Legislative update
IA is ready for an active 2018 full of engagement and advocacy
The midterm elections are just 10 months away, and if 2017 was any indication, President Trump’s political influence will be tested throughout the congressional elections this November. With the tax and health care debates behind, the legislative agenda will be even more politically driven (if that’s even possible) than ever before. As Republicans seek to keep control of the House and Senate this November, what does this mean for agriculture and water policy?
Deregulation & regulatory reform
President Trump directed his cabinet members to seek ways to both cut costs and remove “burdensome and unnecessary” regulations. In fact, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Secretary Perdue named a 42-member task force with a focus on trimming the regulations that affect U.S. agricultural operations and USDA programs. The IA expects recommendations to come from the USDA and other agencies before the midterm elections in November.
In addition to internal regulatory reform recommendations, the Trump administration also announced its intention to delay any implementation of the 2015 Clean Water Act rule until 2020. This two-year delay allows the
administration to propose a new definition of “waters of the United States.” This move would essentially dismantle the rule, which was proposed by the Obama administration, and start again with a draft the Trump administration feels will “provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and businesses.”
Legislation
The two large pieces of legislation that have the potential of making a big impact on agricultural irrigation are the farm bill and infrastructure. Now that we are in a midterm election year, Congress will look to pass legislation that not only creates jobs, but also will be welcomed by President Trump’s base supporters.
While the farm bill seems like a no-brainer to pass, the bill itself often has a steep hill to climb through Congress. This, coupled with the fact that the President has gone on record with his concerns over the total cost of the farm bill, creates a tough battle faced by Congress to craft a bill that is welcomed by both the administration and our nation’s farmers and ranchers.
An infrastructure package also faces an uphill climb through Congress. With a heavy price tag associated with it, fiscal conservatives, along with Democrats who do not want to give President Trump a campaign promise victory, will prove to be problematic in any efforts to get a bill done.
Perfect opportunity to engage
The Irrigation Association remains committed to promoting efficient irrigation through these and other legislative and regulatory proposals. However, to be the recognized authority on irrigation requires the industry to step up and engage with Congress. The IA provides many vehicles to serve as a grassroots advocate, and we see several opportunities to make a difference in 2018. For example, the IA is hosting a legislative conference in Washington, D.C., on March 6 – 7, where IA members will be able to meet with members of Congress and the administration, advocating for policies and programs benefiting efficient irrigation. For more information on the Irrigation Association’s advocacy program and how you can help speak on behalf of irrigation, visit
www.irrigation.org.
IA’s farm bill priorities
In advance of the 2018 farm bill, the IA’s efforts focus on conservation programs, specifically advocating for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
To review the IA’s document outlining its priorities for the 2018 farm bill, go to
www.irrigation.org/farmbill.
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