Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/22/21

After House committees wrote up their individual coronavirus relief measures throughout February, the chamber wrapped them all up in a $1.9 trillion economic rescue package that Democrats are aiming to send over to the Senate by the end of this week.

As a reminder, the legislation includes more than $16 billion in nutrition and agricultural aid. But in a break from previous aid packages, the bill contains less direct aid to producers with no strings attached and it’s focused more toward supply chain upgrades, protections for food and ag workers and sweeping financial relief for historically underserved producers.

Besides the ag provisions, the measure would deliver $1,400 stimulus checks, expand unemployment benefits and raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour — an issue that has divided Democrats and might run afoul of budget rules. There’s also growing anxiety that the relief isn’t moving fast enough to help the most needy Americans.

On tap today: The Budget panel meets at 1 p.m. to debate the combined aid package. The markup might drag on for hours, but no substantial changes to the legislation are expected. Tune in here.

Also worth watching this week: The House Agriculture Committee will launch its work on tackling climate change with a virtual hearing on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (note the new date and time!) as Democrats get the ball rolling toward Biden’s ambitious goal of making America’s farm sector the first to reach net-zero carbon emissions.

— The hearing should shed more light on USDA’s ability to create a “carbon bank” through the Commodity Credit Corporation to facilitate payments to producers who sequester greenhouse gases in their soil.

— That idea has been a focal point in recent ag-climate discussions, but lawmakers also will likely delve into existing programs and new options that haven’t received as much attention but could be more beneficial for farmers and the environment.