Weekly Food and Agriculture Update 4.16

Tuesday, April 17th, 2018

WEEKLY FOOD & AGRICULTURE UPDATE

April 16, 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 are in session this week.
  • Farm Bill Released- On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee unveiled the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2). The Committee has announced its plans for markup to be this Wednesday, April 18.
  • USDA Undersecretary Named– President Trump has selected James Hubbard to serve as the USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. In a statement, Secretary Perdue applauded the appointment and urged the Senate to confirm Hubbard and other qualified USDA nominees awaiting confirmation.
  • Ryan Retiring–  House Speaker Paul Ryan announced last week that he will not be running for re-election in November, citing his family as part of his decision. Ryan endorsed House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to serve as the next Speaker. Majority Whip Steve Scalise has also shared support for McCarthy, short-stopping rumors that the Louisiana statesman might run for the position.

Nominations

Confirmations

  • Patrick Pizzella to be Deputy Secretary of Labor.
  • Andrew Wheeler to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • John F. Ring to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday, April 17

  • The House Committee on the Judiciary will discuss Safeguarding Trade Secrets in the United States.
  • House Ag Appropriations will hear from FDA Comissioner Scott Gottlieb on the FY19 Budget.
Wednesday, April 18
  •  The House Committee on Agriculture will hold a markup to consider H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
  • USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen will testify before the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss the FY19 Forest Service Budget.
  • USDA Secretary Perdue will then join colleagues Dr. Seth Meyer and Mrs. Diem-Linh Jones to testify before House Ag Appropriations on the USDA FY19 Budget.
  • The House Small Business Committee will examine the SBA’s Loans to Poultry Farmers.
  • Senate Environment and Public Works will consider the appropriate role of states and the Federal government in protecting groundwater.
Thursday, April 19
  •  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will address energy-related challenges and opportunities in remote and rural areas of the United States.

A Quick Look Back

Pertinent Timing Ticker

  • 167 total days until the farm bill expires (Sep. 30, 2018).