Weekly Food & Agriculture Update 7.8

Monday, July 8th, 2019

WEEKLY FOOD & AGRICULTURE UPDATE

July 8, 2019

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

  • Lawmakers Push for USMCA Ratification- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley (R-IA) believes there is still a chance Congress could ratify USMCA before the August recess, and if not, potentially in September. The Administration, Republicans and supporters of USMCA have been pushing for the agreement to be ratified as soon as possible. However, the agreement currently lacks support from House Democrats, a key demographic for passage. With only 12 legislative days left before the August recess, time is running short. Because of the 2020 election, many are doubtful the agreement will go through if it’s not passed before the end of the year. Ambassador Lighthizer has been a frequent visitor on the Hill, as he works with Democratic lawmakers to reach a deal that will satisfy both sides of the aisle and the Administration.
  • Prevented Planting Claims Could Amount to Over $1 Billion- Prevented planting claims could exceed $1 billion this year, as unprecedented rainfall has swept the country, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Bill Northey, said reported acres could easily exceed 10 million acres and claims could amount to over $1 billion. Producers in certain states have until July 15 to report prevented plant acres. If claims do exceed $1 billion, it would be the sixth time this has occurred since 2009. Farmers are being encouraged to plant cover crops on acres where they were unable to plant their intended crop and will be able to receive minimal trade aid payments on those acres.

Nominations & Confirmations

The Week Ahead

Wednesday, July 10, 2019
  • The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on “Investing in America’s Surface Transportation Infrastructure: The Need for a Multi-Year Reauthorization Bill.”
Thursday, July 11, 2019
  • The House Ag Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit will hold a hearing on “Building Opportunity in Rural America through Affordable, Reliable and High-Speed Broadband”.
  • The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing on “From the Fields to the Factories: Preventing Workplace Injury and Death from Excessive Heat”.

A Quick Look Back