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's Morning Agriculture newsletter starts your day off with the latest news in ag policy, including the latest from Congress, USDA, FDA, EPA and more
The left’s pitch for universal free meals comes after a year of relaxed rules that have allowed schools to serve free meals to all students, regardless of whether they normally qualify for help. It was one way the USDA responded to the crisis last spring.
Over two dozen bipartisan senators cosponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act today to boost carbon market access -- enough Republican support to pass the Senate.
SNAP would remain in operation during a fed shutdown, but it’s unclear what might happen if it drags out.
During the last shutdown, the government nearly ran out of funds for SNAP, which would’ve yanked benefits from 40 million people.
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As President Joe Biden pledges a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the next 10 years, the administration hasn't set specific targets for the agriculture sector which accounts for 10 percent of all U.S. emissions.
House Republicans’ push to shrink the size of the country’s leading anti-hunger program would disproportionately hit their own Hispanic constituents, just as the GOP is trying to build on recent gains with the key voting bloc ahead of 2024
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Recovery Lab: Our
@liz_crampton
and
@hbottemiller
talk to ag experts across the country to unpack how the food system was and is impacted by the pandemic and what solutions are needed.
This week in Weekly Agriculture:
🍎USDA bumped up payments for school meals.
🧑🌾American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention wraps up with President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressing the group today.
🔥Biden talks wildfires.
Farm bill negotiations are poised to start next month, and Democrats are hoping to shape talks around climate and other major priorities to ensure they get at least some of what they want even if Republicans win a majority in the House next fall.
The pandemic caused a massive shock to food supply chains across the country. By the numbers, grocery spending and government aid went up, hunger went down and the supply chain showed its weaknesses.
Here are five charts to show the impact:
Today in Weekly Agriculture:
🖊️Labor Secretary Marty Walsh urges Congress to pass immigration and H-2A overhauls.
🍏Sen. Cory Booker says he will "bring it" on his focus on national nutrition.
⚖️Farmers sue USDA and FSA for payments to farmers of color.
POLITICO’s Recovery Lab kicks off its September edition on food with a story by
@hbottemiller
.
The pandemic's economic upheaval caused Washington to send record aid to families. The result? A fresh look at how to reduce hunger in the wealthiest country.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack debunks viral internet claims that President Joe Biden intends to stop Americans from eating burgers and steaks as part of his plans to combat climate change.
Scoop: Senate Dems are scrambling to push back amid a bitter fight w/ Rs over ∼$20B in Inflation Reduction Act climate-ag $ in the upcoming farm bill
MA obtained the talking pts Dems quietly sent to allies >
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@meredithllee
@_garrettdowns
The recent far-right rebellion that brought the House floor to a halt is a bad omen for another rapidly approaching legislative fight: the 2023 farm bill
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The Senate passed a bipartisan agriculture climate bill earlier today which, if passed by the House, would bring some clarity to a growing number of carbon credit programs. The bill allocates $4 million over four years to help the effort.
Key farm bill programs lapsed Sunday as lawmakers race to reauthorize a new bill before Dec 31
But w/ House chaos and a rare Senate spat — some are quietly raising whether they should punt it to next Congress to avoid another hard right mutiny
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This week in Morning Ag:
🔥The Forest Service is on the mind of advocates and lawmakers this week.
⛴️Fearing supply chain issues from the conflict in Ukraine, countries are holding back exports.
🫒USDA turns to American-made fertilizers.
President Biden wants to pay farmers and ranchers to help achieve his climate goals. But officials have yet to unveil their plan largely due to the complexity of carbon credits.
Baby food makers haven’t done enough to screen for neurotoxic heavy metals, like lead, in their products, according to a new Congressional report. Lawmakers are urging the FDA to speed up setting first-ever standards for heavy metals across most baby food.
The politics around food prices have become increasingly charged amid rising inflation and pandemic supply chain bottlenecks. Lawmakers want to address the problems but key farm lobby groups are pushing to derail the bipartisan legislation.