government shutdown

House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson is trying to get out in front of another possible government shutdown. The first government shutdown temporarily shuttered FSA offices across the country. Politico said Peterson, a Minnesota Democrat, is exploring possible ways to keep the FSA running in case government leaders can’t come to a budget agreement.  ...

The partial shutdown of the government started just two days after President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, which for many could not have come at a worse time.  Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said while the USDA was impacted by the shutdown, they were able to get some work accomplished.  ...

“Now, hopefully we're back up to full speed this morning,” Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said Monday.  “That's the expectation.”   The USDA reopened Monday, returning to its full suite of departments and agencies.  Perdue said there will be sever...

Federal agencies that serve farmers and many others are back in business this week, but the challenges in getting services back up to speed after the longest shutdown ever will be daunting.  USDA, USTR, EPA, the IRS and other agencies will take weeks or months to recover from the 35-day partial government shutdown as they deal with mountains of backlogged work and housekeeping tasks.  US... Read M

On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced an agreement to reopen the federal government for 21 days, with a catch, and the catch being the threat of using the power of his office to build a wall, or another shutdown.   “We really have no choice but to build  a powerful wall or steel barrier. If we don't ge...

On Friday, President Trump announced that the federal government shutdown had come to end, and at 35 days it was the longest in U.S. history.  From here, discussions are expected to begin in earnest over boarder security.  But Representative Dan Newhouse said hopes that both parties will be able to address DACA.   “...

Feeding America issued a statement in support of federal workers who are coming to its food banks to help make ends meet because of the recent government shutdown.  The statement came about as a reaction to comments from Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.  On Thur...

The USDA reopened its FSA offices Thursday, despite the ongoing shutdown.  American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist John Newton said the move was welcomed news.   “Well, I think its an opportunity for farmers and ranchers across the county to get in to their county FSA office and get started on all the paperwork that’s needed to have a successful planting season in 2019.”   FSA offices... R

Now over five weeks long, the government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history.  And while Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced this week that FSA offices will reopen, roughly 44,000 USDA employees remain furloughed.  Because of that, implementation of the $876 billion Farm Bill remains on hold.   “...

The USDA is exploring ways to continue SNAP payments if the government shutdown lingers through February.  USDA has already claimed to find authority to reopen FSA offices this week, and with SNAP benefits for March uncertain, the Trump Administration is seeking a way to keep recipients receiving benefits.   ...