May 21, 2024

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Farm Bill

The House Agriculture Committee released farm bill draft discussion text on Friday, May 17, ahead of the Committee markup, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 23. Upon release of the House draft discussion text, Senate  Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow responded noting that she and House Ag Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) have met frequently and that it appears that they have a lot in common when it comes to their “visions of the 2024 Farm Bill” but also voiced concerns about how the Republicans’ proposal will “split the broad, bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful Farm Bill” due to differences about nutrition and climate issues. 

Prior to the release of last week’s House discussion draft, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Agriculture Committee Democrats in a closed-door meeting to discuss opposition to House Republicans’ farm bill proposals. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA) has encouraged members to vote against the bill in the markup, and provisions within the House nutrition title have received fierce opposition from the Democrats. Along with nutrition, which covers 85% of the total cost of the bill, the other main point of contention in the bill is about the removal of climate provisions imposed by the Inflation Reduction Act in the conservation title.

While there has been a lot of action on the farm bill throughout the month of May, the path forward remains uncertain, especially since the Senate still has not scheduled a markup. The farm bill is due for reauthorization by September 30, 2024, giving members a short time window available for bill passage during this presidential election year.  

Appropriations

The new House Appropriations Chair, Tom Cole (R, OK-04), released the 302(b) allocations last week setting topline funding levels for all twelve FY25 House appropriations bills. The numbers indicate that Cole will be adhering to the spending caps set by last summer’s debt ceiling deal. Overall non-defense spending for FY25 will be cut by 6%, but those cuts will not be distributed evenly, with some bills being cut by 10-11%. The Ag-FDA allocation is $25.87 billion, about a 1% cut from FY24 levels. The Ag-FDA Subcommittee markup is on June 11, and the full Committee will markup the bill on July 10. The entire FY2025 markup schedule was released and can be found here.  

Letter on Food Prices

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led a letter, signed by over 20 House and Senate Democrats, requesting President Biden to take action against high food prices. The letter states, “We believe you can exercise your executive authority to take additional action to address rising food prices without congressional action” and asks the President to work with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use the Robinson Patman Act to address food industry consolidation.  

Administration

USDA Announces Grant Funding to Organics

At the Organic Trade Association (OTA) conference last week, Secretary Vilsack announced the rollout of $24.8 million for 23 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant Program. The grants will be used for markets for domestic organic products, technical assistance for organics production, and to financially assist in obtaining organic certification. A full list of projects awarded can be found here.  

CDC Releases Wastewater Data for Influenza A to Help Tracking

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data on H5N1, or influenza A, found in wastewater through a public dashboard that would help with tracking the outbreak. This method was used to track mutations in the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed the agency to monitor the virus in real time. The CDC said that it is actively looking for signs of spread of the virus to, or among, people, in areas where it has been identified.  

USDA Unveils Funding for Wildfire Planning Efforts

USDA has announced $250 million to fund 158 wildfire planning and vegetation removal projects to help mitigate the effects and threats of wildfires. The Community Wildfire Defense Program aims to assist at-risk communities, with planning for and lowering wildfire risks on tribal, state, and privately managed land. This all comes from goals outlined in the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and the objectives of the National Climate Resilience Framework. A third funding opportunity will be announced later this year.  

Notable News

• Battle Lines Drawn as Farm Bill Proposals Take Shape – E&E News
• New Rules to Overhaul Electric Grids Could Boost Wind and Solar Power – New York Times
• Tax Incentives can Help Enhance Adoption of Sustainability Manufacturing: Experts – The Daily Pioneer
• Biden Levies Sweeping Tariffs on China, Intensifying Trade Fight with Trump – Wall Street Journal

This Week’s Legislation

• Congressman Feenstra (R-IA) introduced the Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act, which would update the LIP for cattle producers to receive fair market prices for livestock.  
• Senators Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Branch Out Implementation Act and the Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) Support Act to offer state foresters increased flexibility to implement Forest Action Plans.
• Senators Welch (D-VT) and Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the RISE Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize the USDA RISE Program for rural job-training and business development.
• Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers introduced the Accounting for the Uses, Disbursements, and Income on our Taxes at EPA Act to require the EPA to evaluate their Clean Air Act programs, conduct an audit of them, and report the findings to Congress.

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, May 21

•  2:30 PM: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security will hold a hearing on “Feeding a Healthier America; Current Efforts and Potential Opportunities for Food is Medicine”

Wednesday, May 22

• 10:00 AM: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on “Nutritious Foods in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development will hold a hearing on “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Energy, including the National Nuclear Security Administration”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on “Federal Programs for the Circular Economy, Focusing on State and Local Perspectives on Efforts to Improve Reuse and Recycling”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing on “Water Scarcity in a Changing Climate”
• 2:30 PM: The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy will hold a hearing on “Protecting Consumers’ Pocketbooks, Focusing on Lowering Food Prices and Combatting Corporate Price Gouging and Consolidation”

Thursday, May 23

• 9:00 AM: The House Oversight and Accountability Committee will hold a hearing on “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Energy”

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.