A divided Commodity Futures Trading Commission proposes new position limits for market speculators along with expanded exemptions that would benefit grain processors and other companies that hedge their risks in agricultural commodities.

Trade remains the top concern for American agriculture heading into 2020, with looming uncertainty about whether the Chinese will make promised increases in commodity purchases, and whether President Donald Trump will provide another round of trade assistance to U.S. producers. 

A bipartisan bill advanced by the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday would give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission authority to keep pace with new technology as well as pursue market fraud and manipulation that takes place outside the United States.

Heath Tarbert, a senior Treasury Department official and a legal specialist in international financial markets, was overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday to be a member and chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

House Democratic leaders look to finally push through on Monday a $19.1 billion disaster relief bill that a handful of conservative Republicans blocked from passing while most lawmakers were out of town for the 10-day Memorial Day recess.

Assured of President Donald Trump's support, the Senate and then the House passed a fiscal 2019 spending agreement Thursday to avert another government shutdown and fund USDA, Interior, FDA and other departments and agencies important to agriculture through Sept. 30.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed two orders today that settle charges against an introducing broker and two commodity trades for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission Regulations, including for attempted manipulation, fraud, and unauthorized trading.