Maria Cantwell: “I am voting in favor of S.J. Res. 4, which invokes the Congressional Review Act to disapprove of the U.S. Department of…”

“I am voting in favor of S.J. Res. 4, which invokes the Congressional Review Act to disapprove of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's minimal risk rule. I wanted to explain to my colleagues and my constituents my reason for doing so. I understand that the use of the Congressional Review Act is rare. Congress has successfully used it only once in 2001, and its use should not be undertaken lightly. The Congressional Review Act permitting these rule disapproval resolutions became law in 1996. Although I understand from floor debate today the President intends to veto this resolution if it reaches his desk, if the Senator from North Dakota, Mr. Conrad, were successful, the result of his actions would be to overturn the minimal risk rule and prohibit USDA from issuing another similar rule unless Congress authorizes the agency to act. I believe adopting this rule at this time is not the right action for our Nation's consumers and our country's beef industry. As Secretary Johanns stated during his confirmation hearing, reestablishing trade to Japan and other countries is our No. 1 priority. This goal will only be achieved when we prove that we have implemented and enforced dependable BSE firewalls.”