Mitch McConnell

Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair John Hoeven says the Senate version of the fiscal year 2021 Ag appropriations Bill fully funds farm loan programs and supports rural innovation. The North Dakota Republican added it will also bolster future agricultural research ...

Legislation supporters say would have provided $20 billion in pandemic farm aid, failed last week, after Senate Democrats used a filibuster to hold off a vote. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said the GOP lacked the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster on their so called “Skinny Aid Package”, so the legislation failed to get a vote by the end of the week. “Once t ...

Pandemic aid for farmers and others hangs in the balance as Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C. continue to blame each other for the lack of progress in talks on a major new virus relief package. The nation faces what many have called, an economic cliff, while lawmakers face a political one. T ...

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggests the Senate will vote on USMCA this week.  Bloomberg News expects a vote Thursday, as the Senate committees required to sign off on the implementing legislation are doing so quickly.  However, a final vote has not been confirmed.   ...

An objection by Mexico won’t stop the U.S. House from approving the USMCA.  Mexico had promised reciprocal measures regarding labor enforcement inspections.  However, Agri-Pulse reported late Monday that Mexico was going to withdraw the objection.   Mexico...

It looks like American farmers will not see an updated NAFTA trade deal under the Christmas tree this year, despite this week’s deal in the House to move USMCA forward. The House of Representatives, plans to vote by the end of next week, sending the trade deal to the Senate. Howe...

Much of Washington, D.C., is consumed with questions about Ukraine and the impeachment inquiry.  However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly scolded Democrats’ handling of USMCA.   McConnell wants House Democrats to pass the North American trade agreement, noting that “the time for excuses is over.”  Speaking on the Se...

House and Senate negotiators are still hoping to get a final disaster aid bill for Midwest flood and other storm victims, across the finish line by the Memorial Day recess.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell planned a vote in his chamber, with or without a deal with the House on a disaster aid package nearing some $20 billion dollars, including 3-billion for farm and other rural losses.  ...

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate will vote on disaster relief next week, right before the lawmakers leave town for Memorial Day. He’s hopeful that the Senate will vote on legislation that the president is willing to sign. Whil...

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is calling on Federal Financial Regulators to Prevent Discrimination of Legal Hemp Industry.  On Tuesday, Wyden joined Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sending letters to several federal banking and financial regulatory institutions reiterating hemp’s legality.  The two ...