Farm Bill Presents Opportunity to Address Nation's Food Security; Protect American Growers and Consumers
With the United States set to become a net food importer in 2023, there has never been a more important time to address several core reasons for this increasingly dangerous dependence on foreign markets. Constitution Partners dives into several policy proposals that will protect the growers and packers of America’s fruits and vegetables.
House Passes Debt Ceiling, Spending Cuts Legislation with Uncertain Future
On Wednesday, April 26, the House passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, legislation intending to increase the federal debt limit and decrease spending. It would also repeal several energy tax credits, modify the permitting process, expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and nullify regulations for federal student loan debt cancellation.
Senate HELP Committee Reaches a Deal on Drug Pricing Legislation
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have reached a bipartisan deal on a slate of drug-pricing bills. The legislative package includes initiatives to spur generic drug approvals, cut fees from pharmaceutical middlemen, and cap the cost of insulin.
Ways and Means Hearing Re-Cap: Green Energy Tax Credits
On Wednesday, April 19, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing titled “On the U.S. Tax Code Subsidizing Green Corporate Handouts and the Chinese Communist Party.” During the hearing, Republicans slammed the recipients of the Inflation Reduction Act’s energy tax credits, saying large corporations are raking in most of the benefits. The rhetoric marked a shift for Republicans, who traditionally favor cutting taxes for businesses but are increasingly focused on anti-China policies. Meanwhile, Democrats at the hearing emphasized the negative effects that repeal would have, given the jobs already created. Below are some highlights from the hearing broken down by subject matter.
Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic: A DC Perspective
This week marks the end of the U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to bring it to a close after three years — weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency. The President signed the measure after having initially opposed the congressional resolutions.
2024 Presidential Election Outlook
Even though the next presidential election is not for another year and a half, candidate announcements, fundraising, and campaigning efforts are already underway. Here is an analysis of the current political landscape and prospects for the 2024 election cycle.
One Year of ARPA-H and its First Funding Opportunity
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is seeking funding proposals for research aiming to improve health outcomes across patient populations, communities, diseases, and health conditions. ARPA-H also encourages concepts to advance the objectives of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, as well as more disease-agnostic approaches.
Democrats Push Union-Sympathizing PRO Act
In late February, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023, legislation described by the sponsors as a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to collectively bargain for higher wages, improved benefits, and safer workplaces.
House Passes the Lower Energy Costs Act; Heads to Senate Chamber
House Republicans passed a sprawling energy bill (H.R. 1) on Thursday, March 10th, delivering their biggest legislative win since they took control of the chamber in January. The legislation passed by a 225-204 vote with Representatives Cuellar (D-TX), Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Golden (D-ME), and Gonzalez (D-TX) joining their Republican colleagues and enabling House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to tout the bill as bipartisan.
Biden Approves Drilling in Alaska: The Willow Project and What This Means
The Biden Administration has approved the Willow Project in Alaska, which is set to be a significant and decades-long oil drilling venture located in the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A), previously known as Naval Petroleum Reserve.
Farm Bill Discussion Needs to Focus on Food Security as Foreign Competition Takes US Markets
With the next Farm Bill under discussion, it is time for the U.S. Congress to take account of how its special set asides in feeding programs have hurt U.S. farmers to the benefit of foreign farmers and importers. Also, Congress should use its oversight authority to shine a light on how President Biden’s continuation of the tin plate tariffs are undermining his efforts to advance the interests of American workers.
ITC Report Finds U.S. Importers - Not China - Paid Trump Administration Tariffs
International Trade Commission finds U.S. importers bore nearly the full costs of 232/301 tariffs.
EPA Proposes National Drinking Water Standard
This week, the Biden Administration announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The government intends to require near-zero levels according to the EPA.
President Biden Releases FY 2024 Budget Request
The President's budget includes a total if $6.9 trillion in spending, but is expected to result in $2.9 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years. Even still, the deficit in 2024 would increase from $1.6 trillion to $1.8 trillion, and the gross federal debt would swell to $51 trillion after a decade.
Introducing Constitution Partners
A letter to friends, clients, and colleagues regarding the launch of Constitution Partners
Bode Launches New D.C.-Based Government Relations Firm
Denise Bode, a government affairs expert and tax attorney with over four decades of public policy experience, announces establishment of Constitution Partners LLC.