Washington Roundup – July 2026

By: Lowell Randel

Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Farm Bill Markup

On August 6th the Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a meeting to consider its version of the Farm Bill. Chairman Boozman (R-AR) released a revised version of the bill ahead of the meeting that makes changes related to E-15 and nutrition policy. The Chairman is working to build bipartisan support, which will be needed to advance the bill out of committee. With Senator McConnell still away from the Senate due to a prolonged medical issue, the committee is currently evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. 

One of the major sticking points has been implementation of policies included in the Big, Beautiful Bill that will require state sharing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit costs. The updated version includes a one-year delay in the provision. Democrats have been calling for a two-year delay. Another significant revision is the inclusion of permanent year-round sales of E-15. The inclusion of E-15 has drawn praise from many agriculture groups, but opposition from the American Petroleum Institute. Unlike the House passed version of the Farm Bill, The Senate bill does not include language addressing Prop 12 and other state policies that restrict certain animal production and housing practices. This would set-up a contentious debate in conference, should the Senate be able to move forward with its legislation.

Below are additional details about the Senate bill:

Click HERE for legislative text.

Click HERE for a title-by-title summary.

Click HERE for a section-by-section.

Click HERE for an overview.

Senate Leaders Agree to Bipartisan Continuing Resolution

Republican and Democratic leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee have announced a bipartisan agreement to continue government funding at current levels through December 11th. The move would avoid a government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year and shift further action on appropriations until after the mid-term elections. The agreement is considered a “clean” continuing resolution that does not include policy riders or other controversial provisions. The Senate is expected to approve the bill before they leave for August recess. The House passed a slightly different continuing resolution that would fund the government through December 4th. Upon return from August recess, House and Senate leaders are expected to reach final agreement to keep the government funded into December and past the mid-term elections.

USDA Announces Data Modernization Listening Sessions

On August 4th, Secretary Rollins announced that USDA is working on a Data Modernization Plan across multiple agencies that will be released later this year. The Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, under the leadership of Under Secretary Scott Hutchins, will coordinate the effort across USDA.

USDA leadership will host a series of listening sessions across the country to hear directly from producers as this plan continues to take shape. These listening sessions build off the Request for Information (RFI) published earlier this year where USDA sought public comment on data collection, analysis, and reporting. Locations where listening sessions will be held include:

• Indiana State Fair
• Wisconsin State Fair
• Penn State Ag Progress Days
• Illinois State Fair
• Dakotafest
• Missouri State Fair
• Iowa State Fair
• Nebraska State Fair
• Farm Progress Show

For additional information and details about a specific listening session, please email DataModernization@usda.gov.

USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Ports for Livestock Trade

On July 24th, USDA announced plans for a phased reopening of selected southern ports for livestock trade. Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA will open the Douglas, AZ port of entry to cattle trade, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for subsequent openings at the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports. Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS). 

USDA proposes a phased reopening of Southern ports to livestock trade, contingent upon satisfactory progress on priority Action Plan milestones.

• Sonora and Chihuahua are identified as the lowest-risk Mexican states for New World screwworm due to their strong, well-established inspection programs and their geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated.
• On August 24, 2026, USDA will reopen the Douglas, AZ, port, which borders Sonora, to livestock trade. The closest active case to the Douglas, AZ, port is ~325 miles detected on July 22, 2026. After evaluating the success of the initial reopening and potential impacts or risk assessment changes, APHIS will then consider reopening the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports to live cattle, bison, and horses.
• The reopening timeline will remain flexible and may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting Action Plan milestones and addressing critical issues.
• The opening of ports may be paused if USDA identifies increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua via post-opening audits or other observations/information.

More information about USDA’s New World screwworm response can be found at: www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm/usda-continues-lead-aggressive