This week, the House of Representatives will vote on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (HR 1599). This legislation pre-empts state laws regarding labeling of foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Instead, the bill gives new powers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)– yes That FDA— to define what is and is not a GMO food. It also gives the Department of Agriculture power to approve labeling a food “non-GMO.”

Whatever your views on GMOs, there is no Constitutional justification for the federal goverment to preempt state laws in this area. There certainly is no justification for Congress to preempt private sector efforts to meet consumer demands for non-GMO foods, while allowing those who support the use of GMOs to do so.

Also, isn’t this Congress supposed to be reducing federal regulatory power, not expanding it?

Unfortunately, most of the opponents of this bill want to impose a mandatory GMO labeling scheme on the nation, instead of leaving this issue to the states and the marketplace.

And also how come, out of the thousands of bills before Congress, the House leadership decides to hold a vote on this one? Is this really one of the most pressing issues facing America? If I  was cynical I might think that this bill is being moved as a favor to the powerful agribusinesses…..

Campaign for Liberty members who believe that Congress should not preempt state labeling laws or give the federal bureaucracy new power over America’s agriculture should call their Representatives and ask them to oppose HR 1559.