September 19, 2023

Contents

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

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Appropriations

Congress currently has less than a week of days where both chambers are in session to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) in order to avoid a government shutdown. In the House, members of the Main Street Caucus and House Freedom Caucus came together on a short-term funding proposal that would keep the government running, cut discretionary spending – except for Defense and Veterans Affairs – by 8 percent, and includes reforms to border security.  Almost immediately after its release, several Republicans came out against the stopgap measure, indicating that it is likely “dead on arrival” if it were to be considered by the full House.

Notably, last week, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had to pull the Defense appropriations bill – which historically has broad bipartisan support – from the floor after there were not enough votes for a procedural rule to take up the bill for a vote. The Agriculture-FDA spending bill has also been considered dead, since moderate Republicans and Democrats voiced strong opposition to it over an abortion measure that was added by conservative members.

Meanwhile, the Senate took a vote to move forward on three out of the 12 appropriations bills in a minibus package. The minibus consists of the chamber’s Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction- VA, and Transportation-HUD appropriations bills. Later last week, a unanimous motion to package all three bills together stalled when Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) voted against it, saying he wanted to see each bill individually.

Farm Bill

In the Senate, there has been disagreement between Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) on where to include $20 billion provided in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Chairwoman Stabenow expressed her support for keeping IRA funding in the Farm Bill conservation programs and maintaining the climate focus for the funds. On the contrary, Senate Agriculture Republicans published a blog post titled “Inflation Reduction Act Leaves Farmers and Traditional Conservation Programs Behind,” detailing how IRA funding is “unlikely to benefit all farmers.”

US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provided remarks last week in Wisconsin on the anniversary of the Climate Smart Commodities partnerships, and asked Congress to support IRA resources that could help continue programs after Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) spending is done. He also requested that Congress essentially not limit Secretarial discretion of the CCC to allow use of the funds, a reasonable budget, and for support around local and regional food systems programs.    

Agriculture Cybersecurity

Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced two pieces of legislation that would protect agricultural businesses and communities from cyberattacks – the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act, and the Food and Agriculture Industry Cybersecurity Support Act.

The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act would update and expand the Circuit Rider Program to analyze the cyber security of small water and wastewater utilities. A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Don Davis (D-NC). The Food and Agriculture Industry Cybersecurity Support Act would create a network within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that would serve producers in updating their technology, equipment, and hardware. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX) and Marc Veasey (D-TX).

Administration

Department of Labor Announces H2-A Proposed Rule

The Department of Labor issued a notice of proposed rulemaking amending the certification of seasonal agricultural workers by adding protection measures and pay increases. The rule would also put disclosure requirements on employers; would provide for workers to access representation if needed; and prohibit employers from taking workers’ travel documents, which could help prevent labor trafficking. Other provisions include more protections for workers against employer retaliation, outlining criteria for worker termination, and allowing new wage rates to be applicable immediately instead of after publication in the Federal Register. Comments are due on November 14, 2023.

Basil Gooden Nominated for Rural Development

President Joe Biden has nominated Basil Gooden to be the US Department of Agriculture’s new Undersecretary for Rural Development, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a statement underscoring his support for the nomination. Basil Gooden was previously a Director within USDA Rural Development and was also the Virginia Agriculture Secretary from 2016 – 2018.

USDA Cuts Estimates for Corn and Soybean Yields

USDA released the first World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report of 2023 and lowered the average yield estimate for this year’s corn crop to 173.8 bushels per acre and the soybean yield estimate dropped to 50.1 bushels per acre. These declines were anticipated after August hit record high temperatures and dry weather. 

Notable News

• Farm Sector Profits Forecast To Fall In 2023 From Record Highs In 2022 – USDA ERS
• USDA Announces Disaster Assistance for Dairy Producers – AgriPulse
• Urban Farming Initiative Seeks to Expand Access to Land, Fresh Food – Spectrum News 1
• What are Biofuels and Why is it so Confusing Whether They are a Source of Clean Energy or Not – AP News
• ‘Dairy Cliff’ Looms Yet Again With No Resolution to Farm Bill – AgriPulse
• Freshman Lawmakers Call On Congress To Reauthorize Bipartisan Farm Bill – The State Journal Register
• Farm Bill Stalled as Time Ticks Away – DTN

Upcoming Hearings

Tuesday September 19

• 10:00 AM: The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management will hold a hearing titled “FEMA: The Current State of Disaster Readiness, Response, and Recovery”
• 10:15 AM: The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Examining Barriers to Access in Federal Waters: A Closer Look at the Marine Sanctuary and Monument System”
• 2:30 PM: The Senate Appropriations Committee Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Review of the FY 2024 Budget for the Federal Communications Commission

Wednesday September 20

• 10:00 AM: The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs”
• 10:30 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Committee Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Mapping America’s Supply Chains: Solutions to Unleash Innovation, Boost Economic Resilience, and Beat China”
• 2:15 PM: The Senate Joint Economic Committee will hold a hearing on “Growing the Economy Of the Future: Job Training For the Clean Energy Transition”
• 2:30 PM: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee will hold a hearing to “Examine Drought Impacts on Drinking Water Access and Water Availability”
• 2:30 PM: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on “Drinking Water Infrastructure and Tribal Communities”

Thursday September 21

• 9:00 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Committee Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding”

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, 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.