House Begins Debate on Regulation Review Resolution
Lucas 'oversight plan' will review full range of policies and programs affecting agriculture.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 11, 2011
Thursday the U.S. House voted mostly along party lines to begin debate on Resolution 72, which would direct House committees to review how current and proposed federal regulations affect jobs and the economy. Debate began immediately and will continue today. House Democrats complain that House Republicans need to focus on job creation rather than examining regulations, but the GOP believes limiting these regulations is a way to foster job growth.
Earlier in the day, the House Agriculture Committee met to consider an "Oversight Plan" for reviewing the full range of federal programs and policies affecting agriculture. The Committee worked from a plan set forth by Committee Chair Frank Lucas, R-Okla., which he drafted as an oversight plan to include not just the Farm Bill, but virtually all USDA programs, including environmental issues as well.
Lucas' plan is multiple pages long, listing his concerns for agriculture. Most notably are rules being implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency and its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Also, on the Lucas list is a review of EPA's regulatory actions in regard to pesticide evaluations; animal feeding operations; and implementation of the recent FDA Egg Safety rule. Lucas also wants to focus on the United Nations Climate Change Conference, reviewing ongoing discussions and potential consequences for American agriculture.
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Tagged: farm, usda, farm bill, EPA, Environmental Protection Agency
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