Food Safety Modernization Act (S 510)
Late on November 30, 2010 the Senate passed the Food Safety Modernization Act, 73 to 25 with 2 not voting. Both Senators Burr and Hagan voted for the bill, and only Republicans voted against it.
In trying to ascertain Senator Burr’s rationale in voting for the bill, a staffer referred me to Senator Burr’s press statement, “Our nation’s food safety system was designed over a century ago and was appropriate for a world in which most of our food was grown and processed domestically. I voted in support of S. 510 today because I believe it is important that we modernize and update our approach to food safety to address issues that stem from our increasingly global food supply. After months of discussion and debate, I am confident the final version will work for North Carolina and will protect small processors and farms.”
Supporters of the bill maintain that it is necessary due to health hazards experienced recently from peanuts, eggs and produce items. Small farmers and those advocating buying food locally opposed the bill fearing potential bankruptcy for small businesses. Senators agreed to exempt some from costly food safety plans. They also eliminated some fees and reduced the number of mandatory inspections to get the required votes in the Senate and potentially in the House.
Other opponents such as David E. Gumpert a health and food issues reporter has stated that some of the food-borne illnesses “are the result of the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] not doing its job.” As an example, the FDA knew for years that an Iowa egg producer had problems and did nothing, and instead concentrated on small producers that have caused no illnesses.
Senator Coburn (R-Oklahoma) opposed the bill because it will cost a minimum of $1.4 billion and it is not offset by spending cuts in other budgetary programs. Coburn wrote in an op-ed last week: “Far from offering common-sense reforms, this bill doubles down on the status quo–which failed to prevent the salmonella outbreak–with 250 pages of new bureaucracy and regulations. Expanding the Food and Drug Administration will harm small businesses and raise prices at the grocery store–all without having a meaningful impact on food safety.”
The New York Times has reported that the bill grants the FDA “new powers to recall tainted foods, increase inspections, demand accountability from food companies and oversee farming.” The bill does not “consolidate overlapping functions at the Department of Agriculture and nearly a dozen other federal agencies that oversee various aspects of food safety, leaving coordination among the agencies a continuing challenge.”
The next step is for the bill to be reconciled with the version that the House passed in 2009. Senator Harkin (D-Iowa) says that he has agreement from some House members to pass the Senate’s version. The New York Times has reported that “the bill may still die because there might not be enough time for the usual haggling between the Senate and the House,” although if House Democrats agree to the Senate version passage could be expedited.
However, Roll Call has reported that the food safety bill may be returned to the Senate “because [Senate] Democrats violated a constitutional provision requiring that tax provisions originate in the House.” “House Democrats [yes, their own party] are expected to use a procedure known as ‘blue slipping’ to block the bill, according to House and Senate GOP aides,” reports Roll Call. The ‘blue slip’ process could lead to Senator Reid dropping the issue and allowing the next Congress to start over “or he could try to force the issue in the Senate after the House passes a new version of the bill. But in order to do that and still tackle the other issues, he would need a unanimous consent agreement to limit debate.” Speculation is that Senator Coburn (R-Oklahoma) will not agree. [Note: Are the GOP aides serious? Wouldn't we be surprised if the Democrats actually have this power struggle since the bill adds bureaucracy and costs over a billion dollars--factors that Democrats appear to favor?]
Call NC Representatives and ask them to vote “NO” on this bill:
G.K. Butterfield (D- 1st) (202) 225-3101;
Bob Etheridge (D-2nd) (202) 225-4531;
Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd)(202) 225-3415;
David E. Price (D-4th)(202) 225-1784
Virginia Foxx (R-5th)(202) 225-2071;
Howard Coble (R-6th)(202) 225-3065;
Mike McIntyre (D-7th)(202) 225-2731;
Larry Kissell (D-8th)(202) 225-3715;
Sue Myrick (R-9th)(202) 225-1976;
Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th)(202) 225-2576;
Health Shuler (D-11th)(202) 225-6401;
Melvin L. Watt (D-12th)(202) 225-1510;
Brad Miller (D-13th)(202) 225-3032.
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