February 8, 2024

Bipartisan Senate Package Fails, as Does House Impeachment Effort

Congress has kept busy the past week, but “busy” has not resulted in many accomplishments for either side. On Wednesday, the Senate effectively failed to pass a bipartisan border security package which would have included foreign aid funding in a 49-50 vote. Only four GOP Senators supported the measure, which needed 60 votes for cloture. Several Democrats opposed it for varying reasons. Former President Donald Trump had actively pushed Republicans to oppose the bill, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) previously stated the bill was “dead on arrival” in the House (should the Senate have passed it). With the Senate about to enter a two-week break, it remains to be seen if they can separate portions of the package and pass them alone.

In the House, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for “high crimes and misdemeanors, including for his handling of issues involving fentanyl and border security.” Legislators spent much of Tuesday debating the measure, often referencing the bipartisan Senate deal in their comments. Ultimately, the resolution failed in a 214-216 vote. Four Republicans voted against the measure, while Majority Leader Steve Scalise did not vote. Border security has come into heightened focus this year and will likely be a major talking point on the campaign trail. While both House and Senate actions did have some potential indirect agricultural impacts, the broader failures point to the continued gridlock in DC. With funding deadlines approaching, and a Farm Bill seemingly always just out of reach, it remains to be seen how these results could impact the prospects of either.

USDA to Issue $306 Million in Final Payments to Producers Impacted by 2020 and 2021 Natural Disasters

USDA is distributing final Emergency Relief Program (ERP) payments amounting to approximately $306 million to eligible commodity and specialty crop producers affected by natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), these payments are intended to alleviate financial burdens incurred by agricultural producers due to catastrophic events. Recipients are limited to producers who previously received ERP Phase One payments. Producers of noninsured crops by FSA NAP polices will not receive additional payments for losses in 2020 and 2021. Through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, Congress allocated around $3.2 billion to cover losses of revenue, quality, or production of crops. Enrollment for ERP 2022 is ongoing, offering assistance for qualifying natural disaster events in 2022 affecting crops, trees, bushes, and vines. 

Comments Submitted on the Western Spadefoot 

The California Farm Bureau submitted comments earlier this week to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the proposed listing of the western spadefoot frog as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The letter emphasized support for the proposed section4(d) rules, which include exceptions, such as livestock, ranching, and vegetation management for fire safety, provide incentives for private landowners while aiding in wildlife habitat preservation. We also urged the Service to explicitly include livestock grazing in fire management actions, recognizing its importance in mitigating wildfire risks and ensuring long-term conservation efforts for the spadefoot. You can read the full comment letter at the link below. 

EPA and Army Corps Announce WOTUS Listening Sessions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army are hosting joint listening sessions designed to address issues related to the definition of “Waters in the United States” in light of the Sackett v EPA decision. These sessions are designed for coregulators, stakeholders, and interested parts parties to voice their concerns and insights. For Tribal and State government agencies and member organizations, dedicated sessions will be held on February 13, and 14 from 1-3:30pm ET. Environmental stakeholders can join on February 15^th, agricultural stakeholders on February 27^th, and industry stakeholders on February 28^th, all running from 1-3:30pm. Participants can register to speak during these sessions, with a three-minute time slot allocated per speaker. Pre-registration ends the day before each session. For those unable to speak, registration to listen is also available, though space is limited. 

BLM, USDA Forest Service Announce

2024 Grazing Fees

The federal grazing fee for 2024 remains unchanged at $1.35 per animal unit month for public lands under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the USDA’s Forest Service. This fee, starting March 1^st 2024, encompasses nearly 18,000 BLM grazing permits and leases and approximately 6,250 permits managed by the Forest Service. The fee is calculated based on current private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices, and the cost of livestock production. Permit holders and lessees are encouraged to reach out to their local BLM or Forest Service office for further details. 

USFWS Announces 12-Month Finding, National Recovery Plan for Gray Wolves

Responding to two petitions to list, the United States Fish and WIldlife Service announced February 2 that there would be no changes at this time to the gray wolf’s listing status under the federal Endangered Species Act. Wolf populations under state management in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and portions of eastern Oregon, Washington and Utah will be retained. The species listing status will remain as threatened in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining 44 states (including California). USFWS stated the rationale for the decision was that the Northern Rocky Mountain population did not qualify as a not qualify as a “listable entity” because wolves there are not “markedly separated” from populations outside that boundary. Additionally, despite finding the gray wolf in the Western United States a valid listable entity, the Service determined that listing the gray wolf in the Western United States is not warranted at this time. 

The Service also announced that they will be taking steps to develop a National Recovery Plan under the ESA for gray wolves in the lower 48 states by December 12, 2025. Recently, the Service also announced an initiative to address gray wolf conflict prevention, long-term stability, and community security. CAFB will continue to monitor federal activities relative to the gray wolf and participate in public processes as appropriate.

Matthew Viohl

Federal Policy, Director

Erin Huston

Federal Policy, Consultant

Isabella Quinonez

Public Policy Coordinator