On the recordJuly 23, 2015
I thank Mr. Pompeo for yielding time and thank him for his leadership on this issue. I thank Mr. Welch for his very thoughtful debate. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1599 and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on final passage. This bipartisan bill, cosponsored by 106 of our colleagues, creates a science-based nationwide labeling standard for plant-based foods. It establishes a national GMO-free certification program administered by USDA that will provide a government-issued label to qualifying products which will provide a market advantage. It requires the FDA to conduct premarket safety reviews of all new GM plant varieties before they can be used to produce food, and it requires the FDA to define the term ``natural'' through a rulemaking process allowing for public input and discussion. Despite the downright false claims made by the opponents of what it will or won't do, H.R. 1599 is a measured approach. It gives consumers certainty, while taking into account the delicate balance and sheer size and complexity of the food supply chain that employs tens of millions of Americans and is responsible for feeding the country. My opinion is shared by the bill's 106 sponsors and by 475 agriculture, science, hunger, and nutrition organizations from all 50 States. The alternative to H.R.…
