August 2, 2023

Contents

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

The TAG newsletter will be on pause during August recess. The newsletter will be back in your inbox on September 5, 2023.

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Appropriations

Last week, the House Rules Committee convened on the FY24 Agriculture FDA Appropriations bill to determine which of the more than 180 amendments would be heard on the House floor. After two and a half hours of discussion around various topics including – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women and Children (WIC), proposed amendments to cut funding for both Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and proposed pilot programs, checkoffs and checkoff fees, rural broadband, and expansion of mental health services in rural communities – the Committee adjourned for recess.

At this time there has been no update as to when the Committee will reconvene or when the full House floor will consider the appropriations bill, but passage of these bills will be top priority when Members return in September. Significant discrepancies in topline spending amounts will further complicate the process of reaching agreement within the GOP and across the House, Senate, and the White House. 

Farm Bill

While Members depart from Washington, DC, leaders in agriculture will be hosting listening sessions to gain input from stakeholders across the country.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) will host a Farm Bill listening session in Redwood County, Minnesota at Farmfest on August 2. Other members in attendance include Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Max Miller (OH-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Pete Stauber (MN-08), and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03). Chairman Thompson also held a listening session on Monday in Maine with Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jim Baird (R-IN), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL).

Representatives Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19) will be hosting Farm Bill listening sessions on August 16 at West Texas A&M. Texas industry stakeholders will be invited to join both virtually and in-person. 

Administration

USDA Regulatory Agenda

The US Department of Agriculture released their 2023 Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, which lists regulations and regulatory reviews still pending. The agenda includes proposed rules for animal and plant health inspection and agricultural marketing services, final rules for animal and plant health inspection, agricultural marketing services, and forest services, and long term actions for food and nutrition, animal and plant health inspection, and agricultural marketing services.

EPA Regulatory Agenda

The Environmental Protection Agency also released their regulatory agenda, which includes air quality implementation planning, pesticides, public water supervision programs, and the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE) programs.

Notable News

• USDA Data Reveals Shifts in Food Purchasing Behavior – American Farm Bureau Federation
• House Republicans Considering Major Changes to CRP – AgriPulse
• Concerns Mount Over Potential For Food Crisis Amid Russian Moves To Cripple Ukrainian Grain Exports – CNN
• Lawmakers Seek to Limit Corporate and Foreign Ownership of US Farmland – Reuters 
• Agriculture Appropriations Bill in Jeopardy Amid GOP Divisions – The Hill
• Mitigating Climate Change And Preserving Biodiversity: Several Ways AI Can Be Used To Help The Environment – ABC News

Upcoming Hearings

Hearings will resume when Congress convenes in September.

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, 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.