Partisan tensions boiled over at a recent House Ag Appropriations hearing as republicans battled USDA over the President’s proposed budget and regulations. Chair Andy Harris accused Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack of overstepping his authority on SNAP and the CCC, undermining the Packers and Stockyards Act and putting climate and equity programs ahead of farmers.
The two crossed swords as Harris charged USDA used CCC as a “slush fund” for its Climate Smart Commodities Program.
“This is my time.” Vilsack “I’m responding to your comments, Mr. Chairman. I don’t think they’re fair.” Harris “How ‘bout responding to my questions.” Vilsack “Well, ask a question.” Harris “Mr. Secretary, you have the Constitution of the United States backward. Article I is the legislative branch. Article II is the executive branch. The executive branch is responsible to the legislative branch, not the other way around. Thank you.” Vilsack “I don’t see it that way. Separation of Powers—we’re equal in our democracy, Mr. Chairman.”
Panel Democrats prodded Vilsack to defend the 2024 Biden USDA budget against GOP proposed cuts back to 2022 levels.
“You’re essentially looking at 84-thousand producers, not being able to access the technical assistance that they need to do the conservation work that they want to do. If you talk about food safety, you’re talking about literally thousands of food inspectors that we would not be able to continue to have, which would significantly cripple our ability to expand competition and provide better prices for farmers. On the nutrition side, it would make it difficult for us to provide WIC benefits for somewhere between 250-thousand participants every month to over a million.”
Separately, the Senate voted 53-43, joining the House in formally disapproving the Biden ‘Waters of the US’ or WOTUS rule, something Biden vows to veto. Environment Appropriations Chair Mike Simpson asked a question of to EPA chief Michael Regan.
“Why in the world would you issue the WOTUS rule when a major case is before the Supreme Court?”
And Regan’s response……
“There was nothing for us to wait on because the previous rule had been vacated by multiple courts. And so, what we decided to do was move forward, to try to codify a number of exemptions that were requested of us by the agricultural community, and I obviously respect the Supreme Court’s position. I will respect the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
Regan says they’ll adjust the Biden rule and move ahead “expeditiously” versus waiting until June to start a brand-new two-to-three-year WOTUS rulemaking.
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