JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015
Almond Facts 21
will veto so they can override the veto
with enough Democrats helping. This
could create a contentious session for
the next two years."
Some positive news from the 2014
results reported by Heron include the
return of Pat Roberts of Kansas to
the Senate Agriculture Committee,
which bodes well for agriculture's
interests. Similarly, Congressman Mike
Conaway of Texas is in line to chair
the House Agriculture Committee.
The Congressman visited
Blue Diamond
last summer in preparation for taking
that seat.
California's Kevin McCarthy of
Bakersfeld becomes House Majority
Leader. He will determine which bills
go to the House foor for discussion
and vote. If the Speaker retires in two
years, McCarthy could be in line for
the Speaker's job, which would be
good for California.
Important federal issues Heron says to
watch include:
Immigration
— the Republicans
realize they need to take the lead on
this issue.
Water
— expect a water bill to pass
Congress this year.
Trade
— the Trans-Pacifc
Partnership agreement may get done
by early this year, which would be
good for
Blue Diamond
efforts in Asian
markets.
Food Safety
— FDA's new
regulations due next fall are expected
to be over-reaching but probably will
be dialed back by the Republican
Congress.
EPA
— similarly, EPA's effort to
control all waters, real and virtual,
in America will likely be reined in by
Congress, but the President may veto
any such effort.
USDA
— the Department seems
to be on an anti-marketing-order
path, starting with national check-off
agreements for beef and hardwood
timber.
Tax Reform
— a lot of attention
is being directed to this issue. Stay
tuned.