NACIA Washington Update-Murphy to RMA
July 30, 2009

As Congress nears the final days prior to the August recess, the intensity has heightened for some, while for others it has become a waiting game. The House is currently scheduled to leave tomorrow and the Senate next Friday, August 7. As is usual, rumors abound that Leadership will extend the session into the weekend but we now expect both Chambers to leave as scheduled or shortly after.

The major activities in both Chambers have been the health care negotiations, which have halted most other substantive actions—thus the intense activity by some and the waiting game by most others. Initially, the goal or deadline from President Obama was to have House and Senate Floor consideration of health care reform prior to the recess. While that was the stated goal, many have doubted that would come to fruition. If you are among those in that line of thought, announcements yesterday have proved you correct.  Several “Blue Dog,” or moderate Democrats, on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have been in ongoing negotiations with Chairman Waxman (D-CA), causing him to temporarily suspend the mark up. While Chairman Waxman has threatened to bypass the Committee, Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) has maintained that the bill will go through regular order.  Yesterday afternoon it was announced that negotiators had reached an agreement of sorts and that the Energy and Commerce Committee would resume mark up later that afternoon. However, the vote on the health care legislation by the full House would not be held until after the August break.  

Over on the Senate side, it has been officially known for a much longer time that the full Senate would not vote on health care legislation prior to the recess. While the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved a Democrat-supported bill several weeks ago, Chairman Baucus (D-MT) of the Senate Finance Committee continues with bi-partisan negotiations and will not be rushed as he works to produce a bill that will garner support from both sides of the aisle. The Finance Committee legislation will need to be joined with the HELP Committee’s bill prior to full Senate consideration—a process many believe will be difficult.  
 
While the health care debate in Washington may seem very far away from Reston, we realize that many of you are small business owners. One of the most contentious areas of debate surrounding the health care legislation centers on its effect on small business owners. The House Small Business Committee minority staff has put together some information on the potential effects of this legislation. While obviously the legislation is not final, we felt you may be interested in this information. To view the document, click here.

Back on the other side of the Capitol while the health care negotiations were occurring, House Leadership decided to move forward with H.R. 2749, the Waxman-Dingell food safety legislation. The bill was brought up for a vote yesterday under a process reserved for non-controversial legislation, thus needing a two-thirds “super-majority” to pass. The legislation failed to garner the needed support, and failed by a 280-150 vote. The bill was strongly opposed by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Lucas (R-OK). In the days leading up to the vote, Ranking Member Lucas issued a strongly-worded press release against the bill due to the potential impacts to farmers and ranchers. If you would like to read his statement, please click here.

Ranking Member Lucas opposed the bill despite House Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson’s (D-MN), which he gave only after lengthy negotiations with Chairman Waxman. The bill was sent back for changes and is expected to be voted on again today, now just needing a simple majority to pass.

As well as Congress, USDA has been very active in areas of interest to crop insurance agents. This week, the FCIC held its board meeting, considering among others things, crop insurance products for mushrooms and oysters. As we have continually noted, there is a portion of the stimulus set aside for rural development. There may be opportunities to use this funding for projects in your communities. Please see the consult with the Small Business Administration American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 website, as well as SGA grant eligibility requirements, and the SGA funding opportunity notice to determine your potential involvement.

If you have not paid your dues please submit online through the secure NACIA website or print out the membership renewal form and mail in your check.Your support is vital to insure that the interests of crop insurance agents are heard by decision-makers in Washington.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please contact us.

Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative