Jerry Moran: “I am here today, as we debate H.R. 2112, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related…”

“I am here today, as we debate H.R. 2112, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to address a particular provision that, in my view, needs to be addressed. I also hope to have the opportunity later today to offer an amendment regarding the Watershed Rehabilitation Program and to allocate some additional funds for that program, and I hope to have the chance to speak during the debate on this bill on the proposed school lunch regulations the Senator from Maine has so appropriately addressed previously. At this time, I would like to turn my attention to a problem with the pending legislation; that is, its failure to address the proposed rule titled ``Implementation of Regulations Required Under Title XI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; Conduct in Violation of the Act,'' commonly known as the GIPSA rule. This proposed rule has the potential to adversely affect livestock producers in my State and around the country, as well as consumers of meat products. The House included a funding limitation on implementation of this rule in its appropriations bill. That is not included in the Senate version of the bill. I am a member of the agricultural appropriations subcommittee and believe that, in this case, the House is correct. Initially, this rule that the Department of Agriculture is proposing grew out of the 2008 farm bill.…”