Darlene Hooley: “Mr. Chairman, our previous speaker talked about bipartisan effort to not pass this amendment. Let me state that last…”

“Mr. Chairman, our previous speaker talked about bipartisan effort to not pass this amendment. Let me state that last year there was a bipartisan effort to get this amendment in the bill, and it passed both the House and the Senate. It is also interesting when the gentleman says, well, you can just slap that sticker on a piece of meat or whatever. Well, guess what, we require that we know where our clothing is made, where our shoes are made. I think consumers need to know the meat, the produce they put in their mouths, where it comes from, where it is raised, and if it is safe. I agree with the statements made by my colleague from Montana and thank him for the leadership on this issue. Over the past several days I received letters of support from the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Cattlemen's Association thanking me for helping to bring this amendment forward today. Our amendment is supported by farmers in my district and across the country, which is why it is endorsed by the American Farm Bureau and the Farmers Union. Consumers Federation supports this as well as other consumer groups. Our farmers grow the best produce and raise the best livestock in the world, and American consumers know this. Studies have shown that Americans want to buy American commodities and are even willing to pay a premium to do so.”