Government Affairs Insights on Floral

November 21, 2025

Government Shutdown Finally Comes to an End

On Wednesday, November 12, Congress finally brought an end to the record breaking 43-day federal government shutdown. The Senate first initiated and outlined a new plan to reopen the government on Sunday, November 9, entailing a 3-bill omnibus funding FY26 appropriations for the Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and Legislative Branch bills and an amended continuing resolution (CR) extending funding for the remaining appropriations through January 30, 2026. The measure also extended the 2018 Farm Bill authorization through September 30, 2026. Senate Republicans eventually cleared the first major procedural hurdle by garnering the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and move forward with the vote process. Notably, 8 Democrats broke ranks to vote with Republicans including: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). On the other side of the political spectrum, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the lone Republican to vote against the measure. As a concession to bring more lawmakers to the table, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) promised Senate Democrats a vote on renewing Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies sometime in December. Fast forward to Tuesday, November 11, the Senate officially passed the CR by a 60-40 vote sending the stopgap measure to the House. After being out of session for 54 days, the House returned that Tuesday evening to initiate the Rules Committee process and eventually passed the CR on the House floor the afternoon of Wednesday, November 12, by a 222-209 vote. Notably, 6 Democrats joined House Republicans to reopen the government including: Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), in addition the 2 Republicans Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) who voted against the measure. After the House’s passage, the CR was sent over and signed by President Trump to officially bring an end to the shutdown later that evening. You can find the official text for P.L. 119-37 here.

Trump Announces Modified Reciprocal Tariff Product Exemptions for Certain Agricultural Products

On Friday, November 14, President Donald Trump announced a new Executive Order (EO) that modifies the scope of the initial reciprocal tariffs placed on countries on April 2, 2025, allowing for specific product exemptions. The announcement included a modified Annex II and Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners (PTAAP) list which exempted over 200 agricultural goods from the reciprocal tariff rates. It is worth noting that many of the included products are natural resources not largely produced, if at all, in the U.S. This list of exempted products applies to all exporting countries that the U.S. imposed a reciprocal tariff through actions of EO 14257. This includes countries that have not yet reached a trade deal. While there were no floriculture related product exemptions listed under Annex II, there are several classifications of floriculture products listed under the PTAAP list which still opens the door for potential trade agreements and deals to be made. The exemptions do not impact any additional tariffs placed as a result of other Administration actions or any other Section 232 or 301 related tariffs. You can find the Annex list associated with the modified EO here.

Senate Finance Holds Hearing for USTR Chief Ag Negotiator Nominee

On Wednesday, October 29, the Senate Committee on Finance held a nomination hearing for a string of various presidential nominees across different departments and agencies including for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Dr. Julie Callahan. Republicans and Democrats differed in support for three of the candidates but were generally both in support of Dr. Julie Callahan’s nomination, especially due to her longstanding career experience working for USTR. During the hearing, there was a lot consternation from both sides regarding the recent Argentinian beef announcement from the White House to quadruple imports in an effort to decrease beef prices at home for American consumers. Other topics directed toward Callahan included addressing the current agricultural trade deficit, the Trump Administration’s trade policies and active trade negotiations, reciprocal tariffs, coffee imports, protecting the domestic lamb market, and China’s purchasing commitments and the impact on the soybean industry and other sectors of agriculture. On Wednesday, November 19, the Senate Finance Committee voted and successfully advanced Dr. Callahan’s nomination. Now, she awaits a full Senate vote and it is expected that she will most likely be confirmed as the new USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator by the end of the legislative calendar year. You can watch the full nomination hearing here.

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