Negotiations are still ongoing in the first “mini-bus”–a package of three spending bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2012. The package (H.R.2112) consists of agriculture; commerce, justice, science; and transportation, housing, and urban development and will also have another continuing resolution that will keep the government running through  mid-December.

The bill includes language that “defunds” the proposed Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule preventing USDA from publishing a final or interim rule.  While the House of Representatives is not in session this week, staff members from both chambers have been working to finish the package before the current continuing resolution expires November 18.  It is expected that the conference will be completed and a vote taken by both chambers by November 17.