Monday, June 17, 2013

Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

Farm Bill
House leaders believe that they are close to lining up the 218 member votes needed to pass a comprehensive five-year farm bill, and House Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA-7) has placed the House version of the bill on this week's House calendar. Debate will likely begin on Tuesday or Wednesday and run through at least Thursday. House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK-3) said on Saturday that he expects from 30 to 60 amendments to be considered. Cantor said on the House floor last week that he believes the House will end up having a considerable debate on "all subject matter in the bill," with some of the major areas ripe for debate being food stamps (SNAP), sugar and dairy support, conservation and crop insurance. An update posted last Friday by the House Rules Committee schedules an "emergency" 5 PM, meeting today (Monday) to consider the farm bill, during which the Committee will set the rules for the bill debate. The Committee will meet again on Tuesday to set the amendment limits. The Rules Committee Internet page for the farm bill can be found here, where the Monday amendment submission deadline and a list of currently-submitted amendments can be viewed.  Here is a link to the latest 2013 farm bill status in the Senate and House, and our routinely-updated farm bill resources list.

Below are the other activities currently scheduled this week in the U.S. House and Senate that relate to Mississippi River Basin natural resources. Where available, links are provided to the relevant Committee and legislation pages on the Internet. Many of the proceedings are webcast live (follow the appropriate link).  All times are Eastern.


Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday


No comments:

Post a Comment