House lawmakers could roll out a compromise on a defense policy bill today as Republicans weigh how to handle potential security concerns from Chinese-made drones.
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have been working on a National Defense Authorization Act that would appeal to lawmakers in both chambers. House committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Politico earlier this week the bill’s text could be released today.
An earlier House version of the bill included a provision calling for a probe into the threat posed to U.S. national security by two Chinese drone manufacturers. A ban would come into effect under the provision If the investigation were not carried out. But some senators are concerned over what a ban would mean for U.S. ag and other industries.
Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., told Agri-Pulse this week that U.S. consumers, including those in the agriculture industry, should have access to the drones they need.
“We just have to accommodate that,” Boozman said. But he added that he does have concerns about Chinese security threats. “Because of that, we have to be very careful.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said she has heard from Iowa ag industries that use Chinese drones in their operations.
“I still have concerns with that,” she said. “We have American drone manufacturers. We should be utilizing American technology.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa (AP photo)Ways and Means Committee members press Greer on tariffs
Members of the House Ways and Means Committee quizzed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Wednesday about the status of ongoing trade talks, while a top committee Democrat voiced tariff concerns.
“I spoke for not only Democrats, but a lot of Republicans who wouldn't say anything,” Ranking Member Richard Neal, D-Mass., told Agri-Pulse. “I raised the whole tariff issue.”
Neal said he also asked about when agreement text for the administration’s pact with China would be available.
Neal also said some colleagues touched on the prospect of the U.S. increasing imports of Argentinian beef with the USTR, as well as ongoing India trade talks.
“I asked about India,” Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, said. “There's an opportunity for India right now trying to get around some of the issues.”
New screwworm case detected in Northern Mexico
A case of New World Screwworm has been detected in Northern Mexico around 120 miles south of the Texas border, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Wednesday.
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The case was confirmed in Montemorelos in the Mexican state of Nuevo León. It was found in a bovine being transported from Veracruz to a feedlot, according to Texas Department of Agriculture press release.
It is the second detection at that feedlot and is currently the northernmost active screwworm case in Mexico, the press release said.
Groups call for continued funding for Gulf Hypoxia Program
Sixty-three agricultural, navigation and conservation groups want lawmakers to ensure the Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf Hypoxia Program is prioritized in appropriations for the 2027 fiscal year.
The Gulf Hypoxia Program helps fund efforts by states, tribes, sub-basin committees and land-grant universities to reduce nutrient loads in the Gulf of Mexico. The program was first funded through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided $60 million over five years.
In a letter, the groups asked Congress to keep funding the program in fiscal year 2027, noting that it “advances the implementation of nutrient reduction solutions, including the construction of conservation projects, monitoring, and additional strategic planning.”
They added that more support will be needed to help meet goals set through the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan, a 2008 national strategy to reduce the dead zone.
The groups include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the United Egg Producers, among others.
MAHA Action endorses Republican for Iowa governor
MAHA Action, a group that advocates for the Make America Healthy Again movement, endorsed Republican Zach Lahn Wednesday in the Iowa governor’s race.
“Lahn is dedicated to nutritional reforms and championing access to whole food options in schools and communities. Lahn is committed to advancing policies for healthy kids and families,” the group’s statement said.
Lahn is a farmer and the founder of Homeplace Ventures, “an Iowa-based company investing in agriculture, technology, and real estate,” according to his campaign website.
On a MAHA Action webcast Wednesday, Lahn tied his father’s cancer to his work as a crop consultant applying pesticides. Lahn also took on corporate consolidation in agriculture.
“When I was growing up in Iowa, there were 300 companies that were selling seeds and inputs to farmers,” Lahn said. “Today, there's three that make up over 85% of the market.”
He also said about a quarter of Iowa farmland is owned by out-of-state investors and funds “that treat Iowa like an annuity. They keep our young farmers off of the ground, they raise our rental rates, they inflate the valuations.”
Processed foods makers sued in San Francisco
San Francisco’s city attorney is suing major food manufacturers seeking a halt to “deceptive marketing” of ultraprocessed foods known to be unhealthy.
The suit, filed in state court, also asks for an order requiring the companies to provide restitution and pay civil penalties “to help local governments offset astronomical health care costs associated with ultra-processed food consumption.”
“Recent studies have linked overconsumption of ultra-processed foods to a multitude of adverse health outcomes, including Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and depression,” City Attorney David Chiu said in a news release.
The companies being sued are: Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz International, Post Holdings, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestle USA, Kellogg, Mars Incorporated, and ConAgra Brands.
Final Word
“If the unfortunate thing happens – a crazy thing happens where the Supreme Court didn’t side with the president, which I think they will, then we have other tools and we’ll put them right in place. Tariffs are here to stay. The deals are here to stay.” – Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on CNBC.
More than a dozen businesses, including retail giant Costco, have filed cases in recent weeks challenging President Trump’s emergency tariffs at the Court of International Trade to get ahead of any potential tariff refund process.
Lydia Johnson, Parker Litterick, Oliver Ward and Noah Wicks contributed to today’s Daybreak.
