Congress Moves on FY 2027 USDA Appropriations- LICA Seeks Support for NRCS/FSA Funding and Personnel

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by LICA-National

Congress has begun the process of approving the 12 annual appropriations bills that will provide funding for federal agencies/programs in FY 2027. On June 4 the full House passed the USDA funding measure (H.R. 8646) in a tight 213–210 vote. The House bill approved a $26.27 billion discretionary allocation, which represents a 1.4% decrease from FY 2026 funding levels. However, included in the measure is language that prohibits the permanent relocation or consolidation of county-based personnel at local NRCS and FSA field offices if such a move would leave the office with fewer than two staff members. This is designed to preserve local access to technical assistance for farmers. While protecting physical local offices, the bill slashes NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance funding by roughly 35%.


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House Committee Approves Transportation FY 2027 Appropriations

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by LICA-National

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2027 transportation funding bill that would cut nearly $10.7 billion (10.4%) for highway construction below the FY 2026 levels. The measure advanced 34-27, with all Republicans supportive and all Democrats opposed. Because FY 2027 marks the first year after the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which authorized the highway funding for the past five years, much uncertainty surrounds where funding levels will be set for the next five years. The committee redirected $7.8 billion in unspent IIJA funds, including $5.1 billion from federal rail programs, to fund various transportation accounts.


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Senate Continues Negotiations on Farm Bill

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by LICA-National

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) continues to work with members of that committee on the Senate version of the Farm bill in hopes of taking up and approving the measure prior to the Congressional August recess. The timing means the markup would take place between July 13 and Aug. 7, according to the Senate legislative calendar. The House passed its version last month.


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House Transportation Committee Approves Highway Reauthorization

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by LICA-National

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill after a marathon 15-hour legislative markup session that began on May 21 and ended in the early morning of May 22. The committee adopted the bill by a vote of 62-2 with three members not voting. Existing highway and transit authorizations are set to expire Sept. 30.


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Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Funding Available

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by LICA-National

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week opened a $1.1 billion funding round to improve safety at railroad grade crossings. Funding under the Crossing Safety Program comes from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address over 2,000 collisions and nearly 300 fatalities yearly since 2021. Eligible projects include installing or improving signs, signals or protective devices; relocating tracks; and creating road separation by adding tunnels, bridges or embankments.


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Deere Faces New Law Suit Over Right-to-Repair

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by LICA-National

After reaching a settlement over a right-to-repair lawsuit with farmers in April, Deere & Co. is facing a new class action suit that alleges it also unfairly restricted repairs for its construction, lawn, and turf equipment. The case was brought by Christy Webber & Co., a landscaping operation in Chicago that services city landmarks like Soldier Field, Millennium Park and Navy Pier. The plaintiff alleged that Deere’s business practices have inflated repair costs and increased wait times since May 2022.


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Year Round E15 Vote May 13

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by LICA-National

An attempt to include in the House passed Farm Bill a provision to allow year-round U.S. sales of higher ethanol fuel blends, known as E15, became a major sticking point throughout consideration of the bill. The provision was removed after concerns arose that the biofuel measure might not have enough support amid oil refinery opposition and cost concerns and could therefore scuttle the Farm bill. Instead, a vote on E15 in a freestanding measure is now set for May 13.

 
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