Washington Week Ahead: After farm bill collapse, House may look at USDA appropriations

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

10:00 a.m. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Energy and Water Subcommittee will hold a markup of its FY 2014 appropriations bill in Dirksen 192
 

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.

 10:00 a.m. The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a markup of the FY 2014 energy and water appropriations and the FY 2014 transportation appropriations bill in Dirksen 106
 

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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