May 4, 2026
House Passes Farm Bill 2.0 After Chaotic Week
Much of the policy debate focused on controversial provisions related to pesticides and year-round E-15 sales. Supporters emphasized the need for regulatory clarity and expanded market access for producers, while critics argued the provisions could weaken environmental safeguards and were not sufficiently vetted through the committee process. Despite the attention, most amendments were not made in order, limiting opportunities to modify the bill on the floor and underscoring leadership’s effort to maintain a tightly controlled process.
Beyond the farm bill itself, House leadership had to contend with broader political headwinds throughout the week, including internal disagreements over DHS funding and the reauthorization of FISA authorities. These issues complicated scheduling and vote management, forcing leadership to delay action at key moments while securing commitments from both sides of the aisle. In the end, a narrow bipartisan coalition carried the bill across the finish line, sending it to the Senate where a new round of negotiations is expected. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman said he hopes to release their version of a farm bill 2.0 sometime in May, which is expected to look like the House version with some minor changes.
VA Appraisal Modernization Act Introduced in the Senate
The VA Appraisal Modernization Act (S. 4218), introduced in the Senate aims to address persistent appraiser shortages that have slowed VA home loan transactions, particularly in rural markets. The bipartisan bill would increase appraisal fees to keep pace with inflation, require higher compensation in high-demand and remote counties, and provide mileage reimbursements to offset travel costs. It also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to explore contracting options and potential structural reforms to better align the VA appraisal process with other federal housing programs.
For the rural and agricultural appraisal industry, the legislation could have a meaningful impact. Many of the counties identified as “high demand” or “remote” are rural areas with limited appraiser coverage, where long travel distances and relatively low fees have historically discouraged participation. By increasing compensation and reimbursing travel, the bill is designed to attract more appraisers into these markets and reduce turnaround times, an issue that has put veteran homebuyers at a competitive disadvantage in rural communities.
More broadly, the bill signals a shift toward strengthening the appraisal workforce rather than replacing it with alternative valuation methods. For rural and agricultural appraisers, this could reinforce the importance of on-the-ground expertise, particularly in complex or low-data markets where AVMs are less effective. At the same time, potential structural reforms, such as aligning VA processes with FHA, could introduce greater standardization and efficiency, though likely without fundamentally changing the need for full appraisals in agricultural and highly heterogeneous rural properties.
Senate Appropriators Focus on Farm Safety Net in FY2027 USDA Budget Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on April 22 to review the FY2027 budget request for the USDA, with Secretary Brooke Rollins as the sole witness. Lawmakers from both parties focused heavily on the strength of the farm safety net, with particular attention to crop insurance, disaster assistance, and the role of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Rollins emphasized the Administration’s interest in expanding the CCC’s $30 billion borrowing authority, arguing that the current cap limits USDA’s ability to respond to market downturns, rising input costs, and ad hoc assistance needs. Members signaled openness to reviewing the CCC’s capacity as part of broader farm bill and appropriations discussions.
Senators also raised concerns about the timeliness and delivery of disaster aid, pressing USDA to improve implementation as producers continue to face weather-related losses. Rollins acknowledged challenges but pointed to ongoing efforts to accelerate assistance. Meanwhile, crop insurance was reaffirmed as the cornerstone of the farm safety net, with lawmakers underscoring the importance of maintaining strong coverage and accessibility for producers. Overall, the hearing highlighted bipartisan support for these core programs, while reinforcing the need for adequate funding and improved delivery as appropriators begin shaping the FY2027 spending bill.
House Ag Approps Bill Clears Full Committee
The House Agriculture Appropriations advanced its FY2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill last week, clearing the measure on a 35-25 vote. Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) emphasized that the bill continues efforts to streamline USDA operations and reduce federal spending, framing it as part of a broader push to improve program efficiency for farmers. Ranking Member Sanford Bishop (D-GA) acknowledged the bill as a good-faith effort, while noting it falls short of fully addressing the needs of agricultural producers and rural communities. The legislation provides $26.27 billion in discretionary funding, representing a $380 million (1.4%) decrease from FY2026 enacted levels, and is scheduled for full committee markup next week.
Looking ahead, the agricultural appropriations bill will follow the broader annual appropriations process on Capitol Hill. Now that the bill was approved by the full committee, the measure typically moves to the House floor in early summer, often alongside other FY2027 appropriations bills. The Senate will advance its own version on a parallel track, with differences resolved through conference negotiations later in the summer or early fall. While Congress aims to pass all appropriations bills before the start of the fiscal year on October 1, delays in recent years make continuing resolutions into the fall or winter a common outcome before final funding agreements are reached.
Second SDRP Payments Issued as USDA Extends Disaster Aid Deadline
USDA announced a second round of payments under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), providing additional financial support to farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The payments will go to producers with already approved applications, effectively increasing total assistance by raising the payment factor from 35% to 70%. USDA has already distributed roughly $6.7 billion through the program, and the additional “top-up” payments are intended to further stabilize farm operations facing ongoing weather and market challenges. In conjunction with the increased payments, USDA also extended the SDRP application deadline from April 30 to August 12, giving producers and the FSA more time to process applications, particularly those involving more complex quality loss claims. Officials emphasized that the additional funding and extended timeline are critical as farmers finalize financing and prepare for the upcoming crop season, ensuring broader access to disaster assistance across the agricultural sector.
Former House Ag Committee Chairman, Rep. David Scott, Passes
The passing of Congressman David Scott marks the end of a decades-long career in public service and a significant chapter in agricultural policymaking. The Georgia Democrat, who served in Congress since 2003, died on April 22, 2026, at the age of 80 while seeking his 13th term in office. Throughout his tenure, Scott was a prominent member of the House Agriculture Committee, where he became a leading voice on farm policy, nutrition programs, and support for rural communities. He made history as the first Black lawmaker to serve as Chairman of the committee from 2021 to 2023, shaping key discussions around farm bills and food assistance programs, and later continued his leadership as Ranking Member. His work earned bipartisan respect, particularly for his advocacy on behalf of farmers, underserved communities, and historically Black land-grant institutions. Scott’s legacy on the Agriculture Committee and across Capitol Hill reflects more than two decades of influence on federal agricultural policy and a broader commitment to public service spanning nearly 50 years.