On November 29, 2022 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The bat faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent.
The annual end of the year battle is taking place as Congress must pass legislation to fund the government before leaving town for the year. This is done in the spirit of Christmas and attempts by leadership in making – or not making because not everyone has been nice - the final bill a Christmas tree full of gifts, and additional spending. Certain Republicans, preparing for their recently won, albeit narrow majority, are making waves about what not to spend money on with threats of holding the final bill hostage and potentially shutting down the government. Trust me, no Member of Congress wants to be in Washington for the holidays!
Current House Minority Leader and Speaker Wannabe Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is being asked to play Santa Claus in exchange for conservatives to support him in January as the next Speaker. Most of the gifts are in changes to how the House operates in terms of rules and committee assignments. Sounds simple until you have to govern under the rules you have committed to your new majority.
Republicans galvanized around a plan this year as fundamental to their future leadership. The “Commitment to America” organizes various pledges under four broad categories: the economy, safety, freedom and accountability. The outline is an attempt to harness the historical success of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 1994 “Contract with America,” which propelled GOP gains during President Bill Clinton’s first term.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices around the country are gearing up to take in a surge of Inflation Reduction Act funding centered around the conservation programs they operate.
Rumblings from the Democratic Party leaders about changes to primary elections would take Iowa out of the early voting have sent some in Iowa scrambling. This recent piece in the Des Moines Register also has folks watching as Iowa leads in politics and farming.
The annual rush for Congress to finish their must do business and head home for the holidays is underway. This year is somewhat different as majority changes in the House has resulted in leadership changes of the parties and committees. Whether the new House Republican leader – TBD – will be able to centralize power or succumb to demands to decentralize leadership control will determine how cohesive an agenda is put forward next year. Divided government often brings out the best - and the worst - on both sides of the aisle.
The typical end of year must pass bill is agreement on next year’s government funding. A cap is generally agreed to with other high priority issues –Defense, Covid and Ukraine funding topping this year’s list – negotiated to avoid the shutdown of government programs.
The Administration and the House have taken action to avoid a national rail strike as the Senate considers similar legislation to delay a strike. President Biden’s call to action came the same day more than 400 business groups sent a letter to House and Senate leaders calling for them to step in if necessary to prevent the rail workers from striking.
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service broke ground in Auburn, Alabama, Monday for its new research facility housing the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory.
The USDA released a Request for Information (RFI), soliciting feedback on NRCS implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The NRCS team has been working over the past several months to prepare for implementation, including efforts to expand capacity, streamline program delivery, quantify outcomes, leverage partnerships, maximize climate benefits, and advance equity.
……….some say the fat lady sings but in this case I am going to say It’s Not Over Till All the Votes Are Counted. Some of my quick original observations and others picked up from sources.