WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2013 – With Congress and federal departments working to get back to speed after the 16-day government shutdown, House lawmakers this week will turn their attention to a reauthorization of the water resources development act.
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider a rule for the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080). House floor debate is anticipated shortly afterward, as soon as Wednesday.
The bipartisan bill would re-authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop, maintain, and support the nation’s vital port and waterways infrastructure needs, and aims to support effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs.
Also on Agri-Pulse: Olmsted Lock and Dam project continues after shutdown averted
The Senate approved its version of the reauthorization in May on a bipartisan 83-14 vote. The Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) seeks to authorize funding to modernize the nation’s locks and dams, provide upkeep for rivers and coasts, assist with flood protection and restore key environmental areas.
Meanwhile, farm bill action will continue as congressional staff negotiates details of the upcoming formal conference, which is anticipated to begin after Oct. 28.
The Senate stands in recess until Oct. 28, and top brass at the USDA have no scheduled events this week.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is expected to declare Monday morning that computer troubles plaguing his signature healthcare reform effort are unacceptable and he plans an urgent “tech surge” to fix them.
About half a million people have tried to apply for the new health care program, but there have been no numbers released on how many have yet to enroll. The Healthcare.gov website has had a tough time dealing with the load and blamed an unusually high volume during the first few days it was open.
The week’s tentative events include:
Monday, Oct. 21.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Milk Production
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Crop Progress
Tuesday, Oct. 22.
12:00 p.m. The House will convene for morning hour debate.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cold Storage
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Chickens and Eggs
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Catfish Processing
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Catfish Feed Deliveries
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Wheat Data
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WAOB)
5:00 p.m. The House Rules Committee will meet to consider a rule for the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) in Capitol H-313.
Wednesday, Oct. 23.
10:00 a.m. The House will convene for morning hour debate.
10:30 a.m. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing on “The Evolution of Wired Communications Networks” in 2123 Rayburn.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Broiler Hatchery
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Announcement of Advanced Prices and Pricing Factors
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: National Dairy Products Sales Report
Thursday, Oct. 24.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: U.S. Export Sales
10:00 a.m. The House will convene for morning hour debate.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Poultry Slaughter
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock Slaughter
Friday, Oct. 25.
9:00 a.m. USDA Report: Food Price Outlook
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cotton Ginnings
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Tree Nuts: World Markets and Trade
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