June 2, 2026
On the Forest Service
During a hearing on the President’s 2027 Forest Service Budget, Senator Heinrich called the budget a “… roadmap on how to dismantle the Forest Service.”
As the west heads into the summer, the lack of water has many concerned about the ferocity and frequency of the potential wildfire season. The Forest Service has seen the largest loss of federal employees of any USDA agency, leaving the Service understaffed and under-resourced as the summer draws closer. In the last year, the Service has lost approximately 5,800 employees and the reorganization will remove the Albuquerque Office, reducing New Mexico jobs and forcing New Mexicans to relocate or leave their positions within the Service.
On the Repeal of the Roadless Rule
As covered in Volume 1, Issue 3 of the AgriPolicy Brief, the Roadless Rule in a 2001 regulation that prohibits the construction of road through portions of the nation’s national forests. In New Mexico approximately 1.6 million acres are protected by this rule to preserve wild places, support wildlife, clean water, and back country recreation.
Senator Heinrich joined Senator Salinas (D-Or) in a press release speaking out against USDA’s proposal to repeal the rule. The next step in the process will be the release of a draft environmental impact statement and the comment period that follows will be the last time Americans can voice their opposition to the attempt to repeal the rule and protect millions of acres of public land.
On the Farm Bill
Last month, the House of Representatives passed the 2026 Farm Bill out of the House, marking the furthest a farm bill has made it in Congress since 2019. Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) as celebrated bipartisan wins within the bill including:
- virtual fencing programs at USDA, like those in place already at New Mexico State University,
- adjustments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to allow the program to cover the purchase of hot rotisserie chicken, and
- expanding the ability for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to engage in voluntary conservation programs that support wildlife habitat connectivity and migratory corridors.
The 2026 Farm Bill, as passed by the House, does not address the sweeping cuts to food assistance programs made through the 2025 Reconciliation package. During the debate on the bill, Rep. Vasquez spoke out against the cuts to the Nutrition title and stated he will continue to fight to restore SNAP funding.
On May 13, 2026, the House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing the year round sale of E15, gasoline containing 15% ethanol. Previously, this bill had been coupled with the Farm Bill but through the House voting process, the bills were decoupled and send to the Senate to be considered separately.