House will try to override Biden on protecting wetlands
Presidents almost always prevail when they veto legislation; there have been only 20 overrides in the 45 years since Gerald Ford left office. So Republican leaders in Congress face an uphill struggle against the Biden administration’s “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) regulation. Nonetheless, the House could vote as early as Tuesday in a rematch with President Biden.
Stronger biosecurity reduced spread of bird flu
Fewer than 900,000 birds in domestic flocks have died due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this year, said the Agriculture Department in a review of bird flu outbreaks that date from February 2022. “Biosecurity is our best defense,” said a USDA statement.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Iowa advances SNAP tests: The Iowa House sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds legislation that would impose new asset tests for people receiving SNAP benefits and require regular checks to see if recipients still qualify for aid. (Des Moines Register)
Digesters less profitable: With renewable diesel becoming more available in California, “the price of … [low-carbon fuel standard] credits has declined … so new digester projects are much closer to the break-even point,” said an analysis of anaerobic digesters on dairy farms. (Ag Data News)
Spending more for food: Americans estimate they are spending 5 percent more for groceries and restaurant food now than a year ago, and they believe food inflation will average 4 percent for the next 12 months; the latest CPI report put food inflation at 8.5 percent. (Purdue)
WFP workers killed in Sudan: The UN World Food Program said it halted operations in Sudan after three of its employees were killed and two were injured amid clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces. (Reuters)
Vilsack in Vietnam, Japan: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was scheduled to meet the Vietnamese prime minister while visiting Hanoi on Monday and Tuesday and to attend the G7 agriculture ministers meeting at the end of the week in Japan. (Ag Insider)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack meets Vietnamese leaders, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during two days of activities in Hanoi. Vilsack also is scheduled to speak about USDA’s $3.1 billion climate-smart initiative at the Foreign Trade University.
Agriculture Undersecretary Alexis Taylor leads USDA agribusiness trade mission to the Netherlands, through April 20.
American Commodity Distribution Association holds annual conference, through Thursday, Anaheim, California.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
The House may vote on overriding President Biden’s veto of H.J.Res.27 on Tuesday or later in the week, said Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a preview of floor action this week. H.J.Res.27 would void the administration’s “waters of the United States” rule on the upstream reach of pollution laws and protection of wetlands. A two-thirds vote is needed in the House and Senate to override. The House passed H.J.Res.27, 227-198, and the Senate passed it, 53-43.
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “A review of USDA animal disease prevention and response efforts,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing “to examine the president’s budget request for the U.S. Forest Service for fiscal year 2024,” 10 a.m. ET, 366 Dirksen
USAID administrator Samantha Power testifies at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the agency’s proposed budget for fiscal 2024, 10 a.m. ET, 2359 Rayburn.
House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing on three joint resolutions of disapproval involving endangered or threatened species, 10:30 a.m. ET, 1334 Longworth. The resolutions would overturn listings of the Lesser Prairie Chicken, the Northern Long-Eared Bat, and reinstate a Trump-era definition of habitat.
USDA and the Census Bureau hold semi-annual Data Users’ Meeting, 2 p.m. ET, Omaha.
The Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production holds a public meeting with topics that include USDA loan programs, SNAP, food waste and food labeling, 3 p.m. ET.
Bipartisan Policy Center holds a panel discussion on “Obesity in the United States: Increasing access to treatment,” 11 a.m. ET.
American Enterprise Institute holds a panel discussion on “Conservation and agricultural research and development: Pathways to efficient and effective climate policy,” 2 p.m. ET, Washington.
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture holds annual conference, through Thursday, Kansas City.
The National Organic Standards Board holds spring meeting, through April 27, Atlanta.
Wednesday
EPA administrator Michael Regan is sole witness at the House Agriculture Committee hearing, 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “SNAP and other nutrition assistance in the farm bill,” 3:30 p.m. ET, 328A Russell.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland testified at the House Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing on “examining the president’s FY 2024 budget request for the Department of the Interior,” 10 a.m. ET, 1324 Longworth.
USAID administrator Samantha Power testifies at Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the agency’s proposed fiscal 2024 budget, 10 a.m. ET, 138 Dirksen.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf testifies at Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the agency’s proposed fiscal 2024 budget, 2:30 p.m. ET, 124 Dirksen.
CropLife America and RISE hold their annual Regulatory Conference, through Friday, Washington.
USDA releases National Hemp Report, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Conservation in the farm bill: Making conservation programs work for farmers and ranchers,” 10 a.m. ET, 328A Russell.
International Grains Council releases monthly Grain Market Report, London.
Friday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participates in the G7 agriculture ministers’ meeting, through Sunday, Miyazaki, Japan. Agriculture ministers are expected to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and point to agriculture’s role in food security, climate mitigation, economic growth and trade. Vilsack also will speak on the sidelines about the U.S. approach of voluntary, incentive-based practices on the farm for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund holds Co-op Symposium 2023 “to discuss legislation and policy that affect the process of cooperative development in the South,” Epes, Alabama.
USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday
Earth Day, originally envisioned by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson as a 1970 nationwide “teach-in” on the environment, is observed for the 53rd year. It became a worldwide observance in 1990. This year’s theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” The organization Earthday.org describes itself as “the world’s largest environmental movement” with partners in 192 countries.
North American Millers Association holds 2023 spring conference, through April 25, Orlando.
Sunday
North American Agricultural Journalists holds annual meeting, through Tuesday, Washington.
American Dairy Products Institute and American Butter Institute hold a joint annual conference, through April 25, Chicago.
