SCOTUS Hears Cases
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. It’s a big week for President Trump’s tariffs and the SNAP food stamp program, with both issues before the courts.
The Supreme Court will hear legal challenges to President Trump’s tariffs in cases brought by small businesses and several states.
Critics argue the 1977 law in question doesn’t grant the president the emergency tariff powers he claims but say those are reserved for Congress.
Trump’s pick for Chief Ag Negotiator in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, Julie Callahan, argued at her Senate confirmation hearing …
CALLAHAN … “We really have an unprecedented opportunity to use the leverage of the reciprocal tariffs to open markets around the world, including most importantly, developing countries, and emerging markets where there are opportunities to increase our market share.”
The Supreme Court’s decision could reshape U.S. trade policy and the president’s economic powers.
Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CNN the administration won’t appeal two court orders to use emergency funds to partially fund SNAP …
BESSENT … “But there’s a process that has to be followed. So, we’ve got to figure out what the process is. President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits.”
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said recently that emergency funds couldn’t be used for SNAP while the government shutdown sidelines the underlying program, a claim at odds with the use of those funds in the 2019 shutdown.
