Congress
Reid aces food policy scorecard, Boehner scores a zero
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and 70 other members of Congress, mostly Democrats, got perfect grades from advocacy group Food Policy Action for their votes on food and agriculture issues over the past two years.
A Kansas toss-up, an Iowa “safe” and a rule of thumb
"Sen Pat Roberts (R) of Kansas may be making a comeback after having been left for dead on the battlefield," says the political newsletter Sabato's Crystal Ball, which now lists the Senate race as a toss-up vs the previous "Leans Independent."
Food issues rate “off the charts” with voters, says pollster
Voters respond strongly to issues such as food safety or assuring that children, veterans and the elderly have enough to eat, said pollster Celinda Lake.
Federal reports on ethanol, flour milling resume after hiatus
The Agriculture Department said it is launching reports on ethanol production and flour milling, three years after the Census Bureau ended the reports due to budget cuts.
Three states drop out of “heat and eat” program
Three states decided not to put up the additional money needed to participate in a program that triggers additional food stamps for people who receive assistance with their utility bills - a program with the nickname "heat and eat," writes Alan Bjega of Bloomberg. Two of the states, New Jersey and Wisconsin, have Republican governors mentioned as possible candidates for president. The third state is Michigan.
Retired military brass to work against school lunch waiver
Mission: Readiness, composed of retired military officers, plans to lobby lawmakers against a school lunch waiver when Congress re-convenes after Labor Day, says Politico.
Foundation for food and ag research is launched
The administration launched the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, which was mandated by the 2014 farm policy law and endowed by Congress with $200 million. The foundation must find private matching funds for projects that it funds.
Boehner says no conspiracy to move immigration reform
House Speaker Boehner told fellow Republicans there was no "conspiracy" to move an immigration reform bill this summer, says Roll Call.
Immigration reform gathers momentum, says GOP lawmaker
Florida Republican Mario Diaz-Balart tells Roll Call that the campaign for immigration reform is picking up momentum in the House.
Boehner mocks House GOP for immigration inaction
Speaker John Boehner faulted his fellow House Republicans as unwilling to act on immigration reform during a speech to a service club in his Ohio district, says the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Vermont legislature approves GMO labeling law
The Vermont House overwhelmingly passed a law requiring labels on food made with genetically engineered ingredients and sent it to the governor, who is expected to sign it.
Democrats try new tactic to get House vote on immigration
House Democrats say they will distribute memos in 30 congressional districts to encourage Republican lawmakers to sign the discharge petition petition and force a floor vote on comprehensive immigration reform, says Roll Call.
Vermont on the way to first state GMO labeling law
The Vermont state Senate voted 26-2 for a bill that requires labels on food made with genetically modified ingredients from July 2016.
California water district pumps money into lobbying
The nation's largest water district ramped up its spending on Washington lobbyists as drought deepened in California, says a story by Southern California Public Radio and the Center for Responsive Politics.
Block grant could cut food stamp rolls by 10 mln people
The food-stamp cuts proposed by the House Budget Committee, if implemented, could force states to cut enrollment by 10 mln people or to reduce benefits by $40 a month, says the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
lmmigration reform – plenty of push but no drive
RollCall says about two dozen House Republicans are on record in support of the principles for immigration reform unveiled by their leaders a month ago and three dozen are against it.