Rollins delivers strong performance in confirmation hearingRollins delivers strong performance in confirmation hearing

Legislative Watch: Priorities include combatting animal diseases like HPAI, New World Screwworm; FDA front-of-package nutrition labels proposal in limbo; Fix Our Forests Act passes House.

Eric Bohl

January 24, 2025

4 Min Read
Woman raising hand
Getty Images

On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee for USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins. A large group of personal friends, family and supporters joined her in the hearing, including Rollins’ high school agriculture teacher and all nine of the other Texas FFA state officers with whom she served 35 years ago.

Rollins described herself several times as a “pathological optimist” and portrayed a strong “can-do” attitude. She identified priorities including implementing disaster relief and economic aid quickly and combatting animal diseases like HPAI/H5N1 and New World Screwworm with a “fast and furious” effort. She also told the committee that she intends to work closely with Congress to pass a new Farm Bill and push to make USDA function more efficiently.

Some of the most contentious issues raised by senators in the hearing surrounded nutrition programs and concerns about trade. Rollins pledged to treat all those in need equally while being a responsible steward of tax dollars. Numerous times, she referenced the growing agricultural trade deficit and her intent to push for policy changes to close the gap. Several senators also urged Rollins to improve forest management to prevent future wildfires like those currently ravaging California.

Related:Democrats push back on USDA funding freeze

Despite these pointed lines of questioning, the hearing maintained a very cordial tone. Nearly all senators were complimentary of Rollins and her qualifications for the role. Absent additional concerns arising, Rollins appears headed toward a quick, bipartisan confirmation.

FDA front-of-package nutrition labels proposal in limbo

Less than a week before President Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unveiled a proposal requiring most food products to display key nutrition information on the front of packaging. The initiative was aimed at helping consumers make healthier choices more easily and combatting rising rates of chronic diseases linked to diet. However, immediately upon taking office, Trump put all proposed regulations on hold until his team can review and re-evaluate them.

The proposed front-of-package label, dubbed the “Nutrition Info box,” would prominently display levels of three critical nutrients: saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. Each nutrient would be classified as “Low,” “Med” or “High” and include its percent daily value. This new label would complement, not replace, the traditional Nutrition Facts label on the back of packages.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized the urgency of this measure, stating, “The science on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars is clear. Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the food we eat. Adding front-of-package labeling makes it easier for consumers to glance, grab and go.”

Related:Farm Progress America, Feb. 7, 2025

The proposal follows a 2023 FDA study involving nearly 10,000 U.S. adults, which found that a simple black-and-white FOP label helped consumers quickly and accurately assess product healthfulness. If implemented, businesses with annual food sales over $10 million would have three years to comply, while smaller businesses will have four years.

With President-elect Trump set to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary, the future of the plan is unclear. Kennedy has signaled support for tougher regulations on the processed food industry, but he has not yet specifically weighed in on this proposal. 

Bipartisan bill to reduce wildfires passes house

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act, aimed at improving forest management and mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The final vote tally of 279-141 included 64 Democratic votes in favor, showing a strong bipartisan tally. Proponents emphasized the legislation’s urgency in addressing wildfire risks due to recent fires in southern California.

Related:Trade war potential not dampening producer optimism

The bill would streamline the forest management process by simplifying consultations for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, reducing delays caused by environmental litigation. It mandates more accurate reporting on hazardous fuels reduction, correcting past inconsistencies in acreage treatment claims.

FOFA would expand hazardous tree clearance zones around electric power lines to reduce fire risks from utility infrastructure and direct the Forest Service to integrate livestock grazing as part of its fuels management strategy. Additionally, the bill supports the creation of a Western headquarters for the U.S. Forest Service to enhance localized decision-making and accountability.

Environmental groups strongly oppose some elements of the bill, including provisions shortening approval timelines and making it more difficult to sue over forestry management decisions. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

About the Author

Eric Bohl

Eric Bohl is an agricultural policy leader with extensive experience on Capitol Hill. He served six years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), and previously served as Legislative Director to Rep. Hartzler. During that time, he led her work on the House Agriculture Committee and was influential in efforts to craft the 2014 Farm Bill, as well as handling environmental, energy, transportation and infrastructure, and agricultural trade issues.

Eric’s experience starts at the ground level. His family has deep roots in both animal and row-crop farming going back several generations. This understanding of the unique challenges real farmers face brings valuable perspective to help solve clients’ needs. His midwestern values also allow him to build meaningful relationships with people on both sides of the political aisle and find common-sense solutions that transcend partisan lines.

This approach has continued to be the cornerstone of Eric’s career in grassroots advocacy. He served more than five years as Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy for Missouri Farm Bureau. He was a senior member of the organization’s legislative team and led communications and coalition advocacy efforts, including on the 2018 Farm Bill. His writings on agriculture and rural policy have been published in newspapers across the nation. He serves as First Vice President of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club and is a board member of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, two of the nation’s largest and strongest organizations supporting agribusinesses.

Before his career in public policy, Eric was a practicing attorney for nearly five years, focusing on real estate and agricultural law, commercial transactions, and commercial litigation. Eric earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri, graduating from both programs with honors, and served as the Managing Editor of the Missouri Law Review.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
National Hog Farmer is the source for hog production, management and market news

You May Also Like