WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2013 – Lawmakers will continue to work to end the one-week shutdown of the federal government, which has left the USDA and many agencies nearly abandoned.
The Senate and the House were in session over the weekend, but failed to break the impasse. The main issue that remains is Republican lawmakers’ insistence on changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.
Meanwhile, agricultural stakeholders continue to seek more movement on a long-term farm bill. The Senate re-appointed their conferees last week, but the House has not yet picked their conferees.
As a result of the shutdown, USDA will not be issuing any agency reports this week. Further, several congressional committee hearings have been postponed or canceled.
Both congressional chambers will be in session, and it is anyone’s guess as to when this will end. The main consensus is that this shutdown will be resolved as part of the upcoming debt ceiling debate.
The week’s events include:
Monday, Oct. 7.
10:00 a.m. The House will convene for morning hour.
2:00 p.m. The Senate will convene for a period of morning business.
2:00 p.m. The House will meet for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m. A vote may occur on the rule for the Food and Drug Safety Act.
5:30 p.m. The Senate will vote on two judicial nominations.
Thursday, Oct. 10.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will hold a hearing on “Maritime Transportation Regulations: Impacts on Safety, Security, Jobs and the Environment, Part 2” in 2167 Rayburn.
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