Andy Harris to head Freedom Caucus: Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing USDA and FDA funding, was elected to lead the House Freedom Caucus of Republican conservatives. (Freedom Caucus)
Fed cuts interest rate: With the inflation rate down to 2.5 percent, the Federal Reserve Board voted to reduce the federal funds interest rate by one-half point, the first cut since 2020, and said it would consider additional cuts in the future. (Federal Reserve)
Thune eyes top spot: South Dakota’s John Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is running for Senate Republican leader with the same intensity, “fueled by an aversion to losing,” he showed as a high school athlete. (Associated Press)
Bird flu in California: The H5N1 avian flu virus was confirmed in the 10th dairy herd in California’s Central Valley since Aug. 30, raising the U.S. total to 208 herds in 14 states. (USDA)
House defeats funding bill: By a vote of 220-202, the House defeated HR 9494, which would fund the government, including the USDA, through March, raising the risk of a federal shutdown when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. (House Clerk)