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Good afternoon,
It has already been an eventful week and it's only Tuesday. Some key updates relevant to rural America include House Republicans planning to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Trump Administration is withholding funds for farmers despite a court order directing the release of funds, and the National Institute of Health has announced cuts that fund medical research at universities across the country.
Here are a few important updates ...
CONTROVERSIAL CONFIRMATIONS
It appears Republicans are giving President Trump an easy time, showing little push back on his most controversial, least qualified cabinet nominees. In just three weeks, we've seen more than a dozen Trump Cabinet nominees confirmed and word on the street is Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are likely going to be confirmed soon.
As Politico reported, "The sweep of successful confirmations is the latest sign from the Senate GOP that it wants to be viewed as a partner, not a problem, for Trump at the start of his second term. It's a distinct shift from his first administration." The Senate is also set to vote on Brooke Rollins' nomination to become USDA chief this week.
The most worrying part about Senate Republicans obeisance to Trump is the very real threat that the legislative branch of government will no longer put the American people first and serve as a check on the executive. As this new, uncertain era of our federal government continues to take shape, we must continue to make our voices heard and find unity in the struggle.
EXECUTIVE ORDER OUTLOOK: TOUGH TARIFFS ON STEEL AND ALUMINUM
Yesterday, President Trump signed new executive orders imposing 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. While the president intends to promote greater domestic steel industry production and employment through these actions, costs will increase for manufacturers using industrial metals to produce goods like automobiles and appliances. This is just the latest sweeping action from Trump that's sending our trade partners into a downward spiral of panic and retaliation. The Trump Administration claims these policies are more about decreasing our country's reliance on foreign nations for good than trade. But the thing is, working with our allies and maintaining strong relationships with other countries is what has made America a leader throughout our history. In the long run, these policies will hurt the U.S. standing as a global leader. In the short run, these tariffs will lead to rising prices on construction and manufacturing materials and significantly higher prices for American consumers.
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NUMBER OF THE WEEK
51 (and counting) - The number of lawsuits filed against the Trump Administration stemming from the attempted shutdown of numerous federal agencies and/or firing of career civil servants. Multiple judgements have already been handed down directing the administration to resume normal agency functions and reinstate staff. It remains to be seen if the administration will comply with the court's orders. If Trump, a convicted felon, chooses to defy the courts, the country will find itself in a constitutional crisis with a lawless president seizing power from the legislative and judicial branches of government.
- Confirmation Hearings are underway for Trump nominees. Some key positions are listed below:
- Wednesday, February 12
- 10 a.m.: Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor
- The hearing will be streamed on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee webpage.
- Thursday, February 13
- 10 a.m.: Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education
- The hearing will be streamed on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee webpage.
- The Senate confirmation votes for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence will happen this week, with the vote for Gabbard happening as soon as this evening.
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Twitter and Facebook, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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