Weekly Food & Agriculture Update 6.18
WEEKLY FOOD & AGRICULTURE UPDATE
June 18, 2018
A quick look at what’s happening in Washington, D.C. that’s impacting food and agriculture. If you would like to subscribe to the receive the updates right to your inbox, please contact Marissa Dake.
Big Picture Outlook
- Schedule- The House and Senate remain in session this week.
- Farm Bill on Hold for Immigration Vote– A second vote on the House farm bill is not expected until immigration votes occur, although the current deadline for re-consideration of H.R. 2 is this Friday, June 22. Members of the conservative Freedom Caucus voted down the bill last month after demanding a vote on a conservative immigration bill, Judiciary Chairman Goodlatte’s Securing America’s Future Act (SAF Act), before the farm bill. Last week, Freedom Caucus Chairman Meadows (R-NC) told Bloomberg that if Goodlatte’s bill is considered this week, “I’d be compelled to vote for the farm bill.”
- House Schedules Anticipated Immigration Vote– This week’s House schedule includes “possible consideration of legislation related to border security and immigration” starting on Wednesday. MTA’s Sarah Hubbart breaks down the immigration state of play here. One of the bills that is expected to receive a vote is Goodlatte’s SAF Act, which along with increased enforcement and border security provisions would establish a new H-2C ag guest worker visa. Late Thursday, House leaders circulated a second immigration proposal, which as anticipated includes the “four pillars” of priorities previously outlined by the White House. However, after conflicting reports on Friday, it is unclear if the President supports this legislation. The President is said to be meeting with Republican conference tomorrow to discuss the path forward. Democrats are not expected to support either bill.
Nominations & Confirmations
There were no confirmations last week.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, June 19
- The Senate Broadband Caucus, led by Senator Capito (R-WV), will host a discussion on broadband and technology in agriculture. Along with Capito, Senators Boozman (R-AK), Heitkamp (D-ND), King (I-ME), and Klobuchar (D-MN) will give remarks.
Wednesday, June 20
- Senate Finance will examine the current and proposed tariff actions administered by the Department of Commerce.
- The House Committee on Small Business will discuss innovative economic development policy strategies for communities with small businesses.
- House Appropriations will markup the several FY19 appropriations bills including: Foreign Operations, Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education.
Thursday, June 21
- House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing to examine growth, opportunity, and change in the U.S. labor market and the American workforce.
- The House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade will meet to discuss “Accelerating Agriculture: How Federal Regulations Impact America’s Small Farmers.”
A Quick Look Back
- With tariffs, Trump starts unraveling a quarter-century of U.S.-China economic ties
- How Trump-China Trade Spat Is Rippling Through Corporate America
- Schumer praises Trump for China tariffs
- Conflicting Forces Pull at Trump on NAFTA
- USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to June 22
- David S. Johanson Becomes Chairman of U.S. International Trade Commission
Pertinent Timing Ticker
104 total days until the farm bill expires (Sep. 30, 2018).