|
House Agriculture Committee Action
|
|
|
On Wednesday, July 13, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) proposed rule, Regulation Automated Trading (Reg AT). Members heard from witnesses with expertise in automated trading and risk management.
| Next Week at the Ag Committee |
The House is in recess until September 6.
Agri-Pulse: Traders' 'secret sauce' threatened by CFTC plan, House Ag told
Dairy Herd Management: Students manage and milk their own herd to ready for dairy careers
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Cattle Futures Fall on Supply Fears
CBS Local: Students Combine Leadership & Farming to Make Summer Cash
New York Times: How Square Watermelons Get Their Shape, and Other G.M.O. Misconceptions
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) in Fox News: Congress, we must protect Americans who disagree with abortion
Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-4) in Ripon Advance: House approves Moolenaar National Institute of Standards and Technology reauthorization bill
Rep. Ralph Abraham (LA-5) in News Star: Abraham legislation would block flood map expansion
Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) in WJBC: Davis wants rules on GMO labeling
On Monday, the House passed H.R. 5640, the Electricity Storage Innovation Act, which would authorize the Secretary of Energy to undertake a $100 million basic research initiative in chemistry and material sciences for the purpose of advancing electricity storage systems.
The House also passed H.R. 5638, the Solar Fuels Innovation Act, which would authorize the Secretary of Energy to undertake a $100 million basic research initiative in chemistry and material sciences for the purpose of eventually developing solar fuel systems.
On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 5658, the TALENT Act of 2016, which would codify the Presidential Innovation Fellows program. Specifically, the Administrator of General Services Administration shall continue the Program to enable exceptional individuals to serve time-limited appointments in executive agencies to address some of the Nation’s most significant challenges and improve existing government efforts that would benefit for using innovative techniques and technology. A director shall prescribe the application process and appoint accepted fellows to positions in the federal government for no less than six months and no more than two years. The legislation would establish an Advisory Board to inform and advice the Director on priorities and standards that may be beneficial to fulfill the mission of the Program.
The House also passed H.R. 4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016, which would amend the Administrative Procedure Act to overturn the so-called Chevron and Auer doctrines of judicial deference to agency interpretations of statutory and regulatory provisions.
On Wednesday, the House passed, H.Amdt. S. 304, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, which would replace the underlying text with provisions of H.R. 4828, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. The legislation would prevent governmental discrimination against individuals and health care entities that decline involvement in abortion. The legislation would amend the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against the federal government, and state and local governments that receive federal funding for health-related activities, for penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on their refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortion. According to the bill, health care providers include health care professionals, health care facilities, social services providers, health care professional training programs, and group health plans.
The House also passed, H.R. 5119, No 2H2O from Iran Act, which would prohibit funds available to any federal department or agency for any fiscal year from being obligated or expended to purchase or issue a license to purchase heavy water produced in Iran.
On Thursday, the House passed, Senate Amendment to S. 764, relating to GMO Labeling Requirements, which would require the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) to create a national mandatory bioengineered food labeling program within two years of enactment, with certain exceptions. Specifically, the bill would require food manufacturers to disclose the presence of bioengineered foods using text, a symbol, or electronic or digital link (excluding Internet website links); with the disclosure option to be selected by the food manufacturer.
The House also passed H.R. 5631, Iran Accountability Act of 2016, which would hold Iran accountable for its state sponsorship of terrorism, its human rights abuses, and its ballistic missile program.
The House passed H.R. 5538, the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, which would provide a total of $32.095 billion in total discretionary budget authority for the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies, for fiscal year (FY) 2017, a decrease of $64 million from the FY 2016 enacted level and $1 billion below the President’s request.
Lastly, the House passed, H.R. 4992, United States Financial System Protection Act of 2016, which would codify regulations that prohibit the administration from allowing the U.S. dollar to be used to facilitate trade transactions with Iran and upholds Iran’s designation as a “primary money laundering concern.”
This week's House Agriculture Committee member photo highlights.
 |
| Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-2) meets with Miss Indiana Brianna DeCamp who services children in need around the world. |
|
 |
| Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) celebrates his 61st birthday this week. |
|
|
|
