A group of 23 bipartisan U.S. senators is pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to urgently finalize a science-driven bird flu vaccine strategy, as the nation's poultry sector faces mounting losses during the winter surge in infections.

Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 180 million chickens, turkeys, and other poultry have been depopulated, severely disrupting the U.S. poultry industry, straining supply chains, and driving egg prices to record highs. Although the USDA announced in June that it was working on a poultry vaccination plan, the agency has yet to release any concrete details, fueling concern among producers, co-ops, and ag policymakers.

In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the senators emphasized the need for "renewed action," insisting that any finalized vaccine strategy must be rooted in sound science and developed in coordination with animal health stakeholders and industry experts. The initiative was led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), with support from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other influential committee members.

Earlier this year, the USDA committed $100 million to fund vaccine and therapeutic research for egg-laying hens, receiving 417 research proposals. However, no further updates have been made public. Meanwhile, the Trump administration in May canceled a $700 million contract with Moderna to develop a human bird flu vaccine, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic, has cut additional federal research funding and revoked long-standing public health vaccine guidance.

The poultry industry remains divided over vaccination, largely due to concerns about potential impacts on export markets. Some countries may impose trade restrictions if vaccinated birds are no longer considered disease-free under international standards. The senators urged the USDA to work closely with trading partners and impacted producers to "fully assess and manage any potential trade implications" before implementing a vaccine strategy.

As of late November, USDA officials told Reuters that the agency had not yet shared a vaccine plan with international trading partners, a delay that could complicate market access for U.S. poultry exports. Industry analysts warn that without clear federal coordination, the U.S. risks prolonged market instability and deeper economic losses across the livestock and poultry sectors.

For agriculture professionals, this push by Congress reflects a broader demand for federal leadership in managing animal disease risks, stabilizing commodity prices, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture. A timely and transparent vaccine rollout could protect livestock yields, safeguard farm revenue, and reinforce trust in the USDA's role in managing national agricultural health policy.