WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate legislation addressing the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMO):

“Vermont recently passed food-labeling legislation that, according to one study, could increase annual food costs by more than a thousand dollars per family.

“These aren’t just Vermont families I’m talking about. These are families across our country.

“The Senate will soon consider common-sense bipartisan legislation that aims to ensure decisions in one state, or a patchwork of different state laws, do not hurt American families throughout the country—especially at a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet already.

“The goal is to set clear, science-based standards in order to prevent families from being unfairly hurt by a patchwork of conflicting local and state labeling laws passed in states and cities where they don’t live.

“I’d like to recognize the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Roberts, for his continuing work on this issue.

“The Agriculture Committee moved to pass the chairman’s mark last week with bipartisan support; I know Chairman Roberts continues to work with the Ranking Member and others across the aisle on a pathway forward on legislation we can pass in the Senate to resolve this issue. I urge members to continue working with him in that endeavor.

“Let’s not forget. This may well be our last chance to prevent the actions of one state from hurting Americans in other states.

“Legislation to address this issue passed the House last summer with bipartisan support. With cooperation from across the aisle, we can take action on a bipartisan basis here on the Senate floor as well.”