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Good afternoon,
The word on the street is that some Democrats in Congress are set to introduce legislation today aimed at regulating President Donald Trump's multi-million-dollar ballroom construction project at the White House. Specifically, the bill – the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act – would create new restrictions on who can make donations to the project, and on donors and their funds after a contribution is made. This legislation comes after the President announced his construction plans and aerial images of the demolished East Wing at the White House circulated, sparking backlash and concerns around the extravagant project. Though the bill is highly unlikely to pass Congress and be signed into law, it reflects the growing concerns about the President's hasty actions and his consistent pattern of enriching himself at the expense of taxpayers.
Here are a few important updates...
ANOTHER FARM BILL EXTENSION
As part of the legislation that Congress passed last week to reopen the federal government, the farm bill has once again been extended for another year. The reactions among agricultural groups and policy experts have varied across the board, with some showing support or feeling relief, while others grow increasingly concerned. This is the third year in a row of extensions with no new five-year policy in sight. The farm bill extension reauthorized and funded the Conservation Reserve Program through next September, in addition to rural development initiatives like the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Additionally, it increased safety net programs for farmers who harvest commodities like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Notably, it cut $186 billion over a decade from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Extensions of the farm bill are a band-aid fix, and that band-aid is not even particularly effective, as funding levels are now basically unchanged for 7 years. As farmers continue to struggle with a declining economy, there is a need for a comprehensive Farm Bill that can address concerns now and set farmers up for success in the future. The prospects for passage of a Farm Bill are unclear, but something must change to ensure farmers are equipped with the support and resources they need. Our farmers are the backbone of our country and a key driver of the rural economy. It's time for our legislators to listen to individuals, advocates, and leaders in the agriculture industry to ensure their needs are being met and necessary changes are being implemented.
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TRUMP'S TARIFF U-TURN: ESCAPING HIS OWN ECONOMY
With high inflation and everyday costs rising, Trump recently announced he will remove tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits, and several other imports. Many of these goods aren't produced in the U.S., so cutting tariffs should help lower prices for American consumers. The move came just one day after a trade deal with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala, which set a 0% tariff on American-made goods.
The White House argues that this sequence demonstrates that tariffs can be used as leverage to secure better market access abroad, which can then be scaled back later. However, Democrats argue that the tariffs have caused more harm than good to the American economy. Since their introduction in April, the U.S. has faced a soybean crisis tied to the trade war with China, as well as record-high beef prices. Both of which have hit rural communities, such as farmers and ranchers, especially hard. Virginia Democrat Don Beyer called the rollback a "pivot to affordability" after Trump failed to deliver on promises to fight inflation through tariffs.
On Friday night, Trump also said he plans to send $2,000 to every low-income American in 2026, funded by tariff revenue from other countries. There is still no concrete plan or legislation behind this proposal, leaving many skeptical that it will ever materialize. Another complicating factor is the math of it all. A $2,000 check to every low-income American would at least cost $280 billion, but even the rosiest estimates of Trump's tariffs peg the annual revenue at only around $150 billion.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
43 days: This is the longest shutdown in U.S. history. It ended with federal funding secured for SNAP, benefits for WIC, and support for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress. However, the main goal for Democrats, which is a permanent extension for health care insurance subsidies, was not achieved.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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