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Roger R. Szemraj

How will FDA and USDA operate during a Government Shutdown?

FDA, USDA /

Appropriated Activities – Functions expected to ensure that the U.S. commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed eggs is maintained safely. For example, daily on-site inspection presence, regulatory enforcement, food safety surveillance, investigations, and product testing.  Reimbursable Work for Industry (i.e., Non-Federal Partners) – Reimbursable work, not funded by appropriations, as authorized under the Agricultural

How will FDA and USDA operate during a Government Shutdown? Read More »

United States Department of Agriculture building

UPDATE: ATTACK ON FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HALTED

Government Relations /

You may recall that back in October we told you about Executive Order 13957, “Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service” which would have removed certain civil service protections for thousands of federal employees involved in decision and policy making roles.   Today, as part of multiple Executive Orders, President Biden eliminates Schedule F.  Read more about this

UPDATE: ATTACK ON FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HALTED Read More »

US Capitol Building in Washington DC

Who Might Chair Senate Committees With A Democratic Majority

Government Relations /

It appears that Reverend Warnock (D) has unseated Senator Loeffler (R) in Georgia and John Ossoff (D) is currently leading Senator Perdue (R). While we await the final results in Georgia, we thought it would be of interest to look at who is likely to chair the various Senate Committees should Democrats take the Senate majority. The

Who Might Chair Senate Committees With A Democratic Majority Read More »

US Capitol Building in Washington DC

What Would You Change About the Federal Government?

For Export, Public Policy /

President Trump issued an Executive Order (Reorganization EO) on March 13 directing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit a comprehensive plan to reorganize Executive Branch departments and agencies.  OMB has now issued a Memorandum for heads of Executive Departments and Agencies calling for a Comprehensive Plan for Reforming the Federal Government an

What Would You Change About the Federal Government? Read More »

So Which USDA Regulations Would You Like to Change?

Public Policy, USDA /

We know that people often disagree with any number of the different regulations that have been put in place for the administration of USDA’s programs – agricultural program operations, nutrition programs, rural development programs, energy programs, conservation programs, and the list goes on. Well, now is the chance to speak up. In the Federal Register

So Which USDA Regulations Would You Like to Change? Read More »

Congress Approves Agriculture, FDA Funding as Part of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015

FDA, Public Policy, USDA /

Congress has completed action on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015 (the Act), which funds eleven of the twelve regular Appropriation bills through September 30, 2015, the balance of fiscal 2015.  Funding for the Homeland Security bill is provided under a Continuing Resolution through February 27.  The House approved the Act on Thursday, December 11,

Congress Approves Agriculture, FDA Funding as Part of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015 Read More »

Anticipating Committee Changes in the 114th Congress

Public Policy /

Every new Congress brings changes in committee membership and sometimes in committee leadership.  The 114th Congress will follow this pattern, and will bring very significant changes as a result of the new Republican majority in the Senate.   Republicans will have more seats on every Senate Committee, and Democrats fewer.  Newly elected Senate and House members

Anticipating Committee Changes in the 114th Congress Read More »

Marshall Matz headshot

Following the Money: House And Senate Appropriations Release Draft Bills & Reports Funding FDA For FY 2015

FDA, Health Care, Public Policy /

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees with oversight of FDA have been very busy. Both voted out draft bills for FY 2015 that include appropriations for FDA and released draft reports.  Roger Szemraj and the rest of our government relations practice have scoured the draft bills and reports looking for insight into what FDA drug-related activities

Following the Money: House And Senate Appropriations Release Draft Bills & Reports Funding FDA For FY 2015 Read More »

Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2015 Bill Without Amendments–Discretionary Spending Allocation Lower than Amount Provided to House

FDA, Public Policy, USDA /

The Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee also voted today by voice vote to approve its draft FY 2015 bill and report it to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.  The full Committee is scheduled to consider this bill on Thursday, May 22.  Neither the bill text nor the

Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2015 Bill Without Amendments–Discretionary Spending Allocation Lower than Amount Provided to House Read More »

House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2015 Bill Without Any Amendments

1 Comment / FDA, Public Policy, USDA /

The House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee today voted  by voice vote to approve its draft FY 2015 bill and report it to the full House Appropriations Committee.  The full Committee is expected to consider this bill on Thursday, May 29, with the goal of having the bill

House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2015 Bill Without Any Amendments Read More »

Important Dates for FY 2015 House and Senate Appropriations Committees Announced

Public Policy /

Even though the President has yet to submit his FY 2015 Budget Proposal, including his detailed requests for all agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have announced important dates for the submission of public statements to the Committees.  These statements will become

Important Dates for FY 2015 House and Senate Appropriations Committees Announced Read More »

FNS Permanently Eliminates Grain and Protein Maximums; Allows Sugar to Process Frozen Fruit in School Nutrition Programs

USDA /

According to an advance copy of the rule made public earlier today, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will be making permanent the elimination of weekly maximums on grains and meat/meat alternates, and the allowance of processing frozen fruit with sugar, within the National School Lunch Program.  The rule will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, January

FNS Permanently Eliminates Grain and Protein Maximums; Allows Sugar to Process Frozen Fruit in School Nutrition Programs Read More »

The Budget Agreement and Some Thoughts About Next Steps

Public Policy /

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a two-year budget agreement that, in their words, “reduces the deficit—without raising taxes…it cuts spending in a smarter way…prevent(s) another government shutdown and roll(s) back sequestration’s cuts to defense and domestic investments in a balanced way.” While this budget

The Budget Agreement and Some Thoughts About Next Steps Read More »

Congress Clears Final Agriculture/FDA Spending Measure for FY 2013

FDA, Public Policy, USDA /

The House of Representatives and Senate have now given final approval to the FY 2013 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (the Bill) as part of a combined multi-Department omnibus measure, clearing it for the President’s expected signature.  The current Continuing Resolution expires on March 27, 2013.   The Bill

Congress Clears Final Agriculture/FDA Spending Measure for FY 2013 Read More »

Competitive Foods Rule

USDA /

On February 8, 2013, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a proposed rule entitled “Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010” (the proposed rule).  The proposed rule can be found here.  Public comments are invited

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More Budget Cliffs – Get Ready for Weeks of Bungee Jumping

Public Policy /

The fiscal cliff is behind us, or over us, depending on your point of view.  But with deadlines looming for extension of the debt limit, for avoiding the across-the-board cuts required by sequestration, and the need to extend the Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operating, it certainly looks like we have weeks of

More Budget Cliffs – Get Ready for Weeks of Bungee Jumping Read More »

Block Grants: Over Sold – Under Thought

Public Policy /

By Marshall L. Matz and Roger R. Szemraj, as published in Agri-Pulse There has been a lot of discussion lately about converting various food assistance programs from their current status as entitlement programs into a block grant.   This is not a new idea.  It was part of the “Personal Responsibility Act” included in Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 1995-1996 Contract

Block Grants: Over Sold – Under Thought Read More »

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