WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 to increase support for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and help American farmers compete in international markets.
“Robust agricultural trade is essential for the success of America,” said Rep. Mann. “Congress must responsibly invest taxpayer dollars in places where we can see a wise return on those investments. The Agriculture Export Promotion Act strengthens America’s flagship agricultural trade programs, increases American export revenue, adds jobs to the economy, and promotes U.S. agricultural sales overseas while simultaneously supporting rural economies like those in the Big First District. This legislation strengthens the tools in America’s toolbox to get the best deal for our agricultural producers in the international marketplace.”
“Farmers in Central Washington, and across the country, rely on strong access to foreign markets and my bipartisan legislation expands these export opportunities,” said Rep. Newhouse. “By delivering our agricultural products into new markets, we can ensure that American farmers remain competitive on the global stage. I want to thank my colleagues and stakeholders who have supported this effort, and I look forward to advancing this important initiative.”
Joining Reps. Mann and Newhouse in cosponsoring the legislation are Reps. Brad Finstad (R-MN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
“Farmers in southern Minnesota are called to feed and fuel the world, and yet they face a historic agricultural trade deficit of $45.5 billion for this fiscal year,” said Rep. Finstad. “We must prioritize policies that promote the expansion of agricultural trade, which is why I joined Congressman Newhouse in reintroducing the Agriculture Export Promotion Act. This legislation will make targeted investments to the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, which will strengthen and establish new markets around the world for our American farmers and producers.”
“The Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program have proven to be valuable tools that help American producers access new export markets while offering a strong return on investment,” said Rep. Hinson. “The Agriculture Export Promotion Act will help ensure that Iowa farmers have greater resources to remain competitive in the global marketplace, improve food security, and support our rural economy.”
“American farmers are struggling to stay competitive as foreign competitors ramp up their trade promotion efforts,” said Rep. Panetta. “The bipartisan Ag Export Promotion Act will strengthen the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program, giving our farmers the resources they need to reach new markets, grow their businesses, and support local economies. By making strategic investments in agricultural trade, we can create good-paying jobs at home while keeping American agriculture competitive on the world stage.”
“Opening and growing new markets for American-made products is critical to building our agricultural economy,” said Rep. Costa. “Food is a global security issue, and we must do all we can to reverse disruptions in trade and grow new partnerships that help deliver American products around the world.”
“The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program have proven to help local farmers and growers in my district bring their top quality products, including apples, cherries, and wheat, to customers around the world, unlocking economic opportunity on a global scale for Eighth District producers,” said Rep. Schrier. “I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that increases funding for these programs to help the agriculture community facing the challenges of rising input costs, supply chain issues, extreme weather, unpredictable yields, US price pressures, and now tariffs.”
“Wild blueberries, potatoes, and lobsters are some of Maine’s most iconic agricultural products. In an increasingly globalized marketplace, USDA’s Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs have been instrumental in helping our farmers and lobstermen maintain and expand into emerging international markets,” said Rep. Pingree. “Our bipartisan Agriculture Export Promotion Act recognizes a fundamental truth: American agricultural producers cannot thrive in isolation. By boosting support for these vital programs, our bill will ensure our agricultural producers have the tools to compete, innovate, and reach new markets abroad.”
USDA export programs like MAP and FDM have added an annual average of $8.15 billion to the value of American agricultural exports, and added up to 239,800 full and part-time jobs, including 90,000 farm sector jobs. Between 1977 and 2019, USDA export promotion programs added 13.7% of additional export revenue (nearly $648 billion) to the value of U.S. agricultural exports. These programs also created almost a quarter of a million American jobs between 2002 and 2019 alone.
The legislation is supported by more than 150 organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, CoBank, Corteva, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Sorghum, Kansas Wheat, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Chicken Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Turkey Federation, North American Meat Institute, U.S. Wheat Associates, and more.
