On July 14^th, Congress sent the bi-partisan genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling bill (Senate Bill 764) to the White House with full expectation of executive support. The bill passed the House, 306-117 with no amendments from the Senate version. A few voices on either side are holding out hope for a presidential veto.

Pro-labeling supporters oppose the federal preemption of state laws and protest the bill’s vagueness. Voluntary-labeling supporters reject the notion of a federal mandate taking away the ability of markets to be driven by consumer choice and oppose labeling GMOs as unscientific and fear-based. However, agricultural parties including the American Farm Bureau and the National Grocers Association are pleased with the success of the bill, fearing the alternative is even worse.

When the House’s 2015 Safe and Affordable Food Act failed many in the agriculture industry realized voluntary labeling was unlikely. Agriculture groups quickly rallied to support the Senate Bill 764 to preempt a patchwork of state GMO legislation. The president is expected to sign the bill.

A previous GMO labeling blog was published on last week.