Good afternoon,
With Congress back in town and the arrival of September, FY26 budget negotiations will be the primary focus as federal funding expires at the end of the month. It will be telling to see if legislators can get all twelve funding bills across the finish line in time. In other news, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) <a href='[link removed]'>led a group of senators</a> in encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to slow down its reorganization process. The group sent a letter to Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden calling for the agency to extend the public comment period. According to <a href='[link removed]'>POLITICO</a>, 'The USDA quietly extended the public comment period for its reorganization plan to September 30, doubling the length of time provided for input on an initiative that has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans since it was unveiled.'
Here are a few important updates...
ANOTHER FRANTIC DASH TO THE FARM BILL
In addition to meeting the upcoming deadline for the budget, Congress must also produce a farm bill which farmers and powerful agriculture groups are hoping to see before the end of the year. Industry lobbyists are preparing to push lawmakers to pass critical farm and nutrition policies that were left out of Republicans' 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' The farm bill has been delayed for a long time. In fact, the 2018 farm bill has been extended twice now, and its expiration date is Sept. 30. Understandably, various groups and advocates are losing their patience. According to insiders, the bill is still in the early stages of development, a bit behind the expected schedule.
There are many obstacles when it comes to drafting a new farm bill. First, the House Agriculture Committee will need an estimate on farm bill spending from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. In the past, this process has halted policy discussions. Additionally, the committee has an outline for a farm bill which was voted on last year, but this will need to be significantly updated. On top of this, lawmakers will have to sort out some contentious issues in the farm bill. The agriculture community is counting on Congress to support them and help them thrive. However, it's not looking like a smooth path forward and the consequences are big. Without an updated farm bill, farmers' needs are still not being met.
CHINA SNUBS U.S. SOYBEANS
China is the single largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, buying 54% of all U.S. soybean exports during the 2023-2024 crop year. However, as the Trump Trade War with China drags on, the Chinese government has instructed importers not to purchase U.S. soybeans.
Overall, China remains the single largest purchaser of soybeans, buying 61% of all the soybeans traded on the international market. Currently, Brazil stands to benefit the most from the lack of U.S. soybean sales to China. Brazil has passed the U.S. as the largest producer of soybeans for export to the Chinese market and is currently selling soybeans to China for a higher price than what is being offered by U.S. sellers. Stated plainly, the Chinese government would rather buy more expensive Brazilian soybeans than deal with the Trump administration.
This year, Argentina has, for the first time, begun exporting soybeans to China as well. With the combined markets of Brazil and Argentina, China has managed to stockpile such a massive supply of soybeans that Chinese processors are currently operating at negative margins while creating soymeal suitable for feed.
With harvest season approaching and no signed Chinese export contracts, U.S. soy growers are looking at a significant financial loss of up to $1.65 for each bushel of soybeans. U.S. exports to China for pork, corn, seed oils, and other grains have also seen contracts cancelled and prices impacted as a result. Farmers already under stress from Trump policies could be on the verge of a crisis with the additional financial losses on sales from this year's crop.
CHAOS AT THE CDC
The current administration is orchestrating yet another avoidable disaster – this time targeting our nation's public health infrastructure. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handling of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has drawn bipartisan concern and skepticism, with his leadership decisions calling into question his commitment to the agency's core mission.
One of the more alarming actions came when he abruptly fired Dr. Susan Monarez, the newly confirmed CDC director, last week after less than a month on the job. Her dismissal stemmed from her refusal to act against proven scientific data regarding vaccine recommendations and her unwillingness to fire top public health officials who wouldn't comply with the Secretary's ideological views. The fallout was swift: several high-level CDC officials resigned, citing concerns that political considerations were driving decisions rather than public health interests.
The CDC's mission is crystal clear: 'Protect America from health, safety, and security threats. Save lives and protect people from health threats, both foreign and in the United States. Ensure the nation's health security by providing credible science and health information, preventing disease, and responding when health threats arise. Promote health and safety through research, surveillance, and prevention activities.'
Notably absent from this mission statement? Any requirement to fall in line with an unqualified politician's agenda.
There is no space for politicizing this agency, or any other for that matter. Nine former CDC directors who know the job and its importance penned a <a href='[link removed]'>piece</a> in the New York Times condemning these actions and flagging their concerns for our nation's health and safety. Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, MD, has undertaken efforts to mitigate some of the anti-vaccination actions taken by Secretary Kennedy. Other Republicans have similarly raised concerns.
This political interference couldn't have come at a worse time. As we enter flu season amid record-level measles cases and COVID's continued presence, we need our strongest federal health agency operating at full capacity – monitoring threats, predicting outbreaks, and implementing evidence-based responses. There is simply no room for politicizing the CDC or any public health agency.
The American people deserve leadership guided by science and expertise, not roughshod, uninformed political maneuvering that puts lives at risk.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK
<a href='[link removed]'>16%</a>: The total amount of goods imported into the U.S. that would be subject to tariffs after October 14th.
After the recent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to set tariffs on imports was illegal, all IEEPA tariffs imposed by Trump will end on October 14th, pending possible review by the Supreme Court. Currently, 69% of all trade goods entering the U.S. are subject to IEEPA tariffs.
LOOKING AHEAD
October 1st – The Deadline for passage of a Continuing Resolution, or full annual budget, to prevent a government shutdown. With Congress returning to session this week, we expect to hear lots of discussion on the path forward for funding the government.
WHAT WE'RE READING
Iowa Farmer Today: <a href='[link removed]'>Forecasters, Farmers Debate Over Predicted Record-High U.S. Crop</a>
Med Page Today: <a href='[link removed]'>It's About to Get Even Harder to Find a Doctor in Rural America</a>
The Seattle Times: <a href='[link removed]'>U.S. Farmers Are Pulling Back on Spending in Threat to Rural Economy</a>
The Daily Yonder: <a href='[link removed]'>Rural Women Are at a Higher Risk of Violence − And Less Likely to Get Help</a>
CNN: <a href='[link removed]'>Democrats Look to Iowa for Rural Revival In 2026</a>
The Dispatch: <a href='[link removed]'>Democrats Confront Divide Over Culture Issues</a>
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Bluesky</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Substack</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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