NACIA Washington Update
May 21, 2009

With Memorial Day Recess right around the corner, Congress has been busy this week. The major focus has not been legislation on the House or Senate Floor, but rather the climate change legislation authored by Representatives Waxman (D-CA) and Markey (D-MA). Mark up began in the House Energy and Commerce Committee Monday, and has continued, not without controversies, all week long. Currently, it is unclear whether or not the Committee will be able to report out a bill before the week-long recess starts. When the Committee does report out a bill, the legislation would be sent to the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and numerous other Committees before House Floor consideration. Chairman Rangel of Ways and Means has been quoted as stating that his Committee would consider health care reform prior to climate change, which would considerably delay House Floor consideration of climate change.  
 
The Senate is also holding a mark up this week on part of its climate change legislation, and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Bingaman (D-NM) has reportedly gained enough bipartisan support to include a renewable electricity standard in the comprehensive legislation. Compared with the hundreds of amendments on the House side, reportedly the Senate Committee is dealing with a little over 50. We expect a second markup on the Senate side to be held in early June.  
 
We have previously reported on Chairman Peterson and other House Agriculture Committee Members’ concerns with the climate change legislation, especially in regards to indirect land use calculations for biofuel production. This week Chairman Peterson took it a step further. He and Ranking Member Lucas (R-OK) introduced bi-partisan (42 cosponsors) legislation regarding the issue. Chairman Peterson has reportedly been very vocal regarding his problems with the legislation and is exploring the different options of the House Agriculture Committee when they receive the bill.  More details on the recently introduced legislation can be found here. In addition, today the Committee held a hearing to review proposals to implement low carbon fuel standards and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on state and federal levels.
 
Looking forward, we would like to remind you that the House Agriculture Committee is continuing with its review of the crop insurance program, with the next hearing coming the week of June 15. We believe this hearing will focus on, in part, the results of the GAO study requested by Representatives Waxman and Cooper (D-TN). We expect that GAO report will be released next Friday, May 29. We will keep you updated with further information as it becomes available. Currently the only hearings the Committee has announced after June 15 are on June 24 and 25, entitled, “To review implementation of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.”
 
Over at USDA, there has also been significant activity. While a nominee for RMA Administrator has not yet been announced, we are hearing there are names in the clearance process and announcement will come soon. We will keep you updated on the situation.

Earlier this week at a rural community forum in Georgia, the Secretary announced $60 million in rural community facilities projects that USDA is paying for with stimulus funding. Further information about the community forum and the projects selected for funding can be found here.

USDA continues its involvement with the Food Safety Working Group, which recently opened a website: http://www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov/

Selection of staff and personnel continues at USDA, with staffers being hired to fill positions in Farm and Foreign Ag Service, the Office of Communications, Food safety and Inspection Service, Rural Development, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Details.

Also of significance is the Nomination of Bart Chilton to serve as the Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A brief bio from yesterday’s White House Press Release:  

Bart Chilton, Nominee for Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Chilton was sworn in as CFTC Commissioner in August of 2007. He currently serves as the Chairman of the CFTC’s Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee (EEMAC). His career spans 25 years in government service—working on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, and serving the Executive Branch during the Clinton, Bush and Obama Administrations. Prior to joining the CFTC, Chilton was the Chief of Staff at the National Farmers Union. In 2005, Chilton served as an Executive Assistant to the U.S. Farm Credit Administration Board. From 2001 to 2005, Chilton was a Senior Advisor to Senator Tom Daschle, the Democrat Leader of the United States Senate. From 1995 to 2001, Chilton held several politically appointed positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman. From 1985 to 1995, Mr. Chilton worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where he served as Legislative Director for three different Members of Congress and as the Executive Director of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus. Chilton attended Purdue University (1979-1982) and was a collegiate leader of several organizations.

We are facing a very challenging environment, with the House Agriculture Committee continuing a critical look at the program and the soon-to-be-released GAO report chipping away at this vital aspect of the farm safety net. In addition, as evidenced by the cuts in the President’s budget request, we should not count on the support of President Obama or Secretary Vilsack. Please continue to support NACIA, the only voice speaking solely for crop insurance agents in Washington.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative