Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012

Floor Speech

Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the proposed rules issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, regarding tomato product crediting. I believe we must provide our children with healthy meals and ensure they have access to nutritious foods not only for their own well-being, but for the well-being of our Nation.

Given that a significant number of children rely on school lunch programs for meals every day, I am concerned that provisions in the rule regarding tomato paste crediting could have unintended consequences.

Tomato paste contributes dietary fiber, potassium--a nutrient of concern for children--as well as Vitamins A and C. It is delivered to kids in popular school menu items they enjoy eating and drives National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program participation. The proposed rule changes a technical crediting issue, effectively mandating the use of three times as much tomato paste or other tomato product. For example, under the proposed rules, the crediting of tomato paste would be based on the volume served as opposed to ``single-strength reconstituted basis'' as outlined in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs. To achieve one vegetable serving, an estimated three times the current quarter cup volume of tomato product--like tomato paste, tomato sauce, or salsa--would be required. This increased amount is unrealistic for many single foods and combination foods and would make the weekly vegetable serving requirement more difficult for schools to achieve.

Under this rule, a plate of spaghetti with three times the normal amount of sauce becomes more of a soup than a pasta dish, and a slice of whole grain pizza with three times the amount of sauce could be equally excessive. This becomes a problem for schools hoping to feed their students healthy meals that kids like.

The Institute of School Meals report does not recommend a change in the way tomato products are calculated. This change does not bring a nutritional benefit, and it was not called for by schools, nutritionists, or the Institute of Medicine. Constituents in Minnesota have said that this would result in increased volumes of foods consumed, increased costs to schools, and the virtual elimination of many foods served in school lunch, because of altered formulas and proper ratios that no longer allows for proper preparation or consumption.

I am not suggesting that USDA stop action on the rule--but, I believe we must focus on increasing fruits and vegetables rather than decreasing specific foods that provide an important source of essential nutrients. And because of that, I suggest that USDA refrain from changing the current tomato paste crediting levels. We need to make sure that we promote nutritious meals and recognize that the quality of the meals our kids eat in school plays a major role in their health and well-being.

AMENDMENT NO. 810

Mr. President, I also wish to speak on Senator Sessions' amendment No. 810. While I support Senator Sessions' efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the government, I have concerns that this amendment will take food away from children and families with the greatest needs. This amendment prohibits the use of any funds from being used to support categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. Categorical eligibility reduces administrative costs, simplifies enrollment, and helps eligible low-income households receive food assistance. I have heard from a number of groups in my State who stressed the importance of categorical eligibility in giving states the option to enroll beneficiaries in SNAP, and I know how important it is to reach out to citizens that are eligible for benefits.

While I opposed this amendment, I will work in the farm bill to strengthen and improve the program to ensure that taxpayer resources are spent wisely.

AMENDMENT NO. 739

Mr. President, I also wish to discuss amendment No. 739 offered by Senator McCain to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. I share Senator McCain's concern that transportation funds need to be spent carefully to address our most critical infrastructure priorities. However, I voted to table the McCain amendment because I believe it needed to be changed to allow States to continue to maintain existing infrastructure projects. The Minnesota Department of Transportation noted that the McCain amendment could have negatively impacted proposed projects to rehabilitate historic bridges that remain in use today as a critical part of Minnesota's road network. Specifically, bridges in Winona and Oslo, Minnesota may have been impacted and possibly Baudette, Minnesota's project as well. The chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee which has jurisdiction over transportation policy also assured me that no funding in this bill would be used to fund transportation museums.

AMENDMENT NO. 792

Mr. President, I also wish to discuss amendment No. 792 offered by Senator Coburn to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. While I agree with Senator Coburn that Federal dollars should not end up in the hands of property owners that put their tenants at risk, I ultimately could not support this amendment because it could have harmed the very families it sought to help.

Before the vote, I was contacted by several affordable housing groups from my home State of Minnesota asking that I oppose this amendment. They were concerned that because of the way this amendment was drafted it could end up forcing the tenants it sought to protect into worse housing conditions, or even onto the street. By suspending payments to properties identified as deficient, it could also have prevented new owners from taking over deficient properties in order to rehabilitate them as they wouldn't have any way of financing the rehabilitation.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development already has the ability to enforce physical standards by suspending payments, seeking appointment of a receiver, and pursuing civil money penalties. I will continue to insist that they use these tools to develop responsive strategies for every troubled property while putting the safety of the tenants first.

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