October 5, 2023

House Votes to Vacate Office of the Speaker

Tuesday marked a first in U.S. History, as Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of leadership by a 216-210 margin, throwing the House and the Republican party into deeper division. A handful of conservatives joined Democrats in removing him, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) leading the way. McCarthy told lawmakers he would not seek the Speakership again, leaving no obvious successor. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) was named Interim Speaker and will preside over the House until the next Speaker is voted upon. He can recess the chamber, adjourn it, and recognize Speaker nominations. The House is essentially left frozen until a new Speaker is elected—and with the chamber adjourned until next week, official nominations will not begin for another two weeks. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is the lone candidate to formally announce their interest thus far, while House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-OK) are expected to contend for the role as well.

Senator Feinstein Passes, Governor Newsom Appoints Replacement

The longest serving woman in the Senate died last Friday after more than 30 years in Congress. Sen. Dianne Feinstein passed away in her home in Washington DC. Feinstein’s political career spanned more than half a century, beginning with her service on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, and later its mayor. While a notable advocate on gun control and the environment, the Senator also helped push for issues such as wildfire mitigation, immigration, trade, and forest health. Those in California agriculture will miss her leadership and friendship.

With her passing, Governor Gavin Newsom has now confirmed that he will be nominating EMILY’s List president Laphonza Butler to serve out the remainder of the term. The organization is a political action committee aimed at supporting pro-choice female candidates to elected office across the country. Butler has reportedly lived in Maryland since she began leading the organization in 2021, causing some initial controversy over the pick. Prior to that, she has served in a political consulting firm that assisted in then-Senator Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in 2020, and as the Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) California State Council president from 2013-2018. With a closely watched primary campaign already underway, it remains to be seen whether Senator-designate Butler will enter the race or merely serve out the remainder of Sen. Feinstein’s term.

Government Shutdown Averted,

Farm Bill Expires

The deadline for Congress to enact a new Farm Bill has come and gone, and a handful of programs expired as of September 30^th. Lawmakers now face an extended period of negotiations, with both the House and Senate Agriculture committees suggesting it may be months—or perhaps longer—before they can reach a consensus on the new bill. While Congress avoided a federal shutdown until mid-November, some government agricultural programs will remain in limbo until a new Farm Bill is passed.

For over a year now, the House and Senate Agriculture committees have gathered input through hearings, field meetings, listening sessions, and staff discussions. However, they haven’t introduced any legislation at the committee level, and differences persist on significant aspects of the bill. One major point of contention revolves around Supplemental Nutrition (SNAP), the largest section of the farm bill that assists low-income families in purchasing food. Republicans propose stricter limitations on these funds, which Democrats argue could jeopardize the entire farm bill. The current political climate in Congress, specifically in the House, has not been conducive to passing this year’s Farm Bill, and the vacating of the Speakership further complicates timing for reauthorization.

Comments Submitted to Council on Environmental Quality on Proposed NEPA Rulemaking

CAFB submitted comments last week to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in response to a “Phase 2” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would rescind part of the 2020 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule and revert to 1978 regulations. The proposed rule also seeks to implement NEPA-related provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). Phase 1 changes to the 2020 rules were completed in May 2022. CAFB’s comments expressed opposition to the Phase 2 proposal which would remove the exemption of Farm Service Agency loans and loan guarantees from the definition of major federal action. The comments also expressed that the creation of a new “environmentally preferable” alternative, as well as consideration of impacts to specific natural resources and communities, would run counter to NEPA’s intent of being a procedural, rather than policy, statute.

Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Releases Anticipated Report 

The USDA’s Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released a report with recommendations to address the wildfire crisis in the United States. Created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it consists of representatives from various existing agencies and sectors. Their recommendations consist of seven key themes:

Urgent New Approaches: address wildfire as a collective problem that spans jurisdiction and ecosystems. It establishes a new community Wildfire Risk Reduction program and changes financial incentives and agency metrics to focus on ecological health. 

Supporting Collaboration: Involve all relevant entities and scales of society in wildfire mitigation and management.

Shifting from Reactive to Proactive: Allocate more resources to proactive pre-fire and post-fire planning and mitigation to break the cycle of repeated wildfire risk. 

Enabling Beneficial Fire: Expand beneficial fire practices like prescribed and cultural burning while considering public health concerns related to smoke. 

Supporting and Expanding the Workforce: Invest in a year-round workforce focused on mitigation, planning, and post-fire response and recovery.

Modernizing Tools for Informed Decision-making: Better coordinate and integrate fire-related science, data, and technology.

Investing in Resilience: Increase funding for risk mitigation and impacts, both before and after wildfires, to reduce long-term costs.

These points aim to address the growing wildfire threat and enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The Commission’s work aligns with federal efforts to mitigate wildfires and support the wildfire workforce.

USDA Expands Climate-Smart Practices Eligible for IRA Funding

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced that it is expanding the list of activities eligible for Inflation Reduction Act funding for fiscal year 2024 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In response to feedback received from producers and conservation partners, including CAFB, NRCS conducted an evaluation of activities. Activities must deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon sequestration while also providing other natural resource benefits such as soil health, water quality, pollinator and wildlife habitat, or air quality. Additionally, NRCS is expanding the national priority areas eligible for Inflation Reduction Act funding for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) easements for fiscal year 2024.

NRCS accepts producer applications for its conservation programs year-round, but producers interested in this cycle of Inflation Reduction Act funding should apply as soon as possible. For consideration this year, producers interested in EQIP or CSP should apply by California’s ranking dates which is November 2, 2023, for EQIP, December 15, 2023, for ACEP and March 22, 2204 for CSP. For more information, view USDA’s announcement here.

Cannabis Banking Bill Clears First Senate Hurdle

The SAFER Banking Act, a bipartisan law allowing banks to work with cannabis businesses without penalties, has taken a significant step forward. The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a successful markup on the legislation, making it the first time Senate members have voted in favor of the measure since it was first introduced in 2016. The bill still faces an uncertain path forward given concerns from several Republican lawmakers in the upper chamber.

This development has been closely watched by the legal cannabis industry, which has had to rely heavily on cash transactions given existing federal limitations. If the bill becomes law, cannabis businesses in legal states will no longer be forced to operate as cash-enterprises, reducing vulnerability to theft and criminal activities and allowing them to access mainstream banking services. Supporters see it as a crucial step in providing clarity and security to the industry, facilitating access to capital, and promoting responsible financial practices.

USDA Seeks Nominations for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee

Last month, USDA opened nominations for the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (ACBFR). This committee, initially established in 1992, serves as an advisory body to the Secretary of Agriculture, offering insight to bolster USDA’s efforts in supporting new farming and ranching ventures. Members of the public are encouraged to submit nominations, whether for themselves or other by October 10^th. Nomination packages should comprise a cover letter outlining the nominee’s interests, a concise resume detailing their background and experience, and a completed USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information Form.

Matthew Viohl

Federal Policy, Director

Erin Huston

Federal Policy, Consultant

Isabella Quinonez

Public Policy Coordinator