June 15, 2023

AFBF Pushes for Farm Bill During

Advocacy Fly-In

Earlier this week, the American Farm Bureau Federation hosted an advocacy fly-in to push for Congress to move forward on completing the Farm Bill. Participants from all around the country, including CAFB president Jamie Johansson and others, met with a significant number of legislators and their staffs. CAFB helped share AFBF’s and our own state’s priorities for the legislation, including an expansion of available crop insurance and other risk management tools, emphasizing a robust forestry title, modifying USDA’s adjusted gross income (AGI) thresholds for several programs (which limit access for CA farmers), and addressing several other critical issues. The week began with remarks from three of the four Agricultural Committee leads, who represent some of the most influential players in this year’s Farm Bill. Pictures from right to left are AFBF president Zippy Duvall, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA15), and Sen. John Boozman (R-KS).

House Resumes Normal Schedule—For Now

On Tuesday, a small group of Republican House members put a pause on their “blockade” of the chamber’s typical legislative processes. Last week, nearly a dozen GOP members abruptly voted against a procedural vote for legislation pertaining to gas stoves—something that was originally expected to pass along party lines without much issue. The group includes Rep. Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, Chip Roy, and other hardline conservatives. They have argued that Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt ceiling deal went against several promises he made during his ascension to speakership earlier this year. The debt deal ultimately ended up with more Democratic than Republican support in both chambers during its passage.

The maneuver effectively brought the House’s work to a halt for the remainder of the week, and while they have resumed their normal day-to-day activities as of Tuesday, the group has not ruled out doing so once again if their issues are not addressed. It is unclear what those exact demands are for now. Rep. Gaetz has stated they are hoping for an improved power-sharing structure, which would place or retain Freedom Caucus members in key committee roles. And while there is still an opportunity that the Speaker’s detractors could try to challenge his leadership position, McCarthy seemed unconcerned with such talk, telling reporters, "Anybody can do a motion to vacate, I'm confident I'll beat anyone they have.”

Expanded ReConnect Projects Announced, Including California

On Monday, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $715 million in new projects under the ReConnect rural broadband access program. This represents the fourth round of funds being distributed in an effort to help expand internet access to historically underserved and underrepresented areas. This has included a significant number of rural communities around the country. Monday’s announcement included nearly $25 million for the Cal-Ore Telephone Company, which will help connect 757 people, 45 businesses, 14 farms and four educational facilities to high-speed internet in Modoc and Siskiyou counties. Close to $65 billion was approved within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 for expanding broadband access. The ReConnect program has been one of the primary tools by which to distribute these funds, which have generally been well received by both parties in DC. For more information, see the release below.

House Subcommittee Holds Farm Bill Hearing on Research and Extension Programs

On Wednesday, the House Agricultural Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology held a hearing on Title VII of the Farm Bill, which covers research programs. Subcommittee Chairman Jim Baird (R-IN04) opened with noting the importance of our land grand university system, which plays a significant role in not just bringing younger farmers, ranchers, and other producers into the industry, but also is a key source of research and technological development as well. Given the growth of the land grant system since its inception, funding for various research programs has become more diverse over time, an area in which Republicans are interested in potentially streamlining. Democrats on the subcommittee noted that funding for agricultural programs has lagged behind countries such as China, warning that the US risks being outpaced by economic competitors. Given no draft language has been shared at this time, it remains to be seen what potential changes await the research title.