During her address at the Commodity Classic, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the rebranding of the Economic Assistance Program to the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), aiming to provide more efficient disaster relief to agricultural producers, including those in horticulture.

His tax plan, which includes deep cuts to safety-net programs, faces Democratic opposition, but their efforts may ultimately serve as little more than campaign fodder for 2026.

On February 27, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination for Secretary of Labor, with a final Senate vote expected soon.

AmericanHort, along with other agriculture associations, submitted a letter of support to the Senate Agriculture Committee on the nomination of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, emphasizing his deep commitment to American agriculture and extensive experience in law and public service.

His speech, the longest ever to a joint session, was met with Democratic protests, including walkouts and shouts of dissent. The President emphasized his commitment to tax cuts, calling for eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, though funding these cuts remains a challenge.

The Trump administration’s tariffs are becoming increasingly far-reaching and impactful for both our industry and the broader economy. The erratic approach and shifting justifications for these tariffs suggest that a cautious and measured response is necessary from those who may be affected. Given the ongoing negotiations and policy shifts, tariff rates and exemptions will likely change before they are finalized.