The House successfully passed legislation to prevent a rail strike. They adopted a September 15th deal reached between railroad union works, freight rail companies, and the White House.
This includes a pay increase of 24 percent over five years as well as a $5,000 bonus for workers.
They also passed legislation to add 7 days of paid sick leave.
The Senate still has to vote on all of this.
Related Stories
Texas Lawmakers Issue Disaster Declaration as New World Screwworm Threat Moves Closer to U.S. Border
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
The biggest development of 2025 in agricultural law and taxation was the signing into law on July 4 of the Trump Administration’s landmark legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA)
House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson is pushing a “Farm Bill 2.0.”
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.