Good afternoon,

President-elect Donald Trump is already on a war path ahead of Inauguration Day. Over the weekend, Trump said he is planning to pardon the Capitol rioters and that members of the January 6 investigative committee should be jailed. Trump continues his trend of lies and self-serving injustice. Sadly, we're not surprised by this. Stirring the pot is his specialty. A grasp of facts and reality, not so much. To wit, yesterday Trump touted his meeting with Governor Justin Trudeau from the state of Canada.

Here are a few important updates ...

DEPORTATION DEVASTATION FOR AGRICULTURE

• The word on the street is that President-elect Donald Trump's plan for mass deportation will have a negative impact on our country's agriculture. Recently, U.S. Agriculture Secretary and former Institute of Politics fellow Tom J. Vilsack attended an IOP forum and said mass deportation "could be devastating on agriculture." Immigrants play a massive role in American farming; something many Republicans clearly take for granted. Farming jobs are extremely physically demanding, making them less appealing to a lot of Americans. However, immigrants come to our country eager to work and end up taking these jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly half of the farm labor force comprises individuals without legal status.

• Trump has talked a big game when it comes to mass deportation. Should he implement the strict immigration policies he has been obnoxiously touting, farm workers could be rapidly removed in large numbers, leaving farmers hanging to fill the gaps. To make matters worse, this staffing issue could have a ripple effect on our economy leading to increases in food prices, stress on local businesses, and more. The next four years will be a test of strength, adaptability, and priorities for rural America.

LEADERSHIP RACES HEAT UP FOR HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

• Minnesota Democratic Representative Angie Craig threw her hat into the ring in the race for Ranking Member on the House Ag Committee. She joins current ranking member Rep. David Scott from Georgia and Rep. Jim Costa from California in a three-way race for the leadership post.

• Republican Rep. Glen "GT" Thompson from Pennsylvania plans to continue as Chair of the House Ag Committee.

THE ONGOING RURAL MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS

• According to a new study, "over 500 hospitals have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2010, leaving most rural hospitals and more than a third of urban hospitals without obstetric care." Additionally, the study does not account for the additional challenges that hospitals have faced since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade given that the data only runs through 2022. Other research has linked the closures of rural maternity wards to an increase in births in emergency rooms or outside of hospitals. The researchers say one reason hospitals are closing their obstetric units is because these departments tend to lose money. The maternal health crisis is persistent and has been ongoing for far too long. People in rural communities are especially impacted by these challenges.

• With a new and unpredictable administration coming to power in the new year, the fate of the maternal health crisis hangs in the balance. Unfortunately, the court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade came to fruition as a result of Trump's "handpicked Supreme Court justices." It's hard to imagine he will take action to fix something he broke and made significantly worse. As we all brace for the sweeping changes of the next four years, it's important for individuals and organizations like One Country Project to use their voices to amplify critical issues such as this. One Country remains committed to continuing to lift up rural voices and stories with hope that they will be heard and taken seriously.

• The 60th Presidential Inauguration will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025.

• The 119th Congress will be sworn in at noon on January 3rd. The 118th Congress may stay in session longer than in most prior years as a year-end supplemental bill to fund the government must pass the House and Senate, and the Senate continues working to confirm judges nominated by President Biden. President Biden is on pace to appoint at least 235 judges, which would eclipse the total number of judges appointed by Trump during his first term.

• The leadership race for the DNC is beginning to take shape with four candidates announced so far. Those include former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wickler, Minnesota DFL Party Chair Ken Martin, and New York State Senator James Skoufis. As many as 16 candidates have expressed interest in succeeding outgoing Chair Jamie Harrison of South Carolina. The DNC chair election will be held on February 1, 2025.

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