House Proceeding 07-16-09 on Jul 16th, 2009 :: 0:21:45 to 0:26:15
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0:21:41 to 0:22:01( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: god continue to bless america. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. mr. burton. >> i ask unanimous consent to consume the gentleman's time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. moran: mr. speaker, thank you. unfortunately here we go again. yet another attempt to expand the power of the federal government and to intrude further in america's business.

0:21:45 to 0:26:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jerry Moran

0:22:02 to 0:22:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: just a like with cap and trade that was forced upon members without proper consideration, here comes another bill from the energy and commerce committee. this time it's h.r. 2749, the food safety enhancement act of 2009. i do believe that we -- our nation has the safest food supply system in the world, but

0:22:24 to 0:22:44( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: -- i also aee we should continue to examine that supply system to make certain that we continue to improve upon it. however h.r. 2749 will not make us a better food safety country. instead it will e federal bureaucracy and impose unnecessary cost on a struggling ag economy. this legislation represents a

0:22:45 to 0:23:05( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: dramatic shift in federal policy that could, just like cap and trade, devastate agriculture. this legislation was considered by the energy and demers committee -- commerce committee just a couple weeks ago. now just like the cap and trade the democrat leadership wants to buy pass the expertise of the committee on agriculture and bring this bill to the floor, this time under suspension of

0:23:06 to 0:23:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: the rules. no further consideration, no markup by other committees of jurisdiction, no amendments. just a vote. one provision of 2749 that is of particular concern is section 103. this section would require the u.s. food and drug administration to set on farm performance standards. for the first time we would have

0:23:27 to 0:23:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: the federal government telling our farmers and branch ranchers how to grow crops and raise livestock. the cultivation of crops and production of food animals is an immensely complex endeavor involving a vast ranges of processes. weaise a multitude of crops and livestock in numerous regions using various methods. imagine if the federal government is allowed to dictate

0:23:49 to 0:24:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: how all that is don chaos will ensue. unfortunately that's what h.r. 2749 allows. those who have never been on a farm will be allowed to tell a producer how to conduct his or her operations. we will not improve food safety by allowing -- usda by allowing the food and drug administration to tell our farmers what to do.

0:24:10 to 0:24:30( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: we'll improve food safety by allowing farmers and ranchers to do something that they and their ancestors have been doing for generations. there are other problems with this bill as well. new penalties, record keeping requirements, traceability, registrationandates, user fees, al things that do nothing to prevent food-borne diseases or outbreaks but do plenty to

0:24:31 to 0:24:51( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: keep regulators busy and increase costs. i raise these concerns today in hearing of the house agriculture committee that was reviewing food safety. the witnesses representing the f.d.a. tried to reassure the committee by telling us not to worry. they knew what they were doing and would consult with the department of agriculture. however f.d.a. has no experse in crop and livestock production

0:24:52 to 0:25:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: rack tisses -- practices and i have little confidence the f.d.a. will work with the usda. a recent example of f.d.a.'s unwillingness to access the expertise of the usda was demonstrated this week involving another bill, h.r. 1549, that would restrict, eliminate, the use of animal antibiotics. it would institute a ban on

0:25:14 to 0:25:35( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: nontherapeutic uses ever antibiotics which is another ill-conceived concept and very -- that's a very complex issue. yet we learn today that no consultation by f.d.a. has occurred with usda. in a hearing earlier this week, before the house rules committee, the f.d.a. suddenly shifted its course and supported this ban.

0:25:36 to 0:25:57( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: no new research or scientific analysis was presented, and again apparently no consultation with usda. so much for collaborating with the department of agriculture. mr. speaker, we must stop rushing legislation through congress without careful, thoughtful, and complete consideration. congress rarely gets things right when we have ample time to properly consider policy changes.

0:25:58 to 0:26:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: but it never makes good decisions when rushed to arbitrary timetables. h.r. 2749 needs to be referred to the committee on agriculture to allow necessary improvements to this food safety bill that will actually improve the food safety of our country and not shut down agriculture.