May 23, 2023

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress

Debt Ceiling 

President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had their first one-on-one meeting in several months on Monday to discuss a deal to address the debt ceiling, with only nine days until the estimated June 1 deadline when the U.S. government defaults on its $31 trillion-plus debt.  

The two sides remain far apart over what the federal government will spend next year, and both are feeling increased pressure from hardline factions in their respective parties advocating for no concessions. Over the weekend, President Biden made comments to the press about potentially invoking the 14th amendment as a way to avert default.  This is a move, however, that the President recognized could create legal challenges. While some Democrats have championed the idea, others including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have warned against it. Meanwhile, Democrats continue to gather signatures in an attempt to reach the 218-member count for a discharge petition that could be used for a clean debt-limit increase. Republicans remain united around McCarthy’s efforts to strike a deal based on the House-passed debt ceiling legislation. 

Markups 

Following yesterday’s meeting between President Biden and Speaker McCarthy and the continuing debt ceiling negotiations, House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger released the following statement postponing this week’s markups: “Given recent developments in the negotiations between Speaker McCarthy and the President, and in order to give the Speaker maximum flexibility as talks continue, the Committee will postpone this week’s markups.” 

House Listening Session 

House Ag Committee Chairman, GT Thompson, announced the next farm bill listening session taking place in Albany, Oregon with Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), along with bipartisan members of the committee. The event will take place on Friday, June 2 at 1:30 PM ET and can be watched here.  

Torres-Small Nomination 

Last week, a variety of food and ag organizations sent a letter of support for the Senate’s confirmation of the nomination of Under Secretary of Rural Development Xochitl Torres-Small to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Senate Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to advance the nomination last week. 

Administration

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in 2022. The agency is sharing information early to allow producers time to gather the required documents. The 2021 ELRP program is being concluded and USDA will be issuing additional payments in the amount of 20% of the initial ELRP payment to all existing participants.

Notable News

• House Ag Chairman Thompson Signals Farm Bill Could Include Prop 12 Override Language – Pro Farmer
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $500 Million for Improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program to Better Support Partners, Producers as Part of Investing in America Agenda – USDA
• USDA Funds 36 Projects Aimed at Connecting Families to WIC through Partnership with FRAC as part of Investing in America Agenda – USDA

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday, May 23 

• 10:00AM ET: House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Hearing: For the purpose of receiving testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency
• 10:15AM ET: House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Oversight Hearing: Examining the President’s FY 2024 Budget Proposal for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Power Marketing Administrations
• 2:00PM ET: House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands Hearing on: H.R. 188 (Rep. McClintock), “Proven Forest Management Act of 2022”; H.R. 934 (Rep. McClintock), To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes; H.R. 1450 (Rep. Fulcher), “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act”; H.R. 1726 (Rep. Tokuda), “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Moore of Utah), “FIRESHEDS Act”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Issa), “Direct Hire to Fight Fires”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Valadao), “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Harder), “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Neguse), “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” 

Thursday, May 25 

• 9:00AM ET: House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Hearing: Modernizing Customs Policies to Protect American Workers and Secure Supply Chains

The rest of the week’s hearing can be found here. 

Contact the Team

Feel free to contact Michael Torrey, Tara Smith, Cassandra Kuball, James Glueck, Barbara Patterson, Katie Naessens, Caroline Snell, Danielle Nelson, Julie McClure, Ashley Smith, Olivia Lucanie, Perry Harlow, 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.