Trump tweeted on Monday night that he will sign an executive order to temporarily ban immigration to try and stem the spread of coronavirus. The Agriculture Department is working with the White House to publicly clarify that farm workers will be exempt. (Politico)

The Senate approved a bipartisan agreement Tuesday to infuse the highly popular Paycheck Protection Program with an additional $320 billion while also making farms eligible for a separate disaster loan program for small businesses. The House will consider the bill on Thursday. (Agri-Pulse)

Four governors sent a letter urging Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to allocate additional resources under the COVID-19 relief package to the biofuels industry. An initial tranche of aid, announced Friday by USDA, included welcome funding for farmers and ranchers, but no direct relief for U.S. biofuel producers. (Ag Radio Network)

EPA published its Navigable Waters Protection Rule in the Federal Register this week, nearly four months after the administration unveiled the rule. Publication starts a 60-day clock before the rule goes into effect and waves a green flag for an onslaught of lawsuits likely to be filed around the country. (E&E News)

Read an analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation on recently announced details of the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) here.  

The Agriculture Department’s new $19 billion stimulus plan for farmers was rolled out late Friday night (prime news-dump hours). Half of the direct aid is earmarked for livestock and dairy farmers, there’s no money for ethanol producers, and hemp growers could be eligible for a small slice of the funds. (Politico)