MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that he secured $1,000,000 in federal funding for the construction of a new 7,500 square foot clubhouse in City of Scotts Valley for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County.  The clubhouse will serve the children of Scotts Valley and surrounding San Lorenzo Valley communities. The finished project will serve an estimated 400 youth per year, with an average daily attendance of 150 kids and teens, via after school and out-of-school time programs that offer academic support, art, fun physical activities, music, cooking classes, and more.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County do excellent work to enable young people to excel, especially at the Joe & Linda Aliberti Clubhouse in Scotts Valley,” said Rep. Panetta. “However, their afterschool programs continue to grow, and their resources are stretched thin. This significant federal investment for a new youth center in Scotts Valley will provide our children with an improved, state-of-the-art, and bigger clubhouse to play, exercise, and receive academic and social support.  Moreover, it will be a hub for children and families in the entire San Lorenzo Valley. I’m proud to ensure that the federal government continues to play its part to invest in our children, families, and communities with funding for this new clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County so that they can continue to invest in our future.”

“At a time when families are navigating rising living costs and increasing barriers to essential services such as meals and childcare, Congressman Panetta’s ability to secure this critical investment for the Aliberti Clubhouse strengthens our capacity to provide high-quality, affordable, and reliable afterschool and summer programs for children and teens in Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley for generations to come,” said Lis DuBois, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County. “We are deeply grateful for Congressman Panetta’s continued commitment to strengthening our community.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County opened a 2,400 square foot clubhouse in 2018 that serves an average of 330 youth per year and has been enrolled to capacity with a wait list every year. During the COVID pandemic, the Club played a vital role in the community, providing youth programs and local parks, community center, and school campuses following the closure of the City’s childcare program. The new youth center will seek to address the shortage of childcare spaces in Scotts Valley, ultimately making living and working in the region more affordable.

Rep. Panetta has been a fierce advocate for affordable living in Scotts Valley during his time in Congress. In addition to the funding announced today, he secured $1,000,000 for the Scotts Valley Town Center to acquire 8.15 acres of land, with the eventual goal being to develop 14 total acres of vacant land into a mixed-use “downtown” urban core, including affordable housing.

The funding secured for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County is part of a grant that Rep. Panetta advocated to be included in the most recent appropriations package. The funds will be delivered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, which helps increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.

In the 116^th Congress, Rep. Panetta and House Democrats led the way in bringing back a process to allow Representatives—who know their districts best—to request and secure funds for the programs and places that matter most to communities. The projects Rep. Panetta fought for address clear and present needs in California’s 19^th Congressional District and represent his commitment to strengthening the federal partnership with the people and values of our communities.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC– United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced the First Responders’ Care Expansion (FORCE) Act to lower the Medicare enrollment age for classified first responders to 57.

First responders are often forced to retire early due to the physical toll of service. The FORCE Act would ensure first responders have access to quality health care coverage when they enter retirement and act as an incentive in the recruitment of new officers, firefighters, and other public servants.

“When first responders retire early due to the immense physical and mental demands of service, they often face limited affordable health care options,” said Rep. Panetta. “The FORCE Act addresses this unacceptable reality by lowering the Medicare enrollment age for these public servants who often sacrifice their own health to save lives and expanding access to the high-quality healthcare they’ve earned. Our first responders go above and beyond to serve and protect their communities and it’s the federal government’s job to take care of them both during service and well into retirement.” 

“First responders put their lives on the line to protect us, but too often they struggle to get the health coverage they need during retirement. That’s unacceptable and a disservice to these heroes,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill makes sure first responders get the health care they’ve earned and deserve.”

“Our first responders spend their careers protecting us, and they deserve the same protection when they retire,” said Rep. Levin. “By expanding Medicare eligibility for retired first responders ages 57 to 64 who have served ten years or more, we ensure they are cared for in retirement and not cast aside after dedicating their lives to a mission larger than themselves.”

“First responders put their lives on the line every day to protect the communities they serve, but the demanding nature of this profession wears down our bodies – often leading to early retirement and gaps in coverage for those who have to retire before they qualify for Medicare,” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “The First Responders’ Care Expansion Act addresses this concern head on by lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 57 for first responders – preventing these retirees from being forced to seek additional employment or make large payments for healthcare coverage until they reach 65. Thank you, Congressman Panetta, for your collaboration and leadership on this important issue. This bill is crucial to ensuring retired first responders who have dedicated their lives to public service are given the support they not only deserve, but have rightfully earned.”

Under the FORCE Act, first responders with ten years of service would be eligible for the lower Medicare enrollment age. First responders that would be eligible include law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other protective service occupations.

First responders face higher risk of workplace injury, cardiovascular disease, mental health challenges, and general wear and tear of muscles, joints, and ligaments due to the physical and stress demands of their chosen occupations.  A June 2021 national survey from the Police Executive Research Forum, found a 45 percent increase in law enforcement retirements and an 18 percent rise in resignations compared to the previous year.  Meanwhile, law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders face challenges in recruitment, with 78 percent of law enforcement agencies reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Congressman Lloyd Doggett announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Across his decades of distinguished public service, as a Texas State Senator, an Associate Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and a Member of Congress, Representative Lloyd Doggett has been a tremendous fighter for the people of the Lone Star State and a proud son of Austin who never shied away from speaking up for what’s right.

A pioneering progressive champion here in the People’s House, Rep. Doggett stood up for seniors, co-founding the Affordable Drug Pricing Task Force and passing the NOTICE Act into law, to inform patients whether their medical treatment was covered by Medicare. On the powerful Ways and Means Committee, he introduced legislation to hold American companies accountable for outsourcing and prevent them from shipping jobs overseas.

As the dean of the Texas Congressional delegation, Lloyd’s voice, wisdom and expertise will be deeply missed in the next Congress. The entire House Democratic Caucus wishes Rep. Doggett and his family well in their next chapter. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

ELGIN, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement on reports that an ICE operation yesterday in Elgin, within his district, resulted in a vehicle crash and the deployment of chemical irritants that exposed nearby residents — including at least one young child — to harmful agents:

“I am outraged that a brazen ICE operation in Elgin resulted in a car crash and the deployment of chemical irritants that left multiple people needing medical treatment. Spraying tear gas in a residential neighborhood is an unacceptable danger to the community, no matter the circumstances. ICE and DHS must immediately explain how this operation was carried out, why chemical agents were used, and what accountability will follow.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement after the Supreme Court agreed to hear President Trump’s challenge to the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship:

“President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship is not only unconstitutional — it strikes at the values that have guided us since the Civil War. For more than 150 years, our courts have read the 14th Amendment’s command plainly: every child born on American soil arrives with an equal claim to the rights of citizenship. That guarantee has anchored the futures of generations of children who began life here not only with the rights of citizenship from their first breath, but with the chance to build the future their parents dreamed could be possible in America — American children whose futures should not hinge on shifting politics or prejudice. No president can override that constitutional promise or dim the welcoming light it has cast across our history. The Supreme Court must reaffirm what the Constitution makes unmistakably clear: citizenship belongs to every child born in the United States.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement regarding the Department of Defense Inspector General’s report on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of a Signal thread to share detailed plans for an impending United States military strike on Houthi terrorists in Yemen:

“The Inspector General’s findings reveal conduct by Secretary Hegseth that constitutes an extraordinary breach of duty. The report confirms he transmitted nonpublic, time-sensitive operational details—including the number and strike times of U.S. aircraft entering hostile territory—over an unapproved, unsecure group chat just hours before those missions. Any junior officer who disclosed SECRET-level information on a personal phone would face immediate discipline. Instead, the Secretary tried to justify his actions by selectively ‘declassifying’ strike details for convenience and then refused to cooperate with investigators. Our servicemembers entrust their leaders with decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. Even in redacted form, this report makes clear these violations recklessly placed operations—and American lives—in jeopardy. Secretary Hegseth should resign.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA) to introduce the Increasing Medication Access for Seniors Act of 2025, legislation that will lower the costs of prescription drugs and improve health care access for seniors and military families. The legislation helps Medicare beneficiaries better access the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which allows seniors to spread high annual drug costs over 12 months interest-free. While the program began in January 2025, very few seniors are aware of it, and fewer than 0.05 percent have enrolled, even though many would benefit from lower upfront costs.

“I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to ensure seniors can actually access the Medicare prescription drug payment options already available to them,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Too many older Americans on fixed incomes don’t know they can spread high drug costs over the year, interest-free. By improving data and outreach, this bill will help more seniors take advantage of a benefit that can make their medications more affordable.”

This legislation was endorsed by Genetic Alliance, PXE International, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., Arthritis Foundation, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, Neuropathy Action Foundation, PAN Foundation, Triage Cancer, Organic Acidemia Association, Lupus Foundation of America, Alpha-1 Foundation, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), and Alliance for Aging Research. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem raising alarms over what he describes as persistent, systemic failures by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to provide detainees with access to Privacy Release Form 60-001, the federally required document that allows Members of Congress to lawfully obtain information about individual detainee cases and intervene when rights violations or urgent safety issues arise. Without this form, detainees cannot authorize congressional inquiries, and Congress cannot perform even the most basic oversight functions mandated under federal law.

In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi details repeated reports from attorneys, families, and advocates that detainees are either denied access to the form entirely or that completed forms “are never transmitted to the proper channels.” He cites ICE’s own Congressional Relations Office, which advised that detainees should be able to obtain the form by phone or written request, avenues that, in practice, “do not function,” according to the congressman.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote that this breakdown has produced what he described as a manufactured catch-22: ICE refuses to share information with Congress without a signed privacy waiver, while simultaneously refusing to provide detainees the very form required to authorize the release. This, he notes, unlawfully obstructs detainees’ rights and “prevents Congress from conducting even basic oversight.”

The letter underscores that federal law, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Judicial Redress Act of 2015, presumes detainees have meaningful access to the required privacy form. The congressman argues denying that access effectively blocks lawful oversight and undermines the department’s own stated procedures.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi calls on DHS to take immediate corrective action, including:

1. Ensuring all ICE detention facilities provide Privacy Release Form 60-001 to any detainee upon request, without delay or obstruction.

2. Directing all field offices, contractors, and personnel to promptly process completed forms and transmit them to congressional offices without exception.

3. Issuing and publicly posting clear, uniform guidance affirming ICE’s legal obligations regarding privacy waivers and cooperation with congressional inquiries.

He requests a DHS briefing by December 11 and a detailed plan to remedy and prevent future failures.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Reckless Policy Change Could Leave Hundreds of Thousands Unhoused

Letter Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-35) and 52 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling on him to rescind a recent HUD decision to slash essential Continuum of Care (CoC) program funding. These dangerous cuts will worsen the ongoing homelessness crisis and leave thousands of vulnerable families without stable housing.

“We write in response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) reckless and disturbing policy change and funding announcement that could push over 170,000 formerly homeless individuals back on the streets and exacerbate our nation’s homelessness crisis,” wrote the lawmakers.

HUD’s Notice for Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Continuum of Care Program, issued on November 13, 2025 would slash funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs from 86% of CoC funds to just 30%, impose an extremely compressed application timeline creating a half-year funding gap, and deprioritize CoCs which use evidence-based solutions to end homelessness.

The lawmakers warned: “At a time when our nation has over 771,000 people experiencing homelessness, this NOFO will worsen the situation, impacting people with disabilities, veterans, domestic violence survivors, women with children and more.”

In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the long-standing bipartisan support for Housing First, noting that it remains the most effective tool local providers have to reduce homelessness. They also expressed serious concern that HUD’s delayed release of the FY2025 NOFO – and the shortened time allowed for CoCs to apply – would create a nearly half-year gap in services, putting the most vulnerable people at immediate risk.

“This reckless timing will put critical homeless services at risk, leave rents unpaid, and put the most vulnerable people back on the streets,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers concluded their letter by urging HUD to immediately rescind the harmful FY2025 NOFO, renew current grants under the FY2024 NOFO structure, and ensure that CoCs using proven, evidence-based solutions receive the funding necessary to continue supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Read the full letter HERE.

Full list of signers: Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Becca Balint (D-VT), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Al Green (D-TX), Jim Himes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Henry Johnson (D-GA), William Keating (D-MA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), George Latimer (D-NY), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), John Mannion (D-NY), Sarah McBride (D-DE), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Luz Rivas (D-CA), David Scott (D-GA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.

• In December 2025, Rep. Pressley underscored the need to support grandfamily and kinship households, which are vital to preventing homelessness and keeping families and communities whole.
• In November 2025, on National Housing Day, Rep. Pressley introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act, legislation to promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.
• In October 2025, Rep. Pressley introduced the Innovation Fund Act to establish a program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply.
• In May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley celebrated the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood in Somerville.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• In June 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced the Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Reentry and Stable Tenancy (Housing FIRST) Act, bold legislation to help people who are formerly incarcerated and those with criminal histories access safe and stable housing.
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium. 
• On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so. 
• On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis. 
• In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
• On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology. 
• In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Statement on USDA Relief Payments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of financial relief to farmers impacted by market disruptions. 

“Farmers across the United States, including in Central Washington, are reaching a breaking point because of supply chain issues, high input costs, and uncertainty around foreign market access. While this announcement primarily benefits row crop producers, other specialty crop growers will need additional assistance as they struggle to make ends meet due to continued high labor costs,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse added, “I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins for rolling out a bridge to get farmers and ranchers through lean times. I know they understand, as I do, that producers would prefer market certainty over direct payments from the federal government. I look forward to continuing working with this Administration to lower labor costs, reduce regulatory burdens, implement the agriculture provisions of the Working Families Tax Cut, and ensure American farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to make it to the next growing season.” 

According to USDA, $12 billion will be made available for one time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs impacting farmers. 

Of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to U.S. row crop farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower.  

The remaining $1 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar, for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still under development by USDA.

USDA said farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. 

###