Agricultural Coalition Sends Letter Urging Congress to Quickly Pass a Measure to Reopen the Federal Government

Letter

Dear Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries:

The undersigned organizations urge Congress to quickly pass a measure to reopen the federal government.

A government shutdown affects all American families and has significant consequences on farmers, ranchers, growers and all who work to grow, process, deliver and prepare the food our nation relies on. Currently, the agriculture community is weathering an economic storm; many growers are facing crop prices near record lows while production expenses continue to increase.

The latest USDA Census of Agriculture revealed a loss of 141,000 farms between 2017 and 2022—and 20,000 more farms have been lost since then. A government shutdown adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services, delays payments and places more burden on rural communities already feeling significant stress.

We appreciate your leadership and urge both chambers and both parties to work together to end the government shutdown.

Sincerely,

American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
Agricultural Retailers Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
CropLife America
Farm Credit Council
International Fresh Produce Association
Meat Institute
National Association of Conservation Districts
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Sorghum Producers
The Fertilizer Institute
USA Rice

October 1, 2025

Agricultural Coalition

The Honorable John Thune
Majority Leader Democratic Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Democratic Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510

Agricultural Coalition Sends Letter to Congress Urging Congress to Quickly Pass a Measure to Reopen the Federal Government