democrats

It’s no secret that Idaho’s population continues to grow at a fast pace, with tens of thousands of people moving into the state annually.

Agriculture policy analysts say 2026 could mark the end of the traditional five-year U.S. Farm Bill era, as lawmakers struggle to produce comprehensive legislation.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill last week, House Ag Committee Democrats railed against Republican plans to cut spending on food aid in SNAP.  The Democrats emphasized that funding for SNAP supports hungry families as well as farmers, grocery workers, truckers, and food manufacturers.    ...

Lawmakers are sending signals that a new Farm Bill isn’t certain in 2025.   Reports say Republican lawmakers are considering adding Biden-era conservation programs into their party-line megabill that may have otherwise been in a separate reauthorization of federal farm programs.  Politico...

Washington state Senator Rebecca Saldaña has been elected by fellow Senate Democrats to chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.  The Democrat from Seattle succeeds Senator Karen Keiser, who is retiring after more than two decades of service in the Legislature.   “It is ...

After a Red Wave that wasn’t in November, Washington D.C. is very partisan and very tight, with no clear advantage for either of the major parties.   What does that mean for farm county, and issues important for at the Ag sector?   J...

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said he’s not waiting around for Congress to reform the H-2A farm guest worker program but is starting his department’s own program.  During February's Ag Outlook Forum, the USDA head said while he’s hopeful that Republicans and Democrats in Congress will try to address the systemic challenges that growers and farm workers face, he said he’s committed to doing everything h

A poll of voters commissioned by the International Dairy Foods Association shows strong support for reforming immigration policy as a way to help control food prices.  Almost 90% of Democrat voters, and 79% of Republican voters support the idea of immigration reform.  Wh...

Oregon’s gubernatorial race was historic on several fronts, three former state lawmakers, all women, all making a strong showing in polls prior to election night.  Oregon State University Political Science Professor David Bernell said the outcome is also noteworthy, because it’s such a close vote.   “The third-p...

Top House Ag Republican Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, recently chatted with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association about the 2023 Farm Bill, Environment and other farming issues. Thompson said he’s already entertaining the possibility of assuming the Ag chairmanship, eight months ahead of mid-term elections. “If things woul ...