USDA finally has a new secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is bringing his MAHA priorities to the federal government as secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins were confirmed in back to-back votes Thursday and then sworn in to their respective posts.
Take note: Rollins said in an interview with Agri-Pulse Publisher Sara Wyant that she will be reviewing “very, very carefully” government contracts that have been frozen. The pause is leaving farmers and ranchers uncertain about whether or not they will be reimbursed for expenses incurred under programs like the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. She hopes to have some answers as soon as next week.
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“Our intent is to ensure that the programs are supporting our farmers and our ranchers, but that we're also aligning with the president's vision on any commitments that have been made,” she said.
By the way: A major conservation funder, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, has told grantees to stop working on projects because of the funding pause.
Read the Rollins interview at Agri-Pulse.com.
RFK Jr.’s influence kicks in with MAHA EO
Kennedy will lead a newly formed Make America Healthy Again Commission. Other key secretaries will sit on the commission, including Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the FDA commissioner.
President Donald Trump laid out the vision for the new panel in an executive order signed Thursday. The order says federal policy is to “aggressively combat” health challenges facing the country, including obesity and diabetes.
The EO orders agencies to “work with farmers to ensure that United States food is the healthiest, most abundant and most affordable in the world.”
What’s in it for food and ag: The commission’s initial mission is to study possible causes of the “childhood chronic disease crisis,” including diets, environmental factors, government policies and food production techniques.
The panel will submit an assessment that includes an analysis of the “threat” of potential overuse of certain food ingredients, medications and chemicals. Cabinet officials will also examine the potential negative effects of certain prescribed medications, including weight-loss drugs.
In addition: A key ally of Kennedy says he expects him to increase regulation of the food industry. Del Bigtree, CEO of the MAHA Alliance Super PAC, suggested to reporters that one target will be the way the Food and Drug Administration regulates food ingredients, including determining whether a product is “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS.
He said he expects Republican support for increased regulation. “Do Republicans now believe in regulations? … They've all said to me, when it comes to the health of our children, you're damn right we do. So, I do believe you're going to see regulations working to fix this issue.”
He indicated Kennedy also may try to change standards for school meals, although that issue falls under USDA, not HHS.
MAHA Caucus wants to move legislation advancing RFK Jr.’s agenda
Senators in the Make America Healthy Again Caucus are already eyeing legislative ways to implement Kennedy’s vision in the wake of his confirmation.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a founder of the MAHA Caucus, said lawmakers are readying a package of bills focused on soil health, nutrition and increasing access to costly regenerative agriculture techniques.
Notably, he said the caucus aims to restart the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans process. “I think they need to fire probably all the advisory committee and start over,” Marshall said. The guidelines figure prominently in procurement for federal feeding programs like school meals.
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The committee’s work shaping the final recommendation took about 22 months, and included numerous meetings and public comment periods.
Biofuel producers welcome reciprocal tariff announcement
The Renewable Fuels Association is applauding Trump’s executive order to prepare for a reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports. A White House fact sheet announcing the initiative cited Brazil’s high tariffs on U.S. ethanol exports.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said, “For almost a decade now, we have spent precious time and resources fighting back against an unfair and unjustified tariff regime imposed by Brazil's government on U.S. ethanol imports.”
Johnson looks to raise SNAP work requirement
House Ag Committee member Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., told Agri-Pulse Newsmakers he will be introducing a bill in the coming days that “charts the course” on SNAP work requirements. “I think there’s a pretty good chance” to get the work requirement to 65, Johnson said. The top age for SNAP work requirements is currently 54.
“Clearly when you look at the Ag Committee needing to find some savings, that [work requirements] is the most appropriate place for us to go.”
He said SNAP beneficiaries who are pregnant, have young children or have disabilities won’t be affected.
Newsmakers will be available today at Agri-Pulse.com.
Smith won’t seek reelection in 2026
The news that Senate Ag Committee member Tina Smith, D-Minn., won’t seek reelection in 2026 has already generated some buzz on who may run for her seat.
Smith was first elected in 2018 after Sen. Al Franken resigned. She was reelected to her first full term in 2020.
Punchbowl News reported that national and state leaders were urging House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig, D-Minn., to throw her hat in the ring. Craig beat out more senior Democrats on the committee to become ranking member by emphasizing her sizeable win in a competitive rural district, even as Democrats across the country struggled in those areas.
When asked what she thought about Craig potentially filling her seat, Smith said “Angie’s a very good friend.”
Final word
“Embrace the mystery.” – Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., declining to tell a reporter why he voted against RFK Jr.
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