November 2025
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is committed to keeping our members informed about the federal actions that impact Florida agriculture. Following more than six weeks of gridlock in Washington, D.C., the federal government has officially reopened.
On Wednesday, November 12, President Donald Trump signed legislation that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. The measure also funds other federal departments and agencies through January 2026, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history at 43 days.
Because the USDA and FDA are fully funded for fiscal year 2026, these agencies are effectively exempt from any further shutdowns that may occur during the fiscal year. Additionally, the USDA funding package includes a one-year extension of key Farm Bill programs that were not covered under the comprehensive “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year. This extension ensures continued operation of critical agricultural, conservation, and nutrition programs while Congress continues its work toward a longer-term Farm Bill reauthorization.
After 14 failed votes in the Senate to reopen the government, eight Democrats broke party ranks to vote with Republicans, approving the measure Monday night, November 10, by a margin of 60–40. The bipartisan agreement was built around commitments to hold a mid-December vote on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, provide back pay to all federal employees who missed paychecks during the shutdown, and rehire those who were terminated by the Office of Management and Budget at the start of the shutdown.
Following Senate passage, Speaker Mike Johnson called the U.S. House of Representatives back to Washington, D.C. for the first time since the chamber passed a clean Continuing Resolution on September 19. On November 12, the House voted 222–209 with six Democrats joining all but two Republicans to send the bill to the President’s desk and reopen the government through January 30.
What’s next: With the government now reopened, congressional discussions are expected to shift toward healthcare policy and the remaining fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills. Meanwhile, the USDA and FDA will continue normal operations, providing stability for America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers.
Florida Farm Bureau will continue monitoring developments in Washington and will keep members informed of any policy updates that affect Florida’s agricultural community.