Category: Policy Updates/Issue News
Policy Updates and Issue News March 2019
Agriculture and Food Politics Sidetrack Disaster Relief Senators so far have failed to pass much-needed disaster aid to help farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes, floods, tornados and wildfires. The political divide is over how much money should go to support Puerto Rico’s humanitarian crisis. The National Grange will continue to urge Congress to help … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News March 2019”
Policy Updates and Issue News February 2019
Agriculture and Food Farm Bill Implementation Despite the recent 35-day government shutdown that halted work on the new farm bill, USDA is about ready to announce the timeline for implementing revisions to programs. The legislation made relatively small changes to the 2014 farm bill and is generally considered “farmer friendly” by producers. At the farm … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News February 2019”
Policy Updates and Issue News January 2019
Agriculture and Food The Shutdown The federal government partial shutdown has ended…for now. The longest shutdown in history is over until February 15 to give all parties the opportunity to negotiate a compromise on border security, security for Dreamers, and other immigration issues. This was called a partial shutdown because FY19 funding for some agencies … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News January 2019”
Policy Updates and Issue News December 2018
Overview The first session of the 116th Congress opens the first week of January. Democrats control the House of Representatives with Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) as Speaker. The Senate continues to be controlled by Republicans with Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Majority Leader. The federal government continues in a partial shutdown mode because of a stalemate between … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News December 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News November 2018
Overview Congress and the President have agreed to a two-week temporary spending measure through December 21 to avoid a federal government shutdown while honoring former President George H.W. Bush and negotiating final budgets for Homeland Security, Commerce Department, and Internal Revenue Service. This also gives some more time for a farm bill to pass. … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News November 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News September 2018
Overview The House has recessed for a month until after the midterm elections. The Senate is consumed with the Supreme Court nominee. The farm bill is still in limbo on the Hill. “Milk” is milk? National and state Granges step up on opioids and other health care priorities. Grange has concerns for local TV … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News September 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News August 2018
Overview The Senate finally took a recess the last week of August instead of their traditional full month. House members recessed the full month. The Senate and House conference committee whose charge is to resolve farm bill differences between the Senate and House versions will convene September 5 as Congress returns to Washington. Chairmen … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News August 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News July 2018
Overview The House of Representatives is on traditional August Recess until September 4. In an unusual move, the Senate will stay in session during August. The Senate is expected to complete the fiscal 2019 appropriations bills to fund USDA, EPA, FDA, and Interior during this timeframe. Hill work on the farm bill will continue … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News July 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News June 2018
Overview June was an active legislative time in Washington. After the defeat of the farm bill on the House floor May 18, there was a scramble to bring the farm bill back to the floor before the June 22 deadline to reconsider. The farm bill was not defeated on its merits or the lack … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News June 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News May 2018
Overview Congress returns to Washington after their Memorial Day Recess the week of June 4 to wrestle with the calendar and a plethora of unresolved legislative and public policy issues. The farm bill failed on the House floor under pressure from feeding program (SNAP) and immigration advocates who wanted leverage to address changes to … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News May 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News April 2018
National Grange Fly-In This year’s fly-in to Washington April 15-18 was the largest in recent years. A total of 34 Grangers of all ages from 14 states had 30 appointments on Capitol Hill with their senators, representatives and congressional staff. They discussed matters related to broadband and telecommunications, health care, farm bill, farm policy, dairy … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News April 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News March 2018
Overview Congress is on a two-week Easter recess until April 9. Before leaving Washington, the lawmakers managed to pass a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package to fund the government through the September, the end of the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The bill was loaded with extraneous non-appropriations provisions as it became possibly the last legislative … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News March 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News February 2018
Overview In Washington these days, everyone and everything appear to be completely off balance at times. On any given day and on any given issue, there are several competing forces in play. The liberal and conservative media report on the same topic from such differing perspectives that it’s hard sometimes to believe they’re talking … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News February 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News January 2018
Some Good News The U.S economy is off to a good start this year according to the major professional services and accounting from CliftonLarsonAllen. Here are several factors that will influence the 2018 economy: Positives Employment is strong Housing market is firm Risk of recession appears low Consumer and small business confidence is high S. … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News January 2018”
Policy Updates and Issue News December 2017
Looking Back and Looking Ahead The nation’s capital has been an interesting place throughout 2017 to say the least. Donald Trump shocked a large portion of the American public to become our 45th President. After his inauguration, it took the FBI an inordinate amount of time to run background checks on his cabinet and subcabinet … Continue reading “Policy Updates and Issue News December 2017”
