USDA transfers $13B into ‘slush fund’ for future tariff relief

A quiet reshuffling inside the Agriculture Department has set off alarm bells in Washington. Nearly $13 billion meant for long-standing farm support programs was moved into an emergency relief fund tied to President Trump’s tariff policies—without notifying Congress. The money now sits largely unused, leaving core safety nets like conservation and dairy support programs short of cash. USDA defends the move as a lifeline for struggling farmers, but critics say it’s drained vital programs and blurred the lines of fiscal accountability. Eric Katz with Government Executive has the full story.