Articles by Ben Nuelle

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing Thursday to consider the nomination of Katherine Tai to be President Joe Biden’s U.S. Trade Representative and point person on the future of trade relations with China.

Two new officials will begin their roles at USDA on Monday and will bring a wide array of experience working in farm and natural resources policy with Latino and Native American individuals. 

Former Sen. Bob Dole, who is 97, starts treatment on Monday for stage four lung cancer. “While I certainly have some hurdles ahead. I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own,” Dole said in a statement he posted Thursday.

A new government task force is charged with improving broadband data and mapping tools. 

Former House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson is gearing up to join the upcoming congressional debate about climate and farm policy. Peterson tells Agri-Pulse he’s talking to several firms about consulting roles, but he indicated he’s not in a rush to sign up.

Farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses across the U.S. are reeling from extremely cold temperatures and power outages.

House Republicans are eyeing 47 seats held by Democrats they hope to pick up in 2022 to take back the majority, including nine seats in key agricultural districts, but the GOP will have its own problems to deal with.

An end is finally in sight in the wait for a new agriculture secretary. The Senate has scheduled action for Feb. 23 on Tom Vilsack's nomination to return for a second stint at the head of USDA.

There are new signs of division on the Senate Agriculture Committee when it comes to climate change. The committee’s top Republican, John Boozman, told members of the National Cotton Council Thursday that funding to address climate change could come out of existing farm bill programs.