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What’s Up in Washington – January 28, 2025

In the past week, the Trump Administration issued dozens of executive orders, proclamations, memos, and revoked 78 of the prior administration’s initiatives. Several of these actions may potentially impact conservation programs, grants, and NACD priorities related to our country’s conservation delivery system. Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget released a memo directing a temporary pause (to the extent applicable under law) of the obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance while a review is conducted. Many of these actions will face legal challenges, which could result in their suspension or revocation. Several – including Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Bill funding freezes – cannot be extended indefinitely without congressional approval.

NACD is working closely with federal agencies to track these developments and understand their impact on the work of conservation districts. NACD has shared guidance with grant recipients and is currently working to update that guidance, in addition to developing guidance for our broader membership. Please note that this is a very fluid situation, and the impacts of these recent actions are still unclear. USDA and additional agencies are working to interpret and implement these orders and will share guidance as soon as possible. Please continue to reach out to our team with questions.

Congressional Update:

This past Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as USDA Secretary. Rollins highlighted quickly distributing recently authorized disaster and economic aid, supporting the broader farm economy, and containing animal disease outbreaks as among her top priorities. Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar both noted the importance of locally led conservation. Agriculture labor, trade policy, nutrition programs, industry consolidation, renewable fuels, and forestry management were among other priorities raised by committee members. Lawmakers signaled broad bipartisan support for Rollins and the committee will meet again to vote on her nomination before it is considered by the full Senate.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced Lee Zeldin’s nomination to lead the EPA by a vote of 11-8. The Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the nomination of Doug Burgum to lead the DOI by a vote of 18-2. Tomorrow, the Senate Finance Committee will consider the nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK) was selected to lead the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) will serve as the Ranking Member. Andy Harris (R-MD) was selected to lead the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture while Ranking Member Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-GA) will serve as the Ranking Member. Congress has until March 14 to pass full Fiscal Year 2025 federal funding legislation or an additional extension to avoid a government shutdown. House and Senate Leaders are currently working to reach an agreement on top-line spending levels – the first step in developing federal funding legislation.

Budget reconciliation legislation is the top priority for lawmakers in the new Congress. Congressional committees are working to identify potential savings to support tax cuts and other priorities as part of the bill. House Agriculture Committee Chairman reemphasized that conservation funding should not be targeted in reconciliation and instead integrated into the upcoming farm bill. The Chairman signaled his intention to move as quickly as possible to pass a farm bill in the new Congress, but the timing will be dependent on budget reconciliation, and the House and Senate reaching an agreement on language, among other factors.

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