[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 164 (Monday, October 31, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6911-S6912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
                  RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the 
proposed rules issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, 
regarding tomato product crediting. I believe we must provide our 
children with healthy meals and ensure they have access to nutritious 
foods not only for their own well-being, but for the well-being of our 
Nation.
  Given that a significant number of children rely on school lunch 
programs for meals every day, I am concerned that provisions in the 
rule regarding tomato paste crediting could have unintended 
consequences.
  Tomato paste contributes dietary fiber, potassium--a nutrient of 
concern for children--as well as Vitamins A and C. It is delivered to 
kids in popular school menu items they enjoy eating and drives National 
School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program participation. The 
proposed rule changes a technical crediting issue, effectively 
mandating the use of three times as much tomato paste or other tomato 
product. For example, under the proposed rules, the crediting of tomato 
paste would be based on the volume served as opposed to ``single-
strength reconstituted basis'' as outlined in the Food Buying Guide for 
Child Nutrition Programs. To achieve one vegetable serving, an 
estimated three times the current quarter cup volume of tomato 
product--like tomato paste, tomato sauce, or salsa--would be required. 
This increased amount is unrealistic for many single foods and 
combination foods and would make the weekly vegetable serving 
requirement more difficult for schools to achieve.
  Under this rule, a plate of spaghetti with three times the normal 
amount of sauce becomes more of a soup than a pasta dish, and a slice 
of whole grain pizza with three times the amount of sauce could be 
equally excessive. This becomes a problem for schools hoping to feed 
their students healthy meals that kids like.
  The Institute of School Meals report does not recommend a change in 
the way tomato products are calculated. This change does not bring a 
nutritional benefit, and it was not called for by schools, 
nutritionists, or the Institute of Medicine. Constituents in Minnesota 
have said that this would result in increased volumes of foods 
consumed, increased costs to schools, and the virtual elimination of 
many foods served in school lunch, because of altered formulas and 
proper ratios that no longer allows for proper preparation or 
consumption.
  I am not suggesting that USDA stop action on the rule--but, I believe 
we must focus on increasing fruits and vegetables rather than 
decreasing specific foods that provide an important source of essential 
nutrients. And because of that, I suggest that USDA refrain from 
changing the current tomato paste crediting levels. We need to make 
sure that we promote nutritious meals and recognize that the quality of 
the meals our kids eat in school plays a major role in their health and 
well-being.


                           Amendment No. 810

  Mr. President, I also wish to speak on Senator Sessions' amendment 
No. 810. While I support Senator Sessions' efforts to eliminate waste, 
fraud, and abuse in the government, I have concerns that this amendment 
will take food away from children and families with the greatest needs. 
This amendment prohibits the use of any funds from being used to 
support categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program, SNAP. Categorical eligibility reduces 
administrative costs, simplifies enrollment, and helps eligible low-
income households receive food assistance. I have heard from a number 
of groups in my State who stressed the importance of categorical 
eligibility in giving states the option to enroll beneficiaries in 
SNAP, and I know how important it is to reach out to citizens that are 
eligible for benefits.
  While I opposed this amendment, I will work in the farm bill to 
strengthen and improve the program to ensure that taxpayer resources 
are spent wisely.


                           Amendment No. 739

  Mr. President, I also wish to discuss amendment No. 739 offered by 
Senator McCain to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development 
appropriations bill. I share Senator McCain's concern that 
transportation funds need to be spent carefully to address our most 
critical infrastructure priorities. However, I voted to table the 
McCain amendment because I believe it needed

[[Page S6912]]

to be changed to allow States to continue to maintain existing 
infrastructure projects. The Minnesota Department of Transportation 
noted that the McCain amendment could have negatively impacted proposed 
projects to rehabilitate historic bridges that remain in use today as a 
critical part of Minnesota's road network. Specifically, bridges in 
Winona and Oslo, Minnesota may have been impacted and possibly 
Baudette, Minnesota's project as well. The chairman of the Environment 
and Public Works Committee which has jurisdiction over transportation 
policy also assured me that no funding in this bill would be used to 
fund transportation museums.


                           Amendment No. 792

  Mr. President, I also wish to discuss amendment No. 792 offered by 
Senator Coburn to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development 
appropriations bill. While I agree with Senator Coburn that Federal 
dollars should not end up in the hands of property owners that put 
their tenants at risk, I ultimately could not support this amendment 
because it could have harmed the very families it sought to help.
  Before the vote, I was contacted by several affordable housing groups 
from my home State of Minnesota asking that I oppose this amendment. 
They were concerned that because of the way this amendment was drafted 
it could end up forcing the tenants it sought to protect into worse 
housing conditions, or even onto the street. By suspending payments to 
properties identified as deficient, it could also have prevented new 
owners from taking over deficient properties in order to rehabilitate 
them as they wouldn't have any way of financing the rehabilitation.
  The Department of Housing and Urban Development already has the 
ability to enforce physical standards by suspending payments, seeking 
appointment of a receiver, and pursuing civil money penalties. I will 
continue to insist that they use these tools to develop responsive 
strategies for every troubled property while putting the safety of the 
tenants first.

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