And second, Democrats are opposed to the bill’s proposed funding limitations on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and restrictions on the Secretary’s use of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). In reaction to the mostly partisan House farm bill proposal, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Stabenow (D-MI) released a Senate Democrat farm bill outline. Chair Stabenow’s proposal diverges significantly from the House farm bill and does not limit SNAP and CCC funding. Senate Committee Ranking Member Boozman (R-AR) also released a competing Senate Republican proposal that closely mirrors the House bill and proposes to double funding for MAP. The Senate Agriculture Committee currently has no plan to markup a farm bill before Congress breaks for its annual August recess. As a result, the outlook for final enactment of a farm bill before the current September 30, 2024, expiration date is not promising, and another extension will need to be enacted. The House Appropriations Committee began work on adopting an overall spending plan for the government and passing the 12 funding bills necessary to keep federal agencies funded. Democrats opposed the funding plan proposed by Chairman Cole (R-OK) stating that it violates last year’s debt limit agreement by increasing funding for defense activities and reducing funding for domestic programs. Chairman Cole intends to have all 12 bills considered on the House floor before the August recess. The Senate Appropriations Committee announced that it plans to begin work on bills in Committee in July and has made no plans to take those bills to the Senate floor before government funding expires on September 30, 2024. Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond this date. International Trade. In May, President Biden increased tariffs on approximately $18 billion in products imported from China, including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, battery components, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes and medical products. China’s
Ministry of Commerce immediately responded with threats of retaliatory measures against U.S. products. Retaliatory actions have yet to materialize, however, the agriculture community remains concerned that China will retaliate against agriculture products with the same zeal it did after President Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018 and 2019. Those retaliatory measures specifically targeted the agriculture sector and significantly reduced U.S. agricultural exports to China. Blue Diamond was awarded $3 million in Regional and Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) funding which will be used to grow markets and expand exports to Asia and Africa. In addition to Blue Diamond ’s MAP funding, RAPP provides essential support for export promotion activities that will provide opportunities to sell more almonds.
Lynn Jacquez Of Counsel, JPH Law Firm, Senior Advisor, Husch Blackwell Strategies
Stacy McBride, Executive Vice President, Federal Government Affairs at Husch Blackwell Strategies
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JULY–AUGUST 2024
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