Nov 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues SNAP Payments Partially Restored Amid Ongoing Federal Government Shutdown

SNAP benefits lapsed in many states over the weekend for the first time in the program’s 60-year history, as the federal government shutdown continues. However, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) planned to fully suspend benefits, two federal court orders issued last week require

Oct 31, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Government Shutdown Update

The Federal shutdown continues with no clear pathway to resolution, as Senate Democrats left town Thursday. Speaker Mike Johnson canceled votes in the House for the fifth straight week

Oct 31, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Legislation Introduced in House to Reinstate Glenn Medical Center Critical Access Funding

On October 24, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) introduced the Rural Hospital Fairness Act, which would reinstate

Oct 24, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Fix Our Forests Act Advances Out of Senate Agriculture Committee

On October 21, 2025, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry convened a markup to consider the Fix Our Forests Act (S.1462 | one pager). The measure passed out of committee

Oct 24, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues DOI Layoff Plans Revealed

A court filing submitted Monday, October 20, in a federal court in San Francisco revealed that the Department of the Interior plans to lay off

Oct 24, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Federal Legislation Aims to Restore Rural Hospital Access in Glenn County

Glenn County’s only hospital, Glenn Medical Center, closed its doors on September 30 after losing a federal designation critical to its financial survival. U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced legislation that would

Oct 17, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Interim Recess Update: RCRC Sponsored Measures and more…

On October 13, the Governor took action on the measures that remained on his desk for consideration. Of the 917 bills sent to the Governor’s desk during this legislative year, 794 were signed, and 123 vetoed. Of those measures, RCRC-sponsored

Oct 17, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues EPA Issues Policy Guidance to Help Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires, Promote Use of Prescribed Fires for Mitigation Efforts

On October 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued policy guidance directing regional offices to

Oct 17, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Update on Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown continues with no agreement in sight. On Thursday this week, the Senate once again did not advance the House-passed stopgap funding bill. The House remains out of session

Oct 10, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Federal Government Shutdown Update

The federal government remains shut down with no agreement in sight. The Senate has yet to advance a stopgap funding bill. Without a significant change in stance from either party, and with no compromise on the horizon, the upper chamber is expected to continue voting on the same Continuing Resolutions. Thus far