President’s FY 2021 Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier today, President Donald Trump sent his budget request for FY 2021 to Congress, calling for nearly $58 billion in cuts to mandatory agriculture spending, on top of another $2 billion in cuts to discretionary agriculture spending.  Like many presidential budget proposals, this one will largely be ignored by Congress and have no real impact on Federal agriculture programs or funding.

This year’s budget is similar to the past three budget proposals by President Trump in that it calls on Congress to tighten eligibility requirements for farm safety-net programs, guts several conservation programs, reduces crop insurance subsidies, pursues drastic cuts to domestic nutrition programs, and eliminates funding for U.S. commodity purchases for international food aid programs.

“While it is discouraging to hear that the Administration is proposing to balance the budget on the backs of American farmers and those in need, we know that this budget will not be well received by Congress and is essentially dead on arrival,” said Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs.  “USA Rice will continue working with Congress through the budget and appropriations process to protect funding for the programs that provide crucial support for the U.S. rice industry.”