Lawmakers are fighting against the clock this month, working to avoid a government shutdown. A new Farm Bill is due at the same time. But ag lawmakers do not have much on their agendas for the week ahead.
The House Ag Committee will meet on specialty crops on Tuesday at 10 AM ET. The hearing will feature several industry guests, like researchers from Oregon State University. Some nursery and farm representatives will also be on hand.
Then, at 2 PM ET, the House Energy Subcommittee will hear testimony on the Clean Air Act and ways to reform permits around that law. On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee will convene a hearing on rural development and strategies to expand services into rural areas.
Avoiding A Government Shutdown
As lawmakers work to get the country’s finances on track, they are also trying to avoid a government shutdown later this month.
Many have said those details need to be hammered out before work can begin on Farm Bill 2.0.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) warns another short-term spending bill might be necessary before they settle on a final budget.
“We have not done the appropriations process the way it is legally supposed to work in a long, long time around here,” said Speaker Johnson. “And we’re trying to force the body back to that. And if we can get to a conference committee, that’s the first, next important step in returning to that. So, that’s what we’re advocating.”
Will Congress Need a Short-Term Spending Bill?
Senate Majority Leader and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, John Thune (R-SD), is also watching the budget closely. He is hoping for a quick fix, but also feels a short-term spending bill will be needed.
“My hope would be that whatever that [Continuing Resolution] looks like, it’s clean and that it enables us to buy some time to get a regular appropriations process done,” Thune explained. “But we will, inevitably, it looks like, need a [Continuing Resolution] for some time in the foreseeable future. And what that looks like and how long that might extend, I think, probably is a matter of discussion.”
Before the congressional break, Thune told reporters that avoiding a government shutdown is in the best interest of everyone, but he says showing restraint with spending is also key.
Lawmakers have until the end of the month, September 30, to shore up federal spending for next year, or risk a government shutdown. The Farm Bill is also set to expire the same day.
