Agencies Ready “Surgical” WOTUS Rule Re-Work
EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers want to employ what might be called precision regulation as they revise the “waters of the U.S.” rule whose legality has come into question because of the Supreme Court’s recent Sackett decision in May. The “Amendments to the 2023 Rule” offers a a glimpse of how the agencies plan to re-work the controversial rule that was last re-issued in January of this year. Revisions are due out by September 1. Read more here.
Farm Bill Outlook As Congress Recesses for Independence Day
Congress is out this week and Members are touring their districts ahead of the July 4th Holiday to provide constituents with updates and solicit feedback for their return later this month. Chairs of both agriculture committees still want a bill this year, and while options are still being discussed, one path forward that could be considered is a short-term extension. Time will tell. House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson (R-PA) recently commented that he and his staff are looking at farm bill “efficiencies” that could garner more funding for Title 1 and other priority needs. Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said she is committed to protecting the investments directed by the Inflation Reduction Act for their intended purposes, but signaled she is open to conversations on how that funding may be used.
During a recent event Chair Stabenow said: “From my perspective, we’re talking about how we could move that in some form into a long-term baseline so farmers can benefit from that and keep all of the opportunities in terms of addressing the climate which our farmers want to do, they’re anxious to do.” Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Ag Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) held a farm bill roundtable this week in Kentucky, signaling McConnell’s increased interest in passing the legislation. As the most powerful Republican in the Senate, McConnell’s focus on the farm bill suggests that the GOP is prioritizing this package, which is expected to cost around $1.5 trillion. With the debt ceiling already raised, Congress has two more substantial bills to pass — the farm bill and annual appropriations.”
