Policy Updates and Issue News November 2024

The elections are behind us and big changes are in the wind politically and policy-wise for Washington. Republicans are now in control of the House. the Senate and the White House. President-elect Trump is rapidly rounding out his White House staff and announcing his choices for his cabinet positions. There are supposedly fifteen names on the “short list” for Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate beginning in January will need to confirm all cabinet nominees, and confirmation may be a tough vote for one or two nominees. The lame duck session of Congress began the week of November 18 and will run to mid-December or later or later if need be. Any legislation moving in lame duck will have to be negotiated between the Democratic controlled Senate and the Republican controlled House. Most legislation will likely be rolled into either a short-term spending bill to take us into 2025 or a massive year-end FY 25 budget package to cover the fiscal year.  Both strategies would likely include an extension of the current farm bill. In addition, lawmakers are stepping up their work this week on a package of disaster aid and relief for commodity price declines as they head toward another extension of the 2018 farm bill in lame duck. Republicans will be in no hurry to debate new or controversial legislation in lame duck, opting instead to wait for 2025 when they control all three points of the legislative process.

Stabenow Releases Text of Her Farm Bill

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released the text of her farm bill on Monday. The bill will be used largely as reference because committee members of both parties have not had the chance to delve into the 1,300 plus pages. There’s not enough time in the lame duck session for debate and passage, and Chair Stabenow is retiring from the Senate.

Dietary Guidelines Advisors Report

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends the new guidelines emphasize the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seafood while limiting the consumption of red and processed meats, refined grains, foods high in saturated fats and salty snacks. The advisory report will go to USDA and Health and Human Services to advise the agencies on completing the final guidelines.

New Human Foods Program Targets Labeling

The Food and Drug Administration’s new Human Foods Program will now focus on microbiological food safety, food chemical safety, and nutrition. The reorganization is in response to critique of the handling of the 2022 infant formula shortage. It will take over the roles of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the Office of Food and Policy Response. Early actions of the program will be action levels for lead in food, a rule on “healthy “food labels and a rule on front of package nutrition labeling.

Price Gouging Under Investigation

The USDA is preparing to issue subpoenas to grocery stores, major beef processors and other food industry segments as federal officials study the impact of meat and grocery industry consolidation on consumer prices.  USDA intends to more vigorously address practices in food markets that may harm fair, open, and competitive pricing.

Lower the Age for Pneumonia Vaccines

The National Grange joined 21 patient advocacy groups to ask the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunological Practices to support lowering the routine, age-based recommendation for all CDC recommended pneumococcal vaccines to age 50 and older. As adults age, they experience a decline in their immune response. Offering a vaccine earlier than age 65 would ensure older adults are receiving protection while their immune systems are still ab e to produce a robust response.

Extend Telehealth Flexibility Plan

It is important that telehealth plans be flexible to allow employers to offer telehealth services below the deductible for people with high deductible health plans. This current flexibility expires at the end io this year. The National Grange and 76 businesses and business groups have asked the Senate and House to vote during the lane duck session to extend telehealth flexibility.

Extend Expiring Tax Code Provisions

Several tax code provisions that significantly impact farmers, ranchers, landowners and other agricultural and small businesses across the United States are expiring next year. Some of these provisions include stepped-up basis on property, bonus depreciation, Section 199A qualified business income deduction, Section 1031 like-kind exchange, and several more. The National Grange and 30 other tax aggie coalition members are encouraging members of the House Ways and Means Committee who comprise the Main Street Tax Team to lead the charge to retain these provisions in the 119^th Congress next year.

Port Strike Delayed Until January 15

Earlier this fall following a three-day strike, the International Longshoremen’s Association agreed to extend their existing contract until January 15. A prolonged strike would severely impact East and Gulf Coast ports and the food and agriculture supply chains. The National Grange joined with more than 200 other entities to send a letter to President Biden calling on him to immediately use his authority under the Taft Hartly Act to end the strike.

Underserved Producers to Receive USDA Investments

More than $46 million will go to projects supporting veteran, underserved, and beginning farmers and ranchers to help them improve their skills and knowledge to sustain their operations. Projects will include partnerships with local experts to provide education, mentoring and technical assistance to own and operate successful operations.