nomination

Large grain trading firms are cutting spending as a result of low commodity prices. Industry groups federal agencies give in too easily and ‘settle’ when sued by environmental groups. Sam Clovis is no longer under consideration for a USDA undersecretary position

**Grocery prices declined to a 50-year low last year. The USDA says retail food prices dropped 1.3 percent, the first ANNUAL decline since 1967. Increased production of many commodities, lower transportation costs and a strong dollar were some of the reasons for the declines...

Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee suspend committee rules and approve the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Democrats on the panel did not show up for a second straight day Thursday, and the GOP majority voted 11-0 to send the nomination of Pruitt to the full Senate for a vote...