The U.S. House of Representatives left Washington for its annual August recess Thursday, a week earlier than the break was scheduled to begin. Republican lawmakers struggled all week to pass appropriations bills, causing leaders to pull several measures from consideration and call an early break to the summer session.

Among the appropriations bills that were announced for consideration this week was the provision funding USDA and FDA. Disagreements over abortion pill rules and funding levels proved too significant to overcome, and the bill was put on hold.

The farm bill also has yet to find a path to a full vote of the House. Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Penn.) has continued to publicly state his intention to do so in September when the House returns for three weeks before breaking for the final push to the November election. However, most observers do not expect the House to reach an agreement on the bill in time for a vote during that period. The current bill expires September 30.

Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) issued a blistering statement criticizing Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) for the early recess and for not yet passing a farm bill.

“The inability to finish the appropriations process means September will be taken up trying to keep the government open and casts even more doubt on the Committee’s bill reaching the House floor,” said Scott. “The farm bill will be expiring again soon, and farmers are depending on us to provide an improved safety net before the year is out. … We have precious few legislative days left in the year to pass a farm bill. The failure of the House Republican Leadership to provide time and resources for a farm bill is a slap in the face to rural America, our farmers, and the families they feed. Farmers need results and Republicans are failing to deliver.” 

New bills propose establishing Federal Food Administration

Legislation introduced by senior members of the House and Senate would create a new agency called the Federal Food Administration. The sponsors of the measure say it would serve as “a single agency responsible for ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply and promoting good nutrition.”

The Federal Food Administration would combine several existing governmental agencies under one roof and take over food responsibilities currently assigned to the Food and Drug Administration. The bill was introduced by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).

“In recent years, FDA has been plagued by one failure after another—from a failure to protect babies from bacterial infections in their infant formula, to a failure to protect children from lead-tainted applesauce pouches,” said Durbin. “The sad reality is that FDA has not used its authority to protect Americans from preventable illness and death. For that reason, Congresswoman DeLauro and I are introducing legislation to transfer all of FDA’s food responsibilities to a new agency that, we hope, will enable greater attention and success in protecting the foods in our kids’ lunch boxes and on our dining room tables.”

If it were to become law, the new agency would be established under the Department of Health and Human Services. It would transfer existing food programs from FDA into its jurisdiction, including the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Food Policy and Response and the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

Pork industry report touts $62 billion annual impact

A new economic report by the National Pork Producers Council highlights the tremendous contribution America’s hog farmers have on the economy. The study found that more than 60,000 pig farms sold more than 149 million hogs worth over $27 billion in gross cash receipts in 2023. Including value chain contributions, the industry’s overall impact is nearly three times as large.

“America’s pork industry is a vital pillar of our nation’s agricultural economy, contributing over $62 billion annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “Producers are committed to delivering wholesome, affordable, sustainable pork products that not only feed millions of families but also drive economic growth and innovation in rural communities.”

The report underscored the degree to which trade is an important part of the pork industry. Approximately 25% of U.S. pork, valued at over $8 billion, was exported abroad in 2023. These exports helped support more than 143,000 U.S. jobs. 

Overall, the size of America’s pig herd has generally trended upward over the past quarter-century. In 2000, the hog inventory was 59.1 million head. At the end of last year, the number had grown to 75.8 million head, a 28% increase.