Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 12/2/19

There are 30 days left in 2019, but the next few weeks could bring significant developments on government funding, agricultural trade, tax extenders and maybe a bipartisan farm labor overhaul. First and foremost, Congress will have to approve final appropriations for fiscal 2020 (or another short-term extension) before the current stopgap expires Dec. 20.

Appropriators last week agreed on how to divvy up defense and domestic spending among the 12 individual bills, but there are still major obstacles to a final deal — including the dispute over funds for Trump's border wall, which triggered the historic government shutdown one year ago. USDA and the FDA were shuttered during that record-long funding lapse, throwing a wrench into food safety efforts, trade aid and other farm programs.

Nearing the USMCA finish line: House Democrats and the Trump administration are on the verge of an agreement on changes to the new NAFTA deal, pending a final review of the details. That could facilitate a House vote on Trump's biggest trade achievement so far.

Mexico's top trade official said on Friday that the proposed changes could be approved by Mexican officials this week, per POLITICO's Andy Blatchford. He also predicted that U.S. ratification of the three-way deal is still possible in 2019.

"Phase One" finale? Trump's trade negotiators are also closing in on a partial trade pact with Beijing, which would include a boost in U.S. farm exports to China. One trade official last week said the two sides are "millimeters" from a deal, which fueled optimism that an agreement might be announced this week.

Lawmakers could also take action on a pair of priorities for ag groups: a farm labor overhaul and an extension of tax incentives for renewable energy, including biofuels. The House Judiciary Committee last month advanced a bipartisan bill that would expand the H-2A guestworker program and establish a mandatory E-Verify system for farm employers nationwide.

House Democrats also rolled out a draft bill to renew a crop of expired tax breaks, including the biodiesel blenders tax credit, a critical subsidy for the industry.

Don't forget: This is all happening as the House impeachment process steams ahead, which could threaten any significant bipartisan action in the coming weeks.