a disturbing pattern here. Farm bankruptcies. Farm bankruptcies are at a record high. But the president is saying that it's a golden age. Madam secretary, millions of americans are going hungry. And you're saying it's a success story. The administration keeps pointing to numbers it wants america's americans to see. But families, farmers and rural communities are living with consequences of the numbers you don't want to talk about.
▶ 1:34:39I really, really hope you can get your facts straight before january of next year. >> we have more exports. >> we have wired. >> everything is in better shape. I just don't think you want more people to work. I think that you want more people on government programs and not working. It's. It's remarkable. >> gentlelady's time has expired. Now recognize the gentleman from illinois, Mr. voss. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Secretary rollins. >> thank you for being here. And I'm going to try to be civil and actually ask questions and you can actually answer them. >> thank you so much.
▶ 1:35:09>> over the last decade, you know, we've seen, uh, and time and time again, the solar panel companies coming into rural areas to purchase our lease, prime farmland offering farmers money they can't refuse, and taking land out of production. And look, I don't blame the farmers for taking the money. I'll be the last person to tell anyone what they can do with their land.
▶ 1:35:28But just a few months ago, we had a proposed project pop up and we have had many of these, but this is one, uh, in my southern counties that would cover 5200 acres of prime farmland and take it out of production. And that's why I proudly put into the, uh, the, the farm bill, the solar act in 2026.
▶ 1:35:53It establishes guidelines for usda funding for solar panel projects and ensures that local communities have a say in that process, because I believe the federal government should not be using taxpayer dollars to incentivize and or subsidize taking our best land out of production. Secretary rollins, do you agree with that policy? >> I agree 100%. Thank you. And we're implementing at usda every day.
▶ 1:36:20>> as of december 2024, foreign investors held an interest in over 45 million acres of U.S. ag land. Much of that is china. Uh, in my district alone, there was more than 73,000 acres owned by foreign entities.
▶ 1:36:38And this one, and some in particular concerned with foreign investment near our military base installations like scott air force base in my district, that's a headquarters for the us, uh, transportation command. Usda has taken several steps to modernize the reporting system through the national farm security action plan. Secretary lawrence, can you outline how the usda action plan will secure those projects? And for american farmland.
▶ 1:37:09>> the the existential issue that we're facing, and it is china, but it's also just foreign owned farmland. China went from 2000 acres in 1983 to almost 300,000 acres last year. That is part of a 45 million foreign owned farmland acre number, which is astounding. Uh, back to the beginning of the conversation, what we are doing to ensure that we're reshoring, that we're shining a light. Agriculture has never been on cfius before.
▶ 1:37:36The investment, the foreign investment committee, made up of the secretary of the treasury and others never before. I kind of elbowed my way in this year. We need to get it codified. So the ag is part of that. But we've been asleep at the wheel. So yes, we are implementing that, working with our state partners. Listen, the states are the guardians at the gate. Arkansas, sarah sanders, north dakota, nebraska. They've already made major moves in this arena. Some of them are beginning to claw back. And that's, uh, that's the model. That's where we need to go.
▶ 1:38:03>> so as you know, the high cost of, of, um, the high cost of inputs have just crushed our agriculture industry. While many products or producers have completely, completely planted this season already, uh, for buying inputs and, and, and they have, have to get it done right away. How is the department working to address the input costs?
▶ 1:38:28>> when we took over, obviously it was it was a perfect storm a year and four months ago, uh, the agricultural trade surplus that we left in early 2021, we came back four years, had become a $50 billion agricultural trade deficit, not one new trade deal. You combine that to your question with the average cost of inputs for our farmers increased 40% under the last administration, interest rates 73%, labor 48%, fertilizer 36%.
▶ 1:38:56These are average numbers, fuel 26%. All of that is coming down. Now, obviously, this iranian conflict has caused a blip in that effort. We've seen nitrogen fertilizer increase 40%. We are reshoring and onshoring fertilizer in this country. I'll be breaking ground on what will be the largest ammonia plant in the world in louisiana in about three weeks. We move that from permit immediately.
▶ 1:39:21We have 90 other fertilizer plants going in around the country for the short term, waiving the jones act, waiving some deaf requirements. We'd love to get all of deaf waive, but that's over at lee zeldin, uh, opening up lines from venezuela and other places, ensuring that our farmers have the fertilizer that they need right now. But for the long term, we will solve this and we will restore our fertilizer in america so we don't depend on china. >> thank you for your answering the questions.
▶ 1:39:47Let me tell you that quite often around here, we get a situation where many questions are asked, not seeking an answer, just seeking a show. And I appreciate the fact that you can answer the questions straight out. Uh, we know what was in there that with the snap program and how successfully it is working, I want to thank you for removing the fraud that you are. Thank you, thank you. >> thank you. >> gentleman's time has expired. And I recognize the gentlelady from kansas, miss davis, for five minutes.
▶ 1:40:16>> thank you, chairman, uh, to you and to our ranking member for holding this hearing. Uh, I continue to hear from kansas farmers and ranchers who feel like they are getting hit from every single direction. Fertilizer prices are up 30% following the president's initiation with conflict with iran, reckless tariff policies have added even more uncertainty, contributing to $28 billion in losses over the last crop year.
▶ 1:40:40Last year, farm bankruptcies in the midwest rose by 70%, and while farmers are struggling to stay afloat, families are feeling it. At the grocery store, americans paid an average of $310 more for groceries in 2025 than they did the year before. When farmers are hurting, it doesn't stay on the farm. It affects food prices, local businesses and the entire country and our rural communities.
▶ 1:41:07And that's exactly why farmers need a department of agriculture that they can count on. Instead, we have seen significant staffing cuts across the board. Meanwhile, as of yesterday, the new world screwworm is now present in the united states. The screwworm is a flesh eating parasite that can devastate livestock herds, threaten ranchers livelihoods and ultimately drive up grocery prices even further.
▶ 1:41:29This is an absolutely a significant threat to the american cattle industry and has the potential to further raise beef prices at the grocery store. Cattle is a $15 billion industry in kansas. The economic research service has estimated that an isolated outbreak would cost producers $732 million per year and cost $1.8 billion in losses.
▶ 1:41:53Yesterday, when confirming the new world screwworm case in texas, I have to say I was struck by your use of the phrase as expected, uh, in the usda post on x, I know there were projections on timing which were referenced in your opening statements, but from talking to kansans, uh, I can say that like ranchers don't care that it's expected. They want to know what's being done to prevent.
▶ 1:42:16And so, um, my first question, if you could briefly answer because I do want to get to my next point, why should kansas ranchers and consumers facing high beef prices have confidence that the usda has this under control? >> yeah, I appreciate that. By the way. I appreciate you flagging that. As expected, I was actually referring to the post right below it, where a couple hours before I had said, it looks like this could be, but we need to confirm. So I was actually not saying we expected it. >> I appreciate. >> that clarification.
▶ 1:42:44Yeah, well, I probably need to be a little more careful with my language so that that's a good flag. Um, what I will say is this. This is a problem that our country faced in the 50s and 60s. And we beat it. We beat it all the way back to south america. There was a biological, uh, wall with panama. It had not breached for, well, for decades and decades. Uh, under the illicit cartel movement of cattle in those countries to the north, along with the open border policies.
▶ 1:43:08Uh, we saw a massive breach over beginning 2021 where it began to move up and into mexico. It got to mexico in 2023, uh, when we got here in 2024, to your point, the models predicted that it would be on our side of the border. Nothing could stop it.
▶ 1:43:23By last summer, uh, we deployed a significant amount of resources and personnel into mexico, as well as to south texas, where the real threat is almost immediately while breaking ground in building the facilities that will produce the sterile flies, that that's how we beat it in the 50s and 60s. That's how we'll beat it again. The challenge is we need about 400 to 500 million flies a week to push it back.
▶ 1:43:46And we had gotten to the point because no one thought it was going to be a threat again, that we were only producing 100 million a week, and that's down in panama. So that's what we're working to solve for right now. Uh, I was on the phone most of last night and through the night with the ranchers in south texas. We do not believe this will be an infestation. We'll be able to isolate each case. We've had a year to prepare because we pushed it off a bit. And, uh, and we've got the teams on the ground ready to go. >> thank you.
▶ 1:44:13And that actually is a great segue, uh, in terms of the work that usda is already doing, um, to, to ramp up the sterile fly production and dispersal. I, I have concerns about the staffing cuts at the animal and plant health inspection service for folks watching on c-span. That's also aphis. And at a time when producers are counting on the usda to detect and contain outbreaks as quickly as possible, I'm concerned that staffing reductions can make that job harder.
▶ 1:44:42Can you speak to how many fewer scientists you have working at aphis now, as compared to 2024? >> we have had no compromise in our ability to react and to research, and to make sure we have the best scientists and data on the field. Uh, as far as the specific numbers, I will get back to you on that because I don't want to misquote it, but we have made that a priority.
▶ 1:45:07And in fact, last year, I think the initial round of budget suggestions from the white house in the budget included those cuts. And eventually we changed that. So there was no cut to the actual research side of the animal of the national security issue, which is animal pest and health. >> okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate we'll we'll follow up. Thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> I recognize the gentleman from tennessee, doctor desjarlait, for five minutes. >> thank you. Chairman.
▶ 1:45:32Madam secretary, I too would like to thank you for coming with answers, not excuses, or I'll get back to you. Uh, your agency recently published a preliminary report analyzing snap participant data from 29 state agencies.
▶ 1:45:46Across these 29 states, the department found nearly 450 000 cases of dummy social security numbers, 26,303, 33 cases of no social security number and 185,986 cases of deceased individuals receiving snap. State agencies are already required to collect and verify snap applicants social security numbers and run checks with social security death master files. What is your department doing to improve oversight? Ensure these states are complying with the law.
▶ 1:46:16>> it's such an important question and I appreciate the opportunity to actually talk about it. The first hour of the first day after I was sworn in on february 13th, we sent a letter to every governor in america. And it wasn't a political letter. It legitimately was. The increase in spending in snap has 40% in just the last few years, between 2021 and 2023. There has to be a better way. Please partner with us. All of the red states, the red governors and two blue governors said, yes, we want to do this better.
▶ 1:46:44We do believe there's massive fraud. The way the system works is that the federal government dumps the money to the states, and then there's no accountability, there's no partnership. So we really wanted to change that because there had been zero accountability. The numbers you just cited are just from the red states. That's what I mentioned earlier. It's astounding to think 200 000 people using dead people's social security numbers, more than half a million, almost half a million getting more than one benefit. And these are in the red states.
▶ 1:47:13I grew up in texas policy. We have so many guardrails on to try to stop from this. So the blue states, most of them sued us, didn't want to share the data, even though these are federal tax dollars, and we'll continue to root it out. The vice president is leading the way, but the american taxpayer expects us to spend their dollar to make sure that we're focusing on those that really need it. And people aren't buying ferraris and living in fancy houses and and milking off the taxpayer. >> thank you.
▶ 1:47:41And for years, for the last 4 or 5 years, I've asked questions about non-citizens receiving snaps. I basically mocked by my colleagues that this is not possible. It is very rare, despite there being 11 exceptions, one of them being if you're 18 or under, you automatically qualify. If you seek asylum and get it, you automatically qualify. And I can go on, you know, the list of all the things that are there and yet, you know, these these concerns of mine were dismissed as unfounded.
▶ 1:48:08Yet usda data now show that in fiscal year 2022, approximately 1.5 million non citizens received snap benefits totaling 4.2 billion in payouts. And I'll remind you all that 2022, the border was still wide open for an additional two years. And so I'm sure that number is going to be revised. So the question is, given the program's eligibility restrictions, how did so many non-citizens qualify for benefits and how many may have received them improperly?
▶ 1:48:38And what steps does usda taking to ensure taxpayer funded assistance is reserved for those who are legally eligible? >> of the 4.3 million that we have moved off of, snap, whether it's through better jobs, better pay through stricter eligibility, um, our best numbers show that a significant probably more than 30% of that 4.3 million were illegal aliens. And so again, that was one of the first steps we took to try to clamp down.
▶ 1:49:06But again, the challenge is the blue states will not partner with us to try to get back to where we need to be. And that's taxpayer funding american citizens. But we're on it. We're in litigation on that right now. I believe we'll be successful, and we'll get to the point where we can ensure that those that are receiving the dollars need it are worthy and are american citizens. >> and again, I praise you because you've done more since you've taken office. And I've seen done in the last while I've been on this committee for 16 years. Thank you.
▶ 1:49:33And and I just want to put in a public service message that republicans are not against snap. We are for snap, we are for feeding the needy. But when you ride a farm bill for five years, you need to know what it costs. You need to know where it's going, and you need to. I think most everyone can agree that americans, american citizens should be taken care of first, and then we figure out ways, you know, how we deal with the others. But I'm just very grateful that you've acknowledged this. You've come to us with answers. You're coming to us with statistics.
▶ 1:50:01And I just can't thank you enough to for all the work that you're doing. So keep up the good work. Thank you. And I yield back. >> thank you so much. >> gentleman. Yield. >> the gentleman would yield. >> um, I just wanted to share with my friends because I've heard a lot of blame when the trump administration for causing the economic challenges and we all acknowledge our farmers are facing. I want to remember all my remind all my colleagues.
▶ 1:50:23It was in december of 2024 that was the last administration where this committee was very influential in getting that first $10 billion in economic harm assistance. Economic harm was well documented. It had occurred. Uh, you know, and I'm not pointing fingers administrations, uh, but there was someone on this committee that would want to do that for, for whatever purpose.
▶ 1:50:46Uh, the, the economic harm started under the last administration because it was in december of 2024 that we achieved that first, uh, $10 billion, which was a historical first, actually. Yeah. Uh, with that, uh, please recognize the gentlelady from oregon, miss salinas, for five minutes. >> I thank. >> you. >> thank you, mister chair, and thank you, ranking member. And good morning, madam secretary. Thank you for being here.
▶ 1:51:10I really want to just get across the the harm and the despair that my growers are feeling in the willamette valley of oregon. And you, you know, this, um, they're getting squeezed. Low crop prices, high input costs, and a trade war that has decimated our export markets.
▶ 1:51:30And I wish I didn't have to blame this administration, but I, I do, and this this congress, on top of all that prices of urea, major, you know, nitrogen fertilizer have gone up 30% since the war in iraq began. That's over $250 more per ton. And thank you for your comments about the louisiana plant. I think that's great. Um, are you aware that roughly 30 just a yes or no answer? Are you aware that roughly 30% of the world's fertilizers move through the strait of hormuz?
▶ 1:52:00>> oh, yes. And those are so hard. Yes, but but little of that comes to america. However, the reason the prices increased is because so many other countries use it through the strait, and that's caused the prices to go up. >> okay. And I'm sure again, yes or no. Are you aware that fertilizer prices have risen sharply since the war in iraq began? >> for nitrogen? Yes, for some of the others, no. But for nitrogen? Yes. >> okay. So what advice did you give the president on the agricultural implications before strikes on iran began? >> the the. Thank you for not yes and no.
▶ 1:52:29Very quickly, though, because I know you have more questions that the president is acutely aware of, of the farm economy. It is why he's fighting so hard for these 19 new trade deals. Um, a 40% decrease in the ag deficit. We're going to have record breaking exports this year. Had some record breaking last year. The inputs we inherited. And even though the fertilizer is high after the iranian conflict, it will go back down.
▶ 1:52:54But that actually doesn't even reach nearly the peak of the increase of the cost of fertilizer in the last administration for other reasons as well. So this is a long running problem with fertilizer, why the onshoring is so important. >> but did you give the president any advice before he struck iran on the impact to american agriculture? >> I am constantly talking to this president.
▶ 1:53:17Um, I have to believe we we laugh that there's been more conversation about fertilizer screwworm and soybeans in this oval office than perhaps any oval office ever in the history. Uh, he is aware and has talked about the short term challenges to make sure that america is safe for the long for the long term. >> okay. My growers and I think american growers are really feeling the impact. If you haven't seen the farmer and rancher policy sentiment survey, I just want to read some of the most striking findings. And this is a thousand growers across 44 states.
▶ 1:53:46Uh, input costs are crushing american farmers, 78% of farmers named machinery and input costs, fertilizer, fuel seed chemicals. Among the top three challenges facing their operation. This goes back to the war in iran. It's hitting farmers in the wallet. Another concern 94% of farmers say the war with iran is impacting their business by raising fertilizer costs, energy costs, or both. Are you aware that diesel prices in oregon are over $6 a gallon right now and are really harming my farmers?
▶ 1:54:18>> there is no doubt that these inputs are causing more struggle in the farm country. I do want to be fair, though, and say that in the last administration, the cost of inputs did increase for. >> reclaiming my time. I'm. We are not talking about the last administration on. >> that's what we're trying. I am. >> comparing 26/25 and 25/24. Our baseline is 24. We have not improved. I will just. >> I actually we have reclaim.
▶ 1:54:46>> reclaiming my time because I want to make sure we get this on the record as well. Um, the section 232 tariffs have been in place for 14 months. And I just read that president trump has lowered those tariffs on tractors, combines and other farm equipment to 15% from 25% as part of the section 232 tariffs. However, ag trade deficit hit $43.7 billion in 2025. That was a 37% increase over 2024.
▶ 1:55:15>> but ma'am, that's because of the policies from 24 this year. We're making up for it. We've cut that deficit in half. We're going to have record export five. >> and china's in china's retaliatory tariffs reduced exports by $14.9 billion in a single year. And we have a promise from china to to purchase more soybeans in the future. That is not flying with my farmers right now. A hollow promise from china. My grass seed losses in oregon are big, and we cannot continue to afford this.
▶ 1:55:47>> well, again, um, exports are up. We've cut the trade deficit in half. What was 45 billion is now down to about 22 billion. Corn's up dairy's up. Tree nuts are up. Ethanol is up, sorghum is up, soybeans are up. Uh, china has agreed to purchase. >> thank you. To reclaim my time. >> metric tons, $17 billion. Plus, we've opened up 19. >> promised to lower cost for farmers. Fertilizers up. Farmers are losing money on their crops, and your department has no timeline for fixing it. >> oh, no. We have a massive timeline.
▶ 1:56:16Actually, we'll follow up with the timeline. We've got really good timeline. >> uh, now recognize, uh, well, now I recognize the birthday boy, doctor baird. >> happy birthday. >> thank you, Mr. chairman and ranking member. And thank you, madam secretary, for being here and for all that you do with the programs through the usda to help our farmers and ranchers, as well as the agricultural industry.
▶ 1:56:44And, you know, uh, our constituents really appreciated you coming to the great hoosier state. So we thank you for that. And we also thank you for, uh, some of the programs that you've been able to, uh, enhance and improve on. So my first question deals with research, education, and economics because I'm a great advocate for research and the importance of the land grant universities.
▶ 1:57:07And so, uh, when you look at, when you look at that re mission area and the restructuring that took place, and usda's recent programs to purdue university in my district, that brought about $3 million in funding and several federal research positions. So I want to thank you for the work in that area as well that we very much appreciated.
▶ 1:57:27And so then I'd like to like to give you the opportunity to discuss or share your visions about partnerships like usda and the institutions like purdue and other land grant universities. And I'd like to include the cooperative extension service in that as well. Uh, and just give, give you the opportunity to talk about crop science and precision agriculture, as well as any of the other workforce development that has to do with the research, education and, and economics.
▶ 1:57:58>> I thank you so much for that, congressman. And, and I know the reorganization, uh, has certainly anytime you try to move parts of a big organization out into the country, you're going to have a lot of questions about that. But the incredible to speak about indiana for just a second, I started talking to some of of your team and some of your people back in indiana as we were looking at where to, to move the research hub.
▶ 1:58:24And, you know, we have some extraordinary researchers, but most of them don't want to be in washington, dc. Most of them are phds, etc. That are studying crop science and studying the screwworm. They want to be affiliated. And next to a great research university, like a purdue or like a texas a&m or whatever, whatever school it may be.
▶ 1:58:44And so the move of the r e out to indianapolis, the middle of the country, closer to our farmers and closer to our researchers, I believe, will be a massive value add for all of the challenges that that these researchers are are researching and providing solutions. They're the best in the world, the best in the world. And now we're hopefully going to make it even better. >> so thank you for that. And I appreciate that.
▶ 1:59:09You know, I think it gives when you go to the other universities and other locations, it really gives you the opportunity to get a different perspective. And thank you for mentioning texas a and m, I knew you did that. >> it took me an hour and a half, but I got it. >> you bet. Two hours. But anyway, uh, then my next question deals, uh, to give you the opportunity, uh, in the regarding him, you know, I've proposed legislation that would provide, you know, we had that back in the 2018 farm bill.
▶ 1:59:38We mentioned we mentioned hemp production and some of the producers actually, uh, moved in that direction. And in fact, I think there was like $739 million in 20, $25 that year, in 2025, that, that contributed to our, um, gdp. And so that was up 64% from the single year in the prior year.
▶ 2:00:01Uh, so you got any thoughts on, on what we might be doing in regard to the hemp and where you stand? And there's a, there's a november 12th deadline coming up. You got any thoughts about what we might need to do or where we head in that? I'm talking about industrial hemp. >> the industrial. >> fiber production, because that has to do with, um, turning it into, you know, methane and that sort of thing. >> that's right.
▶ 2:00:27It's my understanding that the, the 26 appropriations bill doesn't affect that. But I hear you that the importance of understanding and doing economic assessments and really, you know, we've got good understandings of a lot of our commodities. I don't know that we have enough understanding yet. So let me circle back to our team, and then let's schedule some time to talk that through. >> thank you. And my last question, I just can't resist mentioning, uh, rutf the ready to use therapeutic foods.
▶ 2:00:55You know, that's a, that's an ag production. But when you see that in, in application in some of those african country and what it does for the malnourished children, I think that's fantastic. And it's an american product. And so I just have to get that into the. I think everyone got 24 seconds. So I just wanted to mention that and get it on your radar and I know. Yes, sir. >> thank you. It is remarkable. Uh, and I think there's a lot we can learn from it. Thank you. >> thank you. >> very much. Happy birthday. >> you. Yeah. Thanks. I yield back.
▶ 2:01:25>> gentleman yields back. I recognize, uh, mister sorensen momentarily or. Yes, mister sorensen momentarily. Here. Um, we, uh, the secretary did request and in consultation with the. >> we can keep going. Well, yeah. We're good. We'll go another hour and maybe check back in. >> yeah. Mr. sorensen from illinois for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Uh, thank you, madam secretary. Um, it should come as no surprise that these are hard times in farm country.
▶ 2:01:51Um, I was on a farm in my district just on monday, and I hear the same fears all across my district. The price of fertilizer, the price of seed, herbicide, diesel, food, health care, all of those topics came up on monday on one farm. According to a recent report from the wall street journal, americans are now falling behind on $1.25 trillion worth of credit card bills. It's a new record.
▶ 2:02:17Add to that, the administration's tariff and trade war producers have have access to fewer markets overseas. Without an end to the president's war in iran, costs will continue at unacceptable levels. And with the cost of diesel, it's only a matter of time before our groceries become more unaffordable, which goes against president trump's promise when he sought the office in 2024. I'm as cognizant as ever before to do what the american people need us to do.
▶ 2:02:46Farm bankruptcies are up 130% compared to last year and are predicted to rise. This proves that the administration is failing. My district went through hell during the farm crisis of the 1980s. In some places in the quad cities, we haven't even recovered. And yet, there is a risk of another farm crisis that is rising on your watch. This has nothing to do with either side of the aisle.
▶ 2:03:13Um, it's about identifying a problem and doing what's right to find solutions. So, um, madam secretary, do you believe that farmers are better under your administration than they were two years ago? >> well, yes, I do, because of the 19 new markets that have been opened up, that record. Breaking exports that are coming. Do you believe it's time? >> do you believe it's time is a yes or no question? >> do you believe. >> it's time for the united. States department of agriculture to course correct to prevent a future farm crisis? Yes or no?
▶ 2:03:44>> well, of course, everything we do every day is is to do that. Yes. Thank you. >> um, farmers are paying through the roof for essential inputs like nitrogen and phosphorus. And you just talked about this with my colleague from oregon on monday. I heard from farmers that anhydrous ammonia was once $300 a ton, and now it's $1,300. With a war in iran, there's no telling how high these prices could go, let alone diesel costs. The white house has said that this is just a blip. Uh, do you believe the administration has done a satisfactory job helping struggling farmers? Yes or no?
▶ 2:04:16>> I do believe there's no doubt they're struggling. But I do believe that, yes, they know that they're we're fighting for them every day. Uh, the the bankruptcy numbers, every farm we lose is heartbreaking. We've gone from out of 1.8 million farmers. About 315 have have filed for that, which is a lower ten year average than. >> what is heartbreaking is the fact that that the farmers didn't ask. >> for working with each other. >> global trade destabilization that this administration has done, um, have.
▶ 2:04:45And we are not doing enough to keep farmers afloat. Um. >> actually, we've cut the agricultural trade deficit in half in one year. >> nitrogen inputs for fertilizer up 40%. Phosphorus prices are up around 24%. Do you believe that we should have more homegrown made in america fertilizer? Yes or no? >> 100%. >> I'm in agreement. Let's work on that. I've thrown fertilizer. >> I've got an amazing plan. You come on and help us. I'd love that. >> um, yes or no?
▶ 2:05:10Is the administration working on developing a long term strategy for national security and supply chain risk as it relates to agricultural inputs and the general farm economy? As you've created additional instability in the middle east? >> well, yes, 100%. The national security piece of this is so very important. The obviously, the instability in the middle east will soon stabilize and be more stable than ever before. But I'm not the foreign policy team, so I don't want it today.
▶ 2:05:37>> do you believe that the current funding levels for csp and equip are sufficient to meet the current demand? >> the current levels for csp and equip are sufficient to meet the current demand? Yes. Great. Yes. >> is it is it your opinion that farmers are supportive of funding cuts to csp and equipment? >> so the challenge there is that the previous administration had a very different value set than we did. It was a lot of investment in renewable energy solar.
▶ 2:06:03And I know you and I could probably have a long debate about this, but that was the priority of the. >> but that was then and this is now. >> well, and now the values are different. We don't want to cover good farmland and solar panels. We just it's not our priority. We want to keep prime farmland farming and not put chinese solar panels on them. So time. >> is running short. You know, I wanted to let you know that I hear from so many neighbors in illinois that about the horrific cuts to snap, um, in the land of lincoln, more than 200,000 have lost food assistance on your watch. And nationally, that's 4 million.
▶ 2:06:33Um, you know, I think this is a moral issue. At least it is to me that we do better. Um, and what's happening under your watch is, is troubling. Um, and I expect that going forward that you will do better and right by the people that we serve because they didn't ask for a lot of the hardships that they're having to endure, I yield back. >> how much time has expired now recognize, uh, the, um, gentleman from iowa, Mr. feenstra, for five minutes. >> thank you. >> chairman thompson. >> for holding this hearing today.
▶ 2:07:02Secretary rollins, I just want to thank you for being here and more importantly, for all the work you've done to put our rural communities back at the forefront of the u. Sda mission. Uh, I applaud your efforts. Um, you know, I, I think about what has happened over the last several years. You've had a lot of challenges, I think, of the egg industry. And when you took that head on and said, all right, we're going to make changes. And we did. Um, I think what's happening, you know, with with trade right now. All right, we're cutting our trade deficit in half. That's right. In half. >> 19 new markets.
▶ 2:07:32Big markets have opened up massive. >> and then opening 19 new trade deals right now I think you said 19. You know just a quick note. All right. We don't want to talk about the past. But I just gotta mention a minute. You know how many trade deals were done under uh under biden 000. Right, right. So it's a little disingenuous from from my colleagues when they go down that rabbit hole. Um, because I'm so appreciative.
▶ 2:07:54Uh, I also want to say, I appreciate your, your support that we finally delivered for all farmers across the country, uh, 15 in the us house. And I know you helped on this effort. Uh, we passed the bill. Um, this is dramatically going to help at the fuel pump. So can you just talk about this? Can you discuss how permanent year round e15 supports both affordability and energy dominance, and why getting this signed into law is so important for rural america?
▶ 2:08:23>> when we walked in a year and four months ago, I knew the challenges internationally. To your point, not one new trade deal, a $45 billion agricultural trade deficit after we left with a surplus, the cost of inputs under the last administration, on average 40%. What I didn't fully appreciate or understand was the opportunity to open up the domestic market in this country, and you and others were very quick to come in and and I'm a texas girl, right?
▶ 2:08:51I mean, I've been focusing on cattle and cotton my whole my whole career. But but what I learned, um, and have since become such a huge cheerleader, advocate, supporter for is the importance of e15 and what that will do to support our farmers and, and, and to support that domestic market. And also this year, we're going to have, you know, ethanol exports are going to be up 20%, corn exports are going to be up 22%.
▶ 2:09:16The world is opening up as well to these great products our american farmers are producing. So it's been an honor to be part of that. >> well, thank you so much. And, you know, I, I hear this, I actually heard npr do a story and it was laughable. They said, well, it's food for fuel. And it makes no such sense. It's not it's actually I mean, we have distillers grain, we feed it back. Uh, we have value added and all the different oils that are coming out of ethanol. It's just phenomenal what's happening.
▶ 2:09:43And what, what's happening is the talking points in the 80s and 90s is what people are using against it. And things have changed so much in the last 20 years. So I, I, I appreciate you being an advocate for it. So I just want, uh, I got a couple minutes left, but we've talked about fertilizer and I know you're doing so much on this front. I, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.
▶ 2:10:05Can you just tell everybody I know you just sort of talked about it again, but can you just tell everybody what you guys are doing to make sure that we continue to look at fertilizer and how we're going to slowly get this price going down? >> yes, absolutely. The the idea that we import half of our fertilizer from countries like china and russia is sort of stunning. Another statistic I didn't fully appreciate or understand. We have offshored that over a number of years, and so we are subject to other countries for the short term, of course, we've waived the jones act.
▶ 2:10:33We've opened up lines from venezuela, we've deregulated, taken some of the deaf rules off for urea, etc. But for the long term, the opportunity here to reshore to invest and and if I may, I'm really proud of our entire cabinet. Uh, I call chris wright and I say we need funding to invest in these fertilizer plants. Fertilizer is energy. And he said, brook, I will be there. Tell me what you need.
▶ 2:10:56And so out of the energy fund of doug burgum and chris wright's energy group energy dominance, they are now investing in fertilizer plants in america. I call howard ludwig. I said, howard, we need we need help on the fertilizer front. You've got that big investment fund, uh, through the president's negotiations. He said, brooke, tell me when and where and I'll and I'll be there. Lee zeldin, we need help. And I think that is a real testament to, to our cabinet and to this administration that agriculture is not a silo.
▶ 2:11:21We are working across the entire administration all the way from the top, the oval office, to do everything we can to solve a lot of these massive challenges. >> yeah, I just thank you. I know you're all over it, the cabinets all over it. And and I'm so grateful. Thank you so much, I yield back. >> thank you so much. We're working so hard. Thank you. >> gentleman yields back. Uh, now recognize, uh, the gentleman from new mexico, Mr. vasquez, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And welcome back, secretary rollins.
▶ 2:11:51Uh, first I have to add my name to the list of members on both sides who are concerned with the new world screwworm case that was recently documented in texas, that could devastate our cattle industry and should be and must be contained and dealt with immediately. Um, this tuesday, I convened my agricultural advisory group that consists of farmers, ranchers, food banks, researchers, dairy producers, young farmers, state and local leaders in new mexico.
▶ 2:12:14I created this group about three years ago to ensure that from farm to table, new mexico has a voice on this committee and has a voice in congress. And so this week, I asked members of that committee if you had a chance to ask secretary rollins a question, what would that question be? And so today I'll be asking you some of those questions. Um, first, nearly every member of this advisory group raised concerns about usda staffing shortages and the department's ongoing reorganization efforts.
▶ 2:12:40They told me that local fsa and nrcs offices are already stretched thin. They're making it harder for producers to access contracts, disaster assistance, conservation programs, and technical support. Uh, secretary, could you explain what steps usda is taking to maintain service levels for rural states like new mexico? While the staffing and restructuring changes are underway? >> yes. In fact, um, I'm sorry you and I haven't had a chance to discuss this, but I have been in constant communication with your senator from new mexico.
▶ 2:13:07And in fact, to the point where he'll call and say, we're a little bit short in this office and we'll, you know, we'll adjust or make sure that we're solving for those issues. New mexico, of course, right next to my my home state of texas, we have a lot in common and have been paying very close attention to the screwworm, but also to your point, to the fsa offices, making sure we're supporting your farmers. The nrcs offices, and then of course, the forest service is a really, really important part of your state.
▶ 2:13:31So if you are getting a different story on that, if if you're hearing that there's not enough of whatever it is that is necessary, our wildland firefighters, which is a really important piece for new mexico. We are actually 90, I think, 98% full hiring for this wildfire season, which is ahead of last year and way ahead of the year before before we got here. Thank you, secretary, I'm very focused on that. Thank you. Please let me know if you're hearing differently. >> I absolutely will make sure that you get those reports. We've been hearing this for some time. So thank you so much.
▶ 2:14:01Uh, secondly, I support specialty crop growers. I come from the land of green and red chile. And we're so proud to have the, the chili capital of the world in our district. Uh, but our, our partners at the new mexico farm and livestock bureau, the specialty crop growers, uh, they're still waiting for, uh, the assistance for specialty crop farmers program funds to hit their bank accounts. And some >> some have been waiting for over six months. Uh, they say they can't handle any more delays and it's putting their businesses at risk. Uh, when can they expect their payments? >> is this the bridge assistance? Yes. Okay.
▶ 2:14:30So so a quick update on that. We announced that, um, specifically we increased it more than 50% up to 1.6 billion. Yes. Applications are open. We'll be moving those out if the applications come in. We're moving that money out very, very quickly. So again, if any of your farmers have trouble, have them contact their fsa state director who will let me know and we'll start moving that out. But as long as they're they're filling out the paperwork online or in the office, we should be moving that out immediately. >> I appreciate that, and we'll update you on that process.
▶ 2:14:59I appreciate that. Uh, next, I have a question from a partner of ours, roadrunner food bank. And this is the most prominent food bank in new mexico. Um, I want to be clear, concerns about cuts to food assistance were raised by members across the group because these dollars don't just affect the food bank. But as you know, they they support working families, farmers, food banks and grocery stores in rural communities.
▶ 2:15:20Um, you have an op ed that you wrote april 1st in which you stated that more than 3.3 million people have fallen off of snap since the passage of the republican tax law. However, usda is also terminated, uh, what you call the household food security report, which is critical in tracking this data and the impact of these cuts. Could you explain how you plan to collect data to track the ongoing impact of those? >> yes. Of course.
▶ 2:15:46Uh, we have six other surveys that move across, uh, usda and hhs. Yes. Hhs and working in concert. Uh, what we found is that that particular survey, as we were looking to make usda more efficient, actually was duplicative and that we weren't getting the right information that we needed and that it was easily, um, um, adjusted in a way that maybe perhaps didn't tell the whole story.
▶ 2:16:09So we, we're working to make that better and, and give us better data so we can better serve the community. >> thank you. Secretary. Okay. Last question here before finishing off, uh, this is about gus. And, uh, as you know, gus is is very important to rural communities, especially farmers markets and, and those retail outlets for local farmers. Um, can you commit to maintaining and expanding support for gus? >> I do agree it's important.
▶ 2:16:32I don't have the numbers in front of me, but if we'll follow up and, and I'd love to have a conversation with you about that. I do agree that that support is important. >> thank you so much. And last time we spoke here on this committee, I did invite you to new mexico. As you mentioned, we are neighbors and would love to, uh, to have you in the state. So looking forward to following up with your visit to our state. >> thank you. Love that.
▶ 2:16:54You've got a couple lettuce farmers that I talk about all the time, um, in albuquerque that it produced 250,000 head of organic lettuce that go into your schools and hospital. It's it's incredible. So terrific. Thank you to go back and visit them too. >> gentleman's time has expired. Now recognize the gentlelady from illinois, Mrs. miller, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, secretary rollins, for your tireless work in protecting our producers.
▶ 2:17:18Madam secretary, you and president trump have brought about historic wins for our farmers and ranchers under this administration. More than $60 billion in U.S. agriculture product agricultural purchases have been committed, coupled with trade deals covering over 40% of all U.S. agricultural exports. These deals include trade agreements with countries like argentina, bangladesh, guatemala and el salvador.
▶ 2:17:48Other deals include agreements with japan, the uk and china. It is clear that the agricultural trade deficit of the biden administration is nearing its end, and that has been painful, and it. I'm. We're just so grateful for the reversing of that. In january of 2025, the united states had a $50 billion deficit.
▶ 2:18:10But, madam secretary, you and president trump have decreased that trade deficit by 42% in less than two years. Again, thank you. This administration has also championed real tax savings for our farmers families. Tax cut, which every democrat voted against increases expensing limits to allow farmers to immediately write off new equipment.
▶ 2:18:37Under the same legislation, the 20% small business tax deduction is now permanent. This will allow farmers, ranchers and other producers to keep more of their hard earned income and reinvest in their family farms. But perhaps most importantly, the near elimination of the death tax will benefit more than 2 million farms, allowing family farms to remain in the family.
▶ 2:19:08Madam secretary, under your leadership, the usda has recognized that food security is national security. Last summer, your department, along with others, released the national farm security action plan, in which the plan lays out important steps to curtail china's purchasing of prime farmland, enhance our agricultural supply chain, which very excited about bringing our fertilizer production back and and waste, fraud and abuse in federal nutrition programs.
▶ 2:19:37This action plan shows the administration takes food security seriously. Usda is once again working for the farmers and not expanding its bloated bureaucracy. It's great to see the usda get out of the marble offices of washington, D.C. and focus on real america on our rural communities and farm families, especially in illinois. And I really appreciate what deputy secretary, uh, said.
▶ 2:20:06I will not apologize for getting a better bang for the american taxpayers. Buck. Uh, we love that. Yeah. Um, madam secretary, uh, your continued work in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in our federal nutrition programs is greatly appreciated. I know that in my home state of illinois, uh, they are uncooperative, refusing federal audits of snap.
▶ 2:20:34It's clear that democrats consistently oppose transparency. This effort to stop snap reform is just proof of that. Can you please provide an update on snap oversight, specifically your audit work with blue states like illinois? >> thank you. It's so good to see you.
▶ 2:20:53And just very quickly, if I can, uh, I think it we have to recognize the work that this committee did and the working families tax cut act to get so much of agriculture, what would have been and was left out of many years of not getting a farm bill in the last administration. You all fought for it. You got it in. You got it to the president's desk. Of course, the president and I were very supportive of that.
▶ 2:21:16But that is an incredible achievement of this committee and the leaders on this committee, the largest investment in rural america in american history. And so I just I think that's a really important point to point out. And and all of you worked so hard on that. So thank you. On the food stamp, the snap piece of that. Again, it has been a big mover in the news.
▶ 2:21:36Uh, the first hour of my first day sworn in at you at usda, we sent a letter to every governor in america asking them to partner with us, that the american people, but also the people that took that deserve those programs and participated in those programs, deserved better. That the program had grown 40% in the last administration. There was no accountability. The federal tax dollars flowed into every state, but we didn't know. I was stunned to find out that we had no idea how they were being spent.
▶ 2:22:05They were being spent appropriately, if illegal, um, aliens were taking them, if people driving ferraris were on them. And sure enough, in just the red states that responded 200 000 dead people, 500,000 people getting more than one benefit. And these are the red states. Imagine when we get through litigation and we finally get the data from california, new york and your state, what we're going to find. >> yeah, well, we're looking forward to it. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> congressman. >> I think I now recognize the gentlewoman from illinois, miss basinski, for five minutes.
▶ 2:22:36>> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, ranking member craig. And thank you, secretary rollins, for being here today. I do appreciate that I represent the 13th district in illinois and central and southern illinois. And what I hear a lot from farmers is around issues of uncertainty, specifically around fsa, uh, reap grants. Some of the agricultural research initiatives that some of that funding appears to be frozen. So I wanted to kind of take those kind of line by line. Sure.
▶ 2:23:04Um, fsa, I really appreciate what you said. No offices are closing. That's really important because, you know, the importance of fsa is that like real direct line to our growers. We have heard, though, that about 25% of the staff have been lost in under fsa. So obviously you have the offices, but you need the staff. And so I just would be curious.
▶ 2:23:26I wanted to mention that I also understand usda is pointed to the one farmer, one file initiative as a way to streamline information and improve service. And I appreciate the goal behind that effort. But at the end of the day, a streamlined file doesn't help much if there isn't enough staff in the office, as I mentioned. So what specific steps is usda taking through this reorganization plan to rebuild staffing capacity, in particular at the fsa offices?
▶ 2:23:55>> so the fsa offices continue to be a priority for usda, making sure that our farmers have what they need. But the one farmer, one file, to be clear, uh, before we had it, we had about 5000 applications come through and we responded in person through fsa, anywhere between a month and two months, sometimes hopefully quicker. But that but that was it. When we released one farmer, one file with one of the programs last year, we had 57,000 farmers within five days received their funding.
▶ 2:24:23So the the including myself, I'm in my 50s, uh, my age farmer and older probably isn't that excited about getting on their phone and responding, but, uh, but the younger farmers are really taking advantage of it. Having said that, we really, I think you and I would agree, fully realize it will never take the place of the fsa offices and making sure those are staffed appropriately and they have the resources to respond to the farmers quickly is one of my top priorities.
▶ 2:24:48And we continue to work state by state to ensure that if you're hearing differently, would you just let me know personally? Thank you. >> thank you, thank you. Um, I wanted to shift gears to reap in particular, um, illinois farmers and rural small businesses who applied for reap grants in good faith, some of whom have already completed their projects. They're reporting to me. They're now in limbo with no clarity around when and whether they're going to be reimbursed.
▶ 2:25:12Um, and, um, so I just am curious from the usda perspective, you know, it seems like some of these grants have been withheld, um, from farmers and small businesses in particular in illinois and across the country who really did apply in good faith for the, for these dollars. Right. So, um, specifically, do you know how many illinois applicants are currently in the backlog?
▶ 2:25:39What is the department's target date for completing the regulatory update? And will farmers who already submitted applications be required to reapply or where the or will their prior authorizations? I'm sorry, submissions be honored. >> so if there were contract signed, that's a that's a different category than. Yes. Um, a lot of them there were no contract signed and they came very quickly at the end of the last administration.
▶ 2:26:04And, and I know I mentioned this before, but so much of the biden usda reap was really focused on solar panels on farmland. And, uh, and our administration just has a different value set. We want everyone to reapply the, the, the, if in fact. So about 83% of the applications that are in limbo were focused on solar panels, chinese solar panels on the farmland. We haven't completely said no to solar. We can put it on your barn.
▶ 2:26:32Uh, you can put it on non farm land and make sure it's american made. So that's what the recalibration that's happening right now. And I don't have the illinois numbers. But we'll follow up on that and have that conversation. >> okay. That would be great. I do want to just ask, I've got limited time here. Um, just really quickly, if I could ask you about, um, on march 27th, epa issued the final set two rule under the renewable fuel standard.
▶ 2:26:58This rule would have would have, which had strong bipartisan support will help set the standard for biofuel production moving forward and is already supporting rural economies. The set two final rule regulation generates over 10 billion for rural economies. Um, I'm just curious when, um, usda feedstock rule, when coupled with the 45 z clean fuel credit, will play a similarly significant role in farm country.
▶ 2:27:25What is the status of that rule and when do you expect it could be completed? >> this summer. It's imminent. >> okay, great. If I could squeeze in one more question. Um, on ai farms very quickly this you're giving me time. >> um, actually just submit it for the summary for the record amount of time. >> okay. Thanks, I yield back. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. >> yeah. >> okay. Um, now recognize myself for five minutes. Uh, secretary rollins, thank you for being here today.
▶ 2:27:52And thank you for your leadership in supporting farmers, ranchers, and ag producers across america. It was an honor to have you visit the big first district of kansas, uh, days after you were confirmed last february. And one of my first ever meetings with president trump in the oval office, I distinctly remember him telling me of his love for american farmers. And I know that you share that same passion. Over the last year, you and president trump have led the way in supporting rural america, and I look forward to continuing to work with you as we continue to make agriculture great again.
▶ 2:28:19I also appreciate your previous comments this morning and all the work that you've been doing to fight new world screwworm. We all know this is a hands on deck, all hands on deck moment and appreciate your great leadership. Um, a couple of quick questions. Last year I introduced legislation to move back to usda, a program that is not only dear and dear to kansas farmers, but also vital to egg producers across the united states. The food for peace program has long supported american agriculture, who also helping to feed millions of people around the world.
▶ 2:28:46It was originally housed within the usda when it was created over 70 years ago, and my bill, which was included in h.r. Seven, five, six seven, the farm food security act, would return it back to its roots, ensuring its long term sustainability. I appreciate your working with state department to temporarily administer the food for peace program. While the long term solution is being worked out in the senate, how is usda currently administering the food for peace program?
▶ 2:29:13>> well, I think we're very proud of the opportunity to administer the program. We believe that it is important, especially for our farmers. And you've been such a great advocate for that. Our undersecretary, luke lindbergh, who we will soon lose to rome. He's taking cindy mccain's place. If everything works out. Uh, we're really going to miss him. But he has been vital in making sure that transition has been smooth.
▶ 2:29:37Uh, it is our understanding or my understanding that that program has continued, uh, a pace and that we're doing it with a whole lot less employees, I think maybe from 300 employees at state down to about 30 at usda, but without compromising the, uh, the program itself. So if you hear differently, congressman, please let me know. But, but I think we're very pleased with what's happening so far. >> great. And I would agree with you. Incredibly important program for american agriculture, good for our farmers, good for our shippers, and good for the mouse.
▶ 2:30:06Uh, you know, that that need those calories. Um, on the other end, uh, you know, the world where this food goes. Mhm. Um, what thoughts do you have, madam secretary, on continuing to prioritize the procurement of us grown commodities and ready to use therapeutic food? >> well, as I think we discussed just a little while ago, I mean, I, we haven't it's funny, last year at this time, we spent a lot more time on making america healthy again. Uh, we haven't spent as much time.
▶ 2:30:34I think, uh, maybe the temperature has come down and we realize that the making america healthy again movement along with agriculture do go hand in hand. And while the the primary beneficiaries will be the american citizen and our children, that the almost as important. The beneficiaries will be our our great farmers and ranchers and. And the importance that they play in that, of course, alongside so many of our farmers that produce great commodities that go to to feed livestock around the world or go to into the fuel tanks here in america.
▶ 2:31:04There's a there's an incredible balance there. And, and for me, being able to advocate and, and, and work the policy and to try to drive more markets, bigger markets, whether it's across the world or here in america must continue. But I do believe when you put the make america healthy again movement, including cotton, we talked about not just eating, but what we wear, uh, layer on top of where we are in agriculture. I think that the opportunities abound ahead for us. And, and we've got to keep taking advantage of all of that.
▶ 2:31:34>> I could not agree more. Um, last question, sir, I appreciate you hosting a group of us two weeks ago, um, to discuss the importance of increasing domestic fertilizer storage and, and competition. So farmers have more choices to better access affordable inputs. As you know, fairly, prices are one of the biggest pressure points facing our farmers right now and the struggling farm economy.
▶ 2:31:54Um, can you share with us some of the projects usda is currently working on to deliver real solutions for farmers across america to decrease fertilizer process and fertilizer prices and overall farm inputs. >> the the that's really national security. So I'll start there. The idea that we're relying on china and russia and other countries to produce our fertilizer for this country, more than half of our fertilizer should terrify all of us.
▶ 2:32:23And I think that's come sort of in the spotlight recently with with the middle east. And and that will resolve itself soon. We'll get back to normal. But you were so great and, you know, standing up there, not just with me, you know, waving my hands about fertilizer.
▶ 2:32:37The fact that we had four cabinet secretaries there alongside me, uh, leaders from both sides of congress standing beside us, the general butch graham, head of the army corps of engineers, you know, pete hegseth, uh, general in charge of the army corps there to talk about let's permit fast and not get caught up in the permitting process to get these fertilizer projects online, whether it's the largest ammonia plant in the world that's about to break ground in louisiana, or you've got a couple in your home state that are smaller, but that usda is
▶ 2:33:09Supporting to build the infrastructure out a couple of two and $3 million projects. We've got dozens that are going in around the country right now. That is the solution, and that's what we're driving toward. And I believe it will change a lot of things for the better for farm country. >> I appreciate the whole of government approach. Um, you know, as we all work together to drive down costs, which eventually, you know, impacts the consumer. So that's right. Thank you for all your time. >> thank you so much. >> um, next I'm going to recognize the gentleman from illinois, my friend Mr. jackson, for five minutes. >> thank you chairman. Thank you, madam secretary.
▶ 2:33:39I appreciate you being before us today. And thank you for your great works. I would like to discuss with you a matter that is not simply about agriculture, but it's about trust. It's about capital, and ultimately about whether america intends to harvest the full potential of all of its people. For generations, black farmers have faced documented discrimination within the very institution designed to support them. The story is not merely historical, it's also economic.
▶ 2:34:08As you very well know, the history of the discrimination that has been proven by the department of agriculture against african american farmers has been a challenge. Uh, the history of black farmers in the united states department of agriculture is not a matter of opinion. It's a matter of the record. It's documented in law. For decades, black farmers were denied loans, delayed access assistance, and denied opportunities that were routinely extended to others.
▶ 2:34:37The consequences have been devastating from land lost wealth, diminished family legacies, broken federal government has acknowledged these injustices. Settlements have been reached. In the past, reforms were promised but not executed, and many believe that the nation had finally begun the difficult work of restoring the trust. The issue before us today is not simply about whether a contract can be canceled.
▶ 2:35:01The issue is whether the government may induce reliance, encourage participation and make commitments only to withdraw them after farmers made decisions based upon those promises. When a farmer, as you know, signs a contract, hires workers, purchase equipment and plants crops and reliance upon a government commitment, that commitment becomes more than paperwork. It becomes an obligation of trust. The constitution requires from the government.
▶ 2:35:29Justice requires consistency from government, and democracy requires confidence that rules will not change after the game has begun. Madam secretary, black farmers have spent generations asking whether they will receive equal treatment from the department of agriculture. The question I would have was, should they have to ask that question in 2026? I would like to have this submitted into the records. There's ongoing litigation lawsuits with the department of usda over canceled contracts.
▶ 2:36:00Many of this was fed into programs under doge. I wish Mr. elon musk were here today. This is not this was not done under your watch. This was done under someone unscrupulous and scurrilous and lascivious. Uh. Yes, sir. Chairman. And it has made major con challenges. I would like to know what is it that we can do together to restore these grants that were cut, that had already been approved?
▶ 2:36:30Many of the administrators that signed these contracts, that asked these farmers to put the language in them, um, still have their jobs and the farmers are suffering in addition to all the other things of food, fuel and fertilizer and costs. Now they have to pay for litigation. What can we do to alleviate, alleviate this suffering on these farmers?
▶ 2:36:53>> well, I appreciate the question, and I'm very grateful for the for the the collegial back and forth on this because clearly this is very important. Um, con question. It's a very important issue. It's one that I fully realize, uh, you and your family have been, um, leaders on for a really long time. I am not aware of any specifics, but what I would really appreciate is if I could get those specifics and then we could have an actual conversation.
▶ 2:37:20So I can look at the examples of, of what you're talking about. We have worked really hard to have a usda that supports everyone, no matter skin color, background, etc. And, and if, if we're not doing that, then I need to know. >> well, I certainly thank you for your candor and your honesty and your frankness and even acknowledging that you don't know the history of all these issues, but you're willing to work with me. And for that, I'm appreciative. I will take you up on that.
▶ 2:37:46I've had some success under your administration and reversing some of these contracts, and I would like to have the opportunity to present others. >> so 100. >> thank you for the ones that we have done, and I would like to see those farmers in the light of all these other complicating issues, uh, be able to plan and get back to work. Thank you very much. >> I'll make a note. >> thank you. I yield back, chairman. >> gentleman yields back. Thank the gentleman. I recognize the gentleman from minnesota, Mr.
▶ 2:38:18Fenstad, for five minutes. >> thank you, chairman thompson. >> and thank you, madam secretary, for being here today. Uh, appreciate your service and your leadership. I also want to thank, uh, your team for being so responsive, uh, as I've had different constituent, uh, outreach with, with the agency. You know, I'm reflecting as I'm hearing, uh, some of the questions and, and listening to your testimony. Uh, and I am a fourth generation farmer from southern minnesota. My wife and I, uh, we like to joke.
▶ 2:38:47We grow corn, soybeans, and kids. And there was a time where we had, we have seven kids and we had seven kids under the age of 11 in our house. And I, I think about the world that you're living in right now. And I, you know, not to make light of it, but I remember many times my wife and I coming home and the house is an absolute mess and no one is there to help us clean it. But my wife and I, you know, obviously have to take charge and clean up that mess.
▶ 2:39:14And I think about the agency and the, the ag economy that that you inherited in your leadership role. And, and there was a mess. There was a mess. We were talking, we're talking ag trade deficits that we haven't seen since the jimmy carter era. That's right. No new ag trade deals, uh, nutrition programs, growth growing at rates that are completely unsustainable as well as being littered with fraud. And I'm from minnesota and I can speak to the fraud issue. Mhm.
▶ 2:39:42Uh, record high inflation, record high input costs. The farmers that I represent, I hear this quite often. We're land rich, cash poor. And the cash over the last five years has left the the the farm gate. And now we are sitting at this perfect storm where we have to figure out how the heck do we get out of it. And so I really want to talk about the market side, because the farmers that I represent, and I just had a roundtable last week with farmers and. And I heard it loud and clear.
▶ 2:40:12They do not want a government check. They want a market that produces a price that allows them the freedom to farm and run their small business the way they have for generations. And so you've talked a little bit about the 19 new trade deals, uh, closing that ag trade deficit. Could you talk a little bit more about the the hope on the horizon in regards to that market side of farming and, and then maybe any advice for how we can help? >> well, I, I think that's 100% right.
▶ 2:40:40And, and as we have begun to reopen the world to american agriculture again, the $45 billion agriculture trade deficit we inherited after leaving with an $8 billion agriculture surplus in early 2021. Uh, more than $50 billion swing in just four years in some markets close around the world and saw brazil and other countries step in and take over what was once an american owned market.
▶ 2:41:05Uh, the new 19 trade deals and frameworks that have been struck, that is a remarkable number in just one year. And to see that, I mean, people thought it would take at least four years to cut even a little bit into that $50 billion deficit. We've now cut it by 42% in just one year, according to the numbers, and are expecting to drop down into the low 20 percents after this year's numbers come in and then hopefully get back to a surplus.
▶ 2:41:31What that means the billions of dollars in market access that we lost between 21 and 24 are real. And so gaining those back. We're expecting record exports of corn this year, dairy this year, tree nuts this year, ethanol this year, fresh fruits and veggies are up. All of these are up. And that's that's that is to your point. The farmers do not want to farm for a government check, but we've got to get them the markets to be able to sell these goods and try to begin to bring the cost of inputs down.
▶ 2:42:01That skyrocketed under the last administration. >> so as I mentioned, I'm a fourth generation farmer. My grandfather sold his soybeans in 1972 for $12.80 a bushel. Wow. And here I am as the fourth generation, hoping and praying for 1972 prices for our soybeans. >> well, today we're at $10.40, so we have a little ways to go. But you know, that is the good news is we're up a little bit, um, versus where we were over the last number of years.
▶ 2:42:29So I do believe the markets are going to open in in significant ways. Uh, you know, this china has already agreed and is buying significant amount of soybeans more than they even have said that they promised to do. And then in addition to that, on just that one deal, another $17 billion in agricultural purchases from china for america. But I have to say, from a national security perspective, we have to diversify our markets. And that's why the president is working so hard around the world.
▶ 2:42:59So we're not relying just on china to buy these products. >> I appreciate those comments. I mean, I think it's worthy of noting that agriculture and feeding and fueling our neighbors and, and the world is the most honorable, noble profession that this country has ever seen. And when you think of our national security and our ability to, again, live a high quality life in this country, it really comes down to nutrition and our great american farmers. So thank you for supporting our american farmers. >> I couldn't agree more. Thank you so much. >> gentleman's time has expired.
▶ 2:43:29I now recognize the gentlelady from michigan, miss mcdonald rivet, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chair and ranking member. Um, and secretary rollins for being here. Yeah. Over here. >> oh. Thank you. Okay. >> um. >> my 54 year old eyes are not great, so. >> thank you. I've got the. >> 55 year old eyes, so I completely understand. I've got two questions for you. So I'm going to I'm going to be quick, but I really would love to be a bit forward thinking right now.
▶ 2:43:56Um, so I represent mid michigan and, uh, the farmers in the middle of michigan are really, really hurting. In my district, we grow sugar beets, dry beans, corn, soybeans, pickles, uh, and a lot more. Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country. In my district is actually right in the middle, in the heart of that. So our farmers, many of them generational farmers, are working really hard. They're doing everything right.
▶ 2:44:25Like my colleague just pointed out, um, they are really have been struggling for years. So in the midst of the new tariff policies that have cut off some of the markets for these that the families have relied on for generations, the out of control input costs and these diesel prices in particular, are really in the right now incredibly hard for farmers. So the bridge payments were a good start.
▶ 2:44:49But for a lot of our families, especially our sugar beet farmers and our specialty crop growers, it didn't it didn't come close. Not even close. In fact, michigan sugar beet farmers lost $100 million last season. When we look at over the last three years, in a cumulative $50 billion debt, uh, loss in the ag economy, not debt loss. Excuse me. We actually need a plan for the right now.
▶ 2:45:18I understand what you're saying about growing markets and thinking about how to bring, uh, many of these things on shore, many of the input costs on shore. But what about now? Because I have talked to farmers all the time that are waking up at 2:00 in the morning, worried that they, at the after the fourth generation are about to lose their farm because one more year like that and they are going to close. So can you give me some idea of what you think about what sustained relief looks like?
▶ 2:45:48And when farmers in my district can expect to actually be made whole? >> well, I appreciate the question and well framed. And I know you're probably going to like some of what I say, probably not some of what I say, but I think you were right. This is years in the making, um, years in the making as we've offshored so much of our manufacturing, fertilizer, seeds, etcetera. Uh, when we walked in the door a year ago, interest rates, I know we haven't talked about that in this committee yet.
▶ 2:46:16We're up 73% for our farmers, 73% fuel up about 30, 28 to 30% labor. Uh, for those that use the h two, a program was up about 46%. You've got a lot of h2a users in michigan actually, uh, seeds, etc. And, and so this is this is again, years in the making and the importance of bringing those with respect down or priority. >> I'm going to reclaim my time because just because I have another question. Sure.
▶ 2:46:43I'm less interested right now because there's been a lot of discussion already in committee about how we got to where we are. Some of that we agree on, some of that we don't. But going forward, we're headed into a growing season where farmers in my district are really concerned that they are going to have another season like last year. And if they do without any substantial help, they are going to lose their farms. How are you thinking about that? >> well, fuel will be coming back down again.
▶ 2:47:11Labor is down 46%. The inputs we're talking about now, uh, fertilizer was down about 10% until the middle east, uh, issue in the last few months. It will be coming back down. I appreciate your point. We can talk long term, but we need to talk short term. Uh, we expect a massive, massive the highest exports on record now. So I'm not talking about in a year. I'm not talking about in five years.
▶ 2:47:34This year we're going to break records on our exports, including some of your specialty crops, but also your regular crops in michigan as well. And then of course, uh, the, the constant conversation between your leadership and between us. >> is. >> do we need. >> more time back? Because I only have one minute left and I want to get to my second question.
▶ 2:47:53But the difficulty that I have, I cannot go back to my district with a cross your fingers, uh, answer to this question when it comes to fertilizer costs, when it comes to, uh, the cost of fuel in what is happening, there is no plan there right now. >> oh, no. There is a massive plan. I've laid it out about six times. >> plan. I'm talking about the war. Okay. >> oh. >> I'm on the a c f greenhouse exclusion. The program provides relief to specialty crop producers that are hurt by tariffs and rising input costs.
▶ 2:48:23Michigan's greenhouse growers need that help, but they are explicitly excluded from the program for no clear reason. It is cold in michigan. We need our greenhouse farmers. My state has a significant greenhouse industry growing vegetables, flowers, herbs and nursery crops facing the exact same pressure as everyone else. Why were they left out? And will you commit to expanding the eligibility to include to include controlled environment growers? >> yes. Let's follow up on that tomorrow. I will, uh, we'll we'll look into that.
▶ 2:48:54>> julie's time has expired. Now recognize the gentleman from tennessee, Mr. rose, for five minutes. >> thank you, chairman thompson. I appreciate you holding this hearing. And thank you, secretary, for, uh, secretary rollins, for being with us today. Uh, I know you've heard other members talk about their agricultural heritage. I am an eighth generation farmer farming the same land since 1790. I've got two little boys, guy and sam, who I hope will be the ninth generation. We're trying to trying to foster that in them.
▶ 2:49:22And like you, um, I think it's safe to say I think you'd say this or not. When I say this, I wouldn't be here had it not been for my participation in the future farmers of america. And what a great program. And I know you're deeply supportive as well. Um, I, I am struck by some of the comments from the other side of the aisle today. And I, and I want to just stand up and say this, you know, I am 61. I'm sad to admit that, but it's true.
▶ 2:49:49But for most of my life, we have had an agricultural trade surplus in this country, and we are now in a crisis in farm country. And I think there's no denying that in part that has happened because the prior administration set a fire, and that fire, um, did a lot of things. Number one, it set off a round of inflation, unprecedented since my youth.
▶ 2:50:16And as a member of the ffa in the jimmy carter inflation of the 1970s and 1980s, but they also failed to negotiate a single a single agricultural trade deal. You've talked about the 19 new trade deals in just one year, folks, when you set a fire and you let it rage for four years, the the the damage that we see in farm country today, the damage that we see with affordability today in america, these are the things that you get.
▶ 2:50:45And so how dare they? How dare they, having been the arsonist setting this fire, now have the temerity to criticize the firemen that are on the scene containing it. So congratulations to you and president trump, and I commend you for the work you've done, the the tremendous work you've done in the short span that you've been in office of containing the fire and working hard to put it out and get us back on track as a country.
▶ 2:51:10So I, so I thank you for all of the things that you all have been working on. As we all know, foreign markets are important. Uh, but they can also be unpredictable. And I know you've already spoken this about this. This is why I'm an avid supporter of e15 and biofuels in our country, because we need to find ways to consume more of the commodities that we produce right here at home to supply this country.
▶ 2:51:35Can you talk about other ways in which we can become more self-sufficient and ways in which we can add value to, and use the commodities that we produce so efficiently and effectively here in our country? >> well, thank you, congressman. I appreciate the the the kudos. It's it has been a an a herculean effort over the last year to get all those new trade deals and frameworks done and to open the markets up.
▶ 2:51:58And, and I, I honestly, I would like to take a little credit, but it's really the president and his trade team, uh, jameson greer and howard lutnick and, and scott bessent that have, uh, have put agriculture at the top of their list as they're going out around the world with the president. So, so they deserve so much credit.
▶ 2:52:15Uh, but secondly, to your point, in terms of the importance of america first and making sure we're producing our own and consuming, excuse me, I was surprised, more than surprised to see when I walked in the door that what used to be, uh, american driven, uh, whether it's fertilizer seed, uh, processing, you know, for packers basically process 85% of our beef in this country.
▶ 2:52:42Uh, there are so many areas that we have been asleep at the wheel. The country has for decades and has allowed the offshoring of so much of, of what we need to basically feed and fuel and clothe ourselves. And we're at the point this is an existential issue to preserving our country for the next 250 years.
▶ 2:53:05If we need to rely on china for our food and our fertilizer and all the things that come with that, we will lose what we understand to be liberty and freedom in this country. That's how important this is. So whether it's e15, whether it's onshoring fertilizer, whether it's breaking up and making sure we have smaller processors around the country so all of our cattle don't have to haul to the big four. There are any number of issues getting cotton back into, into, and onto american clothes and sheets, etcetera.
▶ 2:53:33Uh, it is a massive list of problems that we're working to solve. But, but I think we're making tremendous progress. None of this will happen overnight. But just seeing the markets that have gone up, seeing the tens of billions of dollars, we're now moving out in just one year of our agricultural products, that's only going to get better and and becomes more important to our country. >> well, thank you, secretary rollins. We we well remember, it took a decade to get the carter inflation under control fully extinguished.
▶ 2:54:01And it will sadly take a long time to get us completely back on track. Thank you for the work you and the president are doing. >> thank you. Congressman. >> gentleman's time has expired. Now recognize the gentleman from alabama? Mr. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you, madam secretary, for being here. Good to see you again. I, um you know, I don't typically get involved in the the back and forth, but I've been in congress now about 18 months.
▶ 2:54:25And the one word that I hear more than perhaps anything else, uh, from my colleagues is, is or two words is joe biden or biden administration. And as it relates to our farmers, look, I'll be the first to tell you, I don't I don't care what party the president is. I don't care where he's from. I don't care what his policies are. I don't care what his goals are. I don't care what his or her, uh, you know, positions are on many things.
▶ 2:54:53All I care about is the decisions that you are making. Do they help district two in the state of alabama? I don't care anything else. Is it good for my district? Is it good for my state? And when I continue to hear people talk about the biden administration, the biden administration, the biden administration and what they did, you know, to the extent that there was a fire, this administration did not come in treating it with water.
▶ 2:55:19They came in spraying gasoline, and this administration did not ramp up the tariff war. This administration or this administration did ramp up the tariff war, did start the tariff war. The biden administration didn't do that. The biden administration didn't start a conflict in iran that has fuel prices at record levels that we're seeing for some time. This administration did that. The biden administration is not the one who is driven, uh, foreign exports, uh, away from farmers in the state of alabama.
▶ 2:55:49This administration did that. The biden administration did not open up cattle import markets from argentina. This administration did that. And so I don't care if it's a democrat or a republican who did that. Joe biden had done those things. I'd sit here and tell you the exact same thing. It is wrong. It's not right. We should not be doing it.
▶ 2:56:10And so I think we all have a collective responsibility when we talk about taking care of farmers, when we talk about taking care of rural communities and taking care of the agriculture industry as a whole, we all have a responsibility to be real with ourselves. We all have a responsibility to be loyal to the communities and the states that we represent.
▶ 2:56:27Without finger pointing at a particular president or an administration, we, this body, the agricultural committee, we have the power to stand back, to use our constitutional authority to push back against decisions of administration, whether a prior administration or current administration, to make sure we are positioning our farmers to thrive and succeed. And I get reports in my district, as I'm sure many people across here, you know, do you know, I got we got some of the, the, the most peanut farmers in the country in my district.
▶ 2:56:56Um, and in my state, uh, soybean farmers. Right. And when I talk to them and they say things to me like, hey, the tariff rates have made it more expensive for us to produce these product products, then we can sell them for that is a problem. And that is a problem that collectively we should be working together to solve. And I know you're not responsible for tariffs. I know that, right. You know we all know that right. So I'm not going to, you know, throw that responsibility on you.
▶ 2:57:26But what I do expect is that the department of agriculture, as well as members of this committee on both sides, acknowledge the real harm that that has caused to rural america. >> may I respond? >> hold on. >> I'm asking a question. Okay. >> um, but the at the end of the day, you know, the tariffs have they have been harmful, the input costs have been harmful. Uh, and sure we can, I'm sure we can point to legitimately, we can point to policies across multiple administrations.
▶ 2:57:53Uh, you know, that, that lead to our current circumstances, but I don't think that it is fair to anybody. Uh, and I don't think it is fair to the farmers, first and foremost, to point that finger solely at one man or one previous administration and ignore the actions that the current administration is taking. And so my, my question is that, you know, we've we've heard reports of foreign markets drying up for exports for peanut farmers in the state of alabama.
▶ 2:58:23We in fact, we've even seen some reports that say peanuts were unable to be exported to international markets, uh, from the state of alabama last year. And that's a problem. That's a huge problem. And we've seen similar reports that say that china, who buys most of this, I know we criticize china a lot, but there are enormous consumer of american agricultural goods, um, that they are investing elsewhere, that they're helping stand up markets, soybean markets in brazil, peanut markets and other places in the country.
▶ 2:58:51And I'm worried that those markets are not going to return to the state of alabama. So my question is, what is the department of agriculture doing to ensure that those markets, uh, can be restored, are not permanently lost, and that we're doing as much as we can to support our farmers in that. And I know I, I've, I've spoken through most of my time, but to the extent that you can please respond. >> Mr. chairman, if I can just. 30s. So I appreciate the the framing and the passion, and I'm grateful for that.
▶ 2:59:19And we love our farmers in alabama, for sure. But I will say it was the what you're calling the tariff war. That is what allowed us to strike 19 new trade deals and cut the $42 billion agricultural trade deficit. The markets that were lost in the four years. And I get it. You're like, please stop talking about biden. But it was those four years that we lost $42 billion in agricultural markets. We went to a deficit in one year under those 19 new trade deals. We've cut that in half.
▶ 2:59:47So we're actually opening the markets all around the world. And exports are going to be up. We're expecting a record export year this year. The inputs are another conversation. We don't have time. I've been talking about them a lot. But the after the actual trade part, we're actually what we all of us are winning on that. >> you bet me, sir. >> thank you. I now recognize the gentleman from wisconsin. Wisconsin, Mr. van orden. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:00:16Um, I hate to say this to my dear colleague from alabama, but, uh, the gas prices were only higher under the biden administration. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it, man. Uh, madam secretary, I want to thank you for visiting, and I'm we're going to welcome you back with the president. I think that's fantastic. I want to cover a few things. Uh, dairy screwworm snap. And then if we can get to it real quick.
▶ 3:00:45So this question actually comes from the american agra women. It's the largest group of female farmers in the world. Kim is our rep in wisconsin. She's fantastic. She was here yesterday. We had some cheese and beer together as you do. Um, and this is talking about the farm program. So I'll just read it. This is directly from them. Our dairy farmers are really concerned about the amount of proprietary operational data that they're being required to provide to milk processors and third parties.
▶ 3:01:09Uh, through the checkoff process, they've been forced to provide their proprietary data to be aggregated and given to milk processors, both cooperatives and independent, some with that are foreign owned by canada. And it's without the farmers realizing that they're giving up their proprietary data. So the problem here is that there's so much data that's been given by the farmers to these organizations. We don't know where the data is going. We don't know if they're selling the data, who has access to it. And we're very concerned about this.
▶ 3:01:38So are you guys looking at this to see if you can modify this program to. >> we are we're this is this is a really important most people don't even realize for any of you from dairy states, your dairy farmers, especially your small guys, um, the ones we're really trying to help have to basically to be able to sell their milk, they have to provide this crazy amount of data, what they feed their cattle, where their cattle, where the manure is disposed of. And it's all in the name of climate and the climate challenge.
▶ 3:02:04And so you're basically requiring right now your dairy farmers to hand over this data. And if they don't sort of check the box, then they can't sell their milk. And this is a really big challenge way under the radar, but we are working on it and working with some of your dairy farmers on it. >> thank you ma'am. Another dairy issue. Um, we talked about trade. So the whole milk for healthy kids, uh, during the, the obama administration. Sorry, did he kick off? He's gone.
▶ 3:02:29Um, they got rid of, uh, whole milk, 1%, 2% milk flavored milks and a bunch of dairy products within our schools. So with, uh, you know, g.t. Thompson, we've been working on this forever. He's been working on it for a really long time. Uh, when president trump signed the whole milk for healthy kids, uh, act into law that reopened all the domestic markets in our public schools for our children. So one from the nutritional aspect is fantastic. But you talk about trying to get new trade deals going. Uh, that is that is wonderful. So I want to thank you for your help on that.
▶ 3:02:58Uh, and I gotta admit, I've been misquoting you guys. I did it twice a media today. I said, you've only done 15 trade deals in 15 months. It's 19. Sorry about that. I'll correct that. Forgive you. Yeah, that's that's over one a month. >> it's incredible. >> I don't think people understand that. >> it's unprecedented and historical and there's more coming. That's what's exciting. >> okay, let's get on india. We gotta talk to you about those cats. Yes. Um, new world screwworm.
▶ 3:03:22People don't understand that the new world screw room does not differentiate between a beaver or a dairy cow, or a swine or poultry or your cat, or even you. And I appreciate we've been working on this for over a year now, so I know some of my colleagues aren't as in tune to that. With tracey mann, his leadership of the subcommittee, uh, for, uh, poultry, dairy and livestock, they'd say livestock first.
▶ 3:03:47But, um, so I understand you've got a 20 kilometer exclusion zone around this, correct? >> so the case that was confirmed yesterday and I leave here in in about an hour and go jump back on with about a thousand people from around the country. But the case that was confirmed yesterday, the protocol, it's all on screwworm.gov. You can't forget that screwworm.gov. But the protocol is the moment we have a confirmation that we have a 20 kilometer basically quarantine, and there can be no movement of animals.
▶ 3:04:15What people don't realize, the first of all, the screwworm is a fly. The president was was confused about this. He's like, why do we call it a screwworm if it's a fly? As I was trying to explain it to it, but the flies don't move long distances. The way the screwworm is basically spread is when you move the livestock, uh, long distances. So that's what happened in mexico with the cartels. That's why we're in this position we're in. But that's what's so important, why we've got to quarantine and stop movement. >> thank you ma'am.
▶ 3:04:40Um, and for people that are not a fan of rfid tags, this got to understand the way we're going to track these animals is through that. Uh, and then let's just go to snap real quick. Uh, I was raised in abject rural poverty by a single mother, and we had food stamps when it was a stamp that went on a card and had government cheese and subsidized lunches and all that stuff. Then every single dollar that we allocate for a hungry child needs to go to a hungry child. That's right. I mean, the snap program is not an international food aid program. It's for needy americans. And I'm I benefited from this.
▶ 3:05:10So I want to commend you for making sure that we're remove the billions and billions and billions of dollars worth of fraud so that the hungry child gets fed. So thank you very much, ma'am. And with that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> thank you sir. We'll see you tomorrow. >> expired now, recognize Mr. riley ♪from new york for five minutes. >> thank you chairman. Thank you. Secretary, it's good to see you again. Last time we saw you, you were here with your kids. I take it they learned their lesson. >> and yes, you'll notice they only sat for about 30 minutes.
▶ 3:05:42Yes. >> we. Talked about that. They skipped out on this one. I two things I want to talk to you about. Uh, one of them we just texted about you and I yesterday. Um, I grew up a few blocks from a cider mill in endicott, not a cider mill. The cider mill. And one of the things you do as a kid is you go there for your, uh, field trips and you watch them press the, the apples and make the cider. So it's not just great, uh, locally sourced cider. It's one of those, uh, shared experiences that we all had in the community, uh, going there. And that's the sort of thing that helps build community.
▶ 3:06:11In fact, the first time I brought my wife home to meet my parents, the literally the very first thing we did was took her to the cider mill, like make or break moment for me. And we'll be celebrating our ten year anniversary, ten year anniversary coming up this this fall. Congratulations. Thank you. Uh, so when our apple growers are facing tough times, we really, really want to be there for them.
▶ 3:06:30And right now, things are really tough, especially in the hudson valley, uh, because of the april frost, uh, saunders hill farms and eckerd is an 11th and 12th generation family farm dating back to 1680, the oldest farm in new york state. Uh, it stood the test of time, but today, it could lose half of its apple crop, uh, because of the frost. Um, you and I traded a couple text messages yesterday.
▶ 3:06:53I just want to ask you, can we work together to make sure that new york state's disaster designation gets finalized as quickly as possible, so that farms like sandersville can get the support they deserve? >> 100%, yes, and I would love to go to an 11th generation apple farm. That is, I've I've been talking to a lot of the apple guys. I'll make sure and include your guys too. Wonderful. They are struggling. We need to eat more apples in this country. Um, so I'm, I'm on the apple thing, but yes.
▶ 3:07:24>> let's do it. Let's get this disaster declaration approved so they can get the support they need. And then maybe you and I can go up and give the good news together. Yeah. Um, great. And let me know anything I can do to be helpful in getting that disaster declaration, uh, done. Um, I want to tell you about, uh, copake. Um, this is a beautiful, uh, rural town in columbia county. Uh, really tight knit community of a few thousand people. They actually have this great car show that I like to take the kids to, uh, at rebecca family campground every summer.
▶ 3:07:51Um, but today, uh, copake is being targeted by $1 billion out of state corporate developer called hecate energy that wants to cover our land with their solar panels. Mhm. And it's not just any solar panels. Uh, these are solar panels made by a chinese company with ties to slave labor. And look, these developers, first of all, they should be using american supply chains, not chinese supply chains.
▶ 3:08:21And if they're building anywhere, build on parking lots and brownfields or the rooftops of cities not in beautiful farmland in upstate new york, but they're targeting places like copake because it's a small town, and they think they can steamroll us to make a buck for themselves. So copake is small, but they fight and the entire community.
▶ 3:08:45I'm telling you, residents, farmers, small business owners, democrats, republicans, independents, everyone got together to fight back against this thing, passed 17 zoning laws to stop this project from coming in. But there's this group. It's called auris. It's a bunch of unelected bureaucrats in albany, and they are overriding the residents of copake and letting hecate plow ahead.
▶ 3:09:10So they're literally overruling our neighbors and handing this beautiful upstate new york farmland to corporate developers using chinese supply chains. And if they succeed, this is going to be such a tragedy, not just for towns like copake that deserve better 2024 2025 alone, we lost 500 farms in 100,000 acres of farmland in upstate new york.
▶ 3:09:40And if we don't change course, we're going to lose it all. So I you know, one of the reasons I supported the farm bill is because it included my legislation to stop china from buying american farmland. This is basically the same thing we're dealing with here. So I saw your tweet last week, uh, raising the alarm about this, including an upstate new york. Uh, as you know, I'm always looking for ways to find common ground and shared values. And I think this might be one of them.
▶ 3:10:05So my question, to the extent what time remaining is, what can you and I do together at the federal level, uh, to protect our farmland and save, uh, towns like copake? >> I'm not sure that there's a more righteous battle than to battle to save this farmland.
▶ 3:10:20And I'm sure you know, but cornell partnered with the state of new york to reclassify usda prime farmland to not prime farmland took 80% of our classifications that oh, actually, it's only 11%, which is allowing this development to happen, which is absolutely not okay. I would love to work with you. >> and if there are things I know, my time is expired, if there are things we can do federally to preempt some of this, and it's not just it's not just preempting it federally.
▶ 3:10:48I look at it as like, we have to take action federally to return control to local people. Like the power should be with the people in copake, not a bunch of unelected bureaucrats. And if you and I need to work together federally to return that power to them, let's let's. >> do that. I would welcome that. We're already on it. So let's loop you into that work. >> thanks, secretary. >> thank you so much. >> now it's time is expired. Uh, now, um, recognize Mr. newhouse from washington state. >> thank you, chairman thompson.
▶ 3:11:18Secretary rollins, welcome to the ag committee. It's a pleasure to have you here. I appreciate you coming back. And let me just say, we appreciate the work you're doing every single day on behalf of our farmers and ranchers, um, particularly in the state of washington, as you mentioned in your written testimony. You know, I'm a third generation farmer myself. My son's a fourth generation. We know firsthand the big challenges that agriculture faces. And, uh, I know you're everybody's looking to you for answers.
▶ 3:11:44I just want to tell you, I appreciate your aggressive approach to solving some of the biggest challenges I've ever seen in the agricultural industry. Thank you. Um, let me get into the weeds just a little bit. Not weeds specifically, but, uh, gentleman from new york raised the issue of apples. Um, the supplemental disaster program, which has been a tremendous help.
▶ 3:12:10Uh, you've extended the application deadline for the 2324 program. I've been hearing from several of my constituents about some of the issues around the quality loss, uh, portion of this program, um, particularly for apples and pears, the iconic washington apple, I might say. Um, the current reporting period is, uh, I think 30 days.
▶ 3:12:35Um, and while that works for, for most producers to report a quality loss, it doesn't align with commercial practices for producing apples and pears. Uh, they're stored soon after harvest. And as you know, uh, these fruits are available literally year round. Um, some are in storage for weeks before they are being graded and sold.
▶ 3:13:03So my question has to do with the flexibility around that program. Could we provide, uh, some, some flexibility there around that deadline so that these two fruits are not automatically disqualified? >> yeah. If you'll follow up with me directly and then we'll get the right team on that. >> yeah, absolutely. >> yeah. >> thank you. Like I said, I've been hearing from several people about that issue, um, and staying on the assistance, uh, topic for just a second.
▶ 3:13:28Uh, I want to thank you for the recent announcement regarding the assistance for specialty crops. Mhm. Uh, and while, you know, thank you very much. Appreciate that there's been a lot of concern expressed that there's going to be additional needs. Um, so I'm just looking to you for commitment to working with, with me, with, with congress.
▶ 3:13:50Um, and, and the stakeholders and specialty crops so that we can assess what, if any additional assistance could be brought forth, uh, particularly for producers whose losses or those cost pressures maybe aren't reflected with the current program as it was rolled out. And particularly thinking about especially crops are a unique animal. That's right.
▶ 3:14:13Um, and acreage basing some of the calculations on acreage doesn't always work. We have to look back at, uh, production records more. So. So just looking for that kind of opening that door and commitment from you. >> yes, absolutely. >> yeah. Good, good. Uh, and then I just wanted to, to broach the subject of, of foreign investment in agriculture lands in the united states.
▶ 3:14:40My legislation actually, and this has been, uh, one of my issues for several years. So I'm glad to see it coming to fruition. And with you and in the secretary's chair, we're going to see this finally happen, but we will put you on, on that panel permanently. Yes. And I appreciate very much your, um, understanding that this truly is a matter of national security to prevent, particularly the communist chinese party, from owning more land in the united states.
▶ 3:15:09So any thoughts about that that you haven't already expressed would be good. >> yeah. I appreciate your leadership on that so much. And I do think we have made progress in the last 14 months of waking up america at what has happened over decades, whether it's the purchase of farmland from foreign adversaries, especially around military bases, but also the purchase of some of our supply chains, the fact that foreign adversaries own about a fifth of our pork, um, that brazil owns about half of our packing
▶ 3:15:39And processing, uh, that china owns our basically our chemical seeds that several other countries own are fertilizer. How did this happen? What, where, where were we not we in this room, but the proverbial we, what were we doing? And my goodness, what would have happened if, if, if we didn't have a leader who recognizes that and who's given us the, basically the, the runway to go try to fix it?
▶ 3:16:08>> and let me just say you mentioned the fertilizer production in the state of washington. >> yes. >> look, look forward to working with you and making that a reality. Atlas agro agro has some tremendous potential there, and we'll help do exactly what you're talking about. Bring some of this stuff back to the united states. So we're not dependent on foreign sources. >> we have to or we'll lose our country. That's how important it is. Thank you. >> thank you, madam secretary. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> thank you. Gentlemen. Uh, now recognize the gentleman from california, Mr. carbajal, for five minutes.
▶ 3:16:38>> thank you, Mr. chairman. Welcome, secretary rollins. Thank you. I represent the central coast of california, where agriculture is our number one industry. Like many farmers across the country, growers in my district are currently under tremendous pressure.
▶ 3:16:52They are simultaneously grappling, grappling with labor shortages, a shuttered export market, rising costs for fertilizers, seed, chemicals and fuel, as well as increasing competition from abroad, all of which are making it harder to stay profitable and keep their operations running. You may disagree with my next point, but many of these problems have been caused and or exacerbated by this trump administration.
▶ 3:17:21Whether the misguided tariffs or the war with iran, it is clear these actions are harming our farmers throughout the country. I hear it every day from my farmers. Specialty crop producers have been hit especially hard, often without access to the same level of federal support and safety net programs available to other commodity sectors.
▶ 3:17:42While I was pleased to hear that funding available for assistance for special specialty crop farmers program was increased to 1.6 billion. It is widely acknowledged by the industry that this funding represents only a fraction of the total economic losses suffered by specialty crop growers.
▶ 3:18:02Do you agree that additional assistance is necessary, and does usda have plans for further assistance for specialty crop farmers in the future? >> this is really a congressional question. Uh, we stand by and are ready to assist if that determination is made. I was out in california last week visiting with allied potato and meeting with some specialty crop growers.
▶ 3:18:27Uh, there is no doubt that there are some headwinds, and we need to do everything we can to work on those, whether opening markets, decreasing import prices, or additional assistance. >> are there other actions usda will be taking to address some of these impacts on farm country? >> well, every day we're taking action. You know, the the good news from the working families tax cut is there were >> a lot of provisions in that bill, whether it was reference prices, death, tax exemption, better crop protection.
▶ 3:18:55Of course, the new farm bill that you all worked so hard on and and got moved through also will make additional steps. So we're executing on that every single day. The export market for some of our specialty crops, like tree nuts, is expected to be way up this year. So we're going to be shipping a lot more around the world. So that's good. And then the make america healthy again movement, I'm not sure that anyone's going to benefit more from that than our specialty crop growers who are growing the healthy veggies, berries, etc. >> let's hope so.
▶ 3:19:22Earlier this spring, costco began selling grapevines to the retail club members in northern california. We have since learned that several of these grapevine grape vine plants have become infested with the glassy winged sharpshooter insect and have now quickly spread across the state. As you may know, this insect led to the pierce disease outbreak, which caused significant damage to the wine industry.
▶ 3:19:47There is a need for immediate infusion of funding to mitigate damage for this insect before it becomes a major problem and causes severe financial losses to our country's leading wine producing state. Can you share what actions usda is currently taking to respond to these concerns, and are there emergency funding opportunities currently being considered that could help address these challenges? >> yes, our team is on it. We just talked about it yesterday.
▶ 3:20:15Even though we're dealing with screwworm, which is a much taking a lot more media than than certainly the pest you announced. But yes, we talked about it yesterday. We are on at our aphis team is there on site and and we'll do whatever we need to do to protect to protect those vineyards and those vines. >> thank you, secretary rollins. Horticulture and floriculture are vital sectors in my district as well.
▶ 3:20:36Yet they were excluded from the assistance for specialty crop farmers program, despite facing many of the same input costs, increases or other agricultural producers. Would you agree that they deserve assistance as well? >> I would love to see more information on that. We had to draw the line somewhere. We drew the line at what people eat. That was over a hundred specialty crops were included in the last round.
▶ 3:21:02But again, from a congressional perspective, if congress decides that additional assistance is needed for horticulture floriculture, I will of course, support that. >> thank you very much, Mr. chair, I yield back. >> thank you sir. We'll follow up on the on the pest. Yeah. Thank you. >> I recognize the gentleman from new york, Mr. manion, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:21:26Um, thank you, secretary rollins, for being here today, answering our questions and providing, uh, so many details. And thank you for coming to upstate new york, uh, to highlight our region's dairy industry. New york's 22nd congressional district, home to a great dairy industry that is immensely important to our state's agriculture.
▶ 3:21:47Um, I've heard directly from my dairy producers about the issues, and I'm sure you've heard across the country as well, issues related to labor shortages, high input costs, and very real profitability concerns that we've talked about here today. And I appreciate the details you provided in your answers. So thank you.
▶ 3:22:07Um, one of the reasons I was excited to be a member of this committee is the spirit of bipartisanship that exists here and has operated to support our nation's farmers through unexpected crises, both here and around the world. I've been pleased to work in that same bipartisan spirit to expand market opportunities for our dairy farmers, including through the whole milk for healthy kids act.
▶ 3:22:29That was a real bright spot for our producers, and I appreciate your work in helping getting that legislation quickly and amended, implemented and guidance out to our schools. Thank you. I want to focus on two issues today that are at the front of my mind, and certainly at the front of the minds of my constituents. I'll run through both and welcome your thoughts at the end. Sounds good. Um, first, governor hochul recently submitted a request for disaster designation.
▶ 3:22:57I believe my colleague from new york mentioned that as well. For a large portion of my district and other parts of the state that were impacted by the april frost, which has decimated many fruit operations, including our apple and grape producers. New york is the nation's number two apple producer. Uh, and our grape growers support thousands of jobs on farms and tasting rooms and in packaging facilities. Um, so now they're looking at more than $30 million in estimated losses.
▶ 3:23:30Unfortunately, this comes on the heels of an already difficult stretch for our growers who face back to back years of weather related losses. And for many of these operations, another significant crop loss could be, um, an event that forces them to close. So, uh, I would appreciate at the end if you could provide an update on where usda is on processing the governor's request and any information you can share so that I can communicate that directly back to our producers. The second issue is on rural development.
▶ 3:24:02Like some of my colleagues, I was concerned to see the deep cuts to rural development programs included in the president's budget. I'm worried that these cuts, along with the proposed changes to the usda home loan programs, will restrict access to rural homeownership at the exact moment when families and places like central new york and the mohawk valley are already facing higher housing costs, higher interest rates and fewer affordable homes.
▶ 3:24:30So I'm asking if you can commit to ensuring that families in rural communities who rely on section 502 direct loans as their primary pathway to homeownership, will not see processing delays or reduced access as a result of the administrative changes. Thank you, secretary. >> no, thank you so much. So first, on the disaster declaration, we received, uh, governor hochul's letter on may 19th. Uh, we are moving. In fact, I, I keep this with me. I understand how important this is.
▶ 3:24:59New jersey, new york, pennsylvania, south carolina, west virginia, virginia and maryland are the ones we're looking at right now to with the utmost speed, possible to get those declarations out. So you have my personal commitment. I'm checking every single day. Obviously, a lot of data has to be gathered, but, uh, but we've got to do that at just at warp speed. So if you're hearing or seeing something different, would you just flag that for me directly and I'll get I'll give you my number.
▶ 3:25:23Um, the second thing on the rural development housing program, the there were, first of all, there is no, um, there's no less amount of money going into the program, but there is a rule change that allows that money to be spread more evenly across the country. And so, you know, your concern is real for those from new york and california. That is arguably less money for for your constituents to put into housing.
▶ 3:25:50And so I hear that, um, I, I take it to heart, I understand it, but the, the goal of the program again, is to get as much money as we can to help as many rural homes as we can get built. But I would welcome a continuing dialog on that, and especially specifics that you may have that show how this is hurting your constituents. As we're continually updating and looking at those rules. >> great. >> thank you so much. Madam secretary, I yield back. >> thank you. >> thank the gentleman. Yield. Gentleman. Yields back. Now, recognize the gentleman from indiana, Mr. mesmer.
▶ 3:26:21>> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, madam secretary. Appreciate your your work to strengthen the coordination between the usda and the department of war by signing an mou with secretary hegseth. In february. That same month, I introduced the dod and usda interagency research act, a bill that would foster collaboration between the dod's office of research and engineering and usda's agata program. It would strengthen our agricultural security, and it will accelerate innovation for american farmers and ranchers.
▶ 3:26:49Uh, since signing the mou, how has the usda worked with the department of war, specifically darpa and the usda? Usda has office of the chief scientist to advance agriculture, security and innovation. >> I, I am so happy you asked this question. Uh, I never before has the secretary of war, previously secretary of defense, actually signed an mou with the secretary of agriculture. We have talked under any administration.
▶ 3:27:14We have talked at length today about the national security implications of agriculture and and how for so many years, america, I believe, has been asleep and and while we've been talking about a stronger military and reshoring, manufacturing. Well, what about reshoring our fertilizer? What about reshoring our seeds? What about ensuring that foreign adversaries can't buy farmland? And so I called pete about this, our secretary of war, uh, backlash here.
▶ 3:27:41And I said, I really want to elevate, even in your own mind how important agriculture, farm security, food security is, national security. And he said, look, I'm all in. And so that's what that mou represented. We have been working back and forth.
▶ 3:27:56The screwworm is a really good example of this, um, real world example that the screwworm is potentially a compromise to our food supply system that we we produce, we consume 13 million metric tons of beef every year in america, 11 million metric tons of that. We raise ourselves, we import between 2 and 3 million metric tons. Well, if we have a big screwworm infestation, which we will not, we are on top of it. But that's the challenge.
▶ 3:28:22If we're not ready for it, then that could very much compromise our beef cattle industry and inuring to us relying on other countries for our protein. Our beef called secretary hegseth, uh, called general graham, head of the army corps of engineers, obviously part of the secretary of the war department. And they immediately prioritized our screwworm facility in south texas, a $750 million investment to make sure this doesn't happen again once it's up and running. So that is an example there.
▶ 3:28:51There are dozens and dozens of examples, but that is an example of how the department of war is prioritizing agriculture. >> okay. Thank you. Uh, your team has already been instrumental in the development of my bill, and I'd like to see if you could commit to further relationship with me as we move closer to the end zone. >> yes, we would be. We would. So welcome that. >> thank you. Um, also, indiana is the fourth, fourth largest turkey producer in the nation.
▶ 3:29:16In 2024, the hoosier farmers raised 20 million birds through the to the success of the usmca mexico has become the number one destination for american turkey products and a major export market for indiana producers. Unfortunately, we lack the same kind of access to the canadian market. While exports of turkey to canada have been stagnant for the last decade, imports from canada have increased. Uh, madam secretary, can you commit to working with the us trade representative to expand access to the canadian market for U.S.
▶ 3:29:46Turkey producers through the upcoming usmca review? >> yes, 100%. And and, uh, jameson and I talked almost every day. So, so there will be a lot of opportunity to, to make sure that's prioritized. So thank you. If you'll just stay in touch with me as we move forward. >> perfect. Thank you. Yeah. Um, before I conclude, I want to reiterate my strong support for usda's reorganization plan. And thank you for having deputy secretary of aiden in indiana today.
▶ 3:30:11Um, as a leader in snap efficiency and a trailblazer in ag research, indiana is well prepared to welcome the usda staff looking to set down roots in the hoosier state. Uh, as indiana continues to ready space. Can you share more details on, uh, regarding the snap functions and what usda mission areas we can expect to relocate to indiana? >> we are. Uh, yes, we will follow up with you on that. We're obviously finalizing all of the details.
▶ 3:30:38Indiana was such, um, for me as we were deciding where to move a lot of the, the, the, the different, uh, silos, different organizations within usda, the, the importance of indiana from being in the middle of the country, uh, having so many research hubs within just a couple of hours, obviously, including purdue, one of your shining stars.
▶ 3:30:57Uh, there's just so much opportunity there from the research perspective, but to your point on, on fns now for the food and nutrition, there is a, it's going to be really, really good, whether it's indiana, dallas, other parts around the country to have those in the middle of the country that are closer to where they're serving. And of course, we have we have offices in colorado and utah coming as well. And we've put a lot in iowa and some of the other states, too. So we're still finalizing that, but moving very quickly. >> thank you.
▶ 3:31:26We're my office is willing to do anything we can to help in that transition, and I yield back. >> thank you. >> I thank the gentleman. Had some extenuating circumstances. After consulting with the ranking member, we're going to recognize Mr. harris from north carolina next. I know that's out of line, out of order, but then we'll go with, um, two of our democrat colleagues back to back next. So, Mr.
▶ 3:31:54Harris, um, thank. >> you, Mr. chairman, and thank you, madam secretary, for your presence here and appreciate the incredible work that you are doing. You know, it's no secret that under the previous administration, the department of agriculture willfully engaged in racial discrimination when administering several of the programs in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion, and in many cases, these discriminatory policies provided an enhanced benefits that were some preferential
▶ 3:32:25Treatment. There was priority consideration within the usda programs to individuals classified as socially disadvantaged, and that was based on race, ethnicity and gender. And recognizing the problem with this, it's my understanding, um, that was plaguing the federal government. President trump, shortly after coming to office, signed the executive order ending radical and wasteful government dei programs and preferencing.
▶ 3:32:50I just wanted to ask you real quickly if you could share some specific examples of actions that the department has been able to take to comply with president trump's executive order and to remove these preferences to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are all being treated equally under the law.
▶ 3:33:10>> on day one, we canceled 900 dei trainings, uh, which is kind of stunning that the us department of agriculture wasucd resources and taxpayer dollars on, on dei training, the number of, um, grants that we canceled that were focused on things like, this is the name of the grant queer and bipoc farmers and food justice in san francisco.
▶ 3:33:36This was actually usda grant, uh, looking at racial injustice in the pest control business. That was another grant, uh, looking at the menstrual cycles and transgender, um, americans. I mean, it, it is, it is stunning.
▶ 3:33:54And, and I have to believe that maybe not every american who hears that, but I've got to believe most americans, no matter where they vote or what side of the aisle they vote on, would agree that that is not a good use of taxpayer dollars. Coming through the us department of agriculture. And so aligning the usda, recalibrating the usda, and putting the farmer and the rancher as our number one customer, we do a lot of things every day, all day, every day.
▶ 3:34:22But when abraham lincoln founded this department in 1862, never in a million years would he ever have been okay with some of the, the, uh, the priorities that the last administration had had, uh, had put in place. So that's what we worked hard to change. >> well, and I agree 100%.
▶ 3:34:37And, and I will say that, um, that's why I was pleased to see in february of this year, the solicitor general, john sauer, sent a letter to speaker johnson stating that the department of justice had identified and concluded that several of these statutory provisions of federal law governing these programs that established race and gender based preferences for individuals designated as socially disadvantaged, according to john sauer, they were unconstitutional.
▶ 3:35:04Um, and so while the doj's determination is important to me, hypothetically speaking, if congress doesn't remove these provisions from federal law, could a future administration reinstate these race and gender based preferences and reverse the reforms that your department has now started to implement? >> that is the challenge.
▶ 3:35:26That is the imperative that congress has to act that, and it isn't just on dei that's important, and it isn't just on some of the other silly stuff that we inherited. But even out in the countryside, the farmers are so thankful. Thank you for changing the adverse effect of wage rate for h2a so it's now I can afford my h2a employees. Thank you for putting you know, for putting um real food back in the dietary guidelines and for our school lunches.
▶ 3:35:55Thank you for consolidating the packers and getting. Thank you for all that. But unless we get it codified and into law, it's. These farmers are going to face whiplash again and they're going to go back again. And so I just can't understate it. And y'all have been heroes on trying to get all of this into law. So it stays. >> well, madam secretary, that is exactly the concern.
▶ 3:36:15And that's why I introduced the equal treatment for farmers act, which would strike the very provisions in the us code that the doj has identified as unconstitutional and prohibits future administrations from discriminating based on race or gender. I think all of us, all of us agree discrimination is wrong. It always has been. It is antithetical to our american values. But the solution to discrimination is not more.
▶ 3:36:45Discrimination in the opposite direction is providing equal treatment under the law. And I was very thankful to have 26 cosigners almost immediately when we dropped that bill. And it's something that's going to be important. So I want to say thank you to you and to your department and to this administration for the work they're doing. >> thank you, sir, I look forward to partnering with you on that further. Thank you. >> uh, gentleman's time has expired. Um, I believe the secretary's got a hard stop at 2:00, so we just ask people to, you know, just ask your questions, but be succinct.
▶ 3:37:14And I recognize the gentleman from virginia, Mr. vindman, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you, madam secretary, for. Thank you for coming back this year. So, um, last or yesterday, I had a group of women farmers from across the commonwealth of virginia come visit me. And um, they were very stressed and, and frankly alarmed at the state of agriculture and production this year.
▶ 3:37:40Um, one particular producer out of orange county, um, was talking about the effects of the weather and um, shocks to input costs. And I think you and I can agree that times are tough for america's farmers today. Mhm.
▶ 3:37:58And so, um, as we look at the cost of fertilizer, um, the, the cost of fuel, those input costs, and then the natural shocks of whether there's a particular issue that I want to discuss with you in, in my state, in the, in the commonwealth of virginia, farmers have experienced significant damage to their crops due to below freezing temperatures. Losses were well above the 30% disaster trigger as a result of these freezing temperatures.
▶ 3:38:27And some farmers are even anticipating 100% loss of their crop. And so I'm concerned that between this the current drought that they're facing, the high fertilizer costs, the cost of diesel, um, even more virginia farmers will be forced to shut down, shut their farms for good. And we've seen a pretty significant increase in farm bankruptcies over the course of the last year. They need usda disaster assistance urgently.
▶ 3:38:53Governor spanberger requested the usda issue a disaster declaration for all counties in the commonwealth. Can you commit today to issuing a secretarial disaster designation for the entire commonwealth of virginia? >> well, we obviously have to get the data to make sure. But but her letter came in the 27th, I think just a couple of days ago. We've already reached back out to her office to begin that data collection.
▶ 3:39:16And my commitment is to move that as quickly as humanly possible so we can get some, some, some, some word to those farmers that there is help coming. >> thank you. With that, I yield back. >> thank you, sir. >> I thank the gentleman. I recognize the gentlelady from maryland, miss mclean delaney, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chair and ranking member. And thank you, madam secretary, for joining us again.
▶ 3:39:42It's great to see you and to thank you for, uh, I think you're now at 3.5 hours, so. >> I may not be quite as, uh, as sharp as I was 3.5 hours ago, so forgive me. >> oh, no. >> no, not. >> at all. Um, as you might remember, I represent maryland's sixth congressional district, which is western and mountain, maryland. And I am the daughter of a potato farmer. Um, as, as many have talked about the, um, you know, our farmers are really being squeezed and I'm in constant contact with our five farm bureaus.
▶ 3:40:10We have over 12,000 farms that support over 83000 jobs and generate billions every year in maryland. And as you as you also heard, you know, farmers are up 47% this year over last by the tariffs, immigration related workforce issues and cuts at usda. And I won't go into it because I can hear from many of my colleagues, including my colleagues from alabama and other places. Um, you know, these tariffs and puts have been really hard and destabilized markets.
▶ 3:40:37And I, I take note that you are trying to help with those 19 different trade agreements across the world. Um, and that we do have to take back and a lot of those farm inputs from fertilizer and other places back into our country. However, there has been a lot of disruption and some of it self-inflicted. Um, and I am concerned.
▶ 3:40:58And so, um, a couple of things I want to first, um, like my colleague, um, rep bittman, um, going into the frost, um, just want to lift up last may. Um, mountain, maryland was hit by historic flooding that ravaged communities and hundreds of kids were rescued from westernport elementary. I returned just last week with governor wes moore about from the reopening of its school.
▶ 3:41:23And even though western maryland did meet the thresholds for fema aid and the western port fire truck crossed three miles over into west virginia to put out fires, same community and same storm. The president and this administration did deny fema aid for maryland, but granted it three miles away for west virginia.
▶ 3:41:44And I firmly believe in the public interest and that our government resources like fema, emergency funds, infrastructure, broadband or health care dollars, water resources, and usda resources like grants and infrastructure should be given irrespective of party zip code or circumstance. And I show up with my big mama bear arms for every single constituent and fight like hell for them, including for my farmers. And I mentioned this like this.
▶ 3:42:08Uh, maryland recently also did request a secretarial, uh, disaster designation for our farmers. Um, we lost 99% of our peach crop, 98% of our barley crop, and 36% of our grape loss.
▶ 3:42:24And so, um, considering maryland has met the thresholds and you just granted pennsylvania disaster declaration, um, like my colleagues, I just commit to offering the same relief for maryland's farmers, irrespective of, of zip code or party or circumstance and elaborate that we can, you know, ensure that politics do not impact the economic viability or safety and health and well-being of our farmers or of of all of our americans. >> of course, 100%. And, um, I'll follow up with you on.
▶ 3:42:55>> that would be excellent. They are really suffering and, and really need it. Um, I also do want to recognize some staff from bark and archie who are here today. Um, bark stands for the beltsville agricultural research center in maryland and I do serve. My other committee is sst science, space and technology. I'm a big believer in science and what it does for our us competitiveness, our national security, and our health and well-being. And I think bark helps with all of those.
▶ 3:43:22And for nearly 100 years, it has helped farmers fight pests and disease. And like the screwworm, I even have this ugly picture somewhere. Yes, there it is. He's looking at me. >> yes. >> um, and and, you know, they help do nutrition and host our bee lab. Um, but, you know, many of us believe that, you know, moving facilities and this relocation closer to the farmers understand why it might be, you might think it has to be done thoughtfully in a way which does not include losing decades of research and institutional knowledge and experience staff.
▶ 3:43:52And, um, you know, when usda relocated ers in 2019, nearly 85% of those staffers quit or retired. And we're hearing up to 75% might do so, um, here in maryland. And I know that you did open up this new, um, livestock insects research lab in texas. And it's exciting, but it takes a while to set up research. And particularly with our lab and others, you know, the research constant is important.
▶ 3:44:17Um, I'm just asking, is there a way to keep current facilities here with experienced staff, but yet still experiment? No pun intended with setting up other labs across the country because in the end, it's about, you know, keeping our research and results and impact for our farmers and also protecting those who have given decades to usda. >> mhm. Um, obviously, this is a much longer conversation, and we have been analyzing it from every angle.
▶ 3:44:41But I again, and I hope, you know, I'm sincere, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and meet some of those, um, men and women. And I have been completely I know he's going to yell at me because I'm 10s over, but I have been so inspired by the usda career team, those who have given decades from, you know, annette, who runs the print shop, to the researchers, it's. They are so inspiring. Their public service.
▶ 3:45:08So I would I would again, yes, I would welcome the opportunity to. >> I would only say teddy, who's here from usda, said decision makers sometimes don't understand the research that's being impacted, and I know some of them are here. God bless you. Thank you, and I yield back. >> god bless you too. Thank you. >> I recognize the gentleman from ohio, Mr. taylor, for five minutes. >> thank you, chairman, and thank you very much, secretary rollins, for being here. >> very patient. Thanks for your. >> they put the really important people down here. >> yeah, exactly.
▶ 3:45:37>> what also comes with this seat is everybody's asked every question that you could possibly. >> exactly, exactly. At least I can see you. This is this is actually a benefit. >> yes. That may not be a good thing. Um, again, thank you so much for your, your incredible hard work and your service to this point. It's been very impressive and appreciated. Um, I do get some questions in my district occasionally about staffing at usda offices.
▶ 3:45:59Are there steps being taken as the usda, uh, at usda to make sure that as we rightly pursue efficiency, that the safety of our food supply and its pace to market is protected by providing sufficient inspectors and other needed staff? >> yes, we, uh, we obviously the, you know, the, the reduction in force that was voluntary through the last year, the idea we needed to right size across the federal government, government.
▶ 3:46:28Um, the president had been talking about that for some time. Uh, it is not an imperfect process. And so what we've been doing the last year is figuring out what that right balance is. And, and at the very top of my list, obviously is research, which is very important, but also the fsa offices and, and where we provide the front line services for our farmers. And so we've been in touch. I've been visiting fsa offices, I've had some of our best practices in my office here in washington. How do we support those farmers?
▶ 3:46:58I know we're moving to one farmer, one file, moving to more technology, but those offices will never close. That's congressional statute. And so ensuring that we've got the resources on the ground continues, and we're shifting around and rehiring, etcetera, and understand the challenges. >> great. Thank you for that. Also, we talked a little bit about the the situation now with, uh, with iran driving the high prices and not just on fuel, but on fertilizer and other things.
▶ 3:47:24Is there planning going on currently at the usda to assist our farmers in the event that that situation drags on? >> that is an ongoing conversation. Honestly, even before the situation in iran, how, how and what more do we need to do? This is a listen. The farmers are the heartbeat of our country. Everyone is on this committee because they love the farmers, the agriculture, rural america. We're fighting for them. But it's so much bigger than that. It's a national security issue.
▶ 3:47:52And the more we lose our farms, whether it's to, you know, development data centers, etc. Understanding, you know, progress is important, but we've got to be able to preserve these farms. And, and the trajectory has been the other direction for a really long time. But the opportunity to reverse back now, I think, is where we are in our country's history. I think the making america healthy again movement, sourcing more locally grown foods, processing them locally. The usda spends $400 million a day, $400 million a day on nutrition.
▶ 3:48:20There's a whole market there that we can capture that will again reverse the trend for our farmers, I believe. >> right. Great. Well, thank you very much. And I just want to say a quick thank you on behalf of rural america for ending the subsidy of solar projects. We talked about that last year when you were here. I appreciate your commitment to following up on that. Uh, we did submit a bill that's in the, uh, the farm bill, um, to codify that.
▶ 3:48:47And hopefully that gets done soon as well as your attention to the snap fraud that we've talked about a lot today. And we have also sponsored a bill to require a five year look back reporting from each state in an annual report. Hopefully that gets some traction as well. Um, I also want to mention that we've had, uh, we work with the ohio state, usda office of rural development and they've been a wonderful asset. Uh, charles tassel, the director. And he's been incredibly helpful, not just to my farmers, but to constituents of all kinds. So I want to say thank you.
▶ 3:49:16Telling me that for, for, for them, their responsiveness and actually their proactiveness. So thank you again for being here today. And lastly, I'll just say after the the four years of very difficult conditions, the usda, it's good to have people that have actually been to a farm and charged the usda. So thank you for all your work. And chairman, I yield back. >> thank you. Chairman. Yields back. I recognize gentlelady from maine, miss pingree for five minutes. >> well there I thank you, Mr. chair, and welcome, madam secretary.
▶ 3:49:44Thank you so much for being here with us and for spending this much time. Um, I could have used up the entire time just to give you my list of things. And I share so much of the concerns that other people have said about the reorganization and the downsizing, the lack of, um, staffing in our county offices, the impact of um tariffs on our blueberry growers, potato growers, lumber, lobster. Now that you got fish in your domain. Yeah.
▶ 3:50:07Um, there are just so many issues that I'd like to talk to you about, but I'm going to try to focus on a few things, and I'm going to just beg you to be willing to follow up with me on a couple of things. So I don't expect you to answer everything. Now, I'm not giving you a lot of yes or no quick questions. Um, I really do want to solve some issues. Thank you. Um, I'm the co-chair of the organic caucus along with representative newhouse, who was in here earlier. It's a bipartisan caucus.
▶ 3:50:32And so you can imagine that glyphosate has been one of those issues I've worked on for a very long time, and I was really pleased in the part where both you and rfk have said, we're trying to figure out ways to support more regenerative and organic farming. Um, but my concern is that it's not always coming through. I just recently heard, um, that we're so far behind in the organic cost share program. Um, that right now, six months into 2026, there's no indication when the 2025 application or payment process will take place.
▶ 3:51:02So I want to follow up with you on that. I'll run that money was in the reconciliation bill and other reconciliation bill. Money has been spent. Um, but it's a huge problem. And I was really sad to hear that just last week, um, it was reported in our state that five farms have voluntarily let go of their organic certification. And the number, the thing they cited was that the cost share money wasn't there. So it's just a specific problem we could fix. Yes. And I just want to see you guys put your money where your mouth is on these things.
▶ 3:51:31I've also heard on your new regenerative program, we have at least one farmer who's applied for that, and it has been months and months and no answer on that. So okay, I'll. >> follow up on that. >> I'm I'm really happy to follow up and just talk to you about that, or we don't have to figure it all out. Now, I wanted to say in one of the great things, um, I was pleased to hear about your domestic cotton program. I'm also the co-chair of the organic. Uh, no, no, sorry, the slow fashion caucus.
▶ 3:51:58And the reason we have that is because we're trying to get more domestic fibers and less use of synthetics that end up in landfills, which is a huge problem. So I would love to follow up with you about that, about how you're really going to implement it, how you're going to help the farmers, and about other domestic farm fibers. We've heard a lot about the people in the fashion industry unable to source enough domestic cotton, linen, hemp and wool. And sometimes it's about the infrastructure, and particularly in the hemp sector, where we try to expand that a lot.
▶ 3:52:27There was literally no processing. So most hemp is procured in other places. Mhm. Back to glyphosate. Um, I'm very worried about the overuse of glyphosate in the forest service and the spraying that's going on right now. Um, in another, you know, world. Uh, representative hoffman and I just sent a letter to chief schultz, uh, to ask for far more details about the use of glyphosate. And I'll copy you on that just because I think it's really important.
▶ 3:52:55Um, when you said I heard you talking to mcgovern earlier today and you said glyphosate is safe if it is used as directed, well, one of the concerns people have is how many places it's turning up. And so one of the questions we're asking is if there's widespread, um, use of it in the forest service now, which happens in my state and many other states, is it being used properly? Are we looking at the runoff? Are we looking at the whole picture of what's going on here? And is that the best way to regenerate our forests as we go through this?
▶ 3:53:24And secondly, that's true as, uh, as glyphosate is used increasingly as a desiccant in crops. And that's another thing that I think people are concerned about. And you see some states like florida, um, texas, not exactly the hotbed of, um, liberalism now testing for glyphosate and oats. And I think your mom's a texas legislator. She is. Yeah. So there we go. >> she's very concerned about this as well. >> exactly. So I hope your mom is calling you up as much as I call my daughter.
▶ 3:53:51Um, and that leads me to one last thing I'd like to talk to you about. And that's pfas that's been, uh, an area where we've done a lot of work in my home state. Um, I've made it a point on agriculture appropriations to funnel more money towards the usda for past work. And we need more action going on that. And I haven't heard a lot about what you're doing. Um, again, I'd be just really pleased to sit down and chat with you sometime and hear who's working on it. What are your plans? Um. So can we, can we make a deal? Yes.
▶ 3:54:21And say we're going to have a real conversation and talk about some of these things. It's, it's not a gotcha. I just really want to solve some problems for the people in my state. >> I would love that and welcome it. And we'll follow up and get something scheduled. Right. >> okay. If you don't follow up, we will. Okay. We'll just, we'll just pop over there one day and you'll be like, oh, no, now she's here. >> no, no, no, no, I, I would really, really welcome it. And all issues that you ran through. I know we're out of time, but all issues that we ran.
▶ 3:54:49I talked to rfk yesterday about the region program talked to our forest term this team this morning about glyphosate. So okay I'm tracking. >> all right. Thank you. >> I recognize the gentleman from california, Mr. valadao, for five minutes. >> thank you chairman. >> thank you. >> secretary rollins. Thank you for being here. And thank you for coming to visit us in the central valley last week. Um, a lot of great feedback. My, uh, farmers really enjoyed the conversation and the continued conversation you've had with them over the weekend, uh, very early emails monday morning. So I know you're working a lot of hours. So thank you for that.
▶ 3:55:19Uh, your team and yourself have been great to work with. I know, uh, representative carbajal brought it up and talked a little bit about glassy wing sharpshooter. Uh, I was just on the floor talking about an amendment to the bill on this. Uh, I wanted to follow up. Just a quick question. Um, given the outbreak is linked to a nursery stock, what further steps can I take to help prevent future pest introductions to the domestic nurseries? Have you looked into any of this or. >> oh, yes, we've been, we've been tracking it. I mentioned we've been very caught up with screwworm and hpai the last year. That's taken a lot of our attention.
▶ 3:55:48But no, we've got entire teams who are looking at all of these pests that are potentially. We've talked a lot today, not in this pest world, but we have talked a lot today about agriculture, farm security, as national security. There is also a real threat in compromising our food, um, our food supply chain with, uh, pests that are brought in with that purpose in mind. So it just tells you, I think, what a priority this has to be. >> all right. Um, switch up a little bit. Flavored milk in schools. Usda currently enforces that flavored milk in schools must contain no more than ten grams of added sugar per eight ounce serving.
▶ 3:56:16This is a workable guideline that encourages milk consumption in kids and adds healthy, a healthy supplement to their diet. While there are valid concerns about excessive added sugar consumption among children, flavored milk remains an important source of key nutrients like calcium, vitamin d, and protein. Many dairy producers appreciate usda's decision to continue allowing flavored milk in school milk programs, but are you able to provide some assurance that under your leadership, that usda will continue to maintain a workable standard to encourage consumption of milk in schools?
▶ 3:56:47>> yes. >> easy. Yes or no answer? That's great. Thanks. Um, specialty crops continue to report that labor challenges are outpacing the development of mechanization alternatives. These emerging technologies help producers lower input costs and maximize profits. What is the usda doing to accelerate the development and adoption of automation technologies for specialty crops? And you can provide an update on how your efforts have been implemented in the field so far. >> yeah, we've invested tens of millions of dollars, just usda.
▶ 3:57:14I know there's a whole private sector, silicon valley, uh, you know, out in your part of the country, a lot of those sort of geniuses have actually pivoted to agriculture. And so to see what they are building and creating with ai, etc. The drones that can fly over a crop, a field of corn until you exactly where a pest is. Um, it's a potential, uh, pickers, etc.
▶ 3:57:37Um, ear tags on the cattle that can tell you, you know, how your dairy cattle, how she's feeling that day, how what she's eating, whether she's a little bit sick, this is the future. And as you refer to labor, uh, there's obviously a lot of challenges. A lot of farmers talk to me about that. When I was in your district last week. Uh, we're working on that obviously for the now, but we also have to look for the future. And, and we're making a lot of progress there. >> appreciate that. Now, on research, one of the most important ways usda supports specialty crop producers through agriculture research.
▶ 3:58:07The work conducted by ars has been critical to the success and competitiveness of our domestic specialty crop industry. I have concerns about the department's proposed reorganization and potential disruption to research programs and facilities. While I support efforts to improve efficiency, agriculture research depends on specialized facilities and experienced personnel throughout this process. How is usda maintaining critical research capacity and avoiding disruptions on ongoing research? >> you know, we obviously are closing no research down.
▶ 3:58:36We are relocating to parts of the country that are aligned with a university, like a purdue, for example, in indiana or any of our amazing land grants. Um, you've got some incredible ones in california and out west, really. They're also incredible. So that research can begin to build upon itself.
▶ 3:58:53The challenge is when you have decades, uh, of, of washington, dc located research, they're doing extraordinary work, extraordinary, but you begin to lose out on the opportunity to have some of the brightest minds who may not want to leave a purdue or a texas a and m or an oklahoma state and move to washington, where it's much more expensive to live and to do that research, that what the feedback we've gotten. And I realize, listen, I'm not here to say it's been perfect.
▶ 3:59:21Everyone is so excited to move to indianapolis or colorado springs or salt lake city or raleigh, north carolina. But at the end of the day, the opportunity to move those core functions out into america and, and the research part aligned with real research universities where we're spending billions of dollars. I think that's going to be a much better use of our taxpayer dollars. And I also think it's going to serve as a recruitment tool to get even, even more researchers interested in the usda research. >> I appreciate it.
▶ 3:59:49With seven seconds left, thank you for your time, and I appreciate everyone bringing up school screwworm. It's a huge concern for us in the dairy industry as well. Yes. Appreciate your efforts on that. And chairman, I yield back. >> thank you. Great to see you. >> gentleman. Yields back. Uh the secretary's been very generous with her time. She's going to extend another ten minutes. And we do have we have three members left. So um if uh, just encourage everybody to be succinct. Uh, and I recognize, uh, Mr. gray from california.
▶ 4:00:22>> thank you. >> Mr. chairman. Good afternoon, madam secretary. >> good afternoon. >> nice to see you again. And thank you for being here with us today. I'd like to begin with a little thought experiment. Let's imagine that you became president of the united states in california. Wasn't exactly in your corner during the election.
▶ 4:00:45You sit down with your closest advisors and you say, I'd like to come up with a plan to make life as difficult as possible for california farmers. What would that plan look like? You know, what would we do? Well, first, we might disrupt the labor market. California grows many of the fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops that are among the most labor intensive in the world.
▶ 4:01:12If you wanted to create problems, that certainly be a great place to start, then we'd announce tariffs and then change them, then maybe announce new ones and then change them again. California is the nation's largest agricultural export state. Our wineries depend on customers in places like canada. Our almond growers depend on export markets around the world. If nobody knows what the rules are from one week to the next, that's a pretty effective way to create uncertainty.
▶ 4:01:42While we're at it, let's pick some trade fights with some of our biggest customers. If foreign consumers stop buying american products and retailers start replacing california wine, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and other products, something else all the better. Next, let's cut staffing levels at usda offices and local service centers, especially the offices farmers rely on to access conservation programs, disaster assistance, and economic relief.
▶ 4:02:14If we're going to promise help, we should probably make it harder to access it at the same time. Then let's increase input costs, fuel, fertilizer, energy, equipment, and maybe we could even add a little uncertainty around water policy to california.
▶ 4:02:30Farmers love making long term planning decisions when they don't know what their water supply will look like six months from now, then, let's freeze funding for pest detection and inspection programs, cut surveillance efforts, reduce research into drought, wildfire resilience, invasive species, maybe crop productivity. And if we're really committed to the plan, let's make some of those research cuts large enough that farmers are still feeling them ten years from now.
▶ 4:03:00And after all that, let's announce a massive economic relief package for american agriculture and then distribute it in a way that leaves california farmers with little to show for it. Because, after all, if you're trying to punish punish california agriculture would be a shame to let the relief program get in the way. So, madam secretary, I'm obviously being a little sarcastic, but the reason the joke works is because every one of these things is a real concern.
▶ 4:03:27Being raised by farmers in my district in california today. California farmers certainly don't expect special treatment. They don't expect every policy decision to benefit them. They just want a fair shot to compete. They grow the fruits, vegetables, nuts, dairy products and wine that feed families across this country and around the world. They support rural communities, create jobs, and help make america an agricultural powerhouse.
▶ 4:03:56So when policies on labor, trade research, water pest prevention, and federal assistance all move in the wrong direction at the same time, it certainly makes people start to wonder whether anyone in washington gets it. So I'll leave you with the success of american agriculture depends on the success of california agriculture. And I hope collectively we haven't lost sight of that.
▶ 4:04:27>> may I respond, please? If I were looking to compromise, our california farmers, I would shut down trade access around the world. I would take away about $50 billion in trade opportunity. Um, if I were looking to hurt california farmers, I would oversee between a 40 and 50% increase in interest rates, labor, fuel, fertilizer, land costs, property taxes.
▶ 4:04:55If I were looking to hurt farmers in california, I would recalibrate the usda around climate change agenda and a diversity, equity and inclusion agenda that included supporting grants that supported bipoc and queer farmers. Their words, not mine in san francisco for food justice. I would spend taxpayer dollars on whether there's racial discrimination in the pest control industry and whether transgender, um, men and women need more menstrual cycle support.
▶ 4:05:24That's what I would do if I would hurt farmers. And so I think you and I have a very different view of what this looks like. Gentlemen. Thank you. >> time has expired. I now. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> thank you. You're welcome. I recognize the gentlelady from from florida, Mrs. cammack, for five minutes. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And thank you, madam secretary, for being here and your patience and, uh, your tenacious attitude, I love it. Um, I have.
▶ 4:05:55>> been here a really long time. >> I've been here a really long time. Yes. Um, I just want to say. I am so very grateful. As are the 44,000 producers that call the sunshine state their home. We are so grateful for your leadership at usda. We have seen under your tenure, usda come through in so many different ways.
▶ 4:06:18Uh, just most recently, the $1.6 billion for specialty crop producers that opened up, um, a little over a month ago. The cutting edge citrus rootstock technology was approved. That would not have been possible without the cooperation and data from usda. And as co-chair of the aquaculture caucus, I was happy as a clam, uh, when the office of seafood was opened. And I was so grateful to be a part of that announcement.
▶ 4:06:45So it has been an incredible 500 days, as you pointed out, for the usda as well as the administration. But as you know, also. Well, we have so many challenges. And so I'm just going to jump right into the disaster assistance. We've spoken about this. You have been incredibly forthcoming and had an open door policy working with our producers who have faced disasters.
▶ 4:07:08And just this week, congressman franklin and I, we introduced a bill that opens up that would provide $3.5 billion in disaster assistance with the majority of our delegation as co-sponsors. Mhm. When congress approves that funding, how fast can you get that money out the door? >> we'll move at warp speed. Trump's speed is what we call it at usda, but we will move as quickly as humanly possible. This team is working seven days a week. And and I'm so proud of them. So absolutely. Yes.
▶ 4:07:38>> and in that same vein, what have you seen that you are working to streamline and change within the agency when it comes to disasters? Um, I, I have a long history of dealing with hurricanes and freezes and we've seen a lot of broken systems. What specifically are you working on that has helped streamline assistance when disaster strikes?
▶ 4:08:04>> I think what we have learned, what I have learned, first of all, we have an extraordinary team. Our undersecretary has been at this a long time, the entire team. But when you're working with 50 different states, with 50 different agricultural industries and needs, uh, the back and forth sometimes takes a little too long. And I've asked the team to really come back to us the for the next round to figure out how to cut out. You know, I think I was going back and forth with, with one of the congresswomen from the northeast. And, uh, it got a little loud.
▶ 4:08:34Uh, but at the end of it, there were 27 meetings between the state and our team to get to a yes. That's not fair to our farmers. I think we have to be fair to the taxpayers, make sure the dollars are being spent wisely. So there has to be some real intention in it. But we've just got to be more efficient on both sides, both the states and and the usda team that works this through. >> absolutely. Well.
▶ 4:08:58And, uh, staying in the florida vein here, obviously, we've talked about florida citrus industry and the decline that we've seen over the last several decades due to citrus greening, hurricanes, rising production costs, input inputs are through the roof. Um, we are grateful for your support as we move forward on that. And that brings me to usmca and the need for a seasonal and perishable provision to be included in the the newest version of this agreement.
▶ 4:09:28Um, I know that ustr is leading on this, but would usda support a seasonal and perishable provision? >> well, I think usda will support anything that helps our farmers and ranchers. And I'm in constant contact with with ambassador greer. He has been, uh, he's got an incredibly complex and nuanced job, but he does it as well as I think anyone we've ever seen.
▶ 4:09:50So yes, those conversations will continue and I will continue to be the advocate that is necessary for all of our producers in that next round of decisions and negotiating. >> and that means the world to florida, because both through nafta and usmca, um, there's been a real imbalance and struggle that our producers have seen. I want to give you my last 34 seconds to address any accusations or comments that have been levied your way.
▶ 4:10:18Um, so by all means, take the last 30s to respond to any accusations you would like to address today. >> well, I appreciate that. I, I think that we have had a really good productive conversation for the most part. Um, there have been a little bit of, of, of sort of not being able to appropriately respond on the snap fraud side. But I do believe that most americans understand inherently the extent of the fraud, while at the same time understanding how important these programs are for those who truly need them.
▶ 4:10:48And this body has done remarkable work with work requirements, etc. To make sure those who really need it get it, but that we're doing what we can best way with the taxpayer dollar. Excellent. Thank you. >> for your leadership, secretary. With that, I yield. >> Mr. chairman. >> good to see you. And the final word goes to Mr. nunn from iowa. >> last but never least, zach nunn. >> secretary rollins, thank you very much for being here, chairman. Thank you very much for holding us. We're playing wrap up. But here's the reality.
▶ 4:11:17You went into overtime here to take care of farmers who had questions, responsibilities that we have. You've been asked a lot of hard questions, madam secretary. I don't think you've been asked the really hard requirements that are needed by this committee. And so I'm going to ask it. Look, the reality is right now, texas, iowa, who has a better state fair? >> oh, you're putting me in a. >> game is on in front of all these witnesses, madam. >> secretary, tough position.
▶ 4:11:43What I will say is that that iowa state fair and showing the steer, uh, and being part of that whole effort was really incredible. So I think I'm coming back and and very proud. But as the former texas state fair, ffa and cotton bowl queen, all the things I've I was able to do, you know, my heart is in texas. So yeah. >> absolutely fair. Well. >> this question. >> the 250th birthday of america, we're going to have the state fair right here on the mall. You'll get to see them all. >> and thank. >> you very much for what.
▶ 4:12:14>> you're doing. State fair at the national mall is going to be great. We've got a rodeo coming. We've got ffa ers showing their animals. It's going to be really great. >> that's absolutely fantastic. I've got four daughters showing this year. They're going to be in four h. We've got two sheep one hog and one persian cat. It's pro american persian cat. But we're all going to be. Did you. >> just say you're showing a persian cat? >> yes we are. Yes we are. Okay, come back to the state fair. You're gonna love it. We'll see you. The new secretary day. >> who knew the iowa state fair? >> that's right, that's right.
▶ 4:12:43If you were in florida, you'd be showing gators. So this. >> is fair. Exactly, exactly. >> madam secretary, I just look at what we've been able to accomplish here in a short year with bipartisan support. We passed, you know, $66 billion to help farmers, uh, the largest farm safety net since 2002. We passed the farm bill that moved forward here in the house with a good bipartisan lead. That hasn't happened in nearly a decade. We've been able to, you know, move forward with something very important to our state here in iowa, helping with the biofuels solution for america's energy independence year round nationwide e15.
▶ 4:13:11And your leadership has helped bring to the farm country a usda operation for the national food safety center, 200 new federal jobs not here in washington, but right in the district. That's absolutely huge in my home community of urbandale. >> yeah. >> thank you for the leadership on this. >> thank you. >> 87,000 family farmers are making decisions right now on things like input costs, including fertilizer. I'm working with my friend dusty johnson here on the fertilizer transparency act, helping folks make educated and informed decisions.
▶ 4:13:41Can you highlight for us the real here that usda is helping to help drive down input costs and things like fertilizer? >> no, that's it's such an important question. We have talked about it a little bit, but I appreciate sort of ending on this. Uh, unless we have one more. The challenge that american agriculture faces didn't just happen yesterday. This is decades of policy of offshoring, whether it's fertilizer seed, uh, whether it's over government regulation, whether it is, uh, you know, it's just one hit after another.
▶ 4:14:12And the input side of the, of the equation we're solving for the export, the market side of the equation, I think really, um, impressively, and I'm really proud of that. But the input side is going to take a little bit of time to get the inputs back down. Even before the iranian conflict, uh, the cost of, as I said, interest rates up 73%, property taxes, fuel, labor, seed fertilizer, just inflation overall. What we stepped into last me for me, february 13th for the president.
▶ 4:14:42January 20th. It's the largest inflation since the jimmy carter years. That's just going to take a moment. And once we get out of this conflict with the which the president is hyper focused on doing very quickly, you'll begin to see a lot of that come back down. We've already seen fuel decrease. Labor is on the on the downward trend. A lot of that's on the downward trend. Interest rates are going to come down. But, uh, but it is a massive issue. And these farmers in a farm economy with a lot of headwinds with very thin margins, if any margins at all, that's where their margins end up going.
▶ 4:15:10So the fertilizer piece, we can do a lot of good to onshore fertilizer back to america. We're investing a significant amount of usda resources from department of energy, also from the department of commerce and across the federal government to get fertilizer back to america and in so doing, begin to bring the cost down. >> madam secretary, just god bless you for your leadership on this. I think this is really what government should be doing to help take care of people who need it most. I want to say this.
▶ 4:15:37Thank you for spending as much time as you have both in this committee, but equally back in our districts. For each one of us. I know that you have been out here talking, hearing from farm leaders. 70% of farms are going to transition to a new generation of americans, and you've been hearing directly from them. I know you're a farm gal at heart, our family's sixth generation. We want to make sure that's set up for success. You're leading the way, madam secretary. Really appreciate it. >> thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you. >> Mr. chair. I yield back. >> gentleman yields back.
▶ 4:16:03Uh, before we adjourn today, I invite the ranking member to share any closing comments that she might have. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Um, we've heard a lot from the secretary today. A lot of excuses, a lot of looking in the rear view mirror. After one and a half years of total republican leadership in washington, the lack of accountability or ownership of this administration's failures to farm country is truly stunning.
▶ 4:16:30And worse, we're going to be right back where we are today in a year, if the administration continues down the same policy paths. Madam secretary, I have farmers coming to capitol hill who, in the privacy of our meetings, tell me that they wish we had a secretary of agriculture who would just be straight with them and acknowledge the reality on the ground. They see the same song and dance that everyone got here today.
▶ 4:16:56But unlike most people in the room, they have to turn to their ledgers, see their disappearing margins and their increasing debts, and the picture they see does not match the rosy picture painted by the secretary. They are being crushed by tariffs and high costs.
▶ 4:17:14Families in minnesota and across the country are paying more for groceries each month, and they're starting to skip meals and buy less because trump's policies are eating away at their paychecks.
▶ 4:17:27We have before us an agriculture secretary who is giving a wonderful performance for a reality tv president, a performance that is scripted, rehearsed and, frankly, disingenuous, a performance that falls flat because it's not based on anything real, but based on what she thinks the president wants farmers to hear.
▶ 4:17:47All americans, including farmers and working families, just want the trump administration to be straight with them and focus on policies that help alleviate their financial pain, not make it worse. With that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady. Let me just say I want to bring a sense of reality to the closing comments here.
▶ 4:18:16Uh, quite frankly, um, uh, this administration, when they came into office, was facing record inflation. Um, that was and zero trade, zero trade with a democrat in the white house last administration. And, you know, I'm somebody who works in a very bipartisan way. Anybody who knows me knows that. I'm just just speaking truth to facts here.
▶ 4:18:39Um, we had, um, you know, uh, during 2024, you know, the stories about the bankruptcies that were out of control, the number of suicides as a result. And it was republicans and democrats that united with our farmers, uh, to push and to provide the $10 billion for the economic harm in december of 2024.
▶ 4:19:02Um, I appreciate the fact of, of this administration is, is tackling trade. Um, and we've had heard about a significant number was somewhere between 15 and 19 of new trade agreements already that have been in place, uh, reducing the trade deficit, uh, before the last administration was always a trade surplus, uh, but reducing that what was 40, approximately $45 billion trade
▶ 4:19:32Deficit, cutting that in half already. Um, and with more to do and trade is, is messy. You don't, you know, you don't, uh, you don't achieve trade based on, uh, good luck or good looks, you know, you, you've got to really come to the table and, and to stand strong for the american farmer. And that's what we're seeing.
▶ 4:19:52Um, our ustr representative, who is our ambassador, ustr is, um, I mean, he has just committed to the american farmer and I appreciate the work that he is doing. It is not easy. And it's a, it's a large world with a lot of countries. Uh, but at the end of the day, we are making tremendous gains.
▶ 4:20:14Um, uh, I, I agree that the situation in iran needs to come to a close here as, as soon as possible. I also appreciate the fact that iran has been killing americans for at least 47 years. Mhm. Um, my, my own son that was wounded with an ied in iraq, um, it was very well documented that that id came from iran.
▶ 4:20:36Um, and so I, you know, with iran having nuclear capabilities, I don't think there's anybody that agrees that that's acceptable, but that it's one thing to just talk about how it's not acceptable, it's another thing to show leadership and take that on.
▶ 4:20:54And so what that does need to resolve, I, I love the fact that this administration is engaging in a, uh, a government of the whole, um, uh, effort when looking at domestic, uh, not just domestic fertilizer production, but also, you know, easing up with some kind of, uh, uh, duties, uh, you know, to be able to get, uh, you know, more of those important inputs into the united states, you know, to
▶ 4:21:25Bring those costs down. And so, madam secretary, I, I appreciate your vision. I appreciate your leadership. Uh, and, and I think, uh, also appreciate, uh, you know, my, my colleagues who have supported, uh, farm bill 1.0, uh, that you're now currently, uh, implementing all the provisions within, uh, that second title, the agriculture title, which I wish we'd have called it the farm bill title, uh, of the one big, beautiful bill.
▶ 4:21:53Um, and I appreciate all my colleagues that, uh, you know, that supported the farm food and national security act, all the republicans here. I really appreciate Mr. costa. Uh, chair, congresswoman davis, congressman davis, congressman vasquez, congressman gray, congresswoman mcdonald, rivet, and congressman riley, who joined together to do the, you know, the work that our farmers, not only that they need, but that they deserve.
▶ 4:22:21Uh, and, uh, and I wish, uh, and I'm really pleased that's in the hands of senator john boozman now and his team that we can get that enacted and into law. Um, and so, uh, with that, we've had great participation today, um, on both sides of the aisle. And that always thrills me when we have a robust discussion. Um, so thank you.
▶ 4:22:45Uh, madam secretary, I know we kept you, uh, longer than, uh, than what you'd hoped for. Uh, under the rules of the committee, the record of today's hearing will remain open for ten calendar days to receive additional material and supplementary written responses from the witnesses to any question posed by a member. This hearing of the committee on agriculture is adjourned. >> by the way, these are all the usda interns who sat here for four hours behind me.
▶ 4:23:13So they had the real, uh, the really tough part of the job. So I want to welcome and thank them. Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Stand up. Yeah. That was no, no.