Author of HR 2749 Praises Reid, Durbin, Harkin for Continued Work on Senate Bill
Washington, DC - Tomorrow, it will be one year since the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2749, the “Food Safety Enhancement Act” with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 283-142. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15), author of the bill, says he’s encouraged by the recent comments from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on the possibility food safety legislation could come up for a vote before the end of the next week.
“Leader Reid and Senators Durbin, Harkin and others are pushing the bill forward and that is welcome news,” Dingell said. “They are doing a tremendous job. This could be a major breakthrough, but I will never underestimate the ability of one Senator to gum up the works. The House bill, which has the support of President Obama, would be the most significant change to our food safety and inspection laws since the 1930s. I understand the desire some have to include other provisions in this bill, but it should not come at the expense of the bill. We must get this done. Unfortunately, it is almost inevitable there will be another food scare in the future. The American people should not have to wait for more tragedy and hardship to light a fire under a few Senators determined to obstruct. I urge my Senate colleagues to get this bill passed before they leave Washington for August.”
