McCarthy ties an increase in U.S. debt limit to work requirements for federal aid
In a skeleton list of demands for White House concessions over the federal debt limit, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Monday that Republicans “would restore work requirements that ensure able-bodied adults without dependents earn a paycheck and learn new skills.” McCarthy did not specify which federal programs he meant but SNAP usually limits so-called ABAWDs to 90 days of benefits in a three-year period unless they work at least 20 hours a week.
Settlement proposed in green group challenge of RFS
The EPA, to settle a lawsuit over biofuel regulation, said on Monday it would consult with federal wildlife agencies on whether the Renewable Fuel Standard adversely affects endangered species. The consultation would be performed before the EPA finalizes the RFS for 2023-23, now expected in June.
Ag Insider
Why the U.S. food sector has by far the most child-labor violations
An AG Insider analysis of investigation data from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that more than 75 percent of recent child-labor violations were committed by employers in the food industry. The agency uncovered more than 12,000 child labor violations in the nation’s food system between Jan. 1, 2018 and Nov. 23, 2022. Investigators found minors working illegally at vegetable farms in Texas and California, at dairy farms in Minnesota and New Hampshire and at poultry plants in Georgia and Mississippi. Children are involved in every step of the food supply chain, working illegally from farm to table.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Beehives on solar farms: Solar beekeeping — placing beehives on solar sites — can create a new income stream for farmers while keeping land in agricultural production and providing habitat for wildlife. (Center for Rural Affairs)
Moffitt on Capitol Hill: Agriculture Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt will testify on Tuesday at a House Agriculture subcommittee “review of USDA animal disease prevention and response efforts.” (House Agriculture)
Brazil 2, EU 1: Brazil was the world’s largest exporter of beef and chicken and the EU was No. 1 in pork exports in 2022; the U.S. was second in beef, pork and chicken. (USDA)
Grassland signup is open: Landowners can apply through May 26 to enroll land in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program, which pays an annual rent to preserve grassland while allowing producers to graze livestock and harvest hay from the land. (USDA)
Smoke taint in wine: Researchers discovered a new class of sulfur-containing compounds known as thiophenols that could be the most reliable way to identify smoke taint in wine and help find ways to prevent damage from nearby wildfires. (Oregon State University)
