Summary:

• Government Funding – Last week, the House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending current federal funding levels through Dec. 11. Signed into law by President Trump, the CR heads off a potential government shutdown at the end of the month and gives Congress more time to negotiate full-year appropriations bills. Under the CR, USDA and BIA programs and services will continue. 

• USDA Reorganization – On Sept. 2, a federal judge denied a challenge from federal employee unions seeking to halt USDA reorganization. The court did not make a ruling on whether the reorganization is lawful, instead finding that the claim should be brought in a separate lawsuit because the reorganization presents a distinct cause of action from the case’s original claims. USDA reorganization can continue for now. 

• USDA Staff Relocation – According to USDA in a declaration filed last week, 64 percent of employees who received reassignment notices have accepted them. Federal unions and USDA staff have said this figure is inflated, as some staff have accepted relocations while their exemption of accommodations requests were still pending, while others have only accepted to preserve their jobs while looking for new employment. Some employees who declined relocation reportedly received letters from USDA stating that they were being treated as having accepted the relocation and were being given more time to decide. Previous USDA relocation attempts resulted in over 50 percent of staff leaving. 

Congressional Updates: 

The House of Representatives is out of session this week. 

• Recent Votes:  

• • • The House passed on H.R.6500, a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels through Dec. 11. The legislation was signed into law last week. 

• Recent Introduced Legislation:  

• • • REACH Our Tribes Act (H.R.10205) – Introduced by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Nick Langworthy (R-NY), this legislation would require USDA to consult with Tribes on their annual budget request and farm bills, as well as report comprehensive data on the amount of funding provided to Tribes and Tribal entities through USDA programs. 

• • • Wildfire Response and Readiness Act (H.R.10061) – Introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and other Democrats, this comprehensive legislative package aims to improve wildfire response and preparation, including by increasing prescribed burns on federal lands in coordination with Tribes and others; supporting wildland fire workforce development; and increasing access to wildfire resilience programs, among other changes. 

• • • ASSET Act (H.R.10023/S.5186) – Introduced by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), this legislation would eliminate asset tests for TANF, SNAP, and LIHEAP, allowing families participating in these programs to build savings without risking losing their benefits. 

The Senate returns from August recess on Sept. 14. 

Regulatory Updates:

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC); Notice of Public Meeting 

• Agency implicated: EPA 

• Type of action: Notification of public meeting 

• Summary: The next public meeting of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) will be held virtually September 11, 2026 at 11 am – 5pm ET. The FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. Members of the public who wish to participate, visit the FRRCC website: Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC): Meeting Calendar | US EPA. Once available, the agenda and other meeting materials will be available on the FRRCC website. 

• Relevant deadline:  Public commenter registration deadline is 11:59pm on September 8, 2026. Written public comments can be emailed to Jeff Herrick at FRRCC@epa.gov up to 7 days after the meeting. 

Farm Credit Administration Informational Meeting 

• Agency implicated: Farm Credit Administration 

• Type of action: Notice of informational meeting 

• Summary: The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is holding an informational meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 am Eastern Time. The public may observe this meeting in person at 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-5090, or virtually. If you would like to observe, at least 24 hours in advance, visit FCA.gov, select “Newsroom,” then select “Events.” From there, access the linked “Instructions for meeting visitors” and complete the described registration process. The meeting will address the FCA’s Quarterly Report on Economic Conditions and the Farm Credit System’s condition and performance. 

• Indian Country impact:  Discussion will cover FCA’s financials and agricultural performance relevant to Indian country, Native producers, and tribes. 

• Relevant deadline: Registration must be completed by Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 am Eastern Time.