Beltway Breezes
● Last week’s retirement announcement by Justice John Paul Stevens makes it even more unlikely that comprehensive immigration reform will be enacted prior to this fall’s election. Expect the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee, which is the Senate’s gatekeeper for proposed immigration laws, to be focused this summer on a contentious nomination fight over the person nominated by President Obama to succeed Justice Stevens on the United States Supreme Court.
● The U.S. Senate may see floor debate on S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the week of April 19 according to word received from Robert Guenther, senior vice president for public policy for the Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association. S. 510 is the top piece of proposed federal legislation currently being followed by United’s government relations staff. Bad timing: United’s annual convention and trade show is scheduled for Las Vegas, Nevada the week of April 19.
● The Northwest Horticultural Council works closely with many talented young people who serve as staff to members of Congress. They often, after gaining useful experience in the political world of Capitol Hill, move on to other policy jobs in Washington, D.C., or return to the Pacific Northwest to start more permanent careers. The latest example: Jonathan Hale—who until last week worked for Senator Maria Cantwell as a legislative trade counsel—started Monday as the new deputy assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia at USAID, the United States Agency for International Development.
Christian Schlect
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