The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Senate Committee Meetings” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Daily Digest section on pages D282-D283 on March 12, 2020.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
AGRICULTURE INNOVATION
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee concluded a hearing to examine agriculture innovation and the Federal biotechnology regulatory framework, after receiving testimony from Patrick Johnson, National Cotton Council Environmental Task Force, Tunica, Mississippi; Wayne Parrott, University of Georgia, Athens; Michael Paustian, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Walcott, on behalf of the National Pork Producers Council; and Gregory A. Jaffe, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, D.C.
APPROPRIATIONS: USDA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2021 for the Department of Agriculture, after receiving testimony from Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture.
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST AND FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded open and closed hearings to examine United States Central Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2021 and the Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testimony from General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., USMC, Commander, United States Central Command, Department of Defense.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Armed Services: Committee ordered favorably reported 1,775 nominations in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
GAO ANNUAL REPORT ON FISCAL HEALTH
Committee on the Budget: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Government Accountability Office's annual report on the nation's fiscal health, including action needed to address the Federal government's fiscal future, after receiving testimony from Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favorably reported the nominations of John Leonard Badalamenti, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, John F. Heil III, to be United States District Judge for the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, Anna M. Manasco, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, and Edward Hulvey Meyers, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.
CORONAVIRUS AND AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESS SUPPLY CHAIN
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the coronavirus and America's small business supply chain, after receiving testimony from Rosemary Gibson, The Hastings Center, Arlington, Virginia; Gerard Anderson, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Hospital Finance and Management, Baltimore, Maryland; Tim Morrison, Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C.; and Wynne S. Briscoe, Maryland Small Business Development Center--Southern Region, La Plata.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Committee ordered favorably reported the nomination of Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
BUSINESS MEETING
Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee met in closed session to consider pending intelligence matters.
Committee recessed subject to the call.
