- The Trump administration has frozen USDA grants, impacting farmers.
- Now, a key Democratic group says they’ll hold vulnerable House Republicans “accountable” for it.
- It’s an early look at how Trump’s early moves could impact the 2026 midterms.
The Trump administration’s freezing of US Department of Agriculture grants is leaving some farmers in the lurch. Now, a key Democratic group is aiming to make it a campaign issue.
In a memo obtained exclusively by Business Insider, House Majority PAC — a super PAC aligned with House Democrats — says they plan to hold “accountable” several House Republicans who face potentially competitive reelection bids in 2026.
“Multiple vulnerable House Republicans representing tens of thousands of farms are now standing by as Trump freezes hundreds of millions of dollars of funding that American farmers were promised,” the memo reads. “House Republicans are leaving American farmers out to dry, and will have some explaining to do next week when they head back to their districts.”
On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order halting the disbursement of funds authorized by Democrats’ signature 2022 climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, to allow the administration to review whether those funds are consistent Trump’s priorities.
Some of that funding has impacted grants and loans from the Department of Agriculture for environmental improvements, with farmers saying they haven’t received the money they were previously guaranteed. That’s even after Trump’s initial move to halt all federal grants was rescinded.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told Business Insider that the agency would be in touch with “interested parties” once Brooke Rollins, Trump’s nominee to lead the department, was confirmed by the Senate and “has the opportunity to analyze these reviews.”
“The Trump Administration rightfully has asked for a comprehensive review of all contracts, work, and personnel across all federal agencies,” the spokesperson said. “Anything that violates the President’s Executive Orders will be subject for review.”
House Majority PAC listed nine Republicans they’re targeting, including:
- Rep. David Valadao of California
- Rep. Gabe Evans of Colorado
- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa
- Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa
- Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana
- Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri
- Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska
- Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia
- Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin
Each lawmaker represents a district encompassing thousands of farmers, according to 2022 US Department of Agriculture data. Three of them — Miller-Meeks, Nunn, and Van Orden — represent over 25,000 farmers each.
None of the lawmakers targeted by House Majority PAC responded to Business Insider’s request for comment for this story.
While it’s unclear whether the PAC will end up spending significantly on this particular issue, the group is certain to be a key player in the midterms, where Democrats will only have to flip a few seats to regain the majority in the House. In 2024, the group spent more than $256 million.
It also offers an early look at how Democrats hope to politically capitalize on some of the Trump’s administrations early moves, which have revolved heavily around government funding.
In a statement for this story, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly did not directly address when the funds would be unfrozen, but referenced other issues that farmers may contend with.
“The Biden administration crushed American agriculture with regulatory uncertainty, crippling inflation, trade imbalances, and radical environmental policies. Thankfully, President Trump is already delivering relief by unleashing American energy and cutting ten regulations for every new regulation,” Kelly said. “He will continue to make all agencies more efficient to better serve the American people, including our hardworking farmers.”
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