In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig said budget reconciliation complicates the passage of any farm bill. “If Republicans raid the Nutrition Title by anywhere from $230 billion to $300 billion, it is a real tough ask to bring Democrats across the aisle to support a farm bill,” said Craig. “There are also 50-to-70 Republicans who will never vote for a traditional farm bill; I’ve been honest, reconciliation is not the place to be doing a farm bill.” During a meeting with Minnesota Farmers Union members, Craig also discussed the Department of Government Efficiency’s new requirement to review USDA farm loans. “Talk about adding bureaucracy to the system; DOGE has now said any (USDA) farm loan over $500,000 they need to approve it,” said Craig. “They’re actually creating less efficiency here and I think family farmers and folks that work at FSA are stunned.”
