Press Releases
Chairman Conaway Disappointed with USDA’s Midnight Rule-making
Washington,
December 14, 2016
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of three controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules—one interim final rule and two proposed rules that will be open for a 60-day public comment period.
The release follows a November 15th letter from Leader McCarthy and House Committee Chairmen cautioning the current Administration “against finalizing pending rules or regulations in the Administration’s last days” and warning of Congress’ intent to scrutinize and overturn such actions if necessary. USDA’s actions also run counter to Chairman K. Michael Conaway’s (R-TX) suggestion to Secretary Vilsack in an October 20th letter that all three rules be withdrawn. “I’m disappointed that the generally productive and non-partisan relationship I’ve developed with USDA over the past two years has culminated in a last minute effort to push through a partisan trio of rules—even despite assurances that they would be tabled for more thorough and appropriate consideration by the incoming Administration. It is particularly troubling given Congressional disapproval with the overreach of these costly rules dating back to their original proposal in 2010,” said Chairman Conaway. “I plan to closely review the rules, but stand committed to working with industry, the incoming Secretary of Agriculture, and my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that the livestock and poultry industries remain able to do business without the constraint of unnecessarily burdensome regulations. I will make it a priority to roll back these, and other midnight regulations from the Obama Administration, as soon as Congress returns in January.” |