|
Environmental Defense today applauded the defeat of an
anti-environmental rider to farm legislation now being debated by
the Senate.
"This rider was a sweeping assault on more than 30 years of
environmental, labor and public health law," said Scott Faber of
Environmental Defense. "A vote for the Bond rider was a vote against
America's most basic environmental protections."
Proposed by Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO), the rider
would have given the President broad authority to waive
environmental and other laws if he determined that proposed federal
agency actions would be likely to have a significant adverse
economic impact on farmers or jeopardize their personal safety. The
rider was defeated 54-43.
In particular, Environmental Defense applauded Senators Chafee
(R-RI), Cleland (D-GA), Collins (R-ME), Ensign (R-NV), Gregg (R-NH),
McCain (R-AZ), Smith (R-NH), Snowe (R-ME), Specter (R-PA), Thompson
(R-TN) and Warner (R-VA) for voting against the Bond rider.
"In voting against this rider, members of the U.S. Senate
supported the essential role federal agencies play in protecting
both human health and the environment," Faber said.
The Bond amendment would have directed the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to review all proposed agency actions to
determine economic and safety impacts to farmers. If USDA and the
action agency failed to reach agreement, the decision would have
then been elevated to the President. The President could have
blocked the proposed agency action if he determined that it would be
likely to have adversely impacted the economic health or safety of
farmers. However, the President could not have blocked the agency
proposal if it were needed to protect public human health or
national security.
Scott Faber 202 387-3500
David Cherry 202 387-3500
### Environmental Defense, a leading national
nonprofit organization based in New York, represents more than
300,000 members. Since 1967 we have linked science, economics, and
law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to
the most urgent environmental problems. | 
