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House Removes Key Pesticide Provisions from 2026 Farm Bill, Impacting U.S. Agriculture

House Removes Key Pesticide Provisions from 2026 Farm Bill, Impacting U.S. Agriculture

CropLife America (CLA) has expressed disappointment following the U.S. House of Representatives' decision to remove several key pesticide provisions from the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, commonly known as the farm bill. The removal of these provisions occurred before the bill's passage, which CLA argues is detrimental to American farmers. According to CLA President and CEO Alexandra Dunn, these provisions are crucial for farmers to effectively manage weeds, pests, and diseases, thereby maintaining productivity and competitiveness in the global market. The absence of these provisions, Dunn warns, could lead to higher food costs, reduced availability, and decreased domestic production, ultimately undermining U.S. food security and the agricultural supply chain. CLA is urging the Senate to reinstate these provisions as it reviews the legislation.

House Votes to Extend Surveillance Program Amid Senate Uncertainty

House Votes to Extend Surveillance Program Amid Senate Uncertainty

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 for three years. This program allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreign nationals outside the U.S. The extension passed with a vote of 235 to 191, despite opposition from privacy-focused Republicans and some Democrats. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain due to disagreements over privacy protections and an attached provision banning Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The program has been a point of contention, with debates over its impact on privacy rights and national security.

Congress Ends Longest DHS Shutdown with Bipartisan Funding Bill

Congress Ends Longest DHS Shutdown with Bipartisan Funding Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effectively ending the longest government agency shutdown in history. The shutdown, which lasted 75 days, had caused significant disruptions, including the resignation of over 1,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. The new legislation funds most of the DHS, excluding immigration enforcement operations, which remain a contentious issue. The bill's passage followed intense negotiations and a last-minute deal over unrelated ethanol fuel provisions. The House's approval came after the Senate had unanimously passed the package weeks earlier. The shutdown had put pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose narrow majority struggled to break the deadlock. The White House had warned that without action, it would soon run out of funds to pay DHS employees, raising concerns about national security and airport operations.

US House passes farm bill after scrapping pesticide language opposed by MAHA

US House passes farm bill after scrapping pesticide language opposed by MAHA

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed its version of a five-year farm bill after stripping a provision opposed by the "Make America Healthy Again" movement that would have blocked some lawsuits against pesticide makers.

FISA Surveillance Program Faces Uncertain Future as House Passes Extension

FISA Surveillance Program Faces Uncertain Future as House Passes Extension

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a three-year extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702, a key surveillance tool used to monitor foreign communications. The extension, passed by a vote of 235-191, includes new oversight measures but does not mandate warrants for searches involving Americans' data. The bill's passage follows delays due to opposition from privacy advocates and conservative lawmakers. The measure now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain due to additional provisions, such as a ban on central bank digital currencies, which complicate its passage.

U.S. House Approves DHS Funding Bill to End Longest Government Shutdown

U.S. House Approves DHS Funding Bill to End Longest Government Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effectively ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill, which now awaits President Trump's signature, will provide funding for the DHS through September, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. These agencies are expected to be funded through a separate reconciliation bill that does not require Democratic support. The decision comes after weeks of delay and debate, with House Republicans initially opposing the Senate-passed bill due to technical concerns. The urgency to pass the bill was heightened by an assassination attempt at the White House correspondents’ dinner, emphasizing the need to ensure Secret Service agents receive their paychecks.

U.S. House Approves DHS Funding Bill, Alleviating Coast Guard Financial Strain

U.S. House Approves DHS Funding Bill, Alleviating Coast Guard Financial Strain

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a Senate compromise bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. This decision ends a 76-day shutdown that severely impacted the financial operations of DHS agencies, notably the U.S. Coast Guard. According to Admiral Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard's commandant, the shutdown led to unpaid utility bills and operational disruptions, affecting both work and living conditions for coastguardsmen. The Coast Guard faced challenges such as unpaid utility bills, halted training exercises, and a backlog of 19,000 credentials at the National Maritime Center. Coastguardsmen were forced to cover relocation costs out of pocket, often resorting to personal debt. The shutdown's resolution came after significant pressure from the White House, with the Senate's compromise bill finally being accepted by the House.

House Extends Surveillance Program, Faces Uncertain Senate Approval

House Extends Surveillance Program, Faces Uncertain Senate Approval

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for three years, with a vote tally of 235 to 191. This program allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreign nationals outside the United States. The extension now moves to the Senate, where it faces a challenging path to approval before a looming deadline. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faced significant opposition from privacy-focused Republicans, which previously led to the failure of longer extension proposals. The current extension includes limited modifications, such as requiring federal law enforcement to seek approval from attorneys before reviewing Americans' information and imposing criminal penalties for misuse. Despite these changes, privacy advocates argue that the program still lacks adequate protections for American citizens.

House Passes IRS Whistleblower Improvement Act to Enhance Program Efficiency

House Passes IRS Whistleblower Improvement Act to Enhance Program Efficiency

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at strengthening the Internal Revenue Service's Whistleblower Awards Program. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Kelly and Rep. Mike Thompson, seeks to improve the appeals process for whistleblowers, protect their anonymity, and ensure timely award payments. The bill introduces a more favorable standard of review in whistleblower appeals before the U.S. Tax Court and mandates interest payments on delayed awards. It also aligns the tax treatment of attorney's fees for IRS whistleblowers with other federal programs. The House approved the bill with a 346-10 vote, and it now moves to the Senate for consideration.

House Passes Budget Blueprint to Fund ICE Amid DHS Shutdown

House Passes Budget Blueprint to Fund ICE Amid DHS Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly passed a budget blueprint to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 74 days into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The vote, which was held open for over five hours due to internal disputes, passed with a 215-211 margin. The blueprint aims to unlock over $70 billion in future funding for immigration enforcement. The passage of this measure comes as emergency funding measures for DHS are set to expire, with President Trump setting a June 1 deadline for Congress to finalize the reconciliation package.

U.S. Farm Bill Passes, Impacting Agricultural Organizations and Industry

U.S. Farm Bill Passes, Impacting Agricultural Organizations and Industry

The U.S. Farm Bill has successfully passed the House, marking a significant legislative development for the agricultural sector. This bill, which is a critical piece of legislation for the farming community, outlines various provisions that will affect agricultural practices, subsidies, and regulations. Agricultural organizations have been actively weighing in on the bill, highlighting its potential impacts on farming operations and the broader agri-food industry. The passage of the bill is part of a broader roundup of significant events in the agtech and foodtech sectors, which also includes major funding rounds, mergers, and acquisitions.

US Senate blocks bid to prevent Trump from military action against Cuba

US Senate blocks bid to prevent Trump from military action against Cuba

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, April 28 (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked a Democratic-led resolution that would have barred President Donald Trump from military action against Cuba without congressional approval.