The wait for the Supreme Court to weigh in on the legality of President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs rolls on, while on Capitol Hill the House may take up a bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the trade preference program for sub-Saharan countries. 

On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will address the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Anaheim, California.

The Supreme Court on Friday had its first opportunity of the year to issue an opinion on the landmark case, but held off on deciding the trade issue. 

The court has scheduled another opinion day for Wednesday, when buzz will return to fever pitch. Hundreds of cases in lower courts challenging the tariffs are paused while the Supreme Court considers the challenge – which set new limits presidential powers, or codify an expansion. 

Meanwhile, AGOA expired last September after 25 years, sending tariffs higher on a raft of U.S. imports from the region. 

Along with supporting U.S. interests on the continent, the reauthorization bill is aimed at blunting China’s growing influence in Africa. The proposal would reauthorize the program for three years while lawmakers consider reforms. The bill advanced out of the Ways and Means Committee with bipartisan backing, but the White House has called for a shorter reauthorization. 

If the bill does get out of the House, the Senate Finance Committee could take it up. Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, told reporters last month he’s a “strong supporter” of the House’s reauthorization efforts. .

Race to avert shutdown, farm bill 

The Senate’s first vote of the day Monday is scheduled to be a procedural one on three fiscal 2026 appropriations bills passed by the House last week. If fully cleared by Congress, there still will be six more funding measures to pass by Jan. 30 to avert another government shutdown after last year’s record-long lapse in operations. 

During an appearance on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., expressed confidence the chamber will succeed in getting FY26 funding legislation over the finish line in time, paving the way for the House Ag Committee to move a farm bill in February. 

“We can celebrate the greatest farms, the greatest producers, the greatest markets on the face of the planet, but if our guys can't survive, if they can't make a return on what they're producing, that's all for naught,” Emmer said.

“I think that is well understood by members of Congress, so don't expect that it [the farm bill] is going to sit on the shelf.” 

Here is a list of agriculture or rural-related events scheduled for this week in Washington and elsewhere (all times EST):

Monday, Jan. 12

American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, through Tuesday, Anaheim, California.

Noon – USDA releases World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE),  crop production data; winter wheat and canola planting estimates.

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1:30 p.m.: The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a fireside chat with Reps. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., and Ami Bera, D-Calif., “Strengthening the U.S.-India Partnership.” 

2:30 p.m.: Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks to the closing session of the AFBF convention.

Tuesday, Jan. 13

10 a.m. – House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing, “Drugs, Thugs, and Fish: Examining Coast Guard Law Enforcement Effort,” 2167 Rayburn. 

10:15 a.m. – House Natural Resources’ subcommittee hearing on H.R. 5745 (Rep. Ezell), “Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act,” 1324 Longworth. 

2 p.m. – House Ways and Means’  subcommittee hearing, “Maintaining American Innovation and Technology Leadership,” 1100 Longworth. 

Wednesday, Jan. 14

10 a.m. – House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee holds a “Member Day” hearing, 2167 Rayburn.

Noon - The Atlantic Council hosts a virtual event on “The Future of EU-Mercosur Trade.” 

2:30 p.m. – Senate Small Business Committee hearing on growing the "small business agricultural economy," 428A Russell. 

3 p.m. – USDA broiler hatchery report.

Thursday, Jan. 15

USDA’s national batching deadline for major conservation programs

8:30 a.m. – USDA weekly export sales report 

10 a.m. –  House Natural Resources holds a subcommittee hearing, “Fix Our Forests for Affordable and Reliable Water and Power Supplies,” 1324 Longworth. 

For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.