Good afternoon,
Hurricane season is upon us, and President Donald Trump's FEMA chief David Richardson is <a href='[link removed]'>failing</a> to prove he's up to the job. After the previous FEMA leader, Cameron Hamilton, was fired because he testified before Congress that the agency should continue to exist, the Trump administration replaced him with Richardson who has zero credibility for such a job. Since then, Richardson has consistently made newsworthy and worrisome comments. Most recently, he 'jokingly said he didn't know the U.S. has a hurricane season.'
This is not only highly unprofessional, but also incredibly insensitive to all of those who have been impacted by the recent tornadoes and those that will be impacted by the impending fire season. In fact, the upper Midwest is <a href='[link removed]'>experiencing unhealthy air quality</a> as a result of the Canadian wildfires with air quality index reaching above 300. Our country has been plagued by natural disasters at a concerning rate in recent years, and Richardson is making light of it. Two things are clear: he is not suitable for the job and FEMA is absolutely necessary.
Here are a few important updates...
SNAP IS IN JEOPARDY
Yesterday, the Senate returned to Washington and began the consideration of the reconciliation bill that includes <a href='[link removed]'>massive cuts</a> to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending. The legislation, which already passed by the House, would <a href='[link removed]'>cut food assistance</a> by nearly $300 billion and 'remove more than 3 million Americans from the program in an average month.' According to the Food Research & Action Center, <a href='[link removed]'>a larger number</a> of rural residents currently rely on SNAP compared to those in metropolitan areas. The program supports children, seniors, and people with disabilities, delivering assistance quickly and effectively to those in need. In addition to improving the overall health and wellness of program participants, 'federal SNAP dollars stimulate rural economies through assistance that goes directly to struggling families to purchase.'
Stripping this program of critical funding that directly helps rural Americans is completely backwards. Food insecurity is already on the rise in rural America and grocery stores in rural areas are struggling to keep their doors open across the country. Republicans are aiming to <a href='[link removed]'>send</a> the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' to the President's desk by July 4. Let's hope that enough lawmakers push back on these aggressive funding cuts and help preserve SNAP as the vital program that it is.
HOW TRUMP POLICIES COULD ESCALATE THE HOUSING CRISIS
America is currently facing a housing crisis, with <a href='[link removed]'>over 771,000</a> Americans lacking reliable shelter. In rural America, <a href='[link removed]'>rental housing options</a> are not only limited but also declining. Interestingly, out-of-control housing costs <a href='[link removed]'>helped</a> President Donald Trump win the 2024 election. However, after a few months under his leadership again, the American people have yet to see any notable action from the administration to address this issue. Instead, the president has focused on imposing harmful trade and immigration policies; policies that could have a devastating impact on the current housing crisis and perhaps make it even worse. President Trump's new tariffs will likely increase the cost of building new homes in the U.S. Reason<a href='[link removed]'>reports</a> that 'Uncertainty around tariffs has put many construction projects on pause, sending homebuilder stocks plummeting.' On top of this, the administration's mass deportations could throw the construction industry for a loop as <a href='[link removed]'>roughly 30%</a> of construction workers are immigrants, many of them undocumented.
The administration has offered very few solutions or ideas about how to address the housing crisis. As a result, much of the responsibility around housing issues will likely fall to state legislatures. While <a href='[link removed]'>several states</a>, including Montana, Washington, and California, are already taking legislative action, this crisis is multifaceted and may require action on a larger scale. Voters' priorities have not changed. More must be done to bring the high cost of living down. Sooner or later, Americans' patience will run out and the president will need to practice what he preaches.
2025 RURAL PROGRESS SUMMIT
This summer, you can join One Country Project board members, influential speakers, policy experts, national leaders, and rural advocates for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit July 8th - 10th. The keynote conversation will feature Sec. Pete Buttigieg in a virtual fireside chat with Sen. Heitkamp. As a former Transportation Secretary and small city mayor, Pete Buttigieg has the ability to speak knowledgeably and clearly about the biggest issues facing our country.The Rural Progress Summit explores ideas and policies that will shape the future of rural America.
Details:
What: One Country Project Rural Progress Summit
When: Tuesday, July 8th – Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Where: Online, hosted on Zoom
<a href='[link removed]'>Register now</a>!
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>300,000</a>: According to a Daily Yonder analysis of <a href='[link removed]'>new Census data</a>, this is the approximate number of people who have immigrated from abroad to non-metropolitan, rural counties since 2020, driving most of the growth in rural America during that time. Rural America has been growing since the pandemic and both domestic and international migration have contributed to this growth.
LOOKING AHEAD
June 5, 2025 – The deadline for <a href='[link removed]'>grant applications</a> for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP). These programs help domestic producers find international markets.
WHAT WE'RE READING
The Virginia Independent: <a href='[link removed]'>Gov. Glenn Youngkin Vetoes Bill to Allow Workers to Take Paid Family and Medical Leave</a>Stateline: <a href='[link removed]'>GOP Cuts to Food Assistance Would Hit Rural America Especially Hard</a>Farmers Advance: <a href='[link removed]'>MAGA and MAHA Meet; Aha it's Not</a>Farms.com: <a href='[link removed]'>Farmers Face Tax Hike Without Action</a>Michigan Farm News: <a href='[link removed]'>USDA Trade Mission to Expand Agricultural Exports in Peru</a>The Progressive: <a href='[link removed]'>Trump Wants to Keep America Digitally Divided</a>High Country News: <a href='[link removed]'>Can this Washington Member of Congress turn the Democratic Party Around?</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Bluesky</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Substack</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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