Rep. Riley Fights to Protect Upstate Families and Farmers from Senseless GOP Cuts in House Ag Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a marathon budget markup in the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) blasted Republicans for their disastrous budget plan that would cut billions from the SNAP program and rip away security from Upstate farmers.

“I don’t know a single person in Upstate New York who thinks that struggling farmers, hardworking parents, and hungry kids should get less while billionaires and big corporations get more,” said Riley. “That might make sense in Washington, but it sure as hell doesn’t make sense in Upstate New York. I’ll work with anyone who will do right by working people, but I will fight back every step of the way against plans that hurt family farmers and take food away from kids.”

Riley expects to introduce three amendments during the two-day Agriculture markup. The first would support local farmers and families in need by codifying and funding the Local Food Procurement Act (LFPA). This program allows the USDA to buy fresh food directly from local and regional producers to help supply food banks. LFPA has been a bipartisan priority with broad support until the Trump Administration unexpectedly slashed the program in March.

Riley’s second amendment would modernize the implementation of the Agriculture Foreign Investments Disclosure Act (AFIDA), which requires foreign investors who acquire, transfer, or hold an interest in U.S. agricultural land to report holdings and transactions to the Secretary of Agriculture. Currently, AFIDA collects data using paper forms, inputs manually with no consistent quality checks, and produces reports only once a year. Riley’s amendment would provide the funding necessary to modernize systems and track information in real time, as the Department of Defense has said is necessary.

Riley also expects to offer remarks supporting an amendment by Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) that would unfreeze funding for all USDA contracts with farmers and farm service providers under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Across New York State, at least 150 farms and agricultural support organizations are waiting for answers on approximately $168M in funding. Riley’s amendment comes after he introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act earlier this April. 

Finally, Riley’s third amendment would prohibit the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from reviewing any contract or program under the amended FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

As one of only two New Yorkers on the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Riley is committed to protecting vital nutrition assistance programs and ensuring local Upstate farmers get their fair share.

In just four months since taking office, Riley has already championed bipartisan efforts to lower costs, strengthen dairy farm resilience, stop price gouging, boost family farms, and stop the spread of avian flu.

Congressman Riley also recently launched an Upstate Agriculture Advisory Board to provide recommendations and input for his work on the Agriculture Committee.

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