jan-feb-2021

ADVOCACY REPORT Federal Update: A Time of Change Washington is experiencing a time of change. As a result of Georgia electing two Democratic Senators, the Senate's control is now with the Democrats. Both the Republicans and the Democrats will each have fifty Senators giving the Vice President who presides over the Senate to cast the deciding vote. Senator Chuck Schumer will become the Majority Leader and control the Senate schedule. Senator Mitch McConnell will now become the Minority Leader. Senators Schumer and McConnell could agree to share their responsibilities over the Senate, similar to what occurred in the year 2000. The Senate will now agree with the House on $2,000 relief checks and when these will be distributed. There will also likely be additional farm relief passed, even though corn and soybean prices are at historic highs. We expect tax increases to occur. The Democrats will confirm the Cabinet choices of the new President, including former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. President Biden has chosen Tom Vilsack, former Obama Administration Secretary of Agriculture and current CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, to serve at the Department again. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under President Biden looks very much like that during the Obama Administration. Yet another development that would confirm that outlook is the emphasis on nutrition and conservation issues. One area expected to gain much focus is carbon sequestration through agriculture. 2 4 A L M O N D F A C T S