Kevin Roberts: “when it is in order and I call up the Roberts amendment for consideration, I will thank my colleagues Senators…”

“when it is in order and I call up the Roberts amendment for consideration, I will thank my colleagues Senators Alexander, Burr, Cornyn, Cotton, Gardner, Risch, Sasse, Boozman, and Tillis for joining me on this amendment. Today we ask our fellow colleagues to stand with us to protect the U.S. economy from $3.2 billion in retaliatory tariffs being applied to our exports to Canada and Mexico every year--every year. A recent ruling from the World Trade Organization found, for the fourth and final time, that our Country of Origin Labeling Program for meat--or what the acronym says is COOL, to which it is often referred-- that this labeling program violates our trade agreements with our two closest trading partners. This debate isn't about the merits of a particular labeling program or our opinions about how our beef or pork or chicken should be sold. No, this debate is about a simple fact, and facts are stubborn things. Whether you support COOL or whether you oppose COOL, the fact is that retaliation is coming unless the Senate acts to stop this program that the WTO has found to be discriminatory. Over the years, this body has attempted many times to craft a workable COOL Program for all stakeholders while still living up to our international trade obligations. Congress, through directives in the 2002 farm bill and the 2008 farm bill, required the establishment of COOL for meat.…”