The Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to mark up the farm bill when both chambers return next week after a week at home.  The committee will mark up the measure Thursday, May 9 and hopes to be finished and on the floor by the end of May.  The Senate plans to finish work on the farm bill and a water bill by Memorial Day recess, which would clear the decks for a debate on immigration reform that could take the whole month of June.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said he next plans to take up legislation (S.460) to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 in three steps.  The Senate may also consider the first of some of the fiscal year 2014 appropriations bills before the August recess.

The House Agriculture Committee will mark up its farm bill May 15 and hopes to have the legislation completed by the Memorial Day recess, as well.  It is the hope of appropriators to have as many of the fiscal year 2014 bills ready to go before the end of the fiscal year September 30.