To amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to index the borrowing authority limit of Commodity Credit Corporation for inflation, and for other purposes.

Began to work on authorization/appropriations for 2020 Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program for 2020 disasters. Specific to Oregon is necessary WHIP funding for unprecedented wildfire season. Supported H.R. 7679 which would raise the Commodity Credit Corporations borrowing authority to $68 billion and index it to inflation. Increasing CCC borrowing authority would give USDA greater flexibility to maintain farm bill programs that support U.S. agricultural producers and stabilize domestic agricultural markets. Continued to encourage additional crop eligibility to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP. Efforts resulted in; Alfalfa sprouts, anise, arugula, basil, bean sprouts, beets, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, celeriac (celery root), chives, cilantro, coconuts, collard greens, dandelion greens, greens (others not listed separately), guava, kale greens, lettuce - including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green, oak leaf red and red leaf - marjoram, mint, mustard, okra, oregano, parsnips, passion fruit, peas (green), pineapple, pistachios, radicchio, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, fresh sugarcane, Swiss chard, thyme and turnip top greens are now eligible for CFAP. Apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines and taro have additional program eligibility. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing adjustments. Apples, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms, papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines and taro have updated payment rates. Supported the RAMP-UP Act which provides grants for small custom meat processors to become FSIS inspected. The legislation would establish a program to make facility upgrade and planning grants to existing meat and poultry processors to help them move to Federal Inspection and be able to sell their products across state lines. The grants will be capped at $100,000 per facility. The legislation will also require USDA to work with States and report on ways to improve the existing Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. Also supported the DIRECT Act allows for online sales of state inspected meat across state lines. The legislation would allow State Inspected (MPI) meat to be sold across state lines, but only through e-commerce, allowing small producers and processors more options to directly market to consumers. The legislation allows new flexibilities without compromising food safety recall ability, or jeopardizing trade market access through equivalency agreements. Evaluated the impact of Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule, in which the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recommends amending the USDA organic regulations regarding oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. The proposed amendments seek to ensure integrity in the organic supply chain and the USDA organic label.

Client expense: $15,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

H.R. 8337 contacted Senators to support tht will fully replenish the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) anomaly. H.R. 7679 contacted Respresentatives to cosponsor, which would raise the borrowing authority from $30 billion to $68 Billion.

Client expense: $12,850 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Support for the following: H.R. 832 to allow schools to offer whole milk to students as part of school meal programs; H.R. 3125, the School Milk Nutrition Act of 2019 to ensure expanded milk options for students by reaffirming the recent USDA regulation offering schools the option of serving low-fat flavored milk; S. 1810, the Milk in Lunches for Kids (MILK) Act, to allow to serve whole or two percent milk, and permit milk to be excluded from the fat cap in school lunches; H.R. 1769, the Dairy Pride Act, to require that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take enforcement action against manufacturers labeling non-dairy products as dairy; H.R. 6956, The Farming Support to States Act, which would provide $1 billion for food and agriculture aid to states; S. 3797, the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief COVID-19 Act, which would alleviate overtime inspection pay for small and medium-sized meat packers; H.R. 7490, the RAMP-UP Act, would establish a program to make facility upgrade and planning grants to existing meat and poultry processors to help them move to Federal Inspection and be able to sell their products across state lines; H.R. 7425, the DIRECT Act, would allow State Inspected meat to be sold across state lines, but only through e-commerce, allowing small producers and processors more options to directly market to consumers; H.R. 6728, which would amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to raise the borrowing limit of the Commodity Credit Corporation; H.R. 7679, which would raise the Commodity Credit Corporations (CCC) borrowing authority to $68 billion and index it to inflation; H.R.7393, Growing Climate Solutions Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a certification program that will make it easier for farmers to develop, verify and sell environmental credits. Identified concerns with H.R.5861, Agriculture Resilience Act which addresses climate change; and H.R.2442, Puppy Protection Act of 2019, which would amend the Animal Welfare Act. Support and/or correspondence related to challenges facing dairy, livestock, and other agricultural operations during COVID-19 outbreak, needed measures related to agriculture during the COVID-19 outbreak including emergency food assistance advocacy (including waiving eligibility requirements to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, reconsideration of the State of Pennsylvania's request for temporary waivers, and flexibility within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, expanding SNAP online purchasing pilot), increased funding for the Commodity Credit Corporation and Secretary of Agriculture to assist with COVID-19 relief measures, supply chain concerns and need to keep supply chain moving, financial assistance for all agricultural producers impacted by pandemic, new programs. including the Coronavirus Food Protection Program (CFAP), designed to help producers impacted by COVID-19 funded through allocations granted to USDA via the CARES Act, including additional needs for segments of agriculture; food/commodity purchases to help consumers and producers; provisions and programs to limit market disruptions; ensuring availability of, and funding for, Personal Protective Equipment for agriculture for critical processing jobs and other jobs that require PPE. General advocacy for agriculture and the impacts encountered as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and requests for programs, funding and flexibility in existing programs under the auspices of USDA to ensure continuation of a safe food supply, and replenishment and additional funding for the CCC. Communication in support of Federal Milk Marketing Order reform and the need to implement a modified bloc voting provision within the Federal Order; a Congressional letter to USDA and USTR regarding the importance of protections for common food names in international trade negotiations; a Congressional letter regarding the agriculture quarantine inspection (AQI)shortfall.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office