USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins supports $10 billion in direct aid for farmers facing high input costs and losses during the 2026 growing season.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard testimony this week on a supplemental funding request that includes $10 billion in direct assistance for farmers facing financial losses and high input costs during the 2026 growing season.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins called the assistance a bridge for producers while the administration works to improve the agricultural economy. She also expressed support for reinstating a crop-insurance buy-up option and faced questions from lawmakers about reductions to SNAP benefits.
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Transcript
This week, the Senate Committee on Appropriations heard testimony on the Pentagon’s need for an additional $67 Billion dollars to continue the war with Iran, and $10 Billion dollars for direct aid to farmers facing losses due to high input costs for the 2026 growing season.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins opened the hearing promoting the Administration's successes in improving finances in farm country.
Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture: “But that is why this supplemental is so important. It supplies a bridge and extends a hand to Americans who need it. It buys the nation the security we need, and it buys us time to deconstruct and reconstruct a new system that puts our farmers first, and restore the system that originally made America great. For our farmers, the defense of American freedom continues, they only ask to be free to fight.”
Senator John Hoeven, R - North Dakota: “Please update me on where we are on getting that buy-up option on crop-insurance reinstated.”
Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture: “We are one hundred percent supportive of that, and are moving forward to execute that buyup option.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D - New York: “You have cut over 160,000 New Yorkers have been kicked off of SNAP. What do you have against hard working New Yorkers, children who need SNAP, and seniors who need SNAP.”
Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture: “Well, first of all diesel is down from Biden versus today, $5.81 versus $4.80, gas is down from Biden to today $4.84 to $3.36 today, fertilizer is down 56% from Biden highs-”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D - New York: “All of those prices are higher than when you took office.”
For Market to Market, I’m Peter Tubbs.
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