Following: No longer a Pack mentality!
Do you want the latest news as it comes off the Hill? Cansler Consulting (one of Washington’s most connected lobbying firms) uses today’s social media to inform and educate our clients and followers to the latest trends and upcoming changes in government news. For years, we have been…
- keeping abreast of the movement on the Farm Bill, which even now, may be delayed once again. Helping clients get their message to the policy makers.
- accurately forecasting the ‘fiscal cliff’ & economic drama, months before the mainstream media climbed on board. Developing strategies to navigate changing budget policies.
- advising on trends in trade & transportation infrastructure needs. Pushing to keep America competitive in today’s global markets. Read more
Farm Bill Heads to Senate Floor Today: Future Uncertain
Today the 1,100-page Farm Bill (totaling $955 billion over the next ten years), heads to the floor of the U.S. Senate. The measure, S.954 faces 
an uncertain future as amendments exacerbating deep regional and partisan divides on issues including budget, trade and nutrition could upend the legislation.
U.S. Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS) were able to navigate the complex piece of legislation through their committee on May 14 with a final vote of 15-5. However, given that Senate floor proceedings emphasize full deliberation on legislation and respect the rights of individual Senators over the power of the majority, (see our previous article on the filibuster) the five committee members voting against the farm bill in committee (4 republicans, 1 democrat) forecasts not only the divergence of opinions on the complex legislation but how easily it is to upset the delicate balance struck on the legislation and quickly set up the farm bill for another extension. Read more
Increase In User Fees Likely To Be Proposed on Agricultural Products
Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced to industry and transportation providers to expect an
increase in user fees in coming months for necessary inspections of international passengers and cargo at U.S. points of entry (known as the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Program (AQI). APHIS shares the mission of safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources with the Department of Homeland Security’s Custom and Border Protection (CBP). Both APHIS and CBP adopt policies and regulations dealing with plant and animal products entering the U.S. , identifying invasive pests, training employees of the Custom and Border Protection Agricultural Division and conducting risk assessments on multiple products and shipping routes. Their joint safeguarding mission ensures U.S. consumers an abundant, high-quality, safe variety of foods while strengthening the marketability of U.S. agriculture products both at home and abroad. Read more
Informed & Connected = Proactive
Foreseeing how the pieces fit & work together
Cansler Consulting stays connected to the pulse of upcoming government trends and issues. We not only keep our clients informed of events as they happen, but proactively predict issues that may impact their organization in the future. It’s not clairvoyance, we’re just informed and connected to those who know.
On March 14th, we first reported about this in a two-part series. The Politico only published this yesterday… April 18.
- Politico April 18: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/farm-bill-frank-lucas-90289.html?hp=l1
- Cansler Consulting March 14: http://canslerconsulting.com/news/farm-bill-extension1/
- Cansler Consulting March 19: http://canslerconsulting.com/news/farm-bill-extension2/
We have been writing and discussing the 2012 Farm Bill in this blog since Nov 2010.
As mentioned, we are not psychic. It’s merely decades of experience combined with constant monitoring of events in Congress and on the Hill.
If you need quality representation from an entrepreneurial lobbying firm, contact Cansler Consulting. We are a certified lobbying practice that is experienced in the multi-faceted and inter-related industries of Agriculture, Food and Drug Safety, Immigration, Transportation & Infrastructure, International Trade and Energy. Through our congressional and regulatory relationships established for over two decades we can help you influence the policy makers on Capitol Hill and navigate the federal budgeting process. You can contact us at info@canslerconsulting.com or at (202) 220-3150.
Long-Term Reauthorizations a Thing of the Past?
Impasses & delays for Farm Bill and Budgets
For legislative advocates and Washington policy wonks engaged in the debates on long term reauthorizing legislation like the Highway Bill, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Farm Bill you have to be wondering about the future of long-term legislative reauthorizations given the current environment in Congress. Read more
Proactive Lobbying
Good lobbyists foresee obstacles and opportunities
A good lobbyist not only advocates a client’s position on issues to legislators, but forecasts upcoming obstacles and opportunities. For years now, we have been proactively advising clients of the nation’s precipitous financial issues on our Cansler Consulting blog. Our ability to assess trends in policy can help steer your organization through the mine fields of policy changes and program cuts our nation is facing now and in the future. Read more
Smaller Lobbying Firms: Resources on Demand
Tapping a vast array of contract & networked resources
Many times when discussing a potential clients needs, the question comes up about “how we handle issues when they seem larger than the scope of our internal resources.” The answer is: we use our network of resources. After two decades of experience in Washington, D.C., Cansler Consulting has developed a vast array of political, legal, marketing and technical resources that are readily available to handle any issue. By not keeping full time resources on the clock, our clients are not paying for the expensive overhead of a huge staff so their resources can be more targeted, efficient and effective. Read more
2-Year Farm Bill Extension & Changes to SNAP
For Farm Bill advocates the waiting is the hardest part. But it is likely that advocates will have to continue waiting, perhaps for years to come. 
Yes, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) did pledge to members of the Ohio Farm Bureau on March 5, “We are going to do a farm bill this year.” But, no details have been uttered Read more
Grim Budget Outlook for 2014-2023
On February 5, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its Budget and Economic
Outlook that projected an $845 billion deficit for fiscal year 2013.
Highlights of CBO’s findings include:
- Projects an $845 billion deficit for fiscal year 2013.
- In 2023, the federal government will collect twice as much revenue as it did in 2012. Even with increased revenues, the deficit will hit $978 billion. Read more
Delayed Decisions Invite Constraints On Congress’ Legislative Agenda
Since the 113th Congress gaveled in on January 3, the US House has met eight 
days for legislative business and cast 30 roll call votes. The US Senate met for eleven days and cast an equal number of roll call votes. While numerous votes occurred they were cast on two main issues: supplemental spending for victims of Hurricane Sandy and suspending the U.S.’ current $14.294 trillion public debt limit through May 18, 2013. Included in the debt increase legislation was a provision that withholds the salary of Members of Congress until a budget is adopted for FY 2014.
Congress’ New Year’s Day vote did avoid sending the U.S. over the proverbial “fiscal cliff” extending the Bush-era tax rates for most Americans, as well as long-term unemployment benefits, among other things. But, Congress deferred for two months the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts (known as “sequestration”) of which half is directed to come from cuts to the Pentagon and the remainder from across the board spending on all domestic programs. Read more
Legislation Introduced To Fight Against West Nile Virus
U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) have re-introduced legislation to eliminate a costly and redundant 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit requirement for applications of pesticides. S. 175, amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by stating that no permit shall be required for the use of a pesticide that is registered under the Act. It also eliminates the redundant requirement that Clean Water Act permits are not needed for the applications of pesticides. Senator Roberts introduced similar legislation in the 112th Congress where it was blocked from consideration on the Senate floor. Last year both the House and the Senate Agriculture Committees overwhelmingly passed similar legislation, H.R. 872, with strong bipartisan support. Read more
Waterway Supply Chains Need U.S. Investment
Transporting $270 Billion of Our Exports
After five years since the last adoption of the (2007) Water Resources Development Act, congressional committees are beginning to focus on the U.S.’ water resources infrastructure. The United States maintains 300 commercial ports, 12,000 miles of inland and intra-coastal waterways and about 240 lock chambers, which carry more than $270 billion in U.S. exports and just over half (by value) of U.S. imports. Read more
Bipartisan Camaraderie On Energy Panels Suggest Progress in 113th
Ron Wyden, Or. Democrat
Recent bipartisan camaraderie expressed among incoming US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and leaders in the U.S. House like Ed Whitfield (R-KY) Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, is encouraging for potential movement of important energy legislation during the 113th Congress.
For instance the U.S. maintains an abundant supply of natural gas and steps are needed to help make it a viable portion of the nation’s multiple energy-generating sources. Policies are needed to foster natural gas production and congressional leaders serving on the House and Senate energy panels indicate that differences over environmental concerns like hydraulic fracturing can be worked out. Read more
House Leadership Signal Again Action on Farm Bill But No Specifics
On Friday, the U.S. House Leaders from both political parties had an exchange on the floor of the U.S. House regarding the fate of the 2012 farm bill. (An excerpt from the November 30 Congressional Record is below.) During the exchange House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) again reiterated that House leaders plan to take up “the issue in and around the farm bill,” but again he gave no specifics on whether or not the action would include passing a new 5-year farm bill or extending the 2008 farm bill that expired September 30 this year. Read more
Top 10 Reasons Smaller Lobbying Firms are Better Part 3
9.) Smaller, Entrepreneurial Lobbying Firms are Connected
Large lobbying firms are slower to utilize technological connectivity until their I.T. departments can set up a policy and roll it out company wide. But more and more government is now embracing new technologies and social media such as Facebook and Twitter as the tech-savvy Generation Y enters the workforce. Smaller, entrepreneurial firms are able to embrace these channels that government is using with minimal cost and no need for laborious roll outs or policies. Twitter and Facebook are now major components in every campaign and often make the difference. Solution: pick a smaller, entrepreneurial lobbying firm that embraces and utilizes social media to stay connected to rapid changes in government. Read more
Future of the Filibuster?
There were more filibusters between 2009 and 2010 than there were in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s combined.1 The filibuster rule, Senate Rule XXII, was designed to defend minority rights or inspire debate of issues, but instead the minority party uses it to require a 60-vote supermajority to block legislative initiatives from getting accomplished in the United States Senate. Read more
- http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-07/could-this-be-end-of-evil-filibuster-.html [↩]
Cansler Awarded Professional Lobbying Certification
Cansler Consulting's Founder and Chief Strategist, Tim Cansler (left) honored by American League of Lobbyist President Howard Marlowe for attaining his Professional Lobbying Certification.
Cansler Consulting’s Founder and Chief Strategist, Tim Cansler, was among graduates of the Lobbyist Certification Program (LCP) and was awarded his Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) during the 2012 American League of Lobbyists (ALL) annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Lobbyist Certificate Program (LCP) is today’s gold standard for certifying that government relations professionals possess in-depth knowledge of legislative and political processes plus the rules, regulations and ethics that shape lobbying requirements—and success—in the “new” Washington. Read more
Top 10 Reasons Smaller Entrepreneurial Lobbying Firms are Better Part 2
Example: Mega-Firms' diluted focus on your industry
Example: Mega-Firms' diluted focus on your industry
4.) Conflicts of Interest Are More Prevalent in Large Firms
In the last few years Washington, D.C. has witnessed conflicts of interest arising among clientele of large lobbying firms and the firm splitting up into multiple, separate firms. Oftentimes, when conflicts of interest arise among a large lobbying firms clientele, in most cases its the smaller client that gets parceled out to another firm or dropped altogether. Solution: Pick a smaller, entrepreneurial lobbying firm that will not throw you under the bus while chasing higher paying clients. Read more
Top 10 Reasons Smaller Entrepreneurial Lobbying Firms are Better Part 1
In this series of articles, we will demonstrate why smaller, entrepreneurial lobbying firms are better for most clients than larger, mega-firms. This is in response to the multiple mergers, acquisitions and increased involvement of multi-national firms that is occurring in Washington, D.C. as reported by The Hill in June of this year. Keep in mind, this is not true for every situation, huge corporations with enormous lobbying budgets may need (and be able to afford) the additional staffing and resources that a mega-sized lobbying firm can bring to the table.
Sample of Mega-Lobbying Firm Focus/Revenue
But for the majority of organizations out there that don’t have large lobbying budgets, a smaller more specialized and entrepreneurial firm can be more effective due to the enhanced focus they offer and it comes at an affordable price. We have categorized the benefits of hiring a smaller, entrepreneurial lobbying firm into the following…
- Cost Effective
- More Focus
- More Experience
- More Agile
- More Connected
- More Results
U.S. House Vote on Limited Immigration Reform Measure
Upon their return from Thanksgiving recess, House Republican 
leaders plan to vote on a limited immigration reform measure that would expand visas for foreign science and technology students and make it easier for those with green cards to bring their immediate families into the U.S.
Different from STEM Act
The legislation planned for a vote this week is different from the failed Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Jobs Act attempted back in September. This legislative proposal would allow family members to come to the U.S. one year after they apply for their green cards. However, they would not be able to work until their green card is issued. Language will be added to the legislation that expands a program allowing spouses and minor children of persons with permanent residence to wait in the United States for their own green cards to be issued. Read more
House Leaders: Still No Plan For Farm Bill
For those counting Monday, November 26 marks 138 days, over one-third 
of the entire year, since the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture adopted (35-11) the 2012 Farm Bill (H.R. 6083) the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, on July 12.
And, according to the recently released U.S. House floor schedule by Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) for the week of November 26, there is still no vote scheduled in the U.S. House of Representatives on the 2012 Farm Bill. Read more
U.S. Electorate Sends Washington More of the Same: Gridlock!
Going into the 2012 general election there was much fanfare about the U.S. electorate being upset with partisan bickering and wanting more accomplished by the lawmakers they send to Washington, DC. Presidential, Senate, and House candidates throughout the country spent months harshly campaigning and over $6 billion1 . The result – the President was re-elected without a clear policy mandate and Congress remains divided, suggesting partisan gridlock will continue. Read more
- Center for Responsive Politics [↩]
2012 Election: Don’t Mess With Ag
The results of the 2012 elections prove one thing for victorious incumbents serving on the US House and Senate Agriculture Committees – and for any would-be challengers…
Don’t Mess With Agriculture!
A total 45 members currently serve on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee: 26 Republicans and 19 Democrats. Seven members of the committee will not return for the 113th session of Congress; one member announced his retirement and six were defeated in either their primary, or general election. North Carolina’s 7th congressional district will likely be recounted as Democrat incumbent and Agriculture Committee member, Mike McIntyre, leads challenger David Rouzer by 443 votes. Read more
Wishing Man’s Best Friend A Good Day In Court
Absent delays caused by Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in two Florida appeal decisions on October 31 that could impact the use of canines in searches and individuals’ rights to privacy. Florida’s Supreme Court ruled that the detection of drugs by trained police dogs had violated the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Exactly How Accurate is YOUR Dog?
In one of the cases, Florida v. Harris, the court is asked to decide whether a dog’s alert establishes sufficient probable cause to search a vehicle. The case asks the court to determine how good the dog’s accuracy record must be? To read the Brief supporting the petitioner Click here. Read more
Bugging Us to The Tune of $120 Billion
The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects the health and value of American agriculture and our natural resources. According to a Cornell University study released in 2004, invasive pest species not common in the U.S. are causing major environmental damages and economic losses adding up to almost $120 billion per year. An earlier 1997 General Accounting Office report estimated the national cost to taxpayers from invasive species was close to $41 billion annually in lost production, prevention, and control expenses. Read more
U.S. Manufacturers May Pick Up Tab For FSMA
Recent OMB Report & Other Factors Indicate U.S. Food Manufacturers May Pick up Tab For FSMA
In February of this year Cansler Consulting foretold of the fiscal challenges ahead 
at the Food and Drug Administration (click here to read article) in implementing the nation’s new food safety law, The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Late last week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a congressionally-mandated report outlining potential impacts of budget sequestration on defense and non-defense discretionary programs verifying our analysis. The 400-page document showcases the impacts that budget cuts would have on all areas of government, including the safety of our nation’s food supply that is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture.
Dept of Ag to Cut nearly $3 Billion Next Year
According to the OMB report the Department of Agriculture would be required to cut a total $2.996 billion in the remaining eight months of FY 2013 (January to September 2013). This includes $86 million from the Food Safety Inspection Service that is responsible for the safety of the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products. Read more
Ag Industry: The Best of Times and The Worst of Times, Part II
Prior to leaving Washington for their five-week August recess, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted, 223-197, an Agricultural Disaster Assistance package (H.R. 6233) that directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make Livestock Indemnity Payments to eligible producers that have suffered livestock death losses and grazing losses due to drought. The Congressional Budget Office scored the disaster package at $383 million. Read more
Ag Industry: The Best of Times & The Worst of Times, Part I
Like a Charles Dickens novel U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing a period of the best of times, and the worst of times. The U.S. agriculture industry is in one of its best periods in history. There are multiple components that generate such success and they include: adaptation to technology, meeting the demands of ever-changing and improving global diets, and the productivity and resourcefulness of U.S. producers. Read more
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules: EPA Exceeded Mandate
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules: EPA Exceeded Mandate Limiting Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions From Power-generating Plants
On August 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled,
2-1, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had exceeded its mandate with the Clean Air Act, which was to limit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants in 28 mostly Eastern states and Texas.
EPA’s rule intended to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 73% and nitrogen oxide by 54% at coal-fired power plants below 2005 levels. It is believed that reducing emissions from these plants will further reduce pollutants that cause acid rain and smog that cross state lines. A factor that it didn’t take into account was the financial hardship the rule would create for energy producers and their customers, possibly closing down energy facilities.
The judges ruled that the EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act by… Read more
As If We Needed It…..Another Hurdle for the Farm Bill
Recall that prior to Congress adjourning for their August recess a stand-off erupted and lasted for two weeks after the House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 6083, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012 by a vote of 35-11 on July 12. House leaders rebuffed calls by the US Senate and agriculture groups to take the Farm Bill to the floor for a vote. House Leaders held up floor consideration of the Committee-adopted Farm Bill due to sharp disputes over the level of nutrition assistance that comprise 80% of the Farm Bill’s cost.
According to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), House conservatives are seeking additional cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, aka food stamps) and liberals do not like current level of cuts in the committee-adopted Farm Bill. Without their support the Farm Bill cannot garner the needed 218 votes on the House floor. *The Senate-adopted version of the Farm Bill cuts SNAP by $4.5 billion (over 10 years). The House version of the Farm Bill will likely cut SNAP by $14 billion. Read more