Category: Legislative Updates

Construction Spending Up

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by LICA-National

Total construction spending increased by 0.6 percent in October, led by strong gains for manufacturing, power, and education projects as well as single-family homebuilding, according to an analysis of federal spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted, however, that spending on other nonresidential segments, including commercial construction and highway and street construction, declined.

“It is apparent that the construction market overall remains healthy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But a rotation is occurring among nonresidential segments as manufacturing construction expands while commercial construction slumps and highway and street spending stagnates. On the residential side, single-family construction is picking up, while multifamily is descending from record highs.”

LICA Meets with NRCS Leadership

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by LICA-National

Nick Yaksich, National LICA’s Director of Government Relations, joined other industry stakeholders in a briefing conducted by NRCS Chief Terry Cosby and his staff. The Chief opened with the NRCS’ accomplishments from FY 2023 and expressed optimism for FY 2024. That optimism is founded on the significant amount of funding Congress and the Administration has provided NRCS through the Farm Bill and the Inflations Reduction Act. Like so many public and private sector organizations, NRCS faces significant hiring needs that present challenges to successfully implement their programs. Chief Cosby reiterated throughout the briefing his priorities: increase equity, implement climate smart programs and promote urban agriculture.

Farm Bill Extended for One Year in Funding Deal

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by LICA-National

A stopgap government funding bill that includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill easily passed the GOP-controlled House Tuesday after Democrats more than made up for the desertion of hardline GOP conservatives who were unhappy the legislation includes no spending cuts. The Senate approved a similar bill Wednesday night.


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Happy Thanksgiving! Farm Bureau Reports Your Dinner Will Cost Less

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by LICA-National

Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which is $61.17 or less than $6.20 per person.


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AGC Moves to Block Davis Bacon Expansion

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by LICA-National

The Associated General Contractors of America filed suit today in federal court to block the Biden Administration’s unlawful effort to expand the reach of a decades-old law that governs wage rates on federally funded construction projects. Association officials noted that the administration lacks the legal authority to expand the law to cover manufacturing facilities miles away from projects, or to retroactively impose the measure on already-executed contracts, among other concerns.


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Senate Looking for More Farm Bill Money

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by LICA-National

The top Republican on the Senate Ag Committee, John Boozman, says he doesn’t know whether the extra money Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow has identified for the next farm bill will be enough to bolster commodity programs and crop insurance. Stabenow reportedly told Agri-Pulse she expects to have $4 billion to $5 billion in additional funding for the bill. She didn’t identify the source of the money, and Boozman said he doesn’t know where the funding comes from.


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New House Speaker Not Known on the Farm

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by LICA-National

The House’s new speaker, Mike Johnson, isn’t well known in farm country, or most of the rest of the nation for that matter. But Rep. Frank Lucas, a former chairman of the House Ag Committee, says Lucas is a likable, low-key conservative who should be able to unite House Republicans.

“I think he can pull us together. He's a real conservative, so we're back on track. We're headed forward again, I think,” Lucas, R-Okla., said in an interview with Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.

Lucas describes Johnson as “very positive, very pleasant,” temperamentally different than some of the GOP firebrands. “He doesn't have the scars and scratches and calluses other members have, but that's OK,” Lucas said.

By the way: Some 61 House Republicans sent a letter to Johnson Thursday urging “swift passage” of a new farm bill. “More than 92 percent of our nation’s planted acres are represented by Republican Members,” the letter says.

How Financial World Views New House Speaker

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by LICA-National

Plenty of people in Washington and senators have been googling Mike Johnson since he ascended to the speaker’s office this week. Bank lobbyists have been doing the same. The 51-year-old Republican from Louisiana is a mystery to the financial world’s most influential advocates. More than one lobbyist we asked described Johnson as a “black box.” “General sentiment in our world is that he is a totally unknown figure,” one official working for a top bank trade group said. That being said, Johnson’s no stranger to their campaign contributions. Whether it is banking, health, foreign affairs or any other issue before Congress, many believe fresh leadership in the House can unify the majority actively deal with the Senate and Administration on critical issues before the Congress.

EPA and Army Corps Sign Coordination Memos on WOTUS

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by LICA-National

In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released two joint coordination memorandums on jurisdictional determinations 1) under the 2023 waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule (as amended in September) and 2) under the “pre-2015 regulatory regime” that is in effect in the 27 states where the Biden Administration’s rule is on hold. The memos outline similar processes for coordination, wherein EPA plays an active role. Neither memo provides insight on how the agencies will determine jurisdiction nor how they will implement the relatively permanent test.


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Go or No Go: My Take on Farm Bill Reauthorization

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by LICA-National

Limited floor time for debate and bill consideration is a common rationale for Congress not to consider must pass bills like the appropriations and farm bills. The unexpected leadership battle in the House – hopefully resolved by the time you are reading this – has delayed the House from formally meeting. Now the tragic war in the Middle East will push other issues to the back burner as the Administration and the Congress determine the best response.


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