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As Congress prepared for the August District Work Period, Washington, DC was busy with activity throughout the summer.
Research
Research issues remain in the sights of members as Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) introduced HR 5832 on July 19 to establish a National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This legislation is a complement bill to S 2782 introduced on May 10 by Senator Jim Talent (R-MO) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). The major difference between the two bills is that H.R. 5832 would provide mandatory funding by using Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) authorities, while S 2782 authorizes appropriations.
The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, or S 2590, was introduced by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) on April 6. The legislation was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 27 and authorized the creation of a comprehensive Internet database that requires full disclosure of all individuals and organizations receiving federal funds. On June 21, The US House of Representatives passed a similar bill with HR 5060. The House bill does not require the database to include information on federal contracts, which has attracted criticism from watchdog groups.
Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is also of continuing interest to both policy makers and stakeholders. On July 27, 2006 the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research Subcommittee held a hearing on current conservation programs in preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill. The Senate had their first hearing addressing conservation issues on June 7, 2006.
The Administration is also preparing for the Farm Bill debate. On August 8, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns released an analysis prepared by USDA economists of the department's renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. This is the fourth in a series of subject areas that warranted a comprehensive examination based on comments received during last year's nationwide Farm Bill Forum listening tour.
Trade
Trade discussions continue to be an important focus in Washington, DC. On July 20, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) held a hearing to review H.R. 3849, which was introduced in September 2005 by Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK). The bill will "amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to implement pesticide-related obligations of the United States under the international conventions or protocols known as the PIC Convention, the POPs Convention, and the LRTAP POPs Protocol." This legislation is necessary to ratify three international treaties regulating the use of chemicals to protect human and environmental health. According to a Committee Press Release, until the U.S. ratifies the treaty, which is dependent on passage of H.R. 3849, U.S. negotiators cannot participate in the discussions to modify the current agreements. On July 27, 2006, the House Agriculture Committee passed HR 3849 and sent it to the House floor with a favorable recommendation.
Lawmakers were very pleased with the July 27 announcement from Japan that they will resume imports of U.S. beef from cattle 20 months of age and younger.
Many of the recent Trade and Farm Policy discussions were led by Dr. J.B. Penn, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. On August 8, 2006, the Secretary of Agriculture announced Dr. Penn's resignation effective at the end of August.
Conservation
Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) introduced S.3711, The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, on July 20. This legislation is designed to open up between 2.9 million and 8 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas drilling. S.3711 passed the Senate on August 1 by a vote of 71 - 25.
Meanwhile, on July 19 the House Resources Committee considered 23 bills, focused on wildlife, land, and water legislation. The Committee voted support for HR 4857, the "Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act." This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA), requires Power Marketing Administrations to list direct and indirect cost estimates associated with Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance.
The Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Commerce, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the dates and locations of the second set of listening sessions on cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships.
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