By Blake Jackson
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that several of her priorities for Wisconsin farmers, veterans, and rural communities were included in bipartisan Senate-passed funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026.
These bills cover agencies such as the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Agriculture (USDA) and stand in contrast to significant cuts proposed by former President Donald Trump and partisan proposals in the House.
“I’m proud to help write bipartisan funding bills that give Wisconsin farmers, military families, veterans, and rural communities a seat at the table. Despite the President trying to slash and burn lifelines for our farmers and ranchers, we are investing in our dairy businesses, farmer mental health, and clean water in rural communities. We also are ensuring veterans, including those eligible for the PACT Act, get the support they need, from investing in services at the VA to increasing investment in caregivers for veterans, mental health and addiction support, childcare, and homelessness prevention,” said Senator Baldwin.
“I worked with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to advance two bipartisan bills that address the needs of our farmers, veterans, and rural communities for the upcoming year. I’ll be working to protect this critical funding as we get these bills over the finish line in the House and passed into law.”
Among the key provisions is $1.87 billion for the Agricultural Research Service an $81 million increase over FY 2025 and $1.69 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding rejects Trump’s proposed cuts to land-grant universities and extension services vital to producers and families.
The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network will continue to receive $10 million in funding. The bill also includes a request for USDA to coordinate with HHS and SAMHSA to explore a national crisis line for farmers. Baldwin and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) were instrumental in establishing this program in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Additionally, the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative will receive $12 million in funding. Baldwin, who created the program, emphasized its importance and vowed to oppose House efforts to eliminate it.
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy