Both chambers of Congress were out of session this week, so we are providing this short update in lieu of regular news stories. Regular news will return with Congress next week.

The Senate on Thursday approved a bill 70 to 27 that should clear the way for the Obama Administration to send legislative language for three long-pending free trade agreements to Congress for approval.

President Barack Obama’s plan for deficit reduction would cut $33 billion from farm programs, taking a highly disproportionate amount of federal spending reductions from one of its smallest line items and perhaps stymieing Congress’ efforts to write a workable 2012 Farm Bill.

Thursday came and went on Capitol Hill with no agreement on a short-term continuing resolution to fund the federal government after the 2011 fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) both added this week to the super committee’s already-considerable to-do list, while the director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the panel must decide on any substantial changes by early November to meet its deadlines.

Bipartisan bills introduced in the House and Senate on Thursday would establish the legal structure for tax-exempt organizations focusing on agricultural research.

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) will hold its first public outreach event – The Food Dialogues – on Sept. 22 online and in four locations around the country.

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY2012 agriculture bill was one of a series of measures taken up this week by policy makers looking toward the end of the government’s fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The so-called “super committee” charged with finding at least $1.5 trillion to cut from the federal budget held its first meeting Thursday.

With Congress back from the fall recess, a looming question is becoming louder: when will three long-pending free trade agreements see action?

Both chambers of Congress are out of session for the summer break, during which NAWG is providing only short news updates. Regular news stories will return next Thursday, Sept. 8.