House clears pathway for farm labor reform bill
The Democrat-controlled House put a bill giving legal status to undocumented farmworkers and streamlining the H-2A guestworker program on the legislative fast track on Tuesday. Party leaders hope to score a victory this week on a popular idea — an earlier version of the bill passed with bipartisan backing in 2019 — even as support for comprehensive immigration reform is lacking.
Eskin appointed to No. 2 food safety post at USDA
Sandra Eskin, director of food safety for the Pew Charitable Trusts, was appointed deputy undersecretary for food safety, announced the USDA on Tuesday.
China buys $251 million worth of U.S. corn
Private exporters reported the sale of 1.15 million tonnes of U.S. corn for delivery to China by the end of August, said the USDA on Tuesday. The corn, equivalent to 45.3 million bushels, was worth $251 million based on futures prices in Chicago.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
‘Science is back’: Michael Regan, the newly confirmed EPA administrator, uses a short phrase, “Science is back,” to signal his plans for the agency, which include helping the nation shift to cleaner forms of energy and improve air and water quality. (Washington Post)
Microplastics in water: The California Water Resources Board plans to issue a preliminary threshold for microplastics in drinking water by July 1, which would make the state the first jurisdiction in the world to tackle the potential threat of ingesting the tiny plastic fragments. (CalMatters)
Meatless day? No way: Upset by a nonbinding Colorado proclamation encouraging people to avoid eating meat one day a week, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, joined by farm, meat processing, and restaurant leaders, declared that Saturday will be “Meat on the Menu Day” in his state. (Guardian)
4-H Council will sell center: In a Covid-driven decision, the group said it would sell the National 4-H Conference Center, a nonprofit hotel and conference facility located on 12 acres in a Washington suburb, and use the proceeds to support its youth empowerment programs. (National 4-H Council)
