Ag Policy Blog

WASHINGTON (DTN) -- The House Budget Committee is expected to markup a reconciliation bill that would include $20 billion in farm aid and $70 billion for defense.

The package was developed in coordination with the White House and discussed Monday by some House Republican budget lawmakers at Camp David, Politico and NOTUS reported.

Reconciliation is an expeditated legislative process that is used to pass laws that deal with spending, tax or debt limits --- in alignment with the annual budget resolution.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., was among the first lawmakers to propose $20 billion in additional farm assistance in April. His proposal had $10 billion for row-crop producers and $10 billion for specialty crop growers.

"We need a bridge -- just a little bit of additional bridge funding until all the good legislation we've been passing, kicks in," Thompson told DTN on Tuesday.

Asked whether the $20 billion figure would remain in the package, Thompson said he had not yet spoken with House leadership. Other Republican lawmakers echoed a similar sentiment, saying negotiations are moving quickly with limited or no party communication.

The markup is expected on Thursday and builds upon President Donald Trump's supplemental funding request, which proposed $67 billion for defense related to Iran and $11.1 billion in farm aid.

"House Republicans continue to drive toward a budget resolution which would begin the process for Reconciliation 3.0 legislation that will include our nation's most immediate priorities," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Monday.

Earlier this year, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., publicly discussed a package in the $17 billion range before Trump unveiled his $11.1 billion.

Democrats also proposed $17 billion at the beginning of 2026, hoping to prioritize producers that were left out of bridge payments.

It remains unclear whether the reconciliation proposal would completely replace Trump's $11.1 billion or farm policy requests. However, the $20 billion figure closely matches Thompson's earlier proposal.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., has previously said he is "open to getting as much aid as we need."

The prospect of another farm aid package has drawn criticism from House Agriculture Committee Democrats, especially as it is attached with war funding.

"It's hard to keep giving him (Trump) money for him to keep destroying our system," Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine told DTN. "I would be deeply concerned because so much of the farm aid has become necessary because Trump continues to create problems, whether it's through tariffs or cuts to USDA programs that were helping our farmers."

Asked whether she would support additional aid if it were distributed more equitably to specialty crop growers, Pingree said, "Absolutely. Given some of the problems people are having with extended drought or the loss of markets, I'd certainly be more supportive."

The expected reconciliation package would touch four House committees: Agriculture, Administration, House Armed Services and Select Committee on Intelligence.

Because the legislation is moving through the budget reconciliation process, lawmakers are generally limited to provisions that directly affect federal spending, not new legislation.

As a result, policy provisions such as year-round E15 or other controversial farm bill language excluded from the Senate farm bill would likely need to move through separate legislation.

Trump's supplemental funding request remains only a proposal. Congress will ultimately decide whether to adopt, modify or reject the request before sending any legislation to the president for his signature.

See NOTUS original reporting: Plotting a Narrow, Fast Reconciliation Bill https://www.notus.org/….

See: Trump Administration Requests $11 Billion in Economic Aid for Crop Farmers https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Jake Zajkowski can be reached at

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