WASHINGTON, March 11, 2013 – President Obama will continue his charm offensive this week as he visits with lawmakers in the Capitol for an unprecedented three consecutive days in an attempt to settle numerous budget-related issues.
As part of his “magical mystery tour,” Obama will meet with Senate Democratic leadership on Tuesday, House Republican leadership on Wednesday, and Senate Republican leadership on Thursday.
This follows a dinner he held last week with Senate Republicans and a publicized lunch with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., is expected Monday to release a continuing resolution, which would lock in cuts required under the sequester while giving federal agencies, including the USDA, more flexibility to transfer funding cuts. The Senate may take up that bill this week.
The House approved its continuing resolution Wednesday, which includes flexibility for the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs to decide how to apply its sequestration cuts – but not the other departments.
Congress needs to pass a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown on March 27.
Further, the House Budget Committee will release its FY 2014 budget proposal on Tuesday. The Senate Budget Committee is expected to release its budget during this week.
The White House may release its budget plan during the week of April 8. By law, the administration was required to submit its plan by Feb. 4.
For other events and meetings this week:
Monday, March 11.
USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will deliver remarks at the 2013 Development District Association of Appalachia Annual Conference in Arlington, Va.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet in pro forma session. No votes expected.
2:00 p.m. The Senate will convene for morning business.
5:00 p.m. The Senate will proceed to an executive session to consider judicial nominations.
5:30 p.m. The Senate will hold a roll call vote on a judicial nomination.
Tuesday, March 12.
10:30 a.m. The House Budget Committee will hold a press conference to unveil its FY 2014 budget proposal in HVC Studio A.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Wheat Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Rice Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Oil Crops Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cotton and Wool Outlook
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Price Reactions after USDA Crop Reports
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Feed Grains Outlook
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Aquaculture Trade Data
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin
6:30 p.m. The House may hold suspension votes on legislation dealing with privacy notices and flood insurance.
Wednesday, March 13.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to New Hampshire to discuss agricultural innovation to highlight Obama’s State of the Union message about making America a magnet for jobs and manufacturing.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:00 a.m. The House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Trade will hold a hearing on U.S.-India trade relations in 1100 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold an oversight hearing on USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in 2362-A Rayburn. Scheduled witnesses include FSIS Administrator Alfred V. Almanza and Elizabeth Hagen, FSIS under secretary for food safety.
10:00 a.m. The House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry will hold a hearing on “National Forest Management and its Impact on Rural Economies and Communities” in 1300 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1324 Longworth.
10:30 a.m. The House Budget Committee will hold a mark-up of its FY 2014 budget proposal in Cannon 210.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
2:30 p.m. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing on “Federal Financial Support for Energy Technologies: Assessing Costs and Benefits” in 2318 Rayburn.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: National Dairy Products Sales Report
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Broiler Hatchery
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Bioenergy Data
Thursday, March 14.
Vilsack will visit Portland, Maine and deliver remarks on USDA efforts to improve childhood nutrition and prevent obesity to raise a healthier generation of Americans.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: U.S. Export Sales
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:00 a.m. The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on “Examining Legislative Improvements to Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act” in 1300 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold an oversight hearing on USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service in 2362-A Rayburn. Scheduled witness is Audrey Rowe, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Turkey Hatchery
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Feed Grains Database
Friday, March 15.
9:00 a.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
10:00 a.m. USDA Report: Meat Price Spreads
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Prices
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