On the recordJune 10, 2015
I thank the gentleman from Texas and the gentleman from California for their leadership in bringing this legislation to the House floor. I will make my remarks short and simple. Country of origin labeling, or COOL, has been a 13-year failed experiment in public policy. It provides little to no value for the consumer, raises costs for all producers, and has created a significant trade dispute with our number one and number two trading partners, Canada and Mexico. It is an embarrassment to our country that we have lost four times in the WTO court and now are facing significant retaliation from our two closest trading partners. This is particularly concerning when you consider that my home State of Missouri alone could face up to $623 million in economic losses from retaliation. America should be a leader in creating free and fair trade around the world by focusing on removing tariff and nontariff trade barriers, not creating our own. Americans expect labels on their meat and other food products to clearly state the health and safety information. COOL goes beyond that, though, and has amounted to nothing more than a government-mandated marketing program that provides little to no value to producers and consumers. The only solution to this failed experiment in public policy is full repeal of the country of origin labeling law. I support the underlying bill and encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2393. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr.…
