ASA Advocacy Update: Farm Bill Progress, Workforce Legislation, Tariffs, and 2026 Election Developments

If it’s March, it’s appropriations season in DC. Last week, at a critical point in the legislative calendar, ASA Advocacy engaged Capitol Hill lawmakers on key industry issues while closely following emerging developments. On Tuesday night, the House Agriculture Committee reported the long-awaited Farm Bill, which incorporates provisions of the Healthy H2O Act—legislation ASA has championed that enables rural residents, particularly those relying on wells, to test their water and apply for grants to fund corrective measures, including third-party-certified end-point filtration devices. This will now make its way to the House floor for a vote.
 

ECA: H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act, sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY) and supported by ASA, is still moving through the House. After being reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee in December, it was placed on the calendar and may receive floor consideration. The measure would stop state and local governments from prohibiting particular fuel types, emphasizing consumer access to energy and product options.
 

Housing Bill: The new housing bill, the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), passed the House and is making rapid progress in the Senate. This legislation aims to increase housing supply by modernizing zoning to allow higher density, accessory dwelling units, and reduced parking; create grants for pre-approved designs to accelerate homebuilding (especially in rural areas); streamline environmental reviews and cut regulatory barriers to promote transit-oriented development; expand affordable housing finance, including manufactured housing and a small-dollar mortgage pilot; strengthen borrower protections by excluding certain disability benefits from income calculations, establishing an eviction helpline, and boosting housing counseling and financial literacy; and require HUD, USDA, and VA to coordinate data sharing, oversight, and program evaluation. The bill could be passed by the Senate as soon as Thursday.
 

Workforce: ASA remains active on workforce initiatives. Although WIOA reauthorization has moved slowly this Congress, ASA has held discussions on S. 3846, the Employer-Directed Skills Act, recently introduced by Senator Ted Budd (NC) and Representative Elise Stefanik (NY). This bill that ASA is supporting, individually and along with its industry partners, would provide partial reimbursements to employers for the costs of employer-directed skills development programs, establish performance indicators to ensure trainees receive high-quality instruction and are well prepared for employment, and encourage local workforce development boards to connect with employers that offer employer-directed skills development programs.
 

Tariff Update: It was previously reported that, after the Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs, President Trump would institute a new global tariff structure under the Trade Act of 1974. Initially, it was reported that the level would be 10%, later rising to 15% under a subsequent announcement. Since then, the rate has remained at 10%. This is partially due to existing trade agreements with several countries, including the United Kingdom, that have their tariff rate capped at 10%. This authority expires after 150 days, and it remains to be seen what additional tariffs may be imposed. There is a possibility that expanded 232 and 301 actions could be taken. It will take at least 45 days for the IEEPA refund process to be instituted.
 

Federal Regulatory
 

Card Check: On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued its decision in Brown-Forman, vacating the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Cemex ruling. The Biden NLRB had rewritten union-representation procedures to make card check the default method. The Sixth Circuit found the NLRB exceeded its authority, concluding the Cemex standard was not created to resolve the parties’ dispute or to remedy the effects of unlawful conduct and therefore was an improper use of the Board’s adjudicatory power. ASA has long opposed the measure and welcomed the court’s decision.
 

Politics
 

As the 2026 midterm elections ramp up, primaries and special elections across the country are beginning to shape some of the cycle’s most hotly contested races. Notable contests to watch include:
 

Texas: Last week, the hotly contested Senate primaries for the seat currently held by Sen. John Cornyn (R) took place. On the Republican side, Sen. Cornyn saw a strong challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with Cornyn edging out Paxton 42%-41%. Under Texas law, since neither candidate received 50%, the race heads to a runoff on May 26. On the Democratic side, State Representative James Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett 53%-46%.
 

Also of note, incumbent Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R) lost his primary in TX-2 to State Representative Steve Toth. In TX-23, incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) was edged out by his primary opponent, Brendan “The AK Guy” Herrera, 43%-42%, sending that race to a runoff. However, the next day, Gonzales announced he would not seek re-election after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation after he admitted having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
 

California: Last week, GOP Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) said he will not seek re-election in his San Diego-area seat. First elected in 2000 to the 48th and 49th Districts, Issa served until 2018, when he announced his retirement and was later appointed by President Trump to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. He returned to Congress in 2020 after winning California’s 50th District and has represented that area since. After mid-census redistricting made his new district significantly more Democratic, Issa briefly explored a run in Texas last year but ultimately declined.
 

Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-3) formally changed his party registration from Republican to Independent, becoming the only independent member of the House while continuing to caucus with the GOP. Under the new California map, his current district, centered on the Sierra Nevada, shifted toward Democrats. Kiley is now running for the open Sacramento-area 6th District, which former Vice President Kamala Harris carried by eight points in 2024.
 

President Trump Job Approval (RCP Average): 43% Approve – 54% Disapprove.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Democrats +4.7%.
 

The House currently has a composition of 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats, with 3 vacant seats.
 

Special Elections: NJ-11 (Sherrill), Special: 04/26/2026; GA-14 (Taylor-Greene), Runoff: 04/07/2026; CA-1 (LaMalfa), Special: 06/02/2026.
 

The Senate is comprised of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.