Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights. Wednesday, July 08, 2026

Politics

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Daybreak July 6: Key reports due out this week

The cost of borrowing money is in focus as the Federal Reserve is set to release details of its latest meeting on Wednesday. The minutes will provide hints on if the central bank is inclined to raise interest rates any time soon. Thirty-one cases of screwworm have been found in the U.S., though only 17 are active, according to the latest data from USDA. 


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Fieldworkers harvesting broccoli

Daybreak July 2: Thompson optimistic about labor bill’s prospects

A bill to overhaul America’s H-2A agricultural guest worker program stands out from prior attempts thanks to a secure U.S. border, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson tells Agri-Pulse Newsmakers. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Wednesday the administration would not renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, but the agreement is still in place.


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Daybreak Tuesday, June 30: Ag labor bill out today

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., will formally introduce his Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act today, setting up what supporters hope will be the most significant opportunity for ag labor reform by Congress in years. The Supreme Court on Monday affirmed the president’s ability to fire the leaders of several independent agencies at will, overturning a 91-year-old precedent that had shielded them from executive influence.


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IMAGE GALLERIES

2026 White House Easter Egg Roll

Tens of thousands of guests visited the White House South lawn for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, 40,000 eggs real American-raised, hand dyed eggs were at the event for the annual egg rolling festivities. In his remarks to the crowd, President Donald Trumps used his remarks to say the day "is about eggs" and speak about the nation's rescue mission to save a downed airman in Iran. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to walk through numerous displays, including the American Egg Board's Hen to Home booth featuring the production cycle from soybean feed to freshly hatched baby chicks. 150 chicks hatched in Georgia on Good Friday and were meeting attendees in the booth. The International Fresh Produce Association also had a display featuring an American flag designed with fresh produce, as well as fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables for attendees to take home. 

Photos are taken by Agri-Pulse unless otherwise noted. 

Photos: 2025 Bipartisan Inaugural Ag Ball

Nearly 1,500 aggies gathered Monday, Jan. 20, for the 2025 Bipartisan Inaugural Ball Celebrating American Agriculture. Known as the "farm prom," attendees heard from members of congress, trade associations and industry leaders at the Grand Hyatt in Washington D.C. on the night of President Donald Trump's inauguration. For entertainment, guests even listened to former House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson play guitar. 

The Agri-Pulse team compiled an album of snapshots from the event including some familiar faces, speakers, members of Congress and special guests. 

Review: Republican National Convention

Trade, energy independence, immigration and reducing regulations dominated the discussion between aggies at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Throughout four days of official sessions, fundraisers, delegate sessions, parties, receptions and events, GOP guests created a tone of unity, although the event was overshadowed by the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump the Saturday before the festivities commenced. Philip Brasher and Lydia Johnson reported from Milwaukee on the proposals that could bring policy changes to the farm gate after the November election. This gallery is a small snapshot representing the meaningful messages from movers and shakers. 


In case you missed it, catch up on our coverage from the RNC: 

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: July 19, 2024: Republican National Convention with Kellyanne Conway, Rep. “GT” Thompson, Sen. John Boozman

Delegates, elected officials, farmers, and industry representatives gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week. We dove into discussions about trade, immigration, and energy proposed in the GOP platform that could change the policy landscape after the November election.

Trump claims GOP nomination with pledges to kill 'Green New Scam,' protect U.S. jobs, end illegal immigration

Former President Donald Trump, in his third acceptance speech since 2016, made sweeping promises Thursday night to protect American jobs from foreign competition, abolish the Biden administration’s “Green New Scam” clean energy policies and end illegal immigration.

Vance slams China, NAFTA trade deals, pledges to protect U.S. jobs

Republican vice presidential nominee and first-term senator JD Vance made a populist, America First case against President Joe Biden Wednesday night, tying him to trade deals that cost American jobs and pledging to stop the replacement of American workers with immigrant labor.

Senate Ag Republican: We’d be better off punting farm bill to next year

Senate Agriculture Committee Republican Roger Marshall said Wednesday farmers would be better off if work on a new farm bill is punted into next year, when Republicans could be in control of the White House and both houses of Congress.

Arizona rancher makes case for border control, Trump: 'Feels like an invasion because it is'

An Arizona ranching couple appeared at the Republican National Convention Wednesday to detail their experience with illegal immigration, which they say has surged five-fold on their border land under President Joe Biden.