Biden Administration

USDA Announces Wildfire Prevention Investments
USDA Announces Wildfire Prevention Investments
USDA Announces Wildfire Prevention Investments
Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced the first investment of a $1 billion effort to mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis.  USDA announced a $197 million investment for 100 projects that benefit 22 states as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program.  The For...
CRA Challenging WOTUS Clears The Senate
CRA Challenging WOTUS Clears The Senate
CRA Challenging WOTUS Clears The Senate
A Congressional Review Act, or CRA, put forward by both Idaho senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, cleared the Senate Thursday, challenging the Biden administration’s Waters of the United States rule, which grossly expands federal regulatory authority over water.   “...
Biden Asked to Intervene in West Coast Port Labor Talks
Biden Asked to Intervene in West Coast Port Labor Talks
Biden Asked to Intervene in West Coast Port Labor Talks
A large coalition of agriculture and business groups asked President Biden to intervene in the west coast port labor negotiations.  In a letter signed by the groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, they say, “It is imperative that the administration work with the parties to quickly reach a new agreement and ensure there is no disruption to port operations."   The c...
USTR Hearing Before Senate Committee Gets Testy
USTR Hearing Before Senate Committee Gets Testy
USTR Hearing Before Senate Committee Gets Testy
Both parties challenged U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai repeatedly on the administration’s failure to negotiate market-opening free trade deals and even pursuing a ‘go-it-alone’ policy without consulting lawmakers on trade.   “Congres...
Regan Does Not Regret Not Waiting For Sackett
Regan Does Not Regret Not Waiting For Sackett
Regan Does Not Regret Not Waiting For Sackett
Last week, EPA Administrator Michael Regan defended his agency’s issuing its final WOTUS rule in December, ahead of what could be a watershed Supreme Court WOTUS ruling later this year.  Regan was pressed by Republican senators at an Environment and Public Works hearing on why EPA jumped ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling expected by June in Sackett vs. EPA, a case many bel...
Merkley Wants More Funding For USFS
Merkley Wants More Funding For USFS
Merkley Wants More Funding For USFS
Oregon’s junior senator is pushing for more funding for the U.S. Forest Service.  Jeff Merkley Chairs the Interior Subcommittee, which held hearings last week on the Administration’s proposed budget for the Forest Service.  That funding has do...
WOTUS Put On Hold In Idaho
WOTUS Put On Hold In Idaho
WOTUS Put On Hold In Idaho
The Biden administration's version of the Waters of the U.S. rule went into effect Monday, but not for everyone.  Over the weekend, a Texas federal judge put the updated WOTUS on hold in Idaho as well as the Lone Star State.  The Court’s order Sunday granted a preliminary injunction halting the Biden WOTUS rules only for Idaho and Texas, who co-led a lawsuit.  The suits argued that E...
Farmers for Free Trade Director Outlines Goals for 2023
Farmers for Free Trade Director Outlines Goals for 2023
Farmers for Free Trade Director Outlines Goals for 2023
A USDA report on 2022 exports showed higher values and lower volumes last year.  Brian Kuehl, executive director for Farmers for Free Trade, called the results a double-edged sword.   “The inflation has driven up commodity prices, and a lot of that's been driven by the war in Ukraine and by the supply chain disruptions coming out of the pandemic.  So, the good ...

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