# Lawmakers Urge USDA to Reissue Dairy Funding

On October 20, 2026, 16 members of Congress asked Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to withdraw the new 25% cost-share requirement for the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives and reissue the funding opportunity without a matching requirement. USDA has not confirmed a revision. The four initiatives have awarded more than **$106 million** to 911 dairy businesses and met about 35% of competitive-award demand, so a change to the match could affect applicant eligibility, project budgets, and competition for available grant funds.

- Applicants and organizations supporting dairy businesses should account for the 25% cost share in current funding plans unless USDA formally changes the notice; the lawmakers’ request is not itself a solicitation revision.
- The program’s reported reach and unmet competitive-award demand indicate that the DBI opportunity has supported hundreds of businesses while serving only part of demand. A reissued notice without matching could change the pool of eligible applicants and the financial planning required to compete.
- USDA’s action is the key procurement uncertainty: stakeholders can distinguish the existing notice terms from the requested change when preparing or advising on DBI applications.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 20, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

### Sources
- [Pocan, Welch Lead 16 Members Urging Ag Sec. Rollins to Reissue Dairy Business Funding Opportunity | Congressman Mark Pocan](https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pocan-welch-lead-16-members-urging-ag-sec-rollins-reissue-dairy) - Pocan House