|
Greetings,
In Washington, D.C., passing a common-sense piece of legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support that will have a real and significant positive impact on both our economy and the average American is, unfortunately, pretty rare, but that is what happened earlier this month.
I was in Butler County last month visiting with local farmers - they are some of the best in the business! |
A Historic Victory for Agriculture in Kansas
After three years of working with Kansas agriculture, consumer groups, scientists, world hunger advocates, federal and state regulators, and both Republican and Democrat members of Congress, the House and Senate have both passed bills that will permit Kansas farmers to affordably feed the world even as world population continues to grow.
The biotechnology that permits crop yields to increase – with less water, fewer chemicals and reduced spoilage - has been protected from political extremists that wanted to deny them this tool.
I took to the House floor to support this historic legislation, three years in the making. Click the image above to watch! |
A Kansas Effort
This would not have been possible, were it not for the many Kansans who came together and worked tirelessly in an effort to protect our farmers. Whether it was educating Americans about the safety and benefits of genetically engineered food, helping to develop a legislative solution, or rallying support in order to get a final bill across the finish line, Kansans were the instrumental, driving force behind this entire effort.
I would like to thank the Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Livestock Association, and my friends Mick Rausch and Max Tjaden for their hard work and support in this effort.
Kansas farmer Mick Rausch breaks down the truth about GMOs. Click the image above to watch! |
I would especially like to thank Stacey Forshee, a Kansas farmer, mother of three, and 5th District Director for the Kansas Farm Bureau, for her support and for helping lawmakers better understand this important issue by testifying in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee during a hearing on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.
Stacey Forshee - a Kansas farmer, mother of three and 5th District Director of the Kansas Farm Bureau - testified in front of the Energy and Commerce Committee on the safety of GMOs. Click the image above to watch!
|
Last but not least, this new law would not have been possible were it not for Senator Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who was my partner in this effort.
It's always great to meet with members of the Kansas Farm Bureau. Some members visited my Washington, D.C. office last month to share some of their concerns. |
A Victory for Farmers, Americans, and Common Sense
Bioengineering has been safely used for decades, allowing our farmers to produce safe food for Kansans, while reducing water and pesticide use. Unfortunately this technology has come under attack from radical, anti-science activists around the country. Though the farmers have 25 years and more than 100 independent research projects to back up the safety of these healthy crops, activists have sought to dismiss these findings and pushed for states to pass mandated labeling laws.
The outcome of states, or even cities and counties, setting their own food laws would have confused consumers and raised food costs. It would have been devastating for Kansas farmers, rural communities, and Kansas parents that are trying to provide safe and affordable food for their families. With the passage of this legislation, Congress voted to stop this silliness.
This month, the American Soybean Association awarded me the 2016 Soy Champion Award - I will continue to fight for Kansas farmers as long as I'm in elected office! |
As a result of this new law, we will now have a national standard for the use of these important technologies. Every citizen will continue to be able to know what is in their food and permit the government to stay out of the way of these consumer choices. This new law is a clear victory for Kansas farmers, our agricultural community, and everyone who wants to provide safe and affordable food.
I am extremely proud of the coalition we built along the way and the work we did to arrive at this responsible solution. It will be remembered as an important moment for farmers and consumers across Kansas.
Sincerely,
Mike Pompeo
Member of Congress
|
