{"id":551,"date":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=551"},"modified":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T16:32:50","slug":"u-s-department-of-agriculture-commodity-credit-corporation-assistance-for-specialty-crop-farmers-ascf-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=551","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation: Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Highlights<\/h2>\n
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GAO reviewed the Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation’s (CCC) new rule entitled “Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program.” GAO found that the final rule provides assistance to producers of eligible specialty crops through the ASCF Program.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of CCC’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please Shari Brewster, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-6398.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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B-338531<\/p>\n

July 14, 2026<\/p>\n

The Honorable John Boozman
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Amy Klobuchar
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
\nUnited States Senate<\/p>\n

The Honorable Glenn Thompson
\nChairman
\nThe Honorable Angie Craig
\nRanking Member
\nCommittee on Agriculture
\nHouse of Representatives<\/p>\n

Subject: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation: Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program <\/em><\/p>\n

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) titled \u201cAssistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program\u201d (RIN: 0560-AI88). We received the rule on June 29, 2026. It was published in the Federal Register<\/em> on June 1, 2026. 91 Fed. Reg.\u00a032307. The effective date of the rule is June 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

According to CCC, it issued this rule to provide assistance to producers of eligible specialty crops through the ASCF Program. CCC stated that these one-time bridge payments will help address elevated input costs incurred by producers and market disruptions stemming from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede specialty crop exports.<\/p>\n

The Congressional Review Act requires a 60-day delay in the effective date of a major rule from the date of publication in the Federal Register<\/em> or receipt of the rule by Congress, whichever is later. 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 801(a)(3)(A). The 60-day delay in effective date does not apply, however, if the agency finds for good cause that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, and the agency incorporates the finding and a brief statement of its reasons in the rule. 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 808(2). CCC determined that that good cause exists because notice and comment is not legally required, and thus unnecessary. 91\u00a0Fed. Reg. at 32309\u201310.<\/p>\n

Enclosed is our assessment of CCC’s compliance with the procedural steps required by section\u00a0801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please Shari Brewster, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-6398.<\/p>\n

\nShirley A. Jones
\nManaging Associate General Counsel<\/p>\n

Enclosure<\/p>\n

cc: William Beam
\nExecutive Vice President
\nCommodity Credit Corporation<\/p>\n

ENCLOSURE<\/p>\n

REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. \u00a7 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE\\
\nISSUED BY THE
\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
\nCOMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION
\nTITLED
\n\u201cASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY CROP FARMERS (ASCF) PROGRAM\u201d
\n(RIN: 0560-AI88)<\/p>\n

(i) Cost-benefit analysis<\/u><\/p>\n

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) prepared an analysis of the costs and benefits of this rule. 91 Fed. Reg. 32307, 32310 (June 1, 2026). CCC estimated the total program cost of the rule to be $1.625 billion, which also represents the benefit to producers, but that the final amount will depend on the number of applications submitted and approved. Id<\/em>.<\/p>\n

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 603\u2013605, 607, and 609<\/u><\/p>\n

CCC stated that this rule is exempt from the requirements of the Act because those requirements are specifically tied to the Administrative Procedure Act or other requirements for a proposed rule, which did not apply to the rule because it involves matters relating to benefits. 91 Fed. Reg. at 32309.<\/p>\n

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202\u2013205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 1532\u20131535<\/u><\/p>\n

CCC stated that this rule contains no federal mandates, as defined by the Act, for state, local, and Tribal governments, or the private sector. 91 Fed. Reg. at 32310.<\/p>\n

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders<\/u><\/p>\n

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 551 et seq.<\/em><\/p>\n

CCC stated that the Act’s notice-and-comment and delayed effective date requirements do not apply when the rule involves specified actions, including matters relating to loans, grants, benefits, and contracts, and this rule falls within the exemption. 91 Fed. Reg. at 32309.<\/p>\n

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. \u00a7\u00a7 3501\u20133520<\/p>\n

CCC determined that this rule contains information collection requirements under the Act. 91\u00a0Fed. Reg. at 32310\u201311.<\/p>\n

Statutory authorization for the rule<\/p>\n

CCC promulgated this rule pursuant to section 714 et seq<\/em>. of title 15, United States Code.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)<\/p>\n

CCC stated that this rule is economically significant under the Order and was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. 91 Fed. Reg. at 32310.<\/p>\n

Executive Order No. 13132 (Federalism)<\/p>\n

CCC indicated in its submission to us that it did not discuss the Order in this rule.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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<\/h3>\n

\t\t\tShirley A. Jones<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing Associate General Counsel<\/div>\n

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Office of the General Counsel<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: Reports on Major Rules<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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