Billy Long: “My amendment is very straightforward. It would make clear that two laws enacted several decades ago to manage the…”

“My amendment is very straightforward. It would make clear that two laws enacted several decades ago to manage the aftereffects of industrial toxic waste spills would not apply to everyday emissions that are simply a way of life on family farms. A court decision earlier this year overturned the EPA exemption for agriculture from reporting requirements under the Superfund and emergency planning and community right-to-know laws. This court decision means that over 100,000 farmers and ranchers will be forced to report odor emissions from livestock and poultry manure. If farmers and ranchers don't submit these reports, they face potential lawsuits from the government and any citizen who wishes to sue them, subjecting them to penalties as high as $53,907 per day for not filing paperwork. Farmers will lose time and money that would otherwise be spent growing our Nation's food supply. Mr. Chairman, I think that it is important that I note that the Obama administration as well as the Bush administration defended this exemption. This is not a partisan issue. This is simply a case of reaffirming congressional intent under the law, as the EPA already tried to do several years ago. Mr. Chairman, I urge all Members to vote in favor of my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr.…”