WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2013 – The House is poised for an exciting week as a 3-year nutrition bill that would cut about $40 billion over 10 years from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to hit the floor.
The legislation, set to come up for debate late in the week, would make several changes to SNAP, including eliminating “categorical eligibility” and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program “loophole.”
The bill contains language similar to several amendments that resulted in the failure of the House’s first attempt to pass a farm bill this year.
The Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, authored by House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., seeks to “restore the intent of welfare reforms” adopted in 1996 to SNAP.
According to House leadership, the legislation aims to refocus the program on those who need it most. “No law-abiding beneficiary who meets the income and asset tests of the current program and is willing to comply with applicable work requirements will lose their benefits under the bill,” the leadership said.
In addition, the House is expected to begin work on a continuing resolution to keep the government, including the USDA and FDA, operating past Sept. 30. Congress has not approved a fiscal year 2014 appropriations bill for either department.
The House bill would continue funding for government programs and services at the current, post sequestration annual rate until Dec. 15.
Also, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will markup its water resources development act legislation (H.R. 3080) Thursday. The committee’s Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) would re-authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop, maintain, and support the nation’s vital port and waterways infrastructure needs, and support effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs.
Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and ranking member Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., said the bill would cut federal red tape and bureaucracy, streamline the infrastructure project delivery process, promote fiscal responsibility, and strengthen aging water transportation networks.
The Senate approved its version of the reauthorization May 16 on a strong bipartisan 83-14 vote. The Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) would authorize funding to modernize the nation’s locks and dams, provide upkeep for rivers and coasts, assist with flood protection and restore key environmental areas.
Also, the House also is expected to consider the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), authored by chairman of the Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash. The bill aims to improve forest health and help prevent catastrophic wildfires. This legislation would provide a short-term extension of the Secure Rural Schools program.
Further, the Senate is expected to continue its debate of the energy efficiency bill (S. 1392).
Monday, Sept. 16.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden will lead a trade mission to promote U.S. agricultural trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa through Sept. 20.
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Cotton & Wool Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Wheat Outlook
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Oil Crops Outlook
2:00 p.m. The Senate will convene for a period of morning business.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet in pro forma session and no votes are expected.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Turkey Hatchery
4:00 p.m. The Senate will resume debate of S. 1392, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Feed Grains Outlook
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Rice Outlook
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Crop Progress
5:00 p.m. The Senate will proceed to an executive session to consider two judicial nominations.
5:30 p.m. The Senate will vote on the two judicial nominations.
Tuesday, Sept. 17.
10:00 a.m. USDA Report: Meat Price Spreads
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Bioenergy Data
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WAOB)
5:00 p.m. The House Rules Committee will meet to set a rule on the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526) in the Capitol H-313.
Wednesday, Sept. 18.
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:15 a.m. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “The Obama Administration’s Climate Change Policies and Activities” in 2123 Rayburn.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
1:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook
2:30 p.m. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Policy will hold a hearing on the “Implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012: One Year After Implementation” in 538 Dirksen.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Announcement of Advanced Prices and Pricing Factors
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Broiler Hatchery
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock Historical Track Records
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: National Dairy Products Sales Report
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Feed Grains Database
4:00 p.m. USDA Report: Sugar & Sweeteners Outlook
Thursday, Sept. 19.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: U.S. Export Sales
10:00 a.m. The House will meet for morning hour debate.
10:00 a.m. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a markup of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) in 2167 Rayburn.
10:00 a.m. The House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold an oversight hearing on “Keeping Hydropower Investments and the Promotion of New Development” in 1324 Longworth.
10:00 a.m. The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Environment will hold a joint hearing on “Dysfunction in Management of Weather and Climate Satellites” in 2318 Rayburn.
10:00 a.m. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will hold a hearing on “Outside the Box: Reforming and Renewing the Postal Service” in Dirksen 342.
10:15 a.m. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on “Keystone’s Red Tape Anniversary: Five Years of Bureaucratic Delay and Economic Benefits Denied” in Rayburn 2322.
12:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business.
2:00 p.m. The House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs will hold an oversight hearing on “Executive branch standards for land-in-trust decisions for gaming purposes” in 1324 Longworth.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Stone Fruit: World Markets and Trade
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Citrus Fruits
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Potatoes
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Milk Production
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Livestock Slaughter
Friday, Sept. 20.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will address the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Galaxy IV 2013 Conference in Pittsburgh.
Vilsack will participate in a naturalization ceremony for about 45 new citizens in Pittsburgh.
8:30 a.m. USDA Report: Cattle on Feed
9:00 a.m. The House will meet for legislative business, with last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Chickens and Eggs
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Peanut Prices
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Catfish Feed Deliveries
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Catfish Processing
3:00 p.m. USDA Report: Hop Stocks
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