The month of March is a tumultuous time in the political affairs of Washington—a time when Congress begins to define priority issues and focuses on legislation most likely to be acted upon for the remainder of the year. Discussions heat up, hearings take place, and deal making begins.

The new year is off to a wild start in Washington, DC. The “fiscal cliff” was averted when a last-minute deal was reached in the early hours of January 1. A bill passed delaying onset of sequestration, at least until March 2013. This last-minute scenario occurred two days before arrival of the new 113th Congress. As is often the case, commencement of a new Congress ushers in hope and renewal—a chance to wipe the slate clean and begin anew with policy debates, legislative strategies, and forging new alliances. But voter sentiments registered in the 2012 elections basically returned the status quo to power.

Rookie and veteran Members of Congress alike have steep hills to climb. The 112th Congress adjourned with one of the least productive and distinguished records in history. Though this new Congress is deemed the most demographically diverse since the nation’s founding, most leadership positions remain the same. Both Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) continue leading their respective chambers. House/Senate Minority Leaders—Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—also retain their posts. New faces appear on several committee and subcommittee rosters. Some new chairmanships even favor agriculture research. But overall, policy direction in both chambers remains largely status quo ante.

As President Obama embarks on another four-year term, he confronts the same hostile and divided Congress. Albeit one with new Members, but possessing the same ideological fissures. Unfortunately, there is always a chance we will see a rerun of what ailed the 112th session—bitter partisanship, gridlock, and contentious debates over a ­host of thorny issues. As for the budget deal reached New Year’s Day, it cobbles together a hasty “stopgap” agreement that only delays the day of reckoning for mounting fiscal problems. So while sequestration was “bought off” for three months, it was done at the expense of more uncertainty. Another fiscal cliff deadline is ahead where Congress must decide on further budget cuts, crafting a new Continuing Resolution (CR) funding government operations for the remainder of FY13, and seeking implementation of longer-term solutions dealing with the national debt.

Farm Bill Status
Where do these political maneuverings leave the farm bill? For the moment, this omnibus measure has indefinite status. As congressional rules require, it must be reintroduced in this new session, then proceed through the normal legislative process—committee hearings, markup, debate, conference, and floor votes. It does not appear that research’s current position will be adversely impacted by reintroducing a new farm bill. What could affect it is the indefinite passage of time. Meanwhile, in order to address public concerns ranging from food stamp shortages to spiking dairy prices, Congress temporarily extended major portions of the 2008 farm bill as part of their fiscal cliff deal—a nine-month extension running to September 30, 2013. Funding programs meeting certain numerical (“baseline”) levels from FY12, appropriators included money for formula research and extension funding, Specialty Crop Block Grants, AFRI, and other intramural research under ARS. As of this update, I am still checking on whether this extension funds the next Agriculture Census. For statistical planning as well as influencing the nature of RFPs, the importance of updated census data cannot be overestimated.

The primary concern with this extension lies in what is not appropriated—the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and Organic Agriculture Research & Education Initiative (OREI)—programs not meeting FY12 funding baseline thresholds from the 2008 bill. The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) under USDA-APHIS is another program currently in limbo. Due to each of these program’s non-baseline status, uncertainties over their funding levels could continue until a new farm bill is finally approved—a bill mandating new appropriation levels for future fiscal years. Depending on the pace of congressional action, there may be a farm bill as early as April or May, or as late as September. While it appears there is money still in the pipeline to keep SCRI and OREI afloat, at least for the next few months, their funding status could be questionable by spring or summer if delays on farm bill consideration continue. So what are chances of timely passage for a new farm bill, a measure that received full Senate approval, as well as passage by the House Agriculture Committee? As mentioned earlier, congressional rules stipulate that every new session must start over with legislation left over from the previous Congress. As such, the chances are somewhat good that a new farm bill will be enacted before this extension expires on September 30, 2013. In this current political environment, a positive outlook is the only option.

Due to these ongoing developments, ASHS advocacy efforts related to farm bill issues will proceed on a two-track process. One track seeks funding for SCRI, OREI, and NCPN. The second track, of equal urgency, is working collectively with other ag-research groups to secure timely passage of a new multi-year authorization bill. For that renewal process, the ASHS message remains the same:

Maintain Adequate Funding for Research and Horticulture Programs on Levels Achieved in the 2012 Farm Bill Proposal.

Do not expect much action on a new farm bill until we get past the March hurdles mentioned previously. The 2012 Farm Bill proposal was unique in its incorporation of voluntary spending reductions—totaling $35 billion from the House and $24 billion from the Senate. Yet a new fiscal cliff deal could mandate even further budget cuts. Even if research and other specialty crop programs are not directly impacted by additional reductions, their titles (sections of the bill) remain on hold until lingering debates over nutrition assistance and commodity crop subsidies are resolved. So for now, agriculture research’s fate rests on current appropriations and passage of a new fiscal budget—a budget covering the remainder of FY13 and beyond. Members on both sides of the aisle are hearing from constituents back home—and advocates like ASHS—that a new bill must be enacted soon.

Just keeping this matter on the table in front of them is Step One.

In addition to continued Capitol Hill contacts—especially new Member offices—other items on the ASHS docket include increasing ties with other federal agencies offering future research opportunities and ramping up communications with state agriculture departments. State agriculture offices disburse Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG). With SCBG’s rising popularity on Capitol Hill, and in statehouses nationwide, grassroots action by ASHS is essential for continued access to this valuable research venue. As an ardent supporter of the SCBG program, ASHS’ National Issues Task Force launched initiatives in 2008–09 to increase communication channels with state agriculture officials. Those contacts proved valuable as block grant award percentages have slowly risen for ag-scientists. As SCBG continues sponsoring innovative research with land-grant institutions and private industry, ASHS shall continue nurturing these grassroots contacts. In a climate where federal funds are becoming increasingly scarce, specialty crop research must remain vigilant in seeking new and innovative channels of support.

With cautious optimism for a new farm bill this year, ASHS’ ultimate message in Washington—that investments in research pay future dividends for the physical, economic, and environmental health of our society—will continue resonating favorably with both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.

Published in the January 2013 ASHS Newsletter.

On the Legislative Front . . . is a regular column, and is written by Jonathan Moore, ASHS National Issues Consultant.

ASHS National Issues Consultant Jonathan Moore gives an update on what's happening as Congress meets for its final session of the year.

With Election Day 2012 upon us, both parties agree on one thing. This is a consequential election year. Much is at stake. Whatever the outcome, there is general consensus among lawmakers that a host of crucially important issues await the next Congress. In fact, the urgency for action on these issues is so great, this current 112th Congress may need to address several immediate needs, even as many Members waltz out of Washington by year’s end due to voluntary or involuntary retirements.

Progress on reauthorizing a new farm bill remains stuck in neutral, suspended indefinitely at the moment in the halls of House leadership. This bill joins other important proposals dealing with deficit reduction, supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013, and initiatives mitigating possible automatic budget cuts, commonly referred to in news reports as “sequestration.” Congressional inaction at this juncture benefits no one, not least any of those involved with growing, producing, and distributing the world’s food, fuel, and fiber products. Yet continued advocacy of this bill’s necessity only goes so far until this current legislative logjam is broken. When Congress returns, albeit only for a few weeks, will the just-expired farm bill receive a one-year extension? Will this new proposal finally be approved? Or if Congress is unable to reach agreement, will this whole issue be punted to 2013 for lawmakers to begin anew? Key questions that will find no resolution until both sides of the aisle agree on a firm course of action. Moving swiftly after November 6th, ASHS will be working with other horticulture groups in attempts to convince Congress that the new farm bill—carefully and painstakingly crafted over many months—should be promptly approved and signed in to law by December 31, 2012.  Barring that, a one-year extension should be enacted to keep mandatory and discretionary research programs functioning at FY12 levels until a new bill is approved. Total inaction could throw matters into needless uncertainty, especially for RFPs dealing with SCRI and OREI grants. While Specialty Crop Block Grants also fall under a mandatory section of the budget, USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service—which oversees these block grants —recently issued FY12 funding allocations for all 50 states, including U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia. Therefore, those block grants will be applicable throughout most of 2013. Nevertheless, we need to know the five-year future of this valuable and popular program as much as we do SCRI, OREI, and AFRI.

Following November 6, in preparation for this much-anticipated “lame duck” congressional session, ASHS will join other horticulture research advocates to convey a direct message: Pass this farm bill as soon as possible so America’s agricultural industries can proceed in timely fashion to meet the demands of consumers at home and abroad. Will this urgent message be enough to jumpstart farm bill deliberations once again? One interesting aspect may offer a ray of hope. In several Senate and House debates during the past month, farm bill inaction has been a contentious topic among candidates, especially those running in midwestern and western states. Perhaps this development will put pressure on Congress to settle their differences, which to date center primarily on commodity payment reforms and funding several big-ticket nutrition programs.

For now, many issues and interests are at stake. Outcomes at the presidential, senatorial, and congressional level will directly affect political and policy priorities in the months ahead. Needless to say, these two priorities are often intertwined. The hope is that ag-research’s bipartisan appeal and benefits for constituencies nationwide will help propel this farm bill proposal beyond the partisan morass which has put a halt to other contentious items on the congressional docket. Throughout this whole deliberative process, one must remember that ag-research is but one segment in omnibus farm bill legislation. For now, future fortunes of intra- and extramural programs reside with the overall fate of this farm bill. I hope to have helpful analysis about all this in the next update.

—Jonathan Moore, ASHS National Issues Consultant. Published in the October 2012 ASHS Newsletter.

Our Founding Fathers devised a system where one foot is on the gas pedal and one foot is on the brake. But right now, the brakes are about to overheat.
—Dan Glickman, Former U.S. Representative (D-KS) and USDA Secretary

Questions and legislative uncertainties reign on Capitol Hill as this election season kicks into high gear. Who wins the White House and who captures control of Congress—those are Washington’s big concerns right now. Not to mention lots of nervous chatter about looming budget sequestration requirements (automatic budget cuts), soaring deficits, and increasing troubles in the Middle East. Nonetheless, Congress has put matters on hold until after November 6. Along with a pending farm bill, many other issues will languish until Congress returns for a “lame-duck” session later this year. From Senate and House hearings in March and April, to Senate passage of their farm bill—S. 3240—in June . . . to bipartisan approval from the House Agriculture Committee of their bill—HR 6083—in July, the process had been moving along at a good clip . . . or so it seemed. Technically, these bills remain in play, largely perpetuating landmark developments for agriculture research embodied in the 2008 Farm Bill. That measure by the way officially expires at the end of this month.

With the reality of this current budget climate, there are some reductions for agriculture research, but not enough to drastically impair any one program. In the case of SCRI, there is deferred mandatory funding authority beyond FY2017 (final year of a new farm bill), but, as recently as a year ago, we were even uncertain of SCRI’s funding future. Now at least it is known that Congress thinks quite highly of this successful program. They heard ASHS’ and others calls for saving it, and crafted a creative funding timetable keeping SCRI as a secure component of the federal agriculture budget beyond 2017. NIFA and ARS numbers hold steady in the new bill; some reductions here and there, but nothing requiring drastic changes to program planning and research objectives. So even though government seems to be “riding the brakes” these days, it remains the final arbiter of whether a new farm bill eventually becomes the law of the land.

Regardless of November’s election results, any further action on agriculture legislation that impacts research rests with House leadership. The question is can Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) or Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) tame certain conservative Members unalterably opposed to a new farm bill? Or will they? Plenty of conservative Members support farm bill reauthorization, especially lawmakers in midwestern and western districts where research and other farm programs have a direct economic impact. That includes House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK), whose panel recently marked up (edited and approved) and passed a farm bill by a bipartisan 35–11 margin. Continued gridlock on agriculture legislation provides no political or economic value to Rep. Lucas and many of this colleagues. With this in mind, the post-election season could be an interesting time when Congress returns. Count on election results dictating whatever constitutes the brief legislative agenda at the end of the year. In addition to approving a new five-year agriculture blueprint, extending the national debt limit will likely be debated, as will changes to Social Security eligibility rules, addressing trade deficits, and dealing with ongoing issues around the globe. Given that the [current] 2008 Farm Bill’s authorization coverage will have expired by early November, will Congress finally approve a new plan, or pass a temporary extension measure punting ag issues over to 2013 and a new congressional session? Those questions define where we are as September draws to a close.

Regardless of the outcome, ASHS has been in the advocacy mix throughout this whole farm bill reauthorization process. New contacts have been made this past year, in addition to maintaining ties built up from years past. The most notable victory, along with the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, was saving SCRI from drastic funding reductions—possibly oblivion—which was a real possibility as recently as a year ago. ASHS joined others in promoting a new farm bill that continues the landmark successes researchers have enjoyed these past five years. In concert with other horticulture groups, we continue making our case, hitting on all the right points that effectively carry the message. With support from congressional Members and their staffs, we have saved many crucial NIFA and ARS programs—programs repeatedly providing consistent return on investments for agriculture science and the general public. At this point, there is nothing more we can do but wait and hope common sense prevails later this year.

Through its National Issues Task Force, ASHS has collectively done well. Having a seat at the policy table is vital, but in the policy world that defines Washington, the end-result of issue advocacy ultimately resides on final results. For now, that is uncertain. No one knows what chances a new farm bill has of passage until Congress returns and resumes deliberations. Hopefully, recent bipartisan letters from House Members to their leadership urging immediate action will yield positive and timely results.

Meanwhile, Congress passed another stopgap continuing resolution (CR) on Thursday, September 20th. It will fund the federal government’s $1 Trillion budget through March 27, 2013. For agriculture research, the good news means at least five to six more months of funding based on current FY2012 levels. Bad news is there will not be a concrete roadmap for certain mandatory-funded programs such as SCRI, OREI, and Specialty Crop Block Grants until some form of fiscal certainty is restored.

In early October, the ASHS National Issues Task Force will map out post-farm bill policy priorities. Lots of new issues and ideas were raised during the policy session at the ASHS conference in Miami, so there will be plenty of ground to cover. Among those new or renewed policy priorities: focusing on ASHS’ new web link where researchers post success stories. Congressional offices have been eager to see those, especially as those stories pertain to their respective states and districts. Another priority will be continued networking with horticulture allies. In the past few years, ASHS has made great strides with the latter—a payoff demonstrated by excellent teamwork during this year’s farm bill deliberations. And finally, more initiatives educating the general public about horticulture research’s inherent value for all aspects of daily lives. Getting this word out in new and creative forms will pose exciting challenges in the months ahead.

Published in the September 2012 ASHS Newsletter.