Jim Wiesemeyer

Jim Wiesemeyer is well known to Pro Farmer Members for his long tenure as Washington Bureau Chief for Pro Farmer. Now with agricultural consulting firm Informa Economics, formerly Sparks Companies, Inc., he is still offering his expertise and insight on farm policy, trade policy and Washington politics as a consultant to Pro Farmer. His Inside Washington Today column on AgWeb.com is a must-read item to keep up with the latest in Washington developments.

Latest Stories
Norman and Roy were among those initially opposing McCarthy’s speaker bid, and Massie in the past has been a real pain for GOP leadership plans. 
Politics
Speaker McCarthy Selects Unruly House Rules Panel
For example, Rep. Ralph Norman in the past unsuccessfully pushed crop insurance amendments that would have cut premium incentives/subsidies by 15% for producers with specified adjusted gross incomes.
January 24, 2023 02:17 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Under the proposed scheme, the Treasury would mint a $1 trillion coin and deposit it at the Fed, and then draw the money to pay the country’s bills.
Politics
Debt Limit Debate: $1 Trillion Coin Not Off the Table
Some legislative officials have discussed the possibility that the Treasury could use an obscure law authorizing platinum coins to circumvent Congress if lawmakers don’t raise the debt ceiling.
January 23, 2023 02:26 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
“We’re not going to negotiate on this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre reiterated to reporters Tuesday, insisting that the debt limit will be raised “without conditions.”
Politics
Bank of America Says a U.S. Debt Default is “Likely”
Speaker McCarthy agreed that the House wouldn’t lift the debt ceiling unless Congress slashes federal spending next fiscal year. Because of this, Bank of America is telling clients to expect a debt default this fall.
January 18, 2023 01:30 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Canada joined Mexico’s initial complaint, warning the U.S. interpretation could inhibit the ability of domestic manufacturers from qualifying for duty-free trade in North America.
Politics
A Trade Panel Backed Mexico and Canada in a Dispute With the U.S.
Mexico and Canada had challenged the U.S. method for calculating the regional content required under the USMCA trade pact for cars to have tariff-free access to the U.S.
January 16, 2023 10:44 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.
Politics
USDA is Making Additional CFAP 2 Payments
The additional payments will be equal to 15% of the producer’s previous CFAP 2 payments.
January 13, 2023 12:11 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Border Wall Lukeville, AZ
Politics
Title 42 Talks Continue with Biden at U.S./Mexico Border
President Biden traveled on Sunday to the U.S./Mexico border amid a surge in illegal border crossings. The administration announced a new program for up to 30,000 migrants a month to enter the U.S. legally.
January 10, 2023 08:30 AM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Norman and Roy were among those initially opposing McCarthy’s speaker bid, and Massie in the past has been a real pain for GOP leadership plans. 
Politics
Kevin McCarthy Finally Won the House Speaker Gavel, Now What?
After four days and 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy’s wait to become Speaker of the House has ended. During his first year as Speaker, he will need to raise the debt limit and fund the government.
January 09, 2023 02:43 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
The goal is to meet U.S. climate goals, while reducing conflicts with farmers and providing benefits to local communities, according to Michele Boyd, the department's solar program manager.
Politics
Energy Dept. is Scaling “Agrivoltaics” Projects to Grow Clean Energy and Food
“The goal is to gather data and best practices to deploy the sites to farms across the country, widening the scope of land for solar developers and providing farmers with another revenue stream,” the program manager says
January 04, 2023 01:30 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Corn Harvest - Poet Ethanol Plant - Lindsey Pound 2021
Politics
EPA Wants to Hear Your Thoughts on the Proposed RFS Levels
EPA is seeking comment on it’s proposed RFS levels for 2023-2025, in addition to comments on environmental impacts from the RFS to include: assessments of air, water and soil quality, and biodiversity.
January 04, 2023 12:22 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
Thunder River
Politics
EPA Releases New WOTUS Rule, with the Supreme Court Ruling Pending
The definition maintains longstanding exemptions for farming activities but trims an exclusion for prior converted cropland that had been in the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.
December 30, 2022 01:01 PM
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Jim Wiesemeyer
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