U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, spoke at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy conference in Washington. Her remarks addressed several key issues facing American agriculture.
Klobuchar discussed the pending Supreme Court decision regarding the administration’s tariff policies and its implications for the sector. She emphasized the importance of upcoming discussions on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for agricultural businesses nationwide. “Regardless of [the tariffs Supreme Court case decision] outcome, we approach the joint review of the USMCA this summer. That’s going to be really important for farm and ag businesses across the country to speak out about the important value of that trade agreement. Obviously, we'll want changes when it comes to dairy and some other issues from a US perspective, but I think that speaking out is going to be key. This was President Trump's agreement from the beginning…I was the first one to say I was supportive of this agreement, I think there's some really important things in it. And if we could have used that for a guide and made changes within that agreement, we would obviously be in a better state for [agriculture], given that these are markets around the world, but with our trading partners in North America, that have taken decades to establish. They're not going to be replaced overnight. My hope is that we can get to a better place on these tariffs, either with congressional action -- which looks very difficult in the House -- or with this Court decision, and then move on to the USMCA negotiations and potentially negotiating other trade agreements.”
She also highlighted concerns about reductions in funding and staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), noting their effects on rural communities and state-level operations. “Another challenge facing rural America is the sudden loss of USDA funding and staff. We must have a reliable partner for all of you in the state when it comes to the federal government. And unfortunately, the actions of this administration over the past year have eroded trust that federal entities like the USDA will follow through on their word. There's contracts that have not been fulfilled. We've seen the cancellation of popular programs that benefit farmers, including those directly administered by [National Association of State Departments] members, like the local food purchasing assistance and food for schools, cooperative agreements. We know what those programs have done, and I've called on a reversal of those decisions, and have worked to try to get the USDA to work with us.”
Klobuchar reported significant workforce reductions at USDA: “We've also seen steep cuts to the federal workforce in your states, putting strain on your staff and resources. This past year, nearly one in five USDA employees left their jobs, and I had asked for an Inspector General report on that, so we at least had common facts as we go forward.”
On legislative priorities, Klobuchar called for quick passage of a bipartisan Farm Bill: “What do we need now? Well, we need a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill… Margins are tightening due to low prices, high input costs, and it's more important than ever to give our farmers a certainty of a Farm Bill reauthorization, even if it's what we call a skinny Farm Bill.”
She acknowledged recent aid initiatives but said they may not meet all needs: “And then, of course, the ad hoc assistance and the farmer bridge assistant program that was recently announced by the USDA is a helpful start, but given the challenges in farm country, we know the $11 billion for row crops and $1 billion for specialty crops in sugar beets will fall short. The USDA still has more than $10 million disaster aid funding that Congress enacted more than a year ago, and Senator Slotkin and I recently led efforts urging Secretary Rollins to get this funding out to farmers quickly.”
Klobuchar concluded by reaffirming her commitment as lead Democrat on her committee: “As lead Democrat with the Senate Ag Committee —a position I love — I'm going to keep fighting for our farmers and our families, and my commitment is to work with all of you, and your ability to work across the aisle in your own state and with each other couldn't be more important right now.”
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee is part of the standing committee structure within the United States Senate. It shapes national policy related to agriculture—including nutrition programs—and oversees agricultural commodities across America (source). The committee has historically played roles such as advancing research during major periods like post-Civil War development or implementing support systems during economic crises (source). Through hearings and legislative reviews it addresses matters from crop insurance to food safety (source).
