'Crackpots And Conspiracy Theorists': Angie Craig Takes Swipe At MAHA Commission

During a House Agriculture Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) spoke about the MAHA Commission.

Transcript

00:00Before we adjourn today, I invite the ranking member to share any closing comments that she might have.

00:06Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.

00:08Throughout this hearing, we've heard about innovations that are primed to come to the market

00:12and help farmers use the tools that are available to them to grow crops more efficiently.

00:18For farmers to continue their progress and for industry to thrive,

00:21we do need a fully staffed Environmental Protection Agency.

00:25For companies to have regulatory certainty and remain viable,

00:29they need to have their products reviewed in a timely manner.

00:33Reducing the number of scientists at the EPA doesn't change the regulatory system.

00:38It just leads to worse customer service and longer wait times.

00:42There's certainly room for reform in our regulatory system,

00:45but those reforms should make the system work better, not worse.

00:49For the past 100 years, we have seen immense progress in food safety and food production efficiency.

00:55These two things can and should go hand in hand.

01:00But the Maha Commission is headed the opposite direction.

01:04They're advocating for change that makes our food supply less safe

01:07and makes it harder for farmers to do their jobs.

01:10I hope that we can keep the information we heard today in mind

01:13and that the testimony of the witnesses will give us the courage to hold the administration accountable

01:19when they begin to degrade our food safety system or undercut our farmers.

01:24None of this is about ideology.

01:27It's about doing the right thing for our farmers.

01:29It's about ensuring government and private sector partnerships

01:33that work together based on sound science.

01:36I think the future remains bright for America's farmers and biotechnology innovation,

01:41so long as we can keep the crackpots and the conspiracy theorists

01:46from hijacking our nation's public health and food policy.

01:49Thank you, and I yield back.

01:51Thank you, and I yield back to you, and I yield back to you, and I yield back to you.