On the recordMay 18, 2018
Mr. Chairman, I would just like to point out that this amendment is a bipartisan amendment. This has been a very partisan debate over a lot of these amendments over the farm bill, and I think it is time that we have something that is supported by both sides of the aisle. This amendment is modeled after a stand-alone bill that has over a dozen cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, and the sponsors of this amendment are Congressman Polis and Congressman Rohrabacher in addition to me. It is very simple. If you understand federalism, you can understand this bill. It says that, if two States have legalized the sale of unpasteurized milk, no Federal department, agency, or court may take any action to prohibit or restrict the interstate traffic of milk or milk products between those two States. There are 28 States that have legalized the sale of raw milk. With a debt of over $21 trillion, the Federal Government doesn't have the time, the money, or the resources to chase down and prosecute peaceful farmers. This is an issue of both personal freedom and smart government. I reserve the balance of my time.
