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Good afternoon,
President Trump's new H-1B visa fee is a threat to rural America. On September 19, the administration announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. Many rural parts of the United States rely on immigrants to work in professions like education and health care that are facing labor shortages. For example, one in eight public school positions are vacant or filled by uncertified teachers, and the American Medical Association projects a shortage of 87,000 physicians throughout the next decade. Additionally, one-quarter of our country's physicians are international medical graduates. Rural communities and small businesses likely cannot pay President Trump's steep fees like wealthy, large companies that also rely on immigrant employees can. It's unfair that, once again, rural America is getting the short end of this bargain.
Here are a few important updates...
A LENGTHY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS NOT GONNA FLY
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that the ongoing government shutdown could cause hundreds of rural airports to lose service by Sunday. This is going to negatively impact rural Americans across the country. Since 1978, the Essential Air Service program has provided subsidies to airlines serving 177 small airports which are often the only connection rural communities have to metropolitan areas and critical services like healthcare. According to Newser, "The Regional Airline Association, which represents carriers relying on EAS, says that before the pandemic, flights at these airports helped generate $2.3 billion and supported more than 17,000 jobs." The group is calling on Congress to end the shutdown.
The threat to these small airports is especially pressing in places like Alaska where EAS funding is vital for communities where road access is limited and they rely on EAS flights that deliver groceries and mail. Last year, the state received more than $41 million in EAS support. Rural communities deserve the continued federal support necessary to help them thrive and function on a day-to-day basis. This is just one small example of how the government shutdown will impact rural America and hinder these communities.
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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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FARM AID? NOT TODAY.
It has been over a week since the government shutdown began, and farmers are still waiting for the long-promised support checks from President Trump. These payments are intended to help them cope with the ongoing trade war over soybeans with China.
So far this year, China has not purchased any U.S. soybeans as a retaliatory measure against the Trump administration's tariffs, leaving many growers in a problematic situation. The White House has pledged between $12 and $13 billion in relief, which will come from a combination of tariff revenue, funds from the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation, and other internal mechanisms aimed at easing farmers' financial strain. However, accessing tariff revenue or replenishing the USDA's internal fund, which is already stretched thin due to the trade war, will require congressional approval.
The timeline for distributing this aid remains unclear, as the furlough of key USDA staff during the shutdown has stalled the process. Meanwhile, pressure is increasing ahead of President Trump's upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping in three weeks. This high-stakes meeting could determine whether relief will come through diplomatic negotiations or further delays.
As former USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber has cautioned, the bailout may serve more as a temporary political tool rather than a lasting solution for the agricultural economy. Many farmers echo this sentiment, stating they would prefer renewed market access over a one-time government check.
WORD OF THE WEEK
Furlough: a temporary leave from work that is not paid and is often for a set period of time.
According to a draft White House memo, compensation is not guaranteed for furloughed federal workers who have been forced to stop working during the government shutdown. This is a notable development because if the administration followed through with this approach, it would put added pressure on Senate Democrats to end the shutdown. If they didn't cooperate, approximately 750,000 federal workers could be denied their pay.
WHAT WE'RE READING
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