WASHINGTON, June 24, 2013 – Fallout from the House’s failure to pass a five-year farm bill is expected to continue this week as the chamber will be poised to consider a fiscal year 2014 appropriations bill for the USDA, FDA, and related agencies.
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider a rule for the bill (H.R. 2410). This could set the stage for floor consideration on Wednesday, but it has not been formally scheduled.
The legislation would provide $19.5 billion in discretionary funding, which is $1.3 billion below the FY 2013 enacted level and about equal to the current level. The funding would be $516 million below the president’s request.
Meanwhile, the Senate appears to be near a deal on a comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744) that seeks to create a pathway for undocumented workers, including farm workers, to earn legal status.
The legislation would create a new “blue card” program for experienced farm workers, and a new version of the current agricultural worker visa program.
Lawmakers also are likely to toss around potential ideas for moving a farm bill, including the House possibly considering the Senate-passed bill or considering another extension. The current agricultural policy law is set to expire at the end of September.
Monday, June 24.
10:30 a.m. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and USDA acting deputy secretary Michael Scuse will discuss the 2013 crop year at Bismark State College in North Dakota.
11:00 a.m. The House will meet in pro forma session, no votes expected.
12:00 p.m. The Senate will convene to resume consideration of the comprehensive immigration reform bill (S. 744).
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Poultry Slaughter
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Crop Progress
5:30 p.m. The Senate will vote on a motion to invoke cloture on an amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Tuesday, June 25.
9:00 a.m. USDA Report: Food Price Outlook
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WAOB)
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Dairy Data
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock & Meat Domestic Data
5:00 p.m. The House Rules Committee will meet to consider a rule for the FY 2014 agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 2410) in H-313 Capitol. Two other bills may be considered ahead of H.R. 2410.
Wednesday, June 26.
10:00 a.m. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing on “Restoring U.S. Leadership in Weather Forecasting, Part 2” in 2318 Rayburn.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:30 a.m. The House Appropriations Committee will hold a markup of the FY 2014 Energy and Water appropriations bill in 2359 Rayburn.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business and may consider the FY 2014 agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 2410).
1:00 p.m. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on “How Logistics Facilitate and Efficient Freight Transportation System” in 2167 Rayburn.
1:30 p.m. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Government Perspectives” in 2123 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: Monthly Milk Cost of Production
Thursday, June 27.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: U.S. Export Sales
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cherry Production
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Agricultural Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Stocks and Processing
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: International Food Security Assessment
Friday, June 28.
9:00 a.m. The House will meet for legislative business with last votes expected before 3:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Acreage
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Grain Stocks
12:00 p.m. USDA Report: Rice Stocks
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Egg Products
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Quarterly Hogs and Pigs
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