Happy Wednesday,

Halloween is next week, but you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for Groundhog Day, because Republicans are yet again scrambling to elect a Speaker of the House. In fact, today marks our third week without a speaker, and only a little more than three weeks away from running out of government funding. Republicans <a href="[link removed]">nominated Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.</a>, only for him to <a href="[link removed]">drop out</a> of the race hours later. <a href="[link removed]">Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.</a>, now has the nomination, but will he be able to fill Bill Murray's shoes (as Speaker), win the love of Andie MacDowell (aka the Republican Caucus), and break the maddeningly endless cycle of speaker votes? Regardless of the outcome of this next vote, we don't need a groundhog to see any looming shadows in order to predict that the next few weeks will be chaotic.

CONSERVATIVES CLAWING AT CONSERVATION

Whoever is elected Speaker will have the task of shepherding a Farm Bill through our divided House. Agriculture Committee members have been trying to secure promises from potential nominees that they'll prioritize the bill -- but before it even hits the House floor, committee members will have to work out what programs the bill will fund, and which will wind up on the chopping block. Ever since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed, becoming the largest investment in climate mitigation and adaptation in our nation's history, its programs have been a popular target for Republicans. Their latest attack, part of a <a href="[link removed]">plan to slash $50 billion in conservation and nutrition Farm Bill funds</a>, attempts to claw back $15 billion of IRA funding that expands the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Democratic members of the House Agriculture Committee unilaterally <a href="[link removed]">slammed</a> the proposed cuts, writing to committee leadership that, "Three out of four CSP applicants are turned away due to inadequate funding; moving the IRA funds from conservation would be denying farmers the support they need and want." OCP founder and former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp spoke to <a href="[link removed]">E&E News</a> about how lack of movement on the Farm Bill front will become increasingly politically perilous. Rural areas, which have become redder in recent years, will be looking to their elected officials to deliver legislation that boosts their local economies and preserves the rural way of life. If Republicans can't pass legislation that supports their rural constituents, they may lose those voters' support.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

OCP, as an organization dedicated to uplifting the priorities of rural Americans, has developed <a href="[link removed]">recommendations</a> for the upcoming Farm Bill that would set an agenda empowering rural America to prosper and thrive. One of OCP's key policy proposals advocates for the Farm Bill to include a <a href="[link removed]">paid family and medical leave program</a>. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, their children -- who range from Gen Xers to Gen Z -- are more likely to be <a href="[link removed]">sandwiched</a> between their aging parents and their children, having to provide care for both. The problem is particularly acute in rural regions, where <a href="[link removed]">more than 20 percent</a> of the population is over 65 years old. Currently only 23 percent of all American workers have access to paid leave, with those self-employed, working for a small business, or in a low-wage occupations <a href="[link removed]">disproportionately lacking</a> paid leave. Paid family leave policies can give caregivers the flexibility necessary to tend to their families' needs, while keeping their jobs. Curious about the current state of paid family leave legislation? Today, the Senate Finance Committee is convening a hearing titled "Exploring Paid Leave: Policy, Practice, and Impact on the Workforce." <a href="[link removed]">Tune in here</a>. Later today, Senators Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will join the Bipartisan Policy Center to discuss their Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, which would provide parental leave to all new parents in the Reserve and National Guard. <a href="[link removed]">Join the LinkedIn Live at 5:30pm ET</a>.

RAISING AWARENESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION, AWARENESS, AND ADVOCACY

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, our latest episode of The Hot Dish focuses on a personal conversation about mental health struggles in the Heitkamp family. CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes frank discussions about mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "TALK" to 741741. Last month, the Heitkamps' grandnephew, Brady Prochnow, attempted suicide. His mother, Bobbi, joined us on the show for an open conversation about the warning signs of her teenager's failing mental health, her guilt that she didn't see this coming, and her son's remarkable recovery over the last eight months in the hopes that it can spark a discussion about mental health. <a href="[link removed]">Listen here.</a>

SHARE YOUR RURAL HEALTH CARE STORY

Rural America faces unique health care challenges. One Country wants to raise awareness with policymakers in Washington, DC through first person testimonials by rural residents. <a href="[link removed]">Tell us your story and help us improve health care access in rural America.</a>

ONE COUNTRY IN THE NEWS

OCP founder former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp appeared on <a href="[link removed]">CNBC's Squawk Box</a> to discuss the disorder in the quest to elect a Speaker of the House. OCP board member and Alabama Minority Leader Anthony Daniels <a href="[link removed]">authored an op-ed</a> emphasizing the need for childcare policies that bolster workforce participation.

ICYMI

The Washington Post: <a href="[link removed]">Opinion | Wisconsin Dems' big wins for the rule of law might be an inflection point</a>

KFYR: <a href="[link removed]">Predicted primary care physician shortage could cause more problems for rural areas</a>

NC Newsline: <a href="[link removed]">Crisis in children's mental health takes a heavy toll in rural southeastern NC</a>

Minnesota Reformer: <a href="[link removed]">Minnesota moms bear the brunt of the child care shortage</a>

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