[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONSOLIDATION OF FEDERAL FOOD INSPECTION SERVICES

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, yesterday I introduced with Senator 
Torricelli a bill, which I hope the Senator from Minnesota will join me 
in sponsoring, that would consolidate all of the food inspection 
services of the Federal Government in one independent agency.
  Mr. President, 33 million Americans each year have some sort of a 
foodborne illness, and out of that number some 9,000 will die. You read 
about the cases, whether it is E. coli or salmonella. We have a good 
food inspection system but it can be much better. Our food inspection 
system evolved from Upton Sinclair's novel ``The Jungle,'' when we 
decided the Federal Government had to step in and make sure the food, 
meat in particular, that came to our table was safe for our families. 
But now I am afraid we have gone overboard. We have 12 different 
Federal agencies involved in food inspection--12--6 in a major way.
  I am joining with Congressman Vic Fazio of California to consolidate 
these into one independent agency which will be guided by the best 
science in keeping food safe for Americans. I hope that this, too, will 
be part of our agenda next year when we return to Washington, DC. It is 
an important issue, not just for the industries that are affected but 
for every family that wants to be certain when they buy that meat or 
poultry, fish or whatever product it might be, fruits and vegetables 
and beyond, it is safe for their family to consume.
  Mr. President, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Mr. WELLSTONE addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Thomas). The Senator from Minnesota.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Might I ask what the parliamentary situation is?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is the Chair's understanding we are in 
morning business. Senators are allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able 
to speak for 20 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and 
it is so ordered.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. Before I start, I also wanted to find out how long we 
will be in morning business and whether or not there will be 
opportunities to introduce amendments to the fast-track bill?
  In other words, I understand the amendment will be laid aside, but I 
want to know whether there are opportunities to introduce the 
amendments to fast track.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is a parliamentary issue that will be 
handled by the majority leader. We are not prepared to answer that 
question.
  Mr. WELLSTONE. I will just say in the Chamber and I will check with 
the leader, I do have an amendment on human rights that I would like to 
offer. We may or may not get to fast track, but this would be an 
opportunity I think to have the discussion.

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