Opponents will get one clear chance during House debate to torpedo a Republican-backed bill that would pre-empt state laws that require special labels on food made with genetically modified organisms, the Rules Committee decided on a party-line vote. HR 1599 is tentatively scheduled for debate on Thursday, with passage expected by the Republican-controlled chamber. One-quarter of the 435 U.S. representatives are sponsors of the bill filed by Rep. Mike Pompeo, a Kansas Republican.
“There will be no choices taken away,” said Pompeo, because companies could voluntarily label their products.
Backers of HR 1599, who include farm groups and foodmakers, hope a large victory margin in the House will inoculate the bill in the Senate. So far, no senator has agreed to sponsor the legislation despite months of recruiting work. The administration has not taken a position on the bill. Besides barring state labeling laws, HR 1599 would keep labeling voluntary on the federal level and put the USDA in charge of certifying foods as non-GMO. Foods also could be submitted for a “made with GMO” label.
In proposing the format for debate, the Rules Committee revised its language “to make it abundantly clear that the pre-emption applies only to the sale of GE [genetically engineered] plants for use in food.” Foes such as the Just Label It campaign have charged the bill would eliminate all state and local control over GMO crops.
Under the Rules Committee proposal, Maine Democrat Chellie Pingree can ask for a vote to delete all of HR 1599 except for the section on non-GMO food certification. It would be the most direct opportunity during debate to derail the pre-emption plan. “We want that right [to label] in my state,” said Pingree.
Vermont’s first-in-the-nation GMO labeling law is to take effect next July 1. Maine and Connecticut have passed labeling laws but they will not take effect unless triggering provisions are met, such as enactment of similar laws in neighboring states.
As Pompeo ended his appearance before the Rules Committee, chairman Pete Sessions, of Texas, congratulated him on “a very successful bill.”
Besides the Pingree amendment, opponents could offer an amendment to bar the FDA from allowing GMO foods to be sold as “natural.”
The bulk of the corn, soybeans and sugar beets grown in the United States are GMO varieties. The Grocery Manufacturers Association says “70-80 percent of the foods people eat in the United States contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered,” and there is no question of safety. The association was among 475 groups that signed a letter of support for HR 1599. The National Farmers Union, the second-largest U.S. farm group, and the Organic Trade Association say mandatory labeling is essential.
“This issue isn’t going away. People do want to know what’s in their food,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, who opposes the bill.