The attorneys general of Oregon and New York called a decision by the Court of International Trade Wednesday striking down worldwide 10% tariffs a victory for small businesses.
“These tariffs are a massive tax hike on working families and American businesses that would have led to more inflation, economic damage to businesses of all sizes, and job losses across the country if allowed to continue,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the decision “a victory not just for Oregon, but for working families, small businesses, and everyday Americans. President Trump’s sweeping tariffs were unlawful, reckless, and economically devastating.”
The decision by the three-judge panel also stops President Donald Trump from increasing tariffs, “including the threatened 145 percent tariffs on imports from China and 50 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union,” the Oregon AG’s office said in a press release.
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USDA South will house Army personnel to support June 14 parade
The Agriculture Department’s South Building in Washington, D.C., will host Army personnel to support the military parade planned for June 14 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
A notice to USDA staff sent Wednesday says the building will be closed to all but essential personnel from June 1-20 and that other employees should employ “maximum telework.”
President Donald Trump has long wanted such a parade, but plans during his first administration fell through after objections were raised over the cost and the potential damage to city streets.
The Army has estimated the cost at between $25 million and $45 million but also has promised to fix any streets that are damaged by equipment such as tanks.
A USDA spokesperson told Agri-Pulse that the department “has provided adequate notice of alternative work arrangements for employees whose daily office will be impacted by preparations to ensure this historic event is a success.”
“The military provides the logistical support for eating, sleeping [and] showering, and USDA provides the space,” the spokesperson said.
The parade, for which free tickets are available, is the same date as Trump’s 79th birthday.
House Ag appropriator pressed on budget reconciliation, DOGE cuts
Iowans raised concerns at two town halls hosted by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, Wednesday about the recently passed House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill and overall efforts to reduce the federal government.
Several individuals who asked questions at the town halls pressed Hinson on what would happen to their Medicaid benefits under the bill, which still needs to be approved by the Senate. In response, Hinson highlighted that the changes are aimed at reducing waste, fraud and abuse such as dual enrollment in Medicaid and erroneous payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
One person specifically raised concerns about how personnel cuts at USDA would affect conservation programs.
“This is not a reduction in force, this is a destruction in force,” the individual said. “This will affect health care, agriculture our economy.”
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At one point, Hinson responded to a question with updates on her work on the farm bill, passing a bill securing year-round E15 and the EATS Act.
Few Republicans have continued to hold in-person town halls this year following backlash at early meetings with constituents. House Agriculture Committee member Mike Bost, R-Ill., held a forum with Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins on Wednesday, but it was not open to the public and required an RSVP.
Congressional budget expert: Reconciliation process will go through July or later
There may be a few more months to go on the reconciliation process, with the Senate yet to work out a bill likely to diverge somewhat from the House version passed last week, according to Bill Hoagland, a senior vice president with the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Hoagland, a former longtime budget specialist for Senate Republicans, said both chambers are likely to pass different bills that will need to be conferenced. With much left to be done, he believes the reconciliation process will take at least a few more months.
“Even under the best of circumstances, from my perspective, it will kind of take them all the month of June to even get it resolved, one way or the other,” he said of the Senate bill. “Which means we're probably into well into July, if not into the fall, getting a resolution — if we get one at all.”
Take note: Hoagland said “there could very well be some rethinking” in the Senate of the House’s proposal to require states to share the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Medicaid could be another program that sees a different approach, he added.
Whole milk bill gets markup Tuesday
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a markup Tuesday of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow public schools to offer whole milk to schoolchildren.
The bill’s 16 sponsors want to expand milk offerings beyond the fat-free and low-fat varieties that are now allowed.
The Senate also will hold a confirmation hearing for Michael Boren, nominated to be USDA under secretary for natural resources and environment.
Also next week: The House Ag Committee has two hearings slated. On Wednesday the committee will focus on the future of digital assets; on Thursday the topic is “supporting farmers, strengthening conservation, sustaining working lands.”
Letter seeks passage of pesticide labeling act
Agricultural groups are pushing Congress to enact legislation to ensure state pesticide labels comply with EPA scientific findings.
The 365 groups have sent a letter to congressional leaders in support of the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act. Two states, Georgia and North Dakota, have enacted similar legislation recently.
Part of the impetus behind the act is to prevent lawsuits claiming pesticide labels do not properly warn consumers of their health risks. Bayer, in particular, has been vocal about backing legislation that would ensure labels must conform with EPA’s scientific conclusions.
Bayer has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking review of recent court decisions on the subject.
BIO to shift focus away from ag, environment biotech
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization is planning to focus solely on human health and shift its agricultural and environmental work to other organizations, the group announced Thursday.
In a release, BIO President and CEO John F. Crowley said the change will “enable greater focus and impact on behalf of our healthcare members, and will sharpen our advocacy work on critical policy priorities for the improvement of human health.”
Crowley said the shift would enable agricultural and environmental member companies to “enhance their focus on agricultural and environmental biotech at expert third-party organizations.”
The release did not say which groups would pick up the ag and environment work.
Ag mental health day aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma
Today is the inaugural Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.
The Senate established it by approving a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., in June 2024.
According to the National Rural Health Association, farmer suicide rates are 3.5 times higher than that of the general population. A 2021 report issued by the association said these mental health issues are exacerbated by challenges such as fluctuating commodity prices, trade disruptions, severe weather events and social pressures.
In support of the resolution’s goal, ag groups such as Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau and AgriSafe have provided mental health resources for farmers and ranchers. Those interested in these resources can visit the organizations’ websites to learn more.
Final word
“We’re going to have a great celebration. But most important of all is the 250th anniversary. That blows everything away, including the World Cup and including the Olympics.” — President Donald Trump talking about the June 14 parade in a Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rebekah Alvey, Steve Davies, Allie Herring and Noah Wicks contributed to today’s Daybreak.
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