Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Arkansas and the chair of the Budget Committee. I am here on the floor today to voice strong objection to a Federal agency that is disregarding the clear language of the law in pursuit of what has appeared time and time again to be what I describe as an antiagriculture agenda with this administration. Let me explain. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is known as OSHA, is now claiming jurisdiction, of all things, of family farms. But they are doing that in defiance of Congress. For the past 35 years, literally 35 years, Congress has included very specific language in appropriations bills. It prohibits OSHA from enforcement on small farms. Literally since 1976, the law has said very clearly: No funds appropriated for OSHA can be used for rules or regulations that apply to farming operations with 10 or fewer employees. Clearly what Congress is trying to do is provide protection for the family farms that exist in our States across this country. Yet, lo and behold, OSHA has decided it can label certain sections of the farm something else by fiat and send in their inspectors. Let me explain what has happened in Nebraska. OSHA targeted a family farm in rural Nebraska. They grow corn and soybeans and raise some cattle. This farm has one nonfamily employee on that farm. In other words, it is a very typical Nebraska farm, just the kind of farm Congress envisioned in creating the exemption dating back to 1976.…”