U.S. Senate

The Senate Agriculture Committee likely won’t have a hearing on Sonny Perdue’s nomination until mid-to-late February.  Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says it’ll take that long for Perdue’s financial disclosures to be analyzed in case of potential conflicts of interest and to finish an FBI background check.  Financial disclosure paperwork q...

Last week, Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he will remain the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.  Merkley says the appointment puts him in a powerful position to advocate for Oregon’s rural communities, agriculture research institutions, and ranching and farming families.   M...

When Congress returns to Washington D.C., it will have over 100 appropriations bills to work through, including the Ag Appropriations Bill.  According to Politico, that bill could face some stiff challenges.  Both the House and Senate versions of ag appropriations would cut current spending levels by 2%.   ...

U.S. Senate leadership has scheduled a vote Wednesday on ending debate on the GMO labeling bill.  The cloture vote is scheduled for noon Pacific time Wednesday.  The bill needs 60 votes for approval to end debate and head for final passage, before moving to the House of Representatives.  The vot...