Political Quotes

“I object. Let me walk through why. My friend from Utah, in the spirit to try to work something out here, is offering a counterproposal. The problem that I have with this is the amendment--now we are talking about the Department of Agriculture, which plays a role here. I will get to that in a moment. But in this case, the amendment would direct this Agency, the Department of Agriculture, to allow formula to be included in the Women, Infants, and Children's nutrition program that does not meet USDA standards. So now, we have a concern that I initially raised about FDA standards. Now, we have USDA standards for safety and nutritional adequacy. I would also add that this amendment is unnecessary because of action that was taken by the leaders of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. That committee passed a bipartisan bill, the Access to Baby Formula Act, that the President just signed into law. This already provides the Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the discretion it needs to expand the products available to WIC parents and babies--right now that is the law--while also continuing to meet those high nutritional needs of the babies. So, again, the concerns here are standards--safety standards--for those infants. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. The Senator from Utah.”