Representative G.T. Thompson (R-PA) will serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee during the 118^th Congress. Thompson currently serves as ranking member of the committee.

Thompson said in a statement, "I am honored to lead the committee on agriculture and build on the accomplishments of the past two years as ranking member. The political landscape in Washington may be fractured, but as chairman, I will prioritize the needs of our producers and rural communities—the backbone of this country. We will keep our foot on the gas to deliver principled solutions, robust oversight, and a farm bill that is responsive to the needs of the country's farmers, ranchers and foresters."

Thompson will be the first chairman from Pennsylvania in nearly 170 years.

Congress passes a one-week CR
Congress passed a one-week continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating through Dec. 23 and avoid a government shutdown. The current CR was scheduled to expire at midnight tonight. 

Democratic and Republican negotiators earlier this week announced they had reached a bipartisan agreement on the framework of an omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2023. The one-week CR gives Congressional leaders additional time to finalize the bill for a vote next week before members leave for the holidays. 

Strengthen long-term domestic fertilizer industry
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) has introduced the "Fertilizer Stewardship, Utilization, Sustainability, Technology, Access, Innovation, and Nourishment (Fertilizer SUSTAIN) Act" to strengthen and sustain the long-term viability of the U.S. fertilizer industry. 

Marshall said, "The United States has one of the strongest fertilizer industries in the world, but it would be even stronger if it wasn't hindered by unnecessary bureaucratic rules that other countries don't have to follow. By eliminating federal fertilizer regulations in the upcoming farm bill, Congress can help our domestic fertilizer producers excel against competitors like Russia and China and provide our growers with affordable fertilizer."

The bill would ease permitting restraints on domestic fertilizer production, lower producer's cost-share requirements under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and ease producers to access funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Fertilizer Institute said, "By advocating for a strong domestic fertilizer industry, this legislation helps insulate our nation's farmers against the forces of geopolitical instability and helps ensure that our food production system remains the best in the world."

Source: P. Scott Shearer, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. The opinions of this writer are not necessarily those of Farm Progress/Informa.