Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 5/9/18

The Trump administration wants to slash nearly $1 billion from the USDA budget as part of an expansive rescission proposal to cut $15.4 billion in unspent prior-year budget dollars, reports POLITICO's Blake Paterson. USDA agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Rural Housing Service were targeted in a 41-page request that the White House OMB released as a "special message" on Tuesday.

Most of the White House requests affect money that's been authorized but hasn't been spent. The proposed USDA cuts are part of a sweeping package of spending cuts that slices across 10 federal departments, reports Pro Budget & Appropriations' Sarah Ferris.

USDA fiscal 2019 spending bill unveiled: Appropriators on Tuesday released fiscal 2019 spending legislation for USDA and FDA programs. The bill calls for $23 billion in discretionary funding for the two departments which is $14 million higher than the 2018 enacted level, writes yours truly. The House Appropriations Agriculture subcommittee plans to mark up the bill at 4 p.m. today. Follow the Morning Ag team online or on your mobile device for details.