The following is a summary of some of the key issues Congress and the Administration will be debating in 2013. Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to provide further analysis as well as insight into other areas of interest.
Agriculture: Tom Vilsack is expected to stay on as Secretary of Agriculture. The House Agriculture Committee will continue to be led by Chairman Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Peterson (D-MN). Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS) will control the Agriculture Committee in the Senate. The Administration is expected to continue to support efforts behind the President’s National Export Initiative to open new markets for U.S. products and services. President Obama will also continue to support U.S. negotiations with countries under the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The Fiscal Cliff agreement (HR 8, American Taxpayer Relief Act) includes a nine-month Farm Bill extension. Committee Members will go back to work to reauthorize a longer term (5 year) Farm Bill Reauthorization during the 113th Congress. Chairwoman Stabenow has already called for a mark-up of the bill in early February 2013. SNAP, the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Renewable Fuel Standards, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will continue to be debated in 2013.
Read: “Review of Issues for 2013“