Jul 25, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Senator Schiff Urges USDA to Deliver Disaster Relief for Farmers in California

In a letter of July 22, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to ensure the agency delivers disaster assistance

Jul 18, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues   |   telehealth Telehealth Permanence Bill Introduced in Congress

On July 11, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral CONNECT for Health Act

Jul 11, 2025

federal issues   |   Secure Rural Schools   |   SRS Federal Update: Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization, Farm Bill, Closing the Intoxicating Hemp Loophole

While the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) was signed into law on July 4th, several RCRC priorities were left on the cutting floor.

Jul 03, 2025

federal issues   |   Secure Rural Schools   |   SRS Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Update

As reconciliation legislation moves toward final passage, attention is beginning to shift to other bipartisan priorities—including the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) reauthorization. 

Jun 20, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Senate Version of Budget Bill Proposes Federal Land Sales Across California

Earlier this week, maps began to surface that showed at least 2 million acres of potential USDA Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands that could be liquidated as part of the Senate version of the “Big, Beautiful Budget Bill.” It has been rumored since

Jun 13, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues California Congressmen Introduce Valley Water Protection Act

On June 11, Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) introduced the Valley Water Protection Act, which would ensure Central Valley farmers and producers receive reliable water deliveries to support their operations. The Act would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect impacted farmers from

Jun 13, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments   |   federal issues U.S. Senate Confirms Stephen Vaden as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

On Tuesday June 10, in a 51-44 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Stephen Vaden to serve as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. In this role, Mr. Vaden will oversee

Jun 06, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Transportation Secretary Releases Report Finding No Viable Path Forward for California High-Speed Rail Project

One June 4, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Compliance Review Report, which found that the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA)’s high speed rail project is in default of the terms of its federal grant awards. The detailed report

May 30, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Update

Last week, U.S. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) released a schedule to markup all 12 Fiscal Year 2026 (FY ’26) spending bills over the next 10 weeks of June and July, with the goal of completing all markups before the August recess

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues   |   water quality EPA Reinforces Alignment of Clean Water Act Section 401 with “Powering the Great American Comeback” Initiative

On May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum clarifying the specific and limited role of States and Tribes in the federal licensing and permitting processes under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA reiterates its position that States and Tribes must utilize Section 401 only for its statutory purpose – to protect water quality