Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Chair, I rise today because American farmers, grain handlers and exporters, as well as their customers around the world, depend on accurate, timely and cost-effective delivery of mandated impartial third-party Official inspection and weighing services administered by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and its designated and delegated agencies. It is essential that the U.S. Official grain inspection and weighing system be recognized widely around the world for its impartial, consistent, reliable and timely measurement and certification of quality attributes and weights. The availability of accurate FGIS inspection results is also important to enable buyers and sellers to determine grain value and to facilitate market price discovery. Further, Official export inspections provide transparency and market information to the entire value chain that contribute to an efficient marketplace, while supporting food security and sustainable supplies.

I share the concerns of many of my colleagues about language included in the committee report by the Majority for H.R. 3055 that puts Congress in the middle of an ongoing labor dispute, even going so far as to urge that USDA not require its grain inspectors to cross a picket line. This language is extremely troubling, and Congress should not be including it in any final committee report for the Agriculture Appropriations bill. Thankfully, the Minority was able to include its concerns about the situation which I would like to include in the Record:

``In addition to overall funding concerns, Republican Members of the Committee were disappointed by several policy provisions. Some of the provisions encourage violation of federal law or Congressional intent, at a minimum. For example, the Majority included language under the heading of the Office of the Secretary relating to Grain Export Inspection. The language ``strongly discourages USDA from requiring its grain inspectors to cross a picket line''. Such language is irresponsible when the Grain Inspections Act clearly obligates inspectors to conduct inspections unless the Secretary were to waive the requirement for safety reasons. Using USDA inspectors in a labor dispute and interfering with the export sales of U.S. product during an already turbulent international trade environment is completely unnecessary.''

Our producers, grain handlers, and the agricultural value chain as a whole has worked tirelessly to grow market share around the world and Congress should refrain from instructing USDA not to perform important services that are statutorily obligated under the Grain Standards Act.

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