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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Sunday, March 09, 2025
Tax and spending cuts are at the top of the to-do list for congressional Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump. But there are a broad array of other issues in play that are critical to food and agriculture, from farm bill and the next dietary guidelines to regulations for pesticides and gene-edited crops, and the future of the Biden administration's climate policies.
In this opinion piece, Louisiana row-crop farmer David Smith says Congress urgently needs to pass a new farm bill that adequately funds conservation programs.
President-elect Donald Trump insists he is not scaling back plans for an across-the-board tariff on U.S. imports, rejecting a Washington Post report suggesting aides are crafting a pared-down proposal.
Republicans are back in charge on both sides of Congress for the first time in six years, facing pressure to make good on President-elect Donald Trump’s tax and border policies and to prepare his slate of nominees for quick confirmation.
Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson won re-election as speaker of the House on Friday after laying out fresh plans for controlling federal spending. Following the vote, House Freedom Caucus members detailed a new list of demands, including restrictions on SNAP purchasing.
Welcome to the new year, and a new, GOP-controlled Congress. Lawmakers are facing some tough debates and choices when the 119th Congress kicks off Friday, starting off with Mike Johnson’s bid for re-election as House speaker.
The 119th Congress kicks off today at noon, with the swearing in of new members – and the election of a House speaker. After meeting with conservative holdouts Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson was expressing confidence that he’s going to get re-elected relatively easily. Johnson told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow that he thought the voting would take just one ballot.
Congressional leaders could finalize a stopgap spending bill this week that will likely include another one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, but may lack a package of disaster aid and market relief for farmers.
Democrats are hoping the choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will gain them support in rural areas and in the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, but his spot on the ticket may owe as much to his progressive stances on issues such as climate change and school meals.
The Senate this week tackles a bipartisan border security compromise that likely faces unsurmountable opposition from House Republicans and former President Donald Trump.
