The "King Amendment" to this year's Farm Bill must be stopped. If enacted, it would serve to nullify every state, county or local law that creates any standard or condition relating to an agricultural production activity. That means any state law tied to agriculture that relates to worker rights, animal welfare, environmental protection or public health.
The King Amendment overreaches in an unacceptable and very dangerous way. Let the senior members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees know that you oppose the King Amendment by signing this petition, which Care2 will deliver directly to each of them. Act soon -- they're working the Farm Bill in September!
The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
328A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Thad Cochran Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Frank Lucas
Chair, House Committee on Agriculture
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Collin Peterson
Ranking Member, House Committee on Agriculture
2109 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Lucas, Senator Cochran, and Congressman Peterson:
We, the undersigned, are tremendously disappointed that the House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill that includes the dangerous and overreaching "King Amendment." This Farm Bill could repeal dozens of state laws relating to animal welfare -- like farm animal confinement, horse slaughter, puppy mills, and shark finning -- as well as a wide range of other concerns including food safety, child labor and the environment.
The "King Amendment" language is a sweeping attack on the right of states to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens and local businesses. The provisions of the King Amendment are at odds with any rhetoric about the protection of states' rights.
We urge you to help remove the King Amendment from the final Farm Bill and oppose this radical and unnecessary attack on animal welfare and states' rights.
Thank you for your consideration of our request and your attention to our concerns.
