The House could begin debate this week on the Agriculture Department funding bill for the fiscal year that opens on Oct 1, says Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s office. The weekly floor schedule lists the USDA bill among four major bills that could be called on Tuesday. However, the Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday at 3 p.m. on the USDA bill, which creates a waiver for schools from school lunch reforms. With Rules meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday would be the earliest day for debate.
In a memo to Republicans, Cantor says he expects a busy June legislatively. The USDA funding bill and a bill to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are among nearly a dozen bills listed by Cantor for floor action this month. At the end of July, the House will recess for a five-week summer recess. Only three weeks of work are scheduled on the House calendar from Labor Day until the November mid-term elections.
Cantor’s list was silent on immigration reform. The best chance for action this year, according to backers of comprehensive reform, is this summer. After Aug 1, electoral politics will be paramount, they say.