Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts and Vice President of Legislative Affairs Perry Aasness navigate the uncertainty facing agriculture as the federal government enters its third week of shutdown in mid-October. Megan opens with macroeconomic updates on another potential Fed rate cut and delayed USDA reports including the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, while Perry explains the standoff between House Republicans seeking a clean continuing resolution and Senate Democrats leveraging their position for concessions on healthcare and Medicaid funding. Learn which USDA services remain operational during the shutdown, including crop insurance and border inspections, versus what's closed, including Farm Service Agency offices unable to process farm program payments, new farm loans or CCC loans. The discussion covers why a comprehensive Farm Bill 2.0 remains stalled despite bipartisan committee support, and Compeer's priority of expanding rural community facility financing authority. Perry analyzes escalating China trade tensions following new tariff announcements and explains emerging details about potential agricultural assistance packages. The episode addresses narrow congressional majorities complicating negotiations, the Supreme Court hearing on presidential tariff authority, and what producers should watch as Congress attempts to navigate shutdown resolution, budget agreements, and farm policy modernization before the 2026 midterm election season begins.