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USDA seeks $10 billion for farmers; senators press for broader disaster coverage
Summary
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins testified the supplemental includes $10 billion in temporary assistance for row and specialty crops and $1.1 billion for freeze recovery; senators from affected states urged more inclusive disaster funding and quicker wildfire suppression resources.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told the committee that rising input costs and recent weather disasters have left many producers unable to cover production costs and that the supplemental includes targeted assistance. "Our proposed proposal includes $10,000,000,000 in temporary economic assistance for 2026 row crop and specialty crop producers and also includes $1,100,000,000 to help producers recover from catastrophic freeze losses," Rollins said.
Senators representing states hit by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires pressed Rollins on broader recovery needs and on why some prior disaster requests were not included in the administration's supplemental. Senator Ted Budd highlighted Western North Carolina's continued recovery challenges, including damaged water treatment plants and long delays in rebuilding infrastructure. Senator Alex Padilla warned that Californians in fire-impacted communities have waited more than 18 months for long-term recovery funding.
Committee members also raised wildfire suppression funding as an immediate need. Senator Merkley asked the USDA to help secure an OMB estimate for emergency suppression needs (roughly $4.5'$5 billion was discussed as an estimate during questioning). Secretary Rollins confirmed USDA support for including fishermen in disaster assistance programs and said USDA had created an office focused on fishermen as "farmers of the sea." The witnesses agreed to follow up with state-level officials and committee staff about specific local projects and timelines.
