October 17, 2023

Contents

• What We’re Watching
• Notable News
• Upcoming Hearings
• Contact the Team

What We’re Watching

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Be sure to check out Torrey Advisory Group’s October Insight, where Vice President Katie Naessens discusses the future of this year’s Farm Bill and its current state of play. Read it here.

Congress 

House Speaker Elections

Late last week, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) withdrew his name from the race for Speaker of the House, despite winning the party nomination in an initial vote against Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Jordan later clinched the nomination even after Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) made a last-minute entry into the race. Jordan must secure a majority of House votes (217), and most recent reports indicate there are still a number of holdouts. Votes are anticipated on Tuesday afternoon. On the other side of the aisle, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), along with Democrat moderates, have floated the idea of expanding Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry’s (R-NC) abilities to preside over the floor to pass urgent aid for the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as well as to work through appropriations legislation.

Appropriations

While next steps in the Appropriations process in the House remain uncertain, the Senate returns to session this week with the hopes of taking up a three bill-minibus package, which includes the Agriculture-FDA bill. While no definitive schedule has been announced at this time, the package could move as early as Tuesday.

Senators Call for Improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) wrote a letter calling for improvements to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in this year’s farm bill reauthorization. The letter provides eight different measures to  make the program easier to access, navigate, and fulfill conservation program delivery to farmers. Some recommendations include: extending accredited land trust certification requirements under ACEP to RCPP, extending RCPP to include the Water Source Protection Program, the Forest Legacy Program and the Forest Stewardship Program, and allow Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) project leads to contact with farmers and ranchers directly. 

Administration

USDA Invests in School Lunches

Secretary Vilsack announced on Wednesday, October 11 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be investing $60 million into technical assistance for school lunch programs. Applications will open soon for the second sub-grant of the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, which will assist schools in collaborating with innovation and small businesses in the area to get more nutritious foods to students. USDA is also accepting applications for the USDA Farm to School Grant program, which will help support local child nutrition programs in serving fresh foods.

New Controlled Environment Crop Insurance Program

The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has been hosting webinars on the pilot program for  crop insurance  for controlled agriculture environments. The information session discussed how the program would be set up, who is eligible, and what the next steps are following success of the pilot program. All information can be found on the RMA webpage.

President Biden Announces Hydrogen Hubs

The President visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last week to announce the disbursement of $7 billion across 16 states for regional hydrogen hubs – which extend across the country. This project is intended to reach the Biden administration’s target of increasing clean hydrogen outputs to 10 million metric tons by 2030. Out of the $7 billion, $1.2 billion will be going toward Texas and another $1.2 billion will be going toward California. The hydrogen industry is still looking for guidance from the Treasury Department on how to access subsidies created by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Cuts Back on Driver Relief

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator (FMCSA) announced they will be revising the process for extending automatic emergency regulatory relief for drivers and carriers during state emergencies. The changes were announced this week and would “revise the process for extending automatic emergency regulatory relief where circumstances warrant and allows for potential reporting requirements when FMCSA issues an extension or modification,” meaning that during regional emergency, drivers and carriers would be exempt only from daily and weekly limits on driving time. The duration of automatic relief has also been reduced from 30 to 14 days.

Notable News

• Grocery Prices Rise Slightly As Beef, Pork Costs Climb – AgriPulse
• Food Is Hot Campaign Issue in Elections From Argentina to Poland – Bloomberg
• USDA Cuts Corn and Soy Yield Estimates – AgriPulse
• Obstacles & Opportunities for On-Farm Conservation – Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
• Bayer, Dollar General Offer Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Coupons – AgriPulse
• FMMO Hearing Update: Recess Until Thanksgiving – KNEB
• Dysfunction in Congress Could Put Federal Food Safety Programs at Risk – Food Safety News
• Broad Tariffs Imperil American Agriculture – Des Moines Register

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, October 17

•  9:00 AM: The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a field hearing on “Field Hearing on Access to Health Care in America: Challenges in Rural and Underserved Communities”

Wednesday, October 18

• 10:00 AM: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on “Examining the Implications of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency for Clean Water Act Protections of Wetlands and Streams”
• 10:00 AM: The House Oversight Committee Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic will hold a hearing on “Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity Standards: Protecting Against Future Pandemics
• 10:30 AM ET: The House Energy and Commerce Committee Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Exposing EPA Efforts to Limit Chemicals Needed for Life-Saving Medical Devices and Other Essential Products”

Thursday, October 19

• 10:00 AM: The House on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing on “Examine the Department of Energy’s Decision-Making Process for Awarding Competitive Loans and Grants Funded Through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”

Contact the Team

Feel free to contact Michael Torrey, Tara Smith, Cassandra Kuball, Barbara Patterson, Katie Naessens, Caroline Snell, Danielle Nelson, Julie McClure, Ashley Smith, Olivia Lucanie, Heath Brandt, Tracy Boyle or Matthew Hughes 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.