As 2025 comes to a close, Congressman Derrick Van Orden says agriculture remained front and center during a busy year in Congress, with multiple policy wins and unfinished business setting the stage for 2026. Van Orden reflected on progress made through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which included several Farm Bill titles, while acknowledging that additional “cleanup” will be needed when lawmakers return to Washington.
2025 Review
Van Orden pointed to several ag-focused bills he helped move through the House, including HR 1230, the Ag Vets Act, designed to encourage military veterans to enter agriculture, and HR 985, which reauthorized the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative to support dairy processors and producers. He also highlighted continued work on the Agricultural Workforce Reform Act of 2025, aimed at addressing labor shortages by providing a legal framework for long-time agricultural workers. “Dragging our feet on this for a long period of time, it’s just not cool,” Van Orden said of delays in completing farm policy.
Dairy policy was another major focus, with the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act reopening school access to whole and flavored milk and restoring domestic dairy markets. Trade and market access also top Van Orden’s 2026 priorities, with goals that include expanding exports of cheese and lentils to India, cranberries to Israel, enforcing USMCA provisions with Canada, and maintaining strong ag trade with Mexico while addressing animal health concerns like New World screwworm.
2026 Top Priorities
Looking ahead, Van Orden says finishing remaining Farm Bill provisions, advancing ag labor reform through the Judiciary Committee, rolling back regulatory barriers, delisting wolves from the endangered species list, and strengthening domestic energy production will all be key areas of focus. He argues these steps are critical to giving farmers certainty and ensuring U.S. agriculture remains competitive at home and abroad.
