(July 24, 2015) -- As seen LIVE on LBREPORT.com, the House of Representatives voted 275-150 on July 23 to approve and send to the Senate HR 1599 which would block (preempt) state laws requiring mandatory labeling of foods made with genetically engineered crops. Local Congressmembers Alan Lowenthal (D, LB-west OC), Janice Hahn (D, Harbor-LA) and Linda Sanchez (D, Lakewood) all voted "no" and Dana Rohrabacher (R, OC) voted "yes." The full list of "yays" and "nays" on final passage is at this link.The bill, named the "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act" by its supporters and the "Deny Americans the Right to Know" or DARK Act by opponents, was approved with "yes" votes by 230 Repubs joined by 45 Dems; 12 Repubs joined 138 Dems in voting "no." Prior to final passage, the House voted on and rejected a series of amendments by Dems:
- An amendment (DeFazio, D, OR) that would have made US labeling consistent with the EU and other countries that currently require GMO fisclosure failed 123-303...with Congressmembers Lowenthal, Hahn and Sanchez voting "yes."
- An amendment (by DeLauro, D, CT) that would have made it clear that foods labeled "natural" can't contain genetically modified mat>erial failed 163-262...with Lowenthal, Hahn, Sanchez AND Rohrabacher voting "yes." (Rohrabacher was one of only 10 Repubs to vote "yes" on this amendment.)
