Biden Administration

The American Farm Bureau, as lead for a multi-industry coalition, is accusing the Biden EPA and Army Corps of secretly violating the Supreme Court’s Waters of the U.S. ruling in Sackett vs. the EPA.  The AFBF’s Courtney Briggs chairs the Waters Advocacy Coalition of 45 industry trade associations and recently told a House panel that the EPA and Army Corps are end-running the Supreme Court with mem

“The biggest investment in rural electrification since the mid 1930s.”  That's how President Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are describing a newly announced $7 billion investment in rural clean energy projects in nearly two dozen states.   “To bring th...

The Biden administration recently proposed tariff increases on goods entering the country from China.  The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will make its final determination later this month.   In May, the administration announced plans to raise Section 301 tariff rates on select goods from China, including electric vehicles, solar cells, and semiconductors.  Supply Chain...

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...

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.   “...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...