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Farm Bill Progress and FY2027 Markups
The House Appropriations Committee is moving forward on Fiscal Year 2027 spending bills, with several subcommittee markups underway this week.
US - Iran Peace Negotiations Stall in Islamabad
The fragile path toward peace between the United States and Iran remains deeply uncertain after marathon negotiations in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough. Following more than 21 hours of talks, JD Vance made clear that the two sides remain far apart, stating bluntly that Iran had “chosen not to accept” the U.S. proposal. While he left the door open for continued diplomacy, the outcome underscores just how entrenched both sides are after weeks of conflict.
Congress Leaves for Recess Amid Shutdown, Shake-Ups, and Growing Uncertainty
As Congress heads into April recess, it leaves behind a remarkable degree of disorder. Between a government shutdown now stretching beyond 45 days, the ouster of two Trump Cabinet secretaries, an ongoing war in Iran, and a narrowing legislative window before August, lawmakers are leaving Washington with far more unresolved than addressed. Below is a breakdown of the latest stretch of congressional chaos and what to watch when members return.
President Trump’s Aluminum and Steel Tariff Actions Hurt America’s Farmers, Food and Beverage Producers, and Can Manufacturers
The Can Manufacturers Institute and American Fruit and Vegetable Coalition have issued a statement in response to the harmful Section 232 tariffs on American Farmers and Canners.
House GOP Rejects Senate Deal, Deepening DHS Funding Stalemate
After more than a month of stalemate, the Senate, led by John Thune and Chuck Schumer, passed a bipartisan deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aiming to finally end the prolonged shutdown. However, the agreement notably excluded funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, two of the most contentious elements in the negotiations. While the deal represented a compromise, it also reflected Democrats’ refusal to fund immigration enforcement agencies without policy reforms and Republicans’ willingness, at least in the Senate, to temporarily set that fight aside to reopen the government.
The Challenge of Lowering Fuel Prices
The Trump administration faces a key dilemma: it is under mounting pressure to curb rising fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, but analysts argue that its ability to influence prices has narrowed, as global energy market instability is the main driver. Vice President JD Vance is meeting with oil executives as the administration, having already released millions of barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and loosened shipping restrictions, seeks solutions.
Trump Rebuilds Tariff Framework After Supreme Court Ruling
The Administration under President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping series of trade investigations targeting roughly 60 economies as it works to rebuild its tariff policy after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down many of the president’s earlier global duties.
Oil Surges as Iran Conflict Continues
U.S. crude prices jumped above $80 per barrel as the escalating conflict involving Iran disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global energy trade that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Tanker traffic through the strait has largely halted following attacks and threats from Iran, including reports from Iranian state media that a missile struck an oil tanker and a British Navy report of a major explosion involving another vessel near Iraq.
Trump Unveils Data Center Energy Plan in State of the Union
President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to strongly defend his economic record, while Trump touched on retirement savings incentives, congressional stock trading bans, immigration restrictions, tariffs, and foreign policy flashpoints, including warnings to Iran and comments on Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro; the data center and energy provisions stood out as among the most forward-looking and economically significant elements of the speech. President Trump framed the issue as both an economic and an infrastructure crisis, arguing that the explosion of AI-driven data centers is straining the nation’s aging electric grid and driving up household utility costs.
New Farm Bill Proposed, The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
The House Agriculture Committee has unveiled a long-delayed effort to reauthorize the nation’s sweeping farm and food policy law.
U.S. – Canada Trade Dispute and Domestic Backlash
Relations between the United States and Canada are under significant strain as a sweeping trade dispute centered on tariffs, infrastructure leverage, and broader geopolitical alignments intensifies. At the same time, Trump’s broad tariff regime targeting Canadian steel, aluminum, and other imports has provoked retaliation from Canadian authorities, disrupted deeply integrated supply chains, and fueled political backlash within the United States over rising costs and trade policy direction.
Senate Finance Democrats Focus on Drug Pricing Ahead of Midterms
On February 4, 2026, Senate Finance Democrats put a spotlight on rising drug costs ahead of the midterms, pushing reforms aimed at lowering prescription prices and increasing transparency, while President Trump prepared to launch a new website, TrumpRx, allowing Americans to buy medicines directly from manufacturers at discounted rates.
Constitution Partners Welcomes Federal & State Veteran Advisor Christina Gungoll Lepore As New Partner
Constitution Partners is pleased to welcome experienced state and federal advisor Christina Gungoll Lepore as a Partner, further bolstering the firm’s position as a trusted advisor to energy, critical mineral, food and technology companies and strengthening state relationships.
The DHS Funding Fight
On January 31, 2026, the U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation ahead of the fiscal year deadline...not because lawmakers couldn’t agree on overall spending, but because of a bitter dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Europe’s Davos Reality Check
This week marked the World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The gathering brought together global leaders, industry executives, and a bipartisan delegation of U.S. governors and lawmakers. Among the many geopolitical issues on the agenda, President Trump’s continued threats to take over Greenland stole the spotlight.
White House Releases "The Great Healthcare Plan" Amid Tense Affordable Healthcare Act Negotiations
On January 15, 2026, the White House rolled out President Donald Trump’s “Great Healthcare Plan,” framing it as a cost-cutting package that would lower drug prices, reduce insurance premiums, and force more transparency from insurers and providers.
A Show of Force in the Western Hemisphere: Reactions from the American Political System and Impact on our Energy Sector
The dramatic events of January 2026 have fundamentally reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Western Hemisphere. With the execution of "Operation Absolute Resolve," the United States has transitioned from a policy of diplomatic pressure and sanctions to direct military intervention in Venezuela.
2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Released
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes the importance of 'eating the right amount for you' and prioritizing whole, minimally processed foods to support overall health and nutrient intake.
SPEED Act Advances to Senate Following Contentious House Debate
The SPEED Act passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 221-196 and is now pending in the Senate. Passage followed a contentious debate on Tuesday, during which an anti-wind amendment was added to the final bill.
Healthcare Policy Update: End-of-Year Outlook on ACA Subsidies and 2026 Coverage Landscape
As Congress prepares to adjourn for the holidays, end-of-year negotiations over Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies have stalled, making a lapse on January 1, 2026 increasingly likely. Despite a flurry of bipartisan activity in both chambers, lawmakers now concede that no legislative fix will be enacted before the credits expire, setting up a politically consequential start to the new year for millions of Americans who rely on the subsidies for affordable coverage. Below is Constitution Partner’s assessment of where things stand, and what to expect in 2026.