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Good afternoon,
Over the weekend, former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. One Country Project wishes the former president a successful recovery and peace during this difficult time. Former President Biden served the United States with kindness, empathy, and grace. While Biden no longer leads our country, we were very sorry to hear about his prostate cancer diagnosis and send our best wishes to the entire Biden family.
Here are a few important updates...
THE BIG, UGLY BILL ADVANCES
On Sunday night, the massive GOP tax cut and border security package passed out of the House Budget Committee after conservatives negotiated changes. NPR reports that "The Republicans criticizing the measure noted that the bill's new spending and the tax cuts are front-loaded in the bill, while the measures to offset the cost are back-loaded. Supportive Republicans have called the bill "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act," while Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called it "one big, beautiful betrayal." The bill would extend Trump's tax cuts and increase his border funding priorities while reforming Medicaid and food assistance programs. Within the next few days, the House majority will bring their bill to the floor, and it will need every vote to pass.
This budget bill will have extremely harmful consequences for rural America. For starters, this bill will gut rural healthcare, leaving 13.8 million Americans without access to health coverage and increasing costs for millions more. The plan will also cut nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), burden state and local governments in rural states with additional costs for critical public services, end clean energy and infrastructure tax credits and funding, and more. Now is a critical time for rural Americans to make their voices heard. This legislation is far from beautiful and will send rural America backward.
SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS... NO MORE
Recently, a National Weather Service (NWS) office located in eastern Kentucky struggled to cover the overnight forecast as severe storms were moving through the eastern United States. As reported by The New York Times, "the office in Jackson, Kentucky was one of four that no longer had a permanent overnight forecaster after hundreds of people left the agency as a result of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency." Eastern Kentucky experienced severe flooding, hail, and tornadoes, forcing the Weather Service to seek support from nearby offices for forecasting. Following a big wave of sudden firings at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in February, nearly 600 people have left the National Weather Service in the past few months. NOAA was already experiencing understaffing and is now left strained and unequipped to handle its important workload as it typically does.
In an effort to push back on the federal cuts, several former NWS directors signed onto a letter warning that the Trump administration's cuts to the organization could put lives at risk. Spring is the busiest time for severe storm predictions with tornadoes and hurricanes frequently occurring. At a time when communities are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and are now headed into the thick of storm season, our federal government should not be cutting critical resources that keep Americans safe and equipped for these conditions. As a result of President Trump's misguided leadership, the National Weather Service is weakening, and rural Americans are being left behind once again. And it's completely unacceptable.
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Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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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 on 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
Register now.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
$400 million: The amount of AmeriCorps grants the Trump administration ended, which represents a large part of the agency's roughly billion-dollar budget. These funding cuts have caused over 32,000 people across the U.S. to stop their work in disaster recovery, education, environmental stewardship and public health. Most AmeriCorps staff were also fired by the Trump administration in April. These actions are devastating for volunteers and communities across the country, with tons of important work still left to be completed.
- May 27th – The day the USDA reorganization plan is set to be announced. The announcement will come four days after the expiration date of a court order prohibiting USDA from following through with any more job cuts.
- June 5, 2025 – The deadline for grant applications 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
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook and Substack, and listen to The Hot Dish podcast.
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