Maria Cantwell

Washington’s congressional delegation is calling on the USDA to support the state’s specialty crop industry. On Tuesday, Representative Dan Newhouse and Senator Maria Cantwell led the delegation in sending a letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue calling for the state’s specialty crop industry to be included in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The bipartisan letter, r ...

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association this week applauded Senators seeking flexibility for livestock haulers. A bipartisan letter from 24 Senators outlined the need to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. ...

Lawmakers from Washington and Oregon are urging  the Council on Environmental Quality to extend the initial 45-day comment period for the Snake River Dam draft EIS. Saying the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the Northwest demands the full attention of local and state governments, the lawmakers have asked for an extension so in person, public comments can be accepted. In ...

The Senate is hopeful to vote on USMCA Thursday.  After quickly advancing the agreement through required committee approvals, the Senate will consider the agreement ahead of the impeachment trial next week.  However, the Senate is not in session Friday, leaving little time to debate and pass the implementing legislation.   ...

On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted 25-3 to advance USMCA.  Washington’s Maria Cantwell a senior member on the committee, said the updated NAFTA can serve as a roadmap of where the U.S. needs to go when it comes to future trade agreements.  While US...

On Friday, Senators Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray and Representative Dan Newhouse as well as the rest of the Washington congressional delegation called on the USDA to declare a federal agriculture disaster for 12 counties.  The lawmakers called on Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to declare counties where crops were damaged or destroyed by unseasonably cold weather.  ...

Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led a group of fellow Democrats in releasing a report on the Trump Administration’s trade policies.  The Report says the administration’s agricultural trade aid program “is picking winners and losers in their attempt to aid farmers affected by President Trump’s turbulent trade agenda.”   The Democrats, whi.

For Northwest commodities, the reaction to USMCA has been mixed.  One crop that’s pulling for the updated NAFTA to pass, the wheat, but not for the reason you may think.  Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, said while Japan and the Philippians are the top two destinations for Northwest wheat, USMCA is vital for the wheat sector, and Ag as a whole.

For Northwest commodities, the reaction to USMCA has been mixed.  One crop that’s pulling for the updated NAFTA to pass, the wheat, but not for the reason you may think.  Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, said while Japan and the Philippians are the top two destinations for Northwest wheat, USMCA is vital for the wheat sector, and Ag as a whole.

As the Trump administration seeks ratification of USMCA, Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized the importance of trade with Mexico and enhancing opportunities for exporters in Washington by helping Mexico to better protect and enforce labor rights...