[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6205129,"mediaKeyId","3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a","parentId",3776599,"title","Lawmakers press USDA over SNAP, nutrition program cuts and alleged fraud; Rollins pledges reviews and sting operations","audioSeconds",2369,"startMs",3925000,"endMs",6294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a&start=3925&end=6294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a/thumbnail_3925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205129/Lawmakers-press-USDA-over-SNAP-nutrition-program-cuts-and-alleged-fraud-Rollins-pledges-reviews-and-sting-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205129-f6d0f4ceca81b0a24a989a6095b97507/orig.mp4?Expires=1770834461&Signature=GXp1wJOF5N4Luhkdle5La3YhmNX2Y2sUONvHSG2uXdAow1Z9Z6yiSz5P8j-jXquglETXDGvMkm2x0sbxqrkCSpIwUx6Q6adw8GrTQssJ3dFlh6BXq1l4bEIYM00QrsyXmtt2pG03rn66AlMMvXwF8Y5jgG5jdbgQwhCLtpAvFJ5yMRQ95qNVMcmpXJGcV4Glu1P4wE6~QXR7DZYR0wpLEzzO8ooUOjj3y5pEfBx~7dM4wYJ-0ZM~4jZID5-Pw2~qgwdsgqsRWlQWvHtA1EhuICfU8KZaik3cjoWLqE89gJrOquKWSuG~-BbA83ae9OlPQ1jKqW7-ibt6lccfmTMFaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Agriculture","date","2025-06-12T00:17:57.943Z","article","Members of the House Agriculture Committee pressed USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on proposed cuts to nutrition programs and recent agency actions to review or freeze some local purchase and emergency food programs. Rollins defended a department effort to root out fraud, waste and abuse and said the USDA had executed recent sting operations jointly with law enforcement that uncovered tens of millions of dollars in improper payments.

Rollins told the committee that total SNAP participation stands at about 42 million and that the department spends approximately $400 million per day on nutrition programs; she said the program’s growth over recent years has increased exposure to fraud and error and that USDA is aggressively pursuing waste and abuse. Several Democrats warned that cuts to programs such as the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) would harm food banks and producers who sell to schools and local programs; Rollins said some unfrozen funds had been reinstated after review.

Why it matters: SNAP and nutrition programs represent the largest share of federal farm‑related spending and also intersect with markets for specialty crops, dairies and local producers. Lawmakers said changes to these programs can ripple through local food systems and farmer revenues.

Most important facts: Rollins said SNAP participation is roughly 42 million and that USDA is pursuing fraud investigations; she also said that some contracts and grants that were frozen in agency reviews have been unfrozen but asked members to flag specific problems. Members cited lost truckloads of food in individual districts after program cancellations and urged USDA to restore or replace funds quickly.

Supporting details: Rollins described sting operations and law enforcement activity on SNAP fraud and called for better state cooperation on data sharing so the department can detect improper payments. Democrats urged the department to protect food‑bank funding and local purchase programs that link farmers to community feeding efforts.

Ending: Rollins said she would provide requested data and work with members on implementation questions; members said they would continue oversight to ensure food access and to protect both producers and low‑income households.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","To receive testimony from The Honorable Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture","oneSentenceSummary","Members from both parties pressed Secretary Rollins about the administration's proposals and actions on SNAP and other nutrition programs, and about recent enforcement and fraud investigations; Rollins said USDA is working to reduce error, waste and abuse while protecting benefits for needy families.","taxTitle","Agriculture: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1977,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205132,"Members press USDA on layoffs, reorganization and impacts at research labs and field offices",3733,2317000,6050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a&start=2317&end=6050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a/thumbnail_2317000.jpg","/articles/6205132/Members-press-USDA-on-layoffs-reorganization-and-impacts-at-research-labs-and-field-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205132-ad0417613ad83ab29efe99f25e809df0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770834461&Signature=Z3E9ZvyUEV1wEkEeQircUd2-2IESkC6B7EuVmNIuX62DCsvp9Kaqd9Ub9tOFlfVNCHP0gvMlsG-5YMAPm23-MQwdR-lsPFMRAw1iTG-p5cpfPPsgJ2zHYwQCcPHWyrd57tLItRNTWVq1Xw7T7EQGCbfYWuZZ14CN9bjDU4PcO3pxco12jRqTqyRAnKwzsaWxySBPYqje0l3NRE6UIeKMcZBvRJtIK-7L24Nf2N8oU3BOdnCF3Nusk37qCF8J2AUUBNpfsuQNRrhGR3TQ~JMNbXiKeIq~7mu-jRFeqcpY3NQv44X~3oPjeySBzC6eCtAQlSBS~o~3g-VjixZ4tpRwpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Agriculture Committee members raised concerns about USDA reorganization, hiring, and alleged firings of probationary employees and asked whether key offices and research labs were being left short‑staffed. Secretary Brooke Rollins said the department was conducting a careful review of operations and that a number of staffing decisions and rescinded actions were being corrected; she repeatedly asked members to provide specific cases for follow‑up and said the department had restored many positions after court action or review.

Several members described the abrupt suspension or reinstatement of staff at facilities that committee members said are essential to animal and food safety — including the National Bio and Agro‑Defense Facility and state food safety inspection teams — and said that sudden staffing changes create risk during disease outbreaks and other emergencies. Rollins denied that wholesale firings had occurred under her leadership, said that many were deferred resignations and that leadership was working to ensure frontline offices remain functional.

Committee members also pressed Rollins on the status of ARS and other research programs and on the temporary freeze of some grants and contracts. Rollins said she was committed to continuing strong research partnerships with land‑grant universities and that the department was reviewing legacy facilities and contracts to ensure taxpayer funds were producing useful results.

Why it matters: Members said stable, local USDA offices and research capacity are essential for rapid response to animal disease, food safety and disaster recovery. They asked for guarantees that career staff and essential scientists would not be lost in reorganization moves.

Most important facts: Rollins said no one had been fired en masse and that many actions were deferred resignations; she said several cases had been reversed and staff reinstated after review. She acknowledged an ‘‘imperfect process’’ where some staff were told to leave and later told to return and asked members to provide names so the department could act quickly to rectify mistakes.

Supporting details: Members requested information on protections and timelines for reinstating staff at specific labs and field offices; Rollins said she had personally worked with senators and members from affected states to restore access and personnel where appropriate.

Ending: Rollins said she would follow up directly with members on specific offices and work with them to protect frontline staffing and research capacity. Members said they would continue to monitor whether staffing changes impair services in the field.","Lawmakers pressed Secretary Rollins about reorganization, deferred resignations and the impact on food‑safety labs, the National Bio and Agro‑Defense Facility and 1890 land‑grant programs; Rollins said actions were under review, many positions were reinstated and she invited members to flag specific concerns for follow‑up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205136,"USDA says labor is a top priority as lawmakers press for H‑2A reform and short‑term fixes",145,2071000,2216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a&start=2071&end=2216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a/thumbnail_2071000.jpg","/articles/6205136/USDA-says-labor-is-a-top-priority-as-lawmakers-press-for-H2A-reform-and-shortterm-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205136-6fdfe66f6d0fa8c85396f82ca324c68f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770834461&Signature=aW~RrYV7JTDhqqcmOG0VMvgssljSCQMPnU~dwan9~MVU-yL-CH84PWTqmlXxhSrVjjytfx56phuodkMVC1mOv7rET3Hqjd0Ez3LdQOpDqarecjgtmTNCqDnakriCkFjUoywqxuIxshpN9LsgOcN63gY6OYUEk~K7kQ6Re1D6qj1mC5Q3jUc-Tb-fsVRtRO2S3ug5MMhwR6UcYkWuTEBlNDpxuV9e-dbzagBl84TmxUqljdt~Lgs2NxSreX7MuvmWHR4mjLWplUUl2jdMGw6q3HZ7cCezHBsqu7cMFN69hLyJXIOBCFrcdStkKR1340XHkqfiYnfGfa5IhJvYEhRI-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told the House Agriculture Committee that farm labor shortages are a major, immediate problem for producers and that the USDA, Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security are working together to find solutions. Rollins said the president raised the issue at a cabinet meeting and directed labor, homeland security and agriculture officials to move quickly on options that would ease access to legal farm labor while preserving enforcement of immigration laws.

Rollins said the administration recognizes that some producers are unable to find workers and that enforcement actions have added uncertainty for employers who need seasonal and year‑round labor. She said the president and Cabinet are ‘‘hyper focused’’ on the problem and that she and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez DeRemer are in daily communication about potential administrative steps and areas where Congress can provide durable legislative relief.

Why it matters: Producers repeatedly told members at roundtables that labor is the single largest constraint on production for specialty crops, dairy and other labor‑intensive sectors. Members asked whether USDA could work with agencies to improve H‑2A timing, wage calculations and administrative processing to prevent harvest losses.

Key facts: Rollins described repeated conversations with the president and cabinet colleagues and said the White House has directed interagency work. She said the administration is open to both administrative mitigations and to congressional changes, and asked members to continue bipartisan work on legislative reform.

Supporting details: Members pressed for immediate, practical fixes — including faster H‑2A processing and temporary adjustments to Adverse Effect Wage Rates — and for Congress to act to create a stable, lawful workforce pipeline. Rollins said the administration is ‘‘working 20 hours a day, sometimes more’’ to respond to producer needs and that the president had specifically instructed cabinet secretaries to address the issue.

Background: The committee has a bipartisan working group focused on agricultural labor solutions. Lawmakers said earlier enforcement actions and broader immigration operations had increased producer uncertainty and that both short‑term administrative steps and longer‑term legislation will be needed.

Ending: Rollins asked members to continue bipartisan engagement; several members said they would press for a statutory fix to H‑2A that reduces seasonal timing problems and administrative burdens.","Secretary Rollins told the committee the administration is working ‘‘around the clock’’ with Labor and DHS to address farm labor shortages and acknowledged that a legislative fix will be required to resolve structural problems in H‑2A and related programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205142,"Committee presses USDA on avian flu response, screw‑worm threat as Rollins pledges vaccine and sterile‑fly action",1229,1597000,2826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a&start=1597&end=2826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a/thumbnail_1597000.jpg","/articles/6205142/Committee-presses-USDA-on-avian-flu-response-screwworm-threat-as-Rollins-pledges-vaccine-and-sterilefly-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205142-73818a7fee2a24d70b65fed5d88b474c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770834461&Signature=GMauxBI4UZyRpm4waNSbDXZmNAdhP69MxdXm3EoAdOKyJLWF-yGp-KNtrfAxlWehljNizpQ0ccTiF8md5Q8Z1vJlqT6YbeI-N56x-xwuc4H44MGRmUyZ~j83-fVvxws-6t3izodHQL5SF4gIeoPHt13rUYF95zGQVeiq0e0R0P5XO1WOcws4axNLbRsJwpnJJ~H8eUGke89s1q4GbtJ-Qr~W16AlFR81~QCSnMAguXjMNcDD399FanXLzUPfO4B3aVsS3xyUpL3xnixBZxaPJzMxNl7FighNiXpfaBPqS64lga7sLUJzo0GAlwKHy7Qil6zWFQr-Y9lO2Wr1ZUes3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told the House Agriculture Committee that the department is pursuing a ‘‘multi‑pronged’’ animal health strategy to address high‑path avian influenza (HPAI) and the New World screw‑worm, and that the agency had already carried out hundreds of farm biosecurity assessments and moved indemnity and repopulation funding for affected egg producers.

Rollins said USDA has performed roughly 830 biosecurity assessments on farms, advanced indemnity payments to repopulate barns, and has committed $100 million to vaccine development and related animal health countermeasures. She told the committee that those funds are part of a broader $1 billion plan for farm biosecurity and producer assistance she summarized in testimony.

On the New World screw‑worm, Rollins said USDA had taken immediate steps to restrict ports of entry and to expand sterile‑fly production, and that ‘‘a major announcement’’ about a more aggressive response would be made the following week. She described cooperative work with Mexico and other partners and said the agency had closed ports of entry temporarily to slow a northward advance of the pest.

Why it matters: HPAI outbreaks have already led to culling and depopulation in poultry sectors and created retail price effects; the New World screw‑worm historically has inflicted long‑term damage to livestock sectors if not contained. Committee members pressed for vaccine strategies, timelines for sterile‑fly production, and assurances that research and frontline lab staffing would be sustained.

Most important facts: Rollins said USDA has completed approximately 850 farm biosecurity assessments, issued indemnity payments and repopulation funds for egg producers, and committed $100 million to vaccine development applications currently under review. She said that shipments of sterile flies and other countermeasures were being expanded and that a further operational step would be announced imminently.

Supporting details: Members asked whether USDA would prioritize vaccines and ‘‘all of the above’’ approaches; Rollins affirmed that vaccines, therapeutics and other tools were being considered and that the department had received hundreds of applications for funding. Multiple members from states affected by poultry losses underlined the urgency of a vaccine and faster indemnity processing.

Background: Lawmakers referenced prior animal health responses and the need to protect both animal and human health; Rollins framed the issue as a national security concern that required interagency coordination and international cooperation, including targeted discussions with Mexican counterparts on the screw‑worm outbreak.

Ending: Rollins pledged to provide updates and to work with committee members on both short‑term containment and longer‑term vaccine and surveillance plans.","Secretary Rollins told the House Agriculture Committee the USDA is taking a multipronged approach to high‑path avian influenza and the emerging New World screw‑worm threat, including indemnity, biosecurity assessments, vaccine development funding and expanded sterile‑fly efforts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6205146,"USDA says emergency farm relief has moved quickly; specifics, timelines remain under review",1994,1640000,3634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a&start=1640&end=3634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3776599-9cf9fbadb53344f05ea72235a0a5e23a/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6205146/USDA-says-emergency-farm-relief-has-moved-quickly-specifics-timelines-remain-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205146-3e91fdcf3928466e5ee453aee96f83dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770834461&Signature=JekJHw4jA1mZQpLidj8YwPo1PNYkveZEye7NiFRfa9edskNw8KWgDJesTGf3MnH7WpxWSHQn-4OhD13DxQKlmZeA5WSuKl1Fo8VmSrm5yYZAchm53a-YiGPcKEhT3xaoXMyRHmssFY0O-votMxnQy-sy59iyc04fLanqt7BSeKCsFdDliuS7NlmjNcgMEcmnDVu2JHhlFJDyRxvf8pyzkTYCWm07Msk2870OCGmlYCaft2YU0fcd~Qwe3mA3AUjUE-qruX0NrJZtwW7jiTMXhTh1CdphZBXnjqkKBTg5OxcqS6S2XXpzfq5rf5~VkIt9rOu2swTAXRvVa7KdGfHZJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins testified to the House Agriculture Committee that the department has moved billions of dollars in congressionally authorized emergency aid to farmers and ranchers and is working to finish distribution of remaining tranches quickly. Rollins said the USDA has sent out more than $7.7 billion under emergency commodity assistance programs and about $1 billion through emergency livestock relief to date.

Rollins and committee members described the distributions as faster than typical USDA timelines but said state-by-state agreements, program design differences and outreach to small and specialty producers are complicating the rollout. Rollins said some funds require negotiated state contracts rather than formulaic payments and that USDA teams are working ‘‘around the clock’’ to finish agreements and address practical barriers in the field.

Why it matters: Members from farm states said speed matters because many producers are operating on thin margins after consecutive weather and market shocks. Small specialty growers and operators in states with block‑grant allocations have told members they are unsure which program to pursue and worried they could be left out.

Most important facts first: Rollins said the USDA has already distributed more than $7.7 billion under the emergency commodity assistance program and $1 billion under the emergency livestock relief program; she described a larger set of congressionally authorized disaster funds that remain in various stages of implementation. She told the committee the department moved the first emergency payments ‘‘in record time’’ and that teams were on conference calls overnight and at 6 a.m. to resolve remaining issues.

Supporting details: Members cited several program lines discussed in the hearing: an emergency commodity assistance distribution (ECAP), Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP), a market assistance specialty crop tranche (Rollins said $2.65 billion was allocated to specialty crops), and regionally targeted block grants (for example, a $220 million block grant for New England). Rollins said some regions, including Georgia and several southern states, were ‘‘at the front of the line’’ and expected to see funds move within weeks; she said New England’s $220 million block grant remained under negotiation to match the region’s smaller, specialty‑crop farms.

Questions and limits: Committee members repeatedly pushed for more precise timelines and for USDA to ensure small, diversified farms can access the aid, not just larger operations. Rollins repeatedly asked members to send specific cases to her office and said that the department would follow up directly. She also noted that the structure of some payments—automatic formulaic distributions versus negotiated state contracts—explains why some funds moved more quickly than others.

Background: Members and the secretary referenced a December congressional supplemental that authorized the emergency funds. Rollins described partnerships with state agriculture agencies and repeated that the department had prioritized moving money as quickly as possible while trying to ensure accountability.

What’s next: Rollins told the committee that remaining payments are expected to move in the coming weeks and asked members to flag stalled cases. Several lawmakers said they would follow up with district examples of producers who had not yet received assistance.

Ending: Members stressed continued oversight and said they would monitor whether remaining funds reach specialty and small farms on top of larger producers.","USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told the House Agriculture Committee the department has distributed billions in emergency assistance and is working to move remaining disaster funds quickly, while members pressed for clearer timelines and help reaching small, specialty and block‑grant recipients.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers press USDA over SNAP, nutrition program cuts and alleged fraud; Rollins pledges reviews and sting operations

Members press USDA on layoffs, reorganization and impacts at research labs and field offices

USDA says labor is a top priority as lawmakers press for H‑2A reform and short‑term fixes

Committee presses USDA on avian flu response, screw‑worm threat as Rollins pledges vaccine and sterile‑fly action

USDA says emergency farm relief has moved quickly; specifics, timelines remain under review