Politics

RSS

In what has turned into an annual tradition, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of E15 nationwide this summer, ending any lingering suspense over whether the Trump administration would fail to grant an emergency fuel waiver.

President Donald Trump is celebrating 100 days in office this week as Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says we should start seeing some progress on trade deals.

Congressional Republicans return from their two-week recess facing the herculean task of finding agreement on a budget reconciliation bill that can enact President Donald Trump’s tax and spending priorities. USDA’s top trade nominee will get his confirmation hearing. The House GOP also is taking aim at California climate waivers and an endangered species designation.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA will assess market losses from President Donald Trump’s tariffs closer to harvest and then provide aid to producers if it’s necessary. 

Agriculture Department employees have been told to unfreeze Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants and are now working to notify recipients individually.  A Rhode Island judge was informed of USDA’s action on Wednesday.

Longtime Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin announced Wednesday that he would not seek re-election. 

Marc DeBernardi was named the 2024-25 California Ag Educator of the Year and the Golden Owl Award recipient. She is an agriculture educator and FFA adviser at Santa Maria High School. Along with recognition at the California FFA State Leadership Conference, she received a $3,000 donation to support ag education at her school. Additional finalists included: Carrie Phillips from Altaville-Bret Harte FFA, Lori Porter of Livermore FFA, Vernon Clark of Bakersfield-Foothill FFA, Krystal Thomas of San Marcos FFA and Jim Shanks of Dorris Butte Valley FFA. 

President Donald Trump has taken to social media to declare his support for farmers, but they’ll have to wait for clarity on when they might get payments in compensation for his trade war. 

Congressional Republican leaders remain miles apart on their tax and spending plans after essentially agreeing to disagree on key elements. They’ve essentially kicked the tough decisions down the road that would have far-reaching effects for agriculture and rural America. 

The popularity of President Trump’s underlying trade policy goals and lack of predictability introduce challenges for opponents’ messaging on tariffs, analysts say.