Ag lawmakers are making a vow to “protect and preserve” important services

Cuts are being made across the U.S. government. Lawmakers, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, say the American people voted for change but note he and his colleagues will fight to keep necessary services running.

“It’s important that you don’t undermine important services. In many cases, as you point out, there are some that affect my state, and there are some that affect all of my colleagues’ states around the country. We will work with the administration as they move forward to ensure that important services that have to do with health and safety, for example, are protected and preserved.”

The Trump Administration hopes these cuts will bring government spending down, and in turn, help tame inflation. While it has only been one month since Trump took office, Administration officials say inflation will not go away overnight.

“We’re still going to see some memory of Biden’s inflation. It’s not going to go away in a month, but the 10-year treasury before the last consumer price index had dropped about 40 basis points; 40 basis points because markets were optimistic about our ability to fight inflation. 40 basis points is kind of not a fun thing to say. I was kind of taught that way I apologize, but the way to think about it is for a typical mortgage, if that affects the mortgage rate, then it’s going to save a typical family buying a house about $1,000 a year, and that’s just in our first month.”

The Consumer Price Index, along with the Producer Price Index, both came in hotter than expected this month. The next CPI report comes out March 12th.

Related Stories
AFBF Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis, Dr. John Newton, explains the factors contributing to the growing financial strain in the ag sector and the urgent need for swift economic support.
One trader said the products entering the U.S. are primarily grind and trim, noting that the volume and type of beef, on its own, should not cause a major disruption. However, he says fund traders are reacting heavily to headlines rather than market realities.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
Industry support ensures continued funding for mango marketing and research, helping sustain long-term demand growth.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses how January’s WASDE report could impact ARC and PLC payments and updates on disaster relief programs as farmers navigate a challenging market environment.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.