WASHINGTON,
Dec. 1, 2014 – Lawmakers return from their Thanksgiving break with lots of
unfinished business before the 113th Congress goes out of business
with the close of the current lame-duck session.
Topping
the list is legislation to keep the government funded beyond Dec. 11 when the
current short-term spending bill expires. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
has said he wants the chamber to conclude the lame-duck session by that date.
But
meeting that deadline may be difficult because keeping the government afloat is
tied up with other issues, namely how the Republicans will respond to President
Obama’s executive actions on immigration, which played a role in blowing up a
compromise that was brewing last week on congressional plans to revive tax
breaks that expired late last year.
Among
the so-called tax extenders is one near and dear to agriculture – the Section
179 measure – which allowed small businesses, including farms, to write off up
to $500,000 of capital purchases immediately instead of over a 10-year period.
According to a schedule prepared by McCarthy’s office, tax extender legislation
could be considered this week.
House
Republicans are meeting Tuesday to discuss how to move forward. Options include
a standalone spending bill that would avoid a government shutdown for the
entire fiscal year, a series of short-term funding bills, or a measure designed
to stop funding for Obama’s immigration plans and invite a presidential veto.
Here’s
a list of agriculture- or rural-related events scheduled for this week in
Washington and elsewhere:
Monday, Dec. 1
2 p.m. The House meets for
legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. House
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s schedule indicates it’s possible legislation
related to expired tax provisions will be considered this week. Legislation to
be considered under suspension of the rules includes: H.R. 5471 - To amend the
Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify how
clearing requirements apply to certain affiliate transactions; and H.R. 5714 -
Pest Management Records Modernization Act.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
9
a.m. House Committee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing on the impact of
the President’s executive action on border security. Homeland Security
Secretary Jeh Johnson is scheduled to testify. 311 Cannon.
9:30
a.m. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
holds a hearing titled, “Innovation and the Utilities of the Future: How Local
Water Treatment Facilities are Leading the Way to Better Manage Wastewater and
Water Supplies.” 406 Dirksen.
9:30
a.m. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions meets in
executive session to consider the nomination of Lauren McGarity McFerran to
serve as a member of the National Labor Relations Board.
10
a.m. The House meets for morning hour and then at noon for legislative
business.
1
p.m. House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on “President Obama’s Executive
Overreach on Immigration, 2141 Rayburn.
2:15
p.m. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds a legislative hearing
on the Super Pollutants Act of 2014. Witnesses include: Drew Shindell,
professor of climate sciences, Nichols School of Environment, Duke University;
Benny Peiser, director, the Global Warming Policy Foundation; and Steve Moore,
chief economist, Institute for Economic Freedom and Opportunity, The Heritage
Foundation. 406 Dirksen.
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for Small Business Christina Sevilla will deliver remarks at the
American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria conference on “The Transatlantic Trade
and Investment Partnership: Small and Medium Enterprises Perspective.”
Sofia, Bulgaria.
Wednesday, Dec.
3
10
a.m. The House meets for morning hour and then at noon for legislative business
10
a.m. Senate Agriculture Committee holds a hearing titled “Farmers and Fresh Water: Voluntary
Conservation to Protect our Land and Waters.” The hearing will
examine different ways farmers and ranchers can help improve water quality
in U.S. lakes and rivers through voluntary conservation practices 328A
Russell. Witnesses include: Jason
Weller, chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Marty
Matlock, executive director, Office for Sustainability, University of Arkansas.
328A Russell.
10
a.m. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology holds a hearing to review
the results of two audits of the National Ecological Observatory Network.
Witnesses include Allison Lerner, inspector general, National
Science Foundation, and Anita Bales, director, Defense Contract Audit Agency.
2318 Rayburn.
2:30 p.m. Senate Finance
Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure holds a hearing
titled, “Natural Gas Vehicles: Fueling American Jobs, Enhancing Energy Security
and Achieving Emissions Benefits.” Witnesses include: Robert Garrick, natural
gas sales manager, Daimler Trucks North America; Harrison Clay, president,
Clean Energy; Joseph Calabrese, CEO, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit
Authority. 215 Dirksen.
3 p.m. USDA releases reports on
Broiler Hatchery and Dairy Products.
Senate Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee holds a hearing to consider transportation
safety-related nominations. Time and witness list TBA. 253 Russell.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman
will meet with the Business Roundtable International Engagement Committee, in
Washington. Closed press.
Thursday, Dec. 4
9 a.m. The House meets for legislative
business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
USTR Froman will meet with US-China
Business Council Board, in Washington. Closed press.
Consumer
Food Safety Education Conference, through tomorrow, in Arlington, Virginia.
Friday, Dec. 5
3
p.m. USDA releases report on Peanut Prices.
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