President Trump asked for $11.1 billion in June
Additional Congressional funding is necessary to support American farmers now, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
“It buys the nation the security that we need, and it buys us time to deconstruct and then reconstruct a new system, putting our farmers and ranchers first,” she told the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21.
Rollins, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General John Caine appeared in front of the appropriations committee to advocate for support President Trump requested in June.
On June 24, the president asked Congress for $11.1 billion in supplemental support for farmers, and more than $67 billion for the Department of War.
From an ag perspective, $10 billion would be allocated for economic assistance for row and specialty crops planted in crop year 2026 while the remaining money would be earmarked for Florida farmers affected by storms last winter.
“There’s a lot of farmers, a lot of producers who are really hurting, not just in Florida and not just from the freeze,” Rollins said.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds also testified in front of the committee in favor of the additional spending package.
The proposed funding would help in multiple ways, Senator Rounds said.
“While we work to strengthen America's ability to produce more of what we need here at home and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, Congress should provide stability so producers can remain in business and continue producing the best food and fuel in the world,” he said.
Rounds also advocated for year-round sales of E15.
Providing this fuel all year gives consumers more choice while simultaneously opening up opportunities for American farmers.
“Giving consumers the option to choose a higher ethanol blend would increase domestic fuel production, expand markets for corn growers, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources and provide families with a lower-cost option at the pump,” he said.