HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 107

BY  HAGER, SWEENEY, KLEIN, PAUSTIAN, PEARSON, MASSIE, SANDS, SODERBERG, COWNIE, GRASSLEY, WORTHAN, MOORE, ARNOLD, HORBACH, VAN ENGELENHOVEN, RASMUSSEN, WINDSCHITL, JORGENSEN, BAUDLER, WATTS, HUSEMAN, LOFGREN, DE BOEF, PETTENGILL, TJEPKES, HELLAND, UPMEYER, MUHLBAUER, ALONS, VANDER LINDEN, BRANDENBURG, LUKAN, HEATON, WITTNEBEN, IVERSON, SHAW, and HEIN

A Resolution opposing proposed federal regulations for agricultural child labor.

   WHEREAS, on September 2, 2011, the United States Department of Labor published new proposed regulations which would severely restrict the ability of youth to engage in agricultural work; and
   WHEREAS, working on a farm has long been a way of life for thousands of youth across rural America; and
   WHEREAS, the proposed regulations will adversely impact the long-standing tradition of youth working on farms to gain valuable skills and lessons in hard work, character, and leadership; and
   WHEREAS, the proposed regulations would be detrimental to the opportunity for youth to find educational, gainful, and hands-on work experience; and
   WHEREAS, all farms depend on the contributions of youth for their successful operation; and
   WHEREAS, the proposed regulations would limit opportunities to recruit young farmers to agriculture at a time when the average age of farmers continues to rise; and
   WHEREAS, a strong, enduring agricultural sector is vital to this country’s long-term economic security; and
   WHEREAS, the proposed regulations demonstrate a profound lack of understanding of agricultural traditions and practices in this country; and
   WHEREAS, the Department of Labor has received significant, compelling, detailed public comment from a wide variety of knowledgeable persons and organizations opposing the proposed regulations; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives urges the United States Department of Labor to withdraw the proposed regulations; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urges President Barack Obama to rescind the proposed regulations if they should become effective; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urges Congress to overturn the proposed regulations if they should become effective; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to forward a copy of this resolution to President Barack Obama; United States Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis; United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; Representative John Boehner, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; Senator Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader; Representative Eric Cantor, House Majority Leader; Senator Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader; Representative Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader; and Iowa’s Congressional delegation.