[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10907]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  H.R. 1947 THE FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 28, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to 
the harmful ``King Amendment'' to the Federal Agriculture Reform and 
Risk Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2217). I believe it will negatively 
impact Michigan's agricultural industry and hinder states' ability to 
maintain high dairy standards and to protect its citizens from 
livestock diseases and invasive pests.
  I am disappointed that the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture 
adopted the controversial King amendment and that floor amendments to 
strip this harmful provision were not allowed to be voted on by the 
full House. The King Amendment precludes positive state regulation 
because it authorizes the federal government to nullify state laws and 
to change current animal welfare standards.
  I have consistently made animal protection a priority. In 2010, I co-
authored the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act that was later signed 
into law by President Obama. During my time in Congress I have 
supported and championed legislation aimed at protecting the welfare of 
animals. I will continue to fight to uphold ethical animal welfare 
standards.
  While I have deep concerns with the substance of the King amendment 
and a legislative process that barred full House consideration thereof, 
I believe it is critical to provide necessary resources to our 
agricultural producers in Michigan and across our nation. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to 
enact a farm bill that supports our agricultural industry while 
maintaining high animal welfare standards.

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