Preserving Idaho`s Farming Heritage

Statement

Fellow Idahoans,

As you might have heard this week, the Department of Labor was preparing to move forward with new regulations so stringent that they could have prevented children of farming families from conducting basic agricultural chores.

In fact, the proposed rules would have also curtailed employment opportunities at "country grain elevators, grain bins, feed lots, stockyards, livestock exchanges and livestock auctions." The regulation could have prevented young people under the age of 18 from participating in the "storing, marketing and transporting of farm product raw materials."

In response to this misguided proposal, I announced this week that I co-sponsored H.R. 4157, or the "Preserving America's Family Farms Act." Sponsored by Congressman Tom Latham (IA-04), this legislation would have stopped the Department of Labor's proposed regulations to put restrictions on young people from conducting farm chores on their families' land.

As our legislation gained traction, we were pleased to discover this press release issued by the Department of Labor last night:

"The decision to withdraw this rule … was made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms. To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration."

While farming families can breathe a collective sigh of relief for now, the Obama Administration's attempt for yet another regulatory overreach is sadly unsurprising. The fact that the Department of Labor--- an agency of unelected bureaucrats--- believed it was well within its scope of authority to tell America's farming families not only how to conduct their businesses, but also how to raise their children.

The preservation of Idaho's rich agricultural heritage is dependent upon teaching our children how to care for our land and our livestock. Attempts by the Obama Administration to change labor laws must be balanced against the needs and traditional practices of farmers, not Washington politics.

It is clear that the Obama Administration is out of touch with the way we do things in America's rural communities. Still, we know that our agricultural industries--- whether it's cattle or wheat--- foster the kind of character that stays with young adults for the rest of their lives.

That's why I will continue to fight to protect Idaho's agricultural industries and preserve our rich farming heritage as I serve you in Congress. I know that farming is a key part of Idaho's history and its future, and together, we can stand strong against an out-of-control federal government whose constant intrusion makes it more difficult for us to simply live our lives.

I invite you to learn more about the Department of Labor's outrageous proposal by clicking here. You can also learn about the "Preserving America's Family Farms Act" by clicking here. As always, I welcome your feedbackon this very important piece of legislation.

Standing with you,

Raúl R. Labrador

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