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House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson tells Agri-Pulse he has set aside Feb. 23-25 to debate a new farm bill in the panel. Thompson met with GOP members of the panel Wednesday to discuss what would be in the legislation.

The Supreme Court is allowing California to proceed with redistricting that could put five more Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Three key GOP lawmakers are demanding the National FFA Organization explain its ties to agribusiness giant Syngenta, calling the company an arm of Communist China, and accusing the firm of driving the national organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Projected population shifts over this decade could give Republicans a greater edge in presidential elections while shrinking representation of rural areas and Midwest agriculture in Congress.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s decision to run for governor of Minnesota has put a Northeast senator in a rare position: If Klobuchar wins, her fellow Democrat, Sen. Cory Booker, would be next in line to become ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

A full U.S. Congress is back in session this week after senators passed a legislative package to fund most of the government through Sept. 30, though not in time to avoid what’s expected to be a brief partial government shutdown. USDA issues a new farm income forecast this week. European lawmakers discuss how to proceed with ratifying a trade pact with the U.S.  

Farm, biofuel and petroleum groups are urging lawmakers to act fast in coming up with legislation to allow full-year sales of higher ethanol blends across the U.S. and limit the ability of certain refiners to seek exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The Agriculture Department, which has temporarily taken over management of the Food for Peace program, is partnering with the World Food Program to distribute more than 200,000 tons of international food aid, with purchases of U.S. commodities anticipated by March, according to documents seen by Agri-Pulse.

Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced Thursday that she’s running for governor in her home state of Minnesota. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., would be next in line to succeed her on the committee in 2027.

The latest failed attempt to expand ethanol’s share of the U.S. gas tank is putting divisions within the petroleum oil industry on full display.