April 22, 2026

New Dems Blast House Republicans for Ripping Off Rural Communities

Reps. Nikki Budzinski & Kim Schrier expose House Republicans’ hypocrisy after adopting a resolution recognizing their so called “support” for rural communities while their policies actually hurt rural communities

Today, New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Rural Revitalization Working Group Chair Dr. Kim Schrier (WA-08) responded to House Republicans passing a partisan resolution “recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of” rural communities.

Contrary to the language of today’s resolution, House Republicans have pursued an agenda alongside the Trump Administration that has made life unaffordable in rural America, ripped health care and food assistance from these communities, and put family farmers out of business.

Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski and Working Group Chair Kim Schrier issued the following statement:

“House Republicans are drowning in their own hypocrisy, patting themselves on the back for ripping off hardworking rural Americans while stuffing the pockets of their billionaire donors.

“The American people see right through this partisan charade. Meaningless resolutions cannot hide the fact that rural communities are suffering thanks to the agenda of higher costs, market chaos, and defunded federal programs for rural America pushed by Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration.

“America’s heartland deserves better, and New Dems are fighting to strengthen our rural communities. Through our Rural Revitalization Agenda, we’re building momentum around a plan to unleash the potential of rural economies, make healthcare and housing more affordable, and support the family farmers who feed, fuel, and clothe the nation.”

President Trump and House Republicans cannot hide from the damage they have inflicted on hardworking Americans in our rural communities. New Dems are exposing their record by laying out the facts:

Six Ways Trump & Republicans Are Ripping Off Rural America

  1. Trade Wars & Tariffs

    1. Geopolitical pressures are undermining soybean demand, making 2025 the most expensive crop year on a per-acre basis (American Soybean Association)

    2. U.S. ag exports to China have declined 73% since January of 2025 (CSIS)

    3. Input costs for farmers are skyrocketing on essential components like steel, rubber, and replacement parts for farm vehicles – the average cost in 2019 for a tractor was $190,000, today it is $330,000 (Farm Progress)

    4. U.S. farmers are facing more than $40 billion in net losses on 2025-2026 crops – and that’s before the effects of the war in Iran. (Missouri Independent)

    5. Farm bankruptcies increased 46% in 2025 compared to the previous year, as farmers have to take on more loans to contend with higher costs. (Farm Bureau)

    6. The Trump Administration lowered tariffs on Argentine beef to import millions more pounds of beef and undercut American producers. (PBS)

      1. They also gifted a $20 billion credit lifeline to Argentina, at the same time the country was undercutting U.S. soybean producers by exporting to China. (Al Jazeera)

  2. Foreign Wars

    1. The War in Iran has pushed fertilizer prices up almost $300 to about $1000/ton (NBC)

    2. 70% of farmers say they cannot afford the fertilizer they need heading into the 2026 planting season (Farm Bureau)

    3. Diesel fuel prices are up $2 per gallon compared to where they were a year ago as Iran continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. (AAA)

  3. Ending Nutrition Assistance

    1. Approximately 2.5 million Americans lost SNAP coverage due to Congressional Republicans’ food assistance cuts (CBPP)

    2. Cutting SNAP eliminates $30B in farm revenue – 25 cents of every $1 spent by SNAP goes to farmers and ranchers. (House Agriculture Committee)

  4. Medicaid Cuts

    1. Approximately 7.5-10 million Americans will lose Medicaid coverage thanks to Republican cuts. There has already been a 6% decline in participation in the second half of 2025. (CBPP)

    2. This includes 1.8 million rural Americans who will lose Medicaid coverage by 2034 (American Hospital Association)

      1. Nearly 1 in 4 rural Americans relies on Medicaid coverage. (KFF)

    3. Healthcare cuts in the Big Ugly Bill put over 446 hospitals at risk, including 176 rural hospitals at risk of closure (Public Citizen)

  5. Cuts to USDA and Rural Development Programs

    1. The President’s 2027 Budget would cut 20% of the USDA’s budget, including cuts to agricultural research and rural development programs (NPR)

    2. USDA has lost 21% of its workforce due to DOGE, budget cuts, and other factors under the Trump Administration (Inside Climate) – including NRCS and USFS cuts.

    3. The Administration cut the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program, which helped beginning farmers access land to enter the profession. (Inside Climate)

    4. The President’s 2027 Budget would eliminate the ReConnect Program, which builds out broadband in rural communities to provide internet access. (Benton Institute)

  6. Cuts to Animal Health Programs

    1. DOGE eliminated FDA workers who safety-tested medicine for livestock (NPR)

    2. The Trump Administration eliminated FDA workers who monitor livestock for avian flu (NPR)

    3. Eliminated a $766M contract to develop a vaccine against Avian Flu (NPR)