September 10, 2024

Contents

• What We’re Watching
• Notable News
• This Week’s Legislation
• Upcoming Hearings
• Contact the Team

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Appropriations

Congress returns this week following a month-long recess. Their main priority will be keeping the government funded, which currently expires on September 30, as well as passage of other expiring legislation. On Friday afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) unveiled a Continuing Resolution package which would extend current levels of funding through March 2025, and includes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require proof of citizenship before voting in elections. While the House approved the rule for the CR Monday night, the bill faces significant opposition even from House Republican Members. Democrats have already criticized the package, and it is unlikely it will go through the Senate.

The White House sent a list of anomalies to Congress, detailing what funding exceptions the administration is prioritizing with a CR. The anomalies list included funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), as well as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. These items must be addressed in a Continuing Resolution.  

Farm Bill

Lawmakers are also facing a farm bill expiration on September 30. A letter was circulated undersigned by state and national agriculture groups urging lawmakers to pass a new farm bill, calling the outlook for farm country “daunting,” as “USDA-projected market prices for the 2024 crop are well below costs of production, and current projections paint another bleak picture for 2025.”

Additionally, the Democratic Women’s Caucus wrote a letter to House leadership opposing current proposals for the Thrifty Food Plan, stating that it would be the “largest cut to SNAP in twenty years.” Sixty-five members signed on.   

Joint Hearing

The House Agriculture Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture and Horticulture Subcommittee and the House Appropriations Agriculture-FDA Subcommittee will hold a joint subcommittee hearing on food aid shortages within tribal and elderly federal food programs. The hearing comes following shortages within the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program have been experiencing delays, resulting in shortages at distribution sites. 

Administration

USDA ERS Releases Food Security Report for 2023

The Economic Research Service (ERS) released their Food Security Report for 2023, showing that food insecurity increased over the past year. In 2023, 13.5% of households were food insecure, which is higher than the 12.8% level in 2022. In 2023, 5.1% of households were very low food secure.

USDA ERS Releases Farm Income Report

The ERS released their annual farm income report for 2024. The report indicates a continued decline in farm sector income for 2024, with net cash farm income and net farm income projected to drop by 7.2% and 6.8% respectively from 2023 levels, despite remaining above 20-year averages. Key factors contributing to this decline include reduced crop receipts, particularly for corn and soybeans, and decreased ad hoc assistance and payments from disaster programs. Production expenses are forecast to decrease overall, with notable declines in feed and fertilizer costs, but rising labor and livestock purchases will slightly offset these reductions.

FDA Issues Second Iteration of Sodium Reduction Targets

The FDA published the second edition of voluntary sodium reduction targets for packaged foods and restaurant foods. The targets will have a 3-year compliance date when finalized. There is an opportunity for public comments on the draft, with comments due on November 14, 2024. The Federal Register states that the FDA will announce any future sodium reduction goals through draft guidance. The FDA will also host a webinar on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals (Edition II) Draft Guidance on Thursday, October 10.

USDA to Establish New GHG-Focused Advisory Committee 

USDA announced its intention to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council (informally known as the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council) and is seeking nominations for Council membership. The new Council, a requirement of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, will focus on making it easier for producers to participate in voluntary environmental credit markets, including carbon credits. Interested parties may submit a nominations package to be considered for the Council. Applications and comments are due by October 15, 2024. 

USTR Comes to Agreement with Chile on Meat and Cheese Products

The National Congress of Chile approved the agreement on Chile Market Access and Prior Users for Cheese and Meats, allowing U.S. producers to export specialty cheeses and meats to Chile. This agreement has been made within the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement. 

Notable News

• ‘Risk Averse’ Food Industry Slow to Take Up AI and Digital – FoodNavigator
• Some Rural Counties Are Recovering from the Effects of the Pandemic Faster than their Urban Counterparts – Daily Yonder
• Feedstock Availability and Aviation Demand Challenge Biofuel Adoption in Shipping – Lloyd’s Register
• China Hits Canada with an Anti-Dumping Probe on Canola Imports, Ottawa Deeply Concerned – Reuters

This Week’s Legislation

• Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced the Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act to give the FDA authority to share information with state and local regulatory agencies.
• Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced the School Hunger Elimination Act, which would directly certify all students receiving Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income in the National School Lunch Program.
• Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). 

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, September 10

• 10:00 AM: The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Evaluating FDA Human Foods and Tobacco Programs”

Wednesday, September 11

• 10:00 AM: The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a hearing on “Waters of the United States Implementation Post-Sackett Decision: Experiences and Perspectives”
• 10:00 AM: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture will hold a joint oversight hearing on “Severe Food Distribution Shortages in Tribal and Elderly Communities”
• The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security will hold a hearing titled “From Gas to Groceries: Americans Pay the Price of the Biden-Harris Energy Agenda”

Thursday, September 12

• 10:00 AM: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing to examine the 2025 tax policy debate. 

Contact the Team

Feel free to contact Michael Torrey, Tara Smith, Cassandra Kuball, Barbara Patterson, Katie Naessens, Julie McClure, Nona McCoy, Danielle Nelson, Ashley Smith, Olivia Lucanie, Caroline Snell, Heath Brandt, or Tracy Boyle with any questions or comments.

Food and agricultural organizations that need the right results in Washington, D.C. can trust Torrey Advisory Group to put its relationships, reputation, and expertise to work on your issue. Since 2005, the firm has successfully provided legislative and regulatory guidance, issues management, and association management services to a wide variety of clients. Learn more about us at torreydc.com.