Joe Barton: “I rise in respectful and regretful opposition to the continuing resolution. The primary reason that the Energy and…”

“I rise in respectful and regretful opposition to the continuing resolution. The primary reason that the Energy and Commerce Committee has time on the floor is because of the inclusion of the Food Safety Act in the continuing resolution. The food safety bill that passed the House last year was the result of bipartisan cooperation between Chairman Waxman, Subcommittee Chairman Pallone, Chairman Dingell, myself, then-subcommittee Ranking Member Nathan Deal, and others on the Republican side. It was the result of a number of years of work. It was an open process, it was an inclusive process, and the result was a very strong bipartisan vote both in the committee and on the House floor. I believe on the House floor, 59 Republicans joined with almost every Democrat to send that bill to the Senate. The bill that's come back from the Senate that's been included in the continuing resolution is not the House bill, as amended. It is a Senate bill that is significantly different in several respects.”