This week sees Congress, with the Senate already active and the House soon to join, facing a significant gap in their schedule concerning actions on vital appropriations bills. These bills are indispensable for the funding of various government departments, including the Agriculture Department, for the upcoming fiscal year.
Senate’s Immediate Agenda:
Since Monday, the Senate has been engaged, with a primary focus on President Biden’s nominations. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, from New York, is preparing to bring a national security supplemental package to the Senate floor, potentially in the next week. This package is essential for providing aid to Israel and Ukraine and addressing domestic priorities.
Schumer has underscored the urgency of bipartisan collaboration to pass the first set of appropriations bills, including those for Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Transportation, before the January 19 deadline. Failing to pass these bills could lead to the necessity of another continuing resolution to ensure funding for these agencies.
Challenges in the House Over Agricultural Appropriations:
The House Republicans are encountering obstacles in passing their appropriations bill for the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration.
There is a concern, particularly among Democrats and nutrition advocates, about the potential underfunding of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a crucial program for low-income families.
House’s Legislative Agenda and Key Legislation:
The House’s agenda for the week includes discussions on a variety of bills. Of particular interest is H.R. 5283, the Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023. This bill proposes to restrict the use of federal funds for housing certain noncitizens on federal lands.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has opposed this bill, arguing that it would impose limitations on the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture in their land and resource management, especially in emergency situations.
