URGENT Action Alert to Congress—Stop the Monsanto Rider!

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Last week we sent an emergency email to our subscribers about a terrible biotech rider attached to the big must-pass Appropriations bill that would let GMO crops be planted even when a court has ordered a stop. The Senate rejected this provision in the past—but now they may be accepting it as part of some back-room deal that was struck.

Since last week, the Senate has been debating a Continuing Resolution (CR) for the big Appropriations funding bill (H.R. 933). Sen. Tester (D-MT) and three colleagues introduced an amendment to strike the biotech rider. Yesterday the Senate voted (63-35) to end debate on its version of the CR. They narrowly met this margin—60 votes are required to end debate on a bill. And unfortunately, the GMO rider is still in this final version of the bill. The Tester amendment to remove the language was not included in the final agreement to proceed and sadly will not voted on.
Now the Senate will hold an up-or-down vote, possibly as early as today, on whether to pass the CR. This means it’s very likely the CR will be passed with the rider in it. This is the same rider we’ve told you about before—the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.
Sad to say, we were thrown under the bus with this amendment. It was included at the last minute and no senator is willing to take responsibility or be accountable for the amendment. The language came from the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (who has always been our ally on these issues in the past), and we can only guess that this issue was used as a bargaining chip and she got something in return for including the rider. We called the office of Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), who is the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, to find out who is behind the amendment, but they did not comment.
It’s not just that the biotech industry was extraordinarily sneaky to include the rider in this “must pass” funding legislation—the CR is a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown next week and keep agencies operating through September 30, and this includes funding for the Pentagon. It also shows how much power the industry has— Congress is clearly dancing to their tune to allow the CR to be used this way.
Once the CR passes the Senate, it will move to the House and Senate conference committee to resolve any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Since this rider was not in the House version of the bill, there’s a slim possibility the rider will not be in the final duly passed version.
The general consensus on the Hill is that once the Senate acts, the House Appropriations Committee leadership is prepared to take the modified Senate CR directly to the House floor, possibly as early as Thursday. This is why urgent grassroots action is required to ensure that does not happen.
Action Alert! Send your message TODAY to both chambers of Congress, and insist that the GMO language be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system. Please send your message immediately!

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191 comments

  2. It is time to truthfully label and stop the use of potentially dangerous food practices in this country. Stop catering to Monsanto and other agri-giants. Keep our food sources safe and healthy.

  4. Please remove all references to GMO llanguage in the approptiations bill. It will hurt us a great deal, please remove all GMO language in the bill., JL Garcia.

  5. In order to stimulate public e-mail reaction on issues such as the Monsanto GMO exception, ANH-USA should, like many other activist organizations, provide direct electronic software connections to the in boxes of constituents’ congressmen/women.

    1. Hi Don–Thank you for your comment! ANH-USA does utilize such software. To access it, please click the “Take Action” button above the comment box. Best, ANH-USA

  11. Since the rider regarding GMO crops is not an item requiring immediate attention and has nothing at all to do with the purpose of this CR, the amendment should be removed from the bill before passage. It is high time our Concress acts for the benefit of the people, and not for the benefit of corporations such as Monsanto that has a vested interest in the amendment, which, by the way, removes the possibility of the judicial system to do its work in such matters as this. I hope that common sense will prevail and unrelated additions to important bills like this Continuing Resolution will be removed before passage.

  13. I strongly urge you to please do whatever is necessary to remove the GMO language rider from the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.
    The language came from the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Mikulski and we can only guess that this issue was used as a bargaining chip and she got something in return for including the rider.

  14. Monsanto is being sued for the many deaths it caused among India’s farmers.
    What a disgusting company!
    Its operating officers should all be prison!
    They are the farmers’ worst enemies!

  15. I do not want any GMO foods in my diet or the diet of my family. Thus far, I do not know how to avoid them or why Monsanto insists on foisting them on the public. Greed??

  16. Enough is enough!
    I insist that the GMO language be removed from the appropriations bill. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  17. This issue is incredibly important to protect the worlds food supply. The ability to produce vast amounts of food is the reason given for GMO foods. However, the facts indicate it is the ability to produce vast amounts of BAD food. This is what I believe, and right or wrong, I deserve the right to choose.
    George Hubbard

  18. Much of the gastric problems this Country is experiencing can be related to GMOs. The last thing we need at this juncture is a law that gives carte blanche to GMO advocates. Please remove this from your bill or you will be remembered for aiding and abetting the dangerous medical conditions this can cause without any legal recourse. you were elected to protect the people of this Country, not the corporations.

  19. How can this country allow Monsanto the power to overide the courts?
    Monsanto’s biotech rider was sneaked into the Continuing Resolution (CR) for the Appropriations funding bill (H.R. 933).
    This biotech rider, inaptly named, (the Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933) will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement.
    If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant.
    Please see that this rider gets tossed out and is not part of the Continuing Resolution.

  20. Monsanto does not care if it kills us with GMOs. Stop them from making $ and hurting the public.

  22. Please remove GMO language from the proposed bill. Americans do not want genetically modified ingredients and this would take matters to a completely unacceptable level. Americans have the right to know what is in their food and the right to have whole food from pure, NON-GMO seeds.

  23. Stop this Monsanto Rider, their agenda already has people worldwide so sick they are not functioning to capacity. I for one, am tired of the insecticide and pesticide junk sprayed all over every crop and since, Monsanto is not satisfied with the farmer doing it with his/her own equipment of ground level spraying and has mandated air spray, there are more allergens released in the air that are poison to humans. Further, Monsanto, knows that merely washing our foods won’t eliminate the insecticides or the pesticides mandated by them to be sprayed on all crops! It is sprayed on, then when it rains or the crops are irrigated, the poison insecticides/pesticides go into the ground and are then absorbed into the roots of the plants, hence, the whole crop is poisoned. Humans consume far too much poison just by eating. No more GMO’s !!!

    1. If what I say is moderated, it will lose it’s impact and very possibly not read as I wrote it and therefore change the meaning altogether.

  24. Please don’t pass the H.R.933 bill with the rider allowing Monsanto to plant GMO crops, this bill makes it legal to be illegal in regards to the planting of GMO seeds where it has been denied by the legal system already.

  25. When voting is to be done on any given issue , NO RIDERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED !!!!!!

  26. It is a disgrace how the giant Ag business has bought off Congress with their PAC bribers.
    To you in Congress supporting this greedy group, you are no better. You are a disgrace to your office. Ohh ye I know you need votes, that means PACs to buy you air-time. What a true disgrace our political system has become…. all bought off by big business.

  27. We are SICK of your monopoly, trickery. evil agenda to drastically shorten our lives and miserably so with your poisonous pesticides and genetic engineering. We are SICK of you controlling the food we eat by the poor seeding plants that don’t reproduce etc………. trying to control even our gardening practices. We saw the lab rats that were fed on a diet of the garbage that is your produce. This rat was full of HUGE UGLY tumors all over it’s body. I actually felt sorry for a rat. Shame on you, SHAME ON YOU ! If not now your day will come. You will answer to a higher power and what will you say????

  28. Please I am one of the people who insists that the GMO language be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  29. I have a grandson with Autism, please do not approve the GMO language. I feel food containing GMOs will harm my grandson and children that are not even born yet,because their parents are eating these generics.

  30. To the members of Congress: I urge you to remove the rider (Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933) regarding GMO crops from the Continuing Resolution of the Appropriations funding bill (H.R. 933). It has no place in this bill, being simply a ploy to avoid direct debate on the issue.

  31. The biotech industry was extraordinarily sneaky to include the rider in this “must pass” funding legislation. Please remove all the GMO language in this. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  33. I insist that the GMO language be removed from the Appropriations bill. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  34. Monsanto is getting to big and needs to taken down a few notches. If you don’t do it, the American people will and it will not be pretty for Monsanto. So strip this dangerous rider before it is too late, for our sake, our children and grand children sake.

  35. GMOs are dangerous. It is criminal Monsanto has had it’s way with American food supply. GMOs are not allowed in other “civilized” countries. Why here where they hurt everyone, esp. children.

  36. Keep the faith. David had a job to do when it came to Goliath and with a strong will and faith he managed to destroy Monsanto, Dow, and the rest of the gang hellbent on destroying life as we have known! As a child I was with my dad in Pensacola bay floundering late one evening many years ago. I remember walking up on a dead sea cow. As we stood by it I looked up and saw this huge building. The sign read “Monsanto”. I do not know that Monsanto had a thing to do with it’s death but the memory has been with me to this day, 50+ years later. I think of Dow and Monsanto the same way, profit mongers and to hell with the rest .

  38. In good conscience, it would be fundemetally and morally wrong to pass a bill with a rider for “Monsanto”. It would appear they now have the power to overule the judicial system. Since when does a corporation tell the judiciary what to do.? If I understand it is the Judiciary that is the last word on cases such as this.
    The Monanto rider should be removed from the proposed legislation.
    Have both sides of Congress become so utterly corrupt that they are willing to look the other way while its citizens continue to eat genetically grown food. Many countries will not accept this food from the US because it causes harm. Even China won’t take it. Monsanto is a monster company who knowingly use USA citizens for lab rats. It is unconscienable to slip this horrible piece of legislation within a bill that needs to stop the government from shutting down. Whoever thought of this deceit is no doubt in bed with Monsanto. With Obamacare we will need to take very good care of our health before the “crisis” sets in. Let the farmers grow food naturally and rid us of this plague.
    Respectfully Yours,
    Rena DiFiore

  39. Dear Congress
    It is disgusting that special interests have the ability to get controversial laws passed “under the table” by attaching them to necessary legislation.
    I am shocked that GMO approval got inserted in the bill to fund the government.
    GMO agriculture can be dangerous to the planet, and we need be able to control it. I understand that this addition removes the ability to regulate the ability to legally do so.
    Perhaps you could make a law that ALL the items in any bill are only related to the main subject of that bill!! These riders need to be eliminated!
    Respectfully, Ms Shirley Styles

  40. please look into the crash of the monarch butterfly populations due to the glyphosate and GMO corn and soybeans planted edge to edge and elimimation of milkweed, their requisite food. Monsanto cannot be allowed to drive this beautiful creature into extinction!

  41. I want GMO to stop dispersing the poison throughout our food that is poisoning us. Or is this how it works, that what ever Company pays the most money to buy votes is the one that gets passed by Congress or the Senate. From what I have been reading this is the norm for this Government. I find this to be deplorable. And this gov. expect us to believe them. I don’t think so, not any more. They have lost the respect of the American people. So that leaves us to take up matters of the Republic to the ones to believe in our way –That is the way of the Constitution. Since our Gov. doesn’t seem to be following that path. More to the Socialist propaganda of Obama.

  42. Please! What kind of uprising do we have to have to convince Congress that most Americans do not want to consume GMO foods and that we do not want GMO crops tainting our other crops? This seems to be a continual battle. PLEASE REMOVE THE BIOTECH RIDER attached to Appropriations bill, HB 33. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally. If our House and Senate members are so uninformed about the multitudinous negative consequences of this kind of legislation, or only listening to industry’s persuasion, then much more educating about the implications of such a dangerous ploy needs to take place.. THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PLACE IN AN APPROPRIATIONS BILL IN THE FIRST PLACE. IN THE NAME OF INTEGRITY, PLEASE REMOVE THIS RIDER!

  43. Why does government entertain these criminals who are trying to poison us? Europe won’t allow them in, Stop Monsanto and their GMO tactics now.

  44. Hello Congress People…I urge you to delete this rider that Monsanto is attempting to slip by unnoticed. They utilize this underhanded approach at every opportunity to maintain/achieve their desire to control the world’s food supply through their gmo seed bully technique.
    They are despicable!

  45. I believe that present GMO technology posses a massive danger to humanity and the entire ecosystem of our Earth. I demand that the U.S. Congress remove the Biotech rider from the appropriations bill.

  46. The Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of Senate Appropriation Bill H. R. 933 would strip vital protections of our food supply from this bill. This GMO language is totally inappropriate in a must – pass appropriations bill and is an underhanded attempt to bypass the protections of our judicial system by the biotech industry. This GMO language must be removed to protect the rights and safety of American citizens. Thank you.

  47. Please don’t allow this bio-tech rider to prevail. It was sneaky and immoral. It is taking advantage of the system to get around the wishes of the American consumer. These GMO crops are why farmers markets selling organic produce are cropping up (get it?) all over the country.
    Thank you doing the right thing in standing up to Monsanto and other greedy companies who care about nothing but profits.

  48. Please do not allow big industry to sacrifice the health of our fellow human beings. Do not allow GMO plants to be planted.
    Thank you.
    Dianne Paolo

  49. I am so weary of the games and trickery. Why do we have to constantly be on the alert for these types of things? We the people will find a way, God help us, to get men and women in there who really care about doing the right thing. Please stop the GMOs at every turn. How can you continue to let them tamper with our basic foods? Stop the madness!

  50. Consider how much weaker congress becomes when corporate enterprises start to control them rather than the attention from their voters, the people who hire them, pay their salary,and keep them in a good paying job……….I would show alligence to my employer(S) before I would sell myself short by giving (corporate) the eventual power to tell me how to do my job!

  51. Please vote to remove the GM rider to HR 933. GM foods are a danger to our population and this rider would make a mockery of our court system. In good conscience you must not allow this rider to be approved. Thank you

  52. Our country hardly has a worse enemy than Monsanto. They conspire to end the natural growth of our food and the feed for the animals.

  54. Don’t let the genetically modified plant breeders have their way with a rider in the appropriations bill.
    Take action to remove the rider.

  56. It is for reasons like this GMO “pemission” maneuver that Congress has a 9% approval rating. Wake up people! Your Congress critters can’t enjoy being the object of collective contempt! Acting honorably can begin to build trust again. Right now, no one can trust Congress!

  57. Please remove the GMO language from the appropriations bill. It has no place there and is another huge power grab by the enormously wealthy and influential biotech industry. The fact that this rider even exists shows how powerful this industry is. They are using their influence to ride roughshod over the rights of the people of the United States. I ask you to do your jobs to represent us and not pander to special interests.

  58. This rider could not stand on its own, so they had to attach it to a “must pass” appropriations bill.
    More cowardice, more “business as usual” in Washington. This rider must be defeated. Please participate in its defeat. Thank you.

  59. Please strike section 735 of H.R. 933. No action to allow progress on any project without a full E.I.S. being completed should be allowed.
    Thank you.

  62. Monsanto has already caused thousands of suicides, among poor cotton farmers in East India, after they sold them Monsanto cotton seeds (at four times the original price), once they had bought-up and closed all the other competing seed companies.

  64. NO Monsanto rider! No Monsanto seeds! No Monsanto pesticides! No GMO Monsanto products period!

  65. Please do not include the GMO Rider in the must have appropriations bill. It has no business in that bill & has no business in any bill. Thanks Byron Potter

  66. Thank you for staying on top of this.
    I think we need a protocol that makes each law its own topic to prevent this kind of abuse.
    We also could use a law that states that all congressmen and senators must comply with the same health care system, retirement system (social security vs privately funded system), criminal and civil laws as they pass for the rest of us American citizens.

  67. Dear Congressional Senators and Representatives of Massachusetts,
    As a Massachusetts citizen, I am appalled to learn that the March 18 version of the Continuing Resolution forwarded by the Senate for an up-or-down STILL contains a dangerous biotech rider that gives unprecedented and unlawful power for GMO plantings…even when a court has ordered them to be stopped.
    This Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 35 ) of H.R. 33 will strip Federal Courts of the ability to halt the sale and potential planting of GMO crops while the USDA is performing so-called “impact statements” (a.k.a.:open-ended stall tactics).
    Such a reckless provision must be removed from the bill before its passage; it has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill. Biotech’s duplicitous maneuver to undermine citizen protections in our legal system must be stopped by you, who represent us.
    Please do the ethical and responsible thing: remove this biotech provision from the CR. Thank you.

  68. GMO’s are dangerous and will affect the long term health of all of us. This is a huge mistake. Please remove the GMO language from this must pass bill.

  69. This is unacceptable, underhanded, and undemocratic, we are watching you and will use boycott and not buy GMO anything!!! What you fail to realize is that the consumer’s money will win and you will lose it’s that simple. We will not buy GMO when are you going to stop this nonsense!!!

  71. We look to you from Canada. Please retain your stop of planting GMO crops. Do not allow GMO crops! Please have the courage to stand up and vote for the health of your people, and positive crops that will feed them.
    Thank you,
    Caren Grabinsky
    Burnaby, B.C. Canada

  73. Please DO NOT pass the CR with the GMO language as presently included. We must put a stop to this unconscionable effort to push GMOs on the people against our will. It should not be allowed at all, but if it is we should be advised when it is being used. I understand this will be allowed even if ordered by a court to stop. If you allow this to go through as is, I will certainly remember your vote at the next election.
    Beverly Portlock

  74. With recent studies implicating GMO’s in our food supply
    contributing to DNA mutations that are in part
    responsible for the current cancer epidemic
    in animals and humans, how can you turn a blind
    eye to the blatant disregard for public health,
    by including this Biotech rider in the appropriations
    Bill?

  75. do you not get your food from the same sources as the rest of us?? Do you want your children and grandchildren eating chemicals?? I do not understand the thinking of our government anymore. It is as if they live in a different world than the rest of us and what they do to our world is of no consequences to them.

  76. I AM totally opposed to any & all attempts at passing anything to do with Frankenfoods or seeds.

  77. GMOs are potentially harmful, cause disease and CELL MUTATION and need to be REGULATED for the poisons they are!!!! The US is one of the least healthy nations on earth, and our food supply has a LOT to do with that. GMOs need to be taken OFF the market, and given severe testing before they are allowed anywhere near humans, OR the animals we eat. The FDA has grossly failed in its mission to safeguard our food supply.
    As a tax-paying citizen of these United States, I demand that the FDA does its job and protects U.S. citizens from TOXIC and HAZARDOUS food.

  78. There is no reason for rush such important matter unless there is a hidden fact that requires a closed door deal which is against fairness and faithfulness in democracy.

  79. Randy Hultgren, are you still proud of this bill? Do you still support it?
    Can you explain how this rider is a good thing for the American people?

  80. Please do everything possible to stop Monsanto and their GMO takeover of America’s food supply.

  81. Shame on you.
    I thought you were elected to look out for the good of the people who elected you
    not the BIG corporations. How could this bill possibily be for the good of the people. It is not, it is merely looking out for your next election pocketbook which seems to be cowtowing to Monsanto and other such corporations.
    We will keep this in mind when it comes to the next election.

  84. Stop the rider: the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.
    Power corrupts. You must protect the people. STOP the rider. I care. Stop it.

  85. Those who fail to see the importance of keeping biotech from ravaging our food supply will be infamous before the future generations of their families.

  86. Stop the shenanigans. Stop caving in to the big corporate food giants. Represent your constituants and stop playing hide and seek. Remove the biotech rider to the appropriations bill and focus on one issue or another. Do not hold the country’s budget hostage to the biotech giants.

  87. Please prevent the furthering of human experimentation on our populace. Stop GMO products!

  88. Dear Senators,
    There is enough evidence to suggest that GMO foods/seeds/pollen are harmful to the environment.
    I sincerely hope that you will reject the GMO rider attached to H.R. 933.
    Politics should serve the health of the nation and the environment.
    Thank-you for you time.

  89. Please strike any “rider” from current legislation that will permit the use of GMO crops while EIR and other use studies are being completed. These crops are potentially life threatening for important species that our crucial for plant propogation, such as bees and birds. In addition, these crops may not be as healthy and disease free as their creators (Monsanto for one) would like us to think. We cannot afford to foolishly tamper with the very basics of food sources for our citizens.

  90. I urge all Congressmen and Senators to remove the biotech rider attached to the Appropriations bill, which does away with judicial safeguards against potentially harmful GMOs. This rider has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and is a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.
    Sincerely,
    Cherie Zaslawsky

  91. Please remove the GMO rider from the must-pass appropriations bill (H.R. 933). The safety of GMOs has not been adequately tested. Please help keep our food pure and healthy by looking out for people, not just agribusiness.

  92. This is another monstrous example of how our nation has been bought by corporations as a result of the Supreme Court’s repeated assertion that they are persons. We want our country back.

  93. Please stop all GMO riders that give the big bio companys ,Monsanto,Bayer,etc,the right to play with the natural biological properties of foods,and crops..Nature does it best and right..All people are doing is hurting themselves,even if they don’t know it or believe it..Drugs are bad enough,which is why i rarely take one..I expect my food to be safe and natural..I eat very little refined food,less than 3%.. I also rarely get sick,and see the doc 1-2 times a decade if an infection needs an antibiotic to stop it..I also stopped eating corn,soy and most wheat because it is not natural,or my body tells me it doesn’t like it..Do as europe is doing,and give all persons the information to make their own decisions about the quality of food they want to eat..Keep america free and stop the capitalist dictators that only count dollars in their accounts..Dr’s Blaylock,Brownstien,Mercola,Bruce West,etc. know the truth as do hundreds of docs that practice holistic medicine..They are my docs of choice..Please keep the playing field level..

  95. that would let GMO crops be planted even when a court has ordered a stop. The Senate rejected this provision in the past—but now they may be accepting it as part of some back-room deal that was struck.

  96. Please strike the GMO CR rider stop gap rider on the Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933 do someting positive for once. Thank you.
    Frank Hawes [email protected]

  100. I insist that the GMO language be removed from the Appropriations funding bill (H.R. 933). It is a blantant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.
    Our right to a natural food supply, free from harmful alterations is of urgent importance. Altered foods, such wheat, has already caused problems to my health.
    Stop allowing the biotech industry from finding ways to dump poisons in our food supply.
    We need someone to use common sense, and listen to us.

  101. This rider must not be included in the must pass bill.The Gmo biotechnology is dangerous to the earth and future soil and farmimg.It is completly wrong and out of place in this bill.How did it get there?

  102. Folks, I’m in total agreement with you about stopping congress from proceeding with this provision. I believe that your message will be more effective if you remove some of the editorial descriptive language, like the quoted section below:
    that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of “illegal, potentially hazardous” genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement.
    Making inflammatory statements like those doesn’t serve a value, except to hopefully incite your readers to make those same inflammatory statements to their representative or senator in congress. If I was a representative or senator, reading inflammatory emails would only encourage me to disregard the writer as an extremist.
    I think you would deliver more powerful messages by toning down the accusatory way that you are delivering your message.
    Here is a message I just delivered to my representative:
    I am writing to ask that you work to remove the language in (Section 735) of H.R. 933 that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. Regardless of whether we believe that GMO crops are beneficial or not, the provision of this Section intentionally interferes with our court system being able to function as it was intended. This is a dangerous precedent for congress to pass laws that are forbidden to have judicial review. I am asking that you work diligently to remove this provision from H.R 933.
    Nothing inflammatory there, but I made my point.
    Best wishes with this project.
    rjh

  103. Please stop Monsanto from destroying the health of the citizens of this great country and other countries.

  104. I don’t know why people in America continue to believe that their “representatives” are going to do anything to protect their personal lifestyles. The politicians in D.C. don’t give a hoot about anyone but themselves, and they are all bribed under the table to vote yes or no. Who is kidding who here? Why aren’t the American people getting out in the streets by the millions and protest about what is being done to them? Whatever happened to the spirit of my generation (the 60s generation) or the spirit of their children – to march, to protest, to not be afraid? Everyone has shut down their senses. They are blind, deaf, and dumb. It’s so pathetic. I’d like to get out and tell people what I think, scream it out, but I’m afraid of being shot or arrested and locked up! Who gave THEM the right to tell me what I have to eat? How to take care of my own health without their nasty killing drugs? Help! People. These petitions online do nothing. Start a protest. Take Action that can be seen – not through the wires online.

  105. Why do I believe that these criminal elements WILL get their way no matter what, sooner or later? Just the fact that no one will claim it as their own amendment is an in-our-face admission that they know how WRONG this policy will be. When you are committing the crime of poisoning the food supply, you don’t advertise it!! What I CAN’T answer is, how I keep from having a sky high blood pressure stroke.

  106. How could anybody be so reckless when it comes to their own survival ! When you tamper with the intricate yet tenuous fabric of nature in such a way you are heading straight for a nightmare scenario in which GMO’s destroy the crops and all other living organism ,the very sustenance we depend on for survival.We are heading fast for a “happy soylent green” meal if we do not stop this unprecedented madness .Genetic modification by humankind is evil and must be outlawed before it is too late.

  108. Please remove the GMO language from the appropriations bill. This too important an issue to have it included here without proper consideration as an independent issue. Thank you.

  109. I insist that the GMO language be completely removed from the Appropriations funding bill, HR 933, specifically the Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735).
    Thank you,

  111. Strike the “Monsanto Rider” (section 735 from the appropriations bill). This corporate welfare earmark is simply a biotech industry ploy to continue to plant GE crops even when a court of law has found that they were approved illegally. This provision unnecessarily interferes with the U.S. judicail review process and could be unconstitutional. It is also completely unnecessary and serves only to offer “assurance” to biotech companies like Monsanto, not farmers.

  113. In the name of all that’s holy, let’s unite to keep Monsanto’s encroachment out of our kitchens and our bodies.

  114. Stop getting sucked in by the businesses that add such terrible riders like the biotech one. Get rid
    of the GMO language and treat the citizens like we want instead of what your lobbyists want.

  115. Do what the public wants and remove the GMO language from the rider and don’t add such items
    just because some business wants it.

  116. Please get rid of the GMO language and remove the rider that contains it.

  118. Monsanto should be refused operating licenses or whatever that allows them to do business. As far as I can tell Monsanto has no ethics and should not be allowed to operate or be in business in any way, at any time, or place or for any reason.

  119. GMO foods have sullied far too much of our planet’s surface already.
    Poor science and badly implemented protections have brought us to incredible reports of out of control legal actions against farmers, serious food reactions , revolving door corruption and a an entire population serving as guinea pigs.
    As a Canadian I am outraged for the American people for the sheer gall of these corporations to patent life and hide behind legalities while they kill the planet. This must be about much more than just money, it’s too evil.
    I pity any politician stupid enough to consider this rider a rational option, for their careers will surely implode.
    Whither common sense?

  120. We absolutely are against the GMO’s and Monsanto’s elite and tyrannical actions and words. We will fight for our rights to have clean healthy good food that nourishes and sustains human beings and all other sentient beings. Please remove all GMO language from this ‘must pass’ legislation. We will be watching your actions

  121. I urge you to remove the GMO language be removed from the biotech rider currently before the Senate.

  124. The so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933— will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.
    It’s not just that the biotech industry was extraordinarily sneaky to include the rider in this “must pass” funding legislation—the CR is a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown next week and keep agencies operating through September 30, and this includes funding for the Pentagon. It also shows how much power the industry has— Congress is clearly dancing to their tune to allow the CR to be used this way.
    Don’t you realize that you will be eating GMO foods too? STOP the nonsense!

  125. Please don’t let GMO crops be planted even when a court has ordered a stop. I insist that the GMO language be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  126. Please do not include this biotech rider to the appropriations bill. Thank you.

  128. How many crooked ways can you do harm? We are not stupid and ill-informed so stop treating us like we are. Do the peoples job and stop this GMO crap. These tactics are despicable.

  129. I repeat:
    This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.
    I adamantly oppose this rider. Thank you.

  130. This is insane. Do not pass this as it is written now. We ars tired of big business controlling Congress especially when it is to the detriment of Americans health. Something has got to stop or we need to fire all if you and start over with people who ars supposed to be representing OUR voice not special interest groups!

  134. Dear Congressional members,
    GMO language must be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill. Inclusion of this GMO language is a blatant, underhanded maneuver by the biotech industry to thrwart the protections of our legal systme. Please do the right thing by removing GMO Language.
    Thank you.

  135. Please overthrow the GMO rider in the resolution funding bill H.R.933. We do not want potintioally hazardous GMO crops planted until the USDA has a chance to perform the environmental impact statement. These GMO crops are dangerous and the only ones who want them are the biotech companies that make huge profits from ramming them down our throats against our will. This bill must be passed only when the language allowing GMO crops is removed!
    Thank you

  136. Do not pass the Continuing Resolution. It is bad for business, bad for the economy and last but not least, bad for human consumption for the American people and the rest of the world. Do not let this bill sneak in. Remember, your number one concern should be the American People. We are counting on you.

  137. Please do not pass HR 933! It contains a toxic provision the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement.
    This toxic provision is designed to benefit Monsanto at the expense of everyone and everything else!.

  138. Please remove the GMO language in the Appropriations Bill HR 933. It is a maneuver by biotech industries to sidestep the protections of the legal system.
    We, your constituents, need time to further research and verify that genetically engineered products are either safe or dangerous and should be removed from food consumption. We need time because our government so far has been derelict in providing such independent research. If funding is needed, such is available from Oil and Gas subsidies.

  139. The GMO language that has no place in a must- pass appropriations bill must be removed! It’s a blatant underhand maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system! Please do your research & take care of this serious matter ASAP!
    Thank You,
    Mrs. Amy Dumas

  141. We oppose dangerous GMO crops. The large agricultural conglomerates are accountable to laws as are any other entity. Hold them accountable to he laws that have already been passed and prevent them from using their money to sidestep this accountability.

  142. I am very concerned that the GMO rider (which no one seems to even want to take credit for) is still in the Bill HR 933 and should be eliminated before the Senate passes the appropriations bill..

  143. I live in the nursery capital of the world in Tennessee at the present time. Please do not allow GMO to destroy our crops, soil and the food supply for future generations causing worldwide famine and the soil to be further desecrated. This past year in Tennessee has been devastated by drought and I watched hundreds of acres of corn and soy beans die in the fields around my home causing a rise in feed that affects my feeding of the animals domestic and wild. We must preserve and protect the seeds in their natural state as they were created to be as close to their origin is my opinion being of elder age. In my youth I worked at Cal Poly State University in California and have seen the changes through time in the agricultural methodology. Having retired from EPA, Conservation and Natural Resources I am aware of how our soils, air, and water are contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, industrial waste etc., etc., etc. All this is getting into groundwater and fear the health of our nation may be in great peril if we do not become accountable with so many of the issues of pure water and food. We are having struggles with just the earth changes creating many challenges as well and famine is evident as we can realize in many parts of the world as history repeating itself like the history of Biblical times. With all our knowledge, wealth, technology have we stopped famine worldwide with all the resources of the earth that people should perish during this time for the lack of food and water? How sad is this that the evolution of over 2000 years we have not resolved these problems for the good of all people that the pangs of hunger and death of hunger lingers in much in the world today. I do not believe GMO seeds are the answer and I question will this technology having the strength through its evolution to produce prolonged viability of food for humans as the thousands of years have with original seeds that were created. Genetically engineered food does not appear to reproduce its seed over as sustained period of time . I believe this practice with take harmony and balance out of the original creation of seed and nature itself which we have depended on for all time through the generations. Sick soil creates sick food, lacking nutrition and sick food creates sick people and it should be evident that our health system is broken in this country because of failing health of a nation and not affordable any longer by our society. We are failing to be a strong and…

  144. I am a native born Ameerican who is curectly residing in Greece. I have had several serious operations here. I followed the doctors directions, took antibiotics when I needed them, but when I was well I went back natural medications and have thrived. l

  146. To our elected officials:
    Please remove the GMO rider to the Appropriations bill.
    For the health of our nation, you must consistently do the right thing, and never use the lure of
    big deals and promises to compromise the current and future health prognosis of our nation.
    Thank you,
    Cynthis Cieplik

  148. Crooked politicians! If you can’t get a bill passed on it’s on merit don’t hide it behind another important bill like a coward. You slackers that do this are all cowards! Get the h*** out of my government! ALL of you!

  149. Allowing GMO foods is a Sin to the people. Please do not allow these foods, or at least clearly marl them so we can make smart knowledgable choices.

  152. I demand that GMO products such as Monsanto corn be banned from forcing their way into a monopoly on consumers. I also demand that ALL products using genetically modified seeds or plants be labeled so that consumers can choose whether to buy them or not.
    Antonia Chattin

  153. Remove the GMO language in this appropriations bill! Do not undermine the protection of people by allowing the biotech industry to bypass the federal court system——this is the most evil of actions our Congress would support if this passed!

  156. Monsanto has been polluting America and the Earth since it’s inception almost 100 years ago..DDT, Agent Orange, (Dioxin), GMO’s are only a few of their destructive practises, solely for greed and avarice. They pollute our food, the air we breathe, the Earth atmosphere.. They are like another Fukushima to our only home.. beleaguered Planet Earth. Whatever can be done to stop their evil practises must be done.. not only for our sake, but for the sake of our children and the generations to come!

  157. If you have not seen the movie FOOD INC ~ go see it. You will be very enlightened about Monsanto ~ I was ~ am so angry and upset. It’s unbelievable what these companies get away with.

  158. We all know that attaching riders to legislation is a common practice that was intended to make the process of legislating more efficient. It was never intended to be an end around for the benefit of special interests especially against the will of a clear majority of citizens. However, to use this procedure to create a permanent bypass of an entire branch of our government and thereby give an uncheckable advantage for one particular industry is especially egregious. If one were to vote for such an attachment that fundamentally alters the constitutionally created checks and balances and separations of government and private industry, why isn’t that an act of treason?

  159. I do not believe anything should be inserted in any bill, except the wording of the bill itself.

  161. I plead with you now not to let the use of GMO’s to continue. Stop and cosider what really going on here. Big money just keeps pushing on despite what’s best for the planet and it’s inhabitants.

  163. Predictions of our government “driving” us into socialism and then communism is becoming a reality for this country. There are precious few government leaders who truly represent the people of this nation.
    This genetic-driven rider to enforce GMO planted crops is another fine example of deceit and treachery within our governing bodies. In their reasoning they intend to undermind more and more the freedoms and justices for the people of this nation. When the governing bodies in Washington undermine or disregard the judgments of lower courts, they are destroying the root system on which this country stands for justice and representation of the people.
    I appeal to you to do the “right” thing and vote as representing the people. Vote NO to this hidden rider on the CR amendment regarding the planting of GMOs.
    Thank you.

  165. Please remove the Monsanto rider (Farmer Assurance Rider) Section 735, of H. Bill 933. I dont want to b forced to eat genetically modified foods, and I wannt to know what foods are genetically modified through proper labling of these foods. Please vote to remove this rider Thank you. Chris Henderson

  166. the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally.

  167. Your immediate attention and action are needed. There is a terrible biotech rider attached to the big must-pass Appropriations bill that would let GMO crops be planted even when a court has ordered a stop.This is the the so-called Farmer Assurance Provision (Section 735) of H.R. 933—that will strip federal courts of the authority to halt the sale and planting of illegal, potentially hazardous genetically modified/engineered crops while USDA is performing an environmental impact statement. If this provision becomes law, it will be a huge blow to the justice system, completely overriding judicial safeguards that protect both farmers and the public, and rendering judges’ rulings irrelevant. This biotech-driven rider is simply an industry ploy to continue to plant GMO crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally. Please insure that this rider is removed before it is too late.

  168. Please insist that the GMO language be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  169. Do not pass this bill with the rider attached about the Farmers Assurance Provision. We do not want ANY GMO’s for any reason to be used in the production of our foods!!! None at all!! Keep them from being planted, used or eaten by anyone!

  170. Please insist that the GMO rider be removed from the appropriations bill.
    Thank you,
    E Jeanne Cannon

  171. Please stop all of this power and money ploys that interfere with our farmers rights and our rights to a healthy life. Lets get back to letting farmers and the people the choice of how they want to live. Please remember BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE.. If this all continues our country will be destroyed for the rights of people who are only interested in the money and not the rights of the GREATEST country in the world, our fredoms are being run over. Thank You do not pass this bill.

  172. Section 735 of H.R.933 is the path to nowhere. Senators Mikulski and Shelby seem unable to communicate who thought this should be added into the appropriations bill. This section removes our judiciary from oversight, it clearly is not representative of the populace, and it will help only one corporation…..Monsanto. I truly wish this corporation’s leadership would assert its leadership into meaningful, healthier goals. Just imagine what good would come when the reins are trained to the best sustainable science. Just imagine the jobs that could be created with this company’s leadership, – now that’s impact, that’s economics, that’s fiscal responsibility. Section 735 of H.R. 933 lacks any benefit to consumers.

  173. Anyone who has not seen this documentary should do so! Pass it forward!
    ‘Seeds of Death’ by GaryNull.com

    1. You have to write your reps. Making statements here does no good in fighting the GMO issue.

  175. I cannot get through the Captcha on Jeff Sessions website. I am putting in the correct “puzzle” as they call it but it continues to give me a new one saying the previous one was incorrect. Either there is a glitch or they do not want any descent.

  176. I’m truly concerned for the health of people and our planet! Enough is enough!!
    I insist that the GMO language be removed. It has no place in a must-pass appropriations bill, and it’s a blatant, underhanded maneuver by biotech industry to thwart the protections of our legal system.

  177. Monsanto and GMO’s are everyone’s problem. Why are you only allowing Americans to sign this? You’d think you’d want all the help you can get; to prevent this evil from spreading worldwide. Open it to other countries!

  178. I worry for my grandchildren. The greed of Monsanto is overwhelming. Has it really come to this – that those powers that be can’t see past the money to understand how this is affecting their health, too??

  179. Clear the world from this terrible company…Monsanto kills us…period!
    It is NOT allowed to take the MONOPOLY in our FOOD INDUSTRY

  181. what had happened to good human caring and decency. I supposed, it died a long time ago and made way for greed, excessive desire for wealth, and uncaring. “YOU ARE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER”. Is that true or false? MONSANTO needs to stop creating those genetic freaks. Since when a 17 year old needs psychotic drugs to function because of Bipolar disorder or prozac for depression and the list goes on , those aren’t pretty words; this is every day life.Does he not realize what is he doing to the human population? Does he have children and does he feed them the garbage he wants to fed us? as I’ve been saying the madness has and needs to stop.

  182. Since our laws are being written by the criminals themselves, it is time to take up more direct action. Find out the individuals who are planting these GMO crops. Inform them relentlessly about the dangers. Protest to draw attention; use graphic images of tumors and other illnesses since pictures are worth a 1000 words. We need an onslaught of marches and rallies. An informational uprising to sway public opinion is necessary since Monsanto has captured control of the legal system. I wouldn’t be surprised if some take to actually torching GMO crops or releasing pests on them since the legislative avenues have proven equivalent to pleading with a criminal to please don’t steal my wallet or please don’t shoot me.
    And it is definitely time to grow your own food from heirloom seeds. There’s lots of great resources on the net on how to grow your own food. One guy with decades of experience is Andy Lopez, of “Don’t Panic It’s Organic” fame. He strongly recommends rock dust to supply missing minerals: http://www.invisiblegardener.com/rockdust/default.htm
    You can find his radio show archives here http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=44325&cmd=tc and in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-panic-its-organic!/id268872718).

  183. I would have liked to have signed this but there is no option for Canadians. As a Canadian, I believe that what happens in the USA will also affect us. I would like to know whether or not I am consuming GMO’s.

  184. Please vote to remove the biotech rider attached to bill H.R. 933 that would allow GMO crops to be planted even though a court has ordered a stop. As a representative of the people, do the right thing. Stop biotech companies from poisoning us, future generations and our environment.
    Thank you.

  185. I hate greedy GE companies overriding wholesome food with their own sick-causing, sterilizing, mutilated gene foods. What is it about “no” that is not understood? Do you really want sterile grandkids? (That is, if they survive the tumors on the pancreas, stomachs, livers and kidneys before reaching child-bearing age.) Do you deliberately want to poison us? If so, is it because of global warming and you want to depopulate us? If this is not your idea of a good time, then you need to educate yourselves on the dangers of GE foods. Why do you hide your position, those of you who voted for this Biotech Rider” (Sec. 735)? Once I find out who you are, who voted for this despicable assault on our foods and farmers, I promise you, you will “never” get my vote!

  186. I have seen little children born with Autism, ADD, and much more through the decades. These things were once rare. We are being poisoined every second we eat, breathe, shower, drink, in the nation. These poisons will not touch the elite families, Corporations, Banksters, and double tounged politicians in the House and Congress. They are a den of vipers that could care less about your safety or health. The love of money is the root of all evil and they prove this statement. Ban Lobbiest from both houses of liars. Bills are passed daily without being read. It would be impossible to read thousands of pages. Deliberately designed in this manner to sneak though all the pork and deliberate priviledges for the Corporations who fill the Congressmens bank accounts to get elected in the future. Take the money out of politics and voting. We could do much better by just picking a Congress from the citizens by lottery. It would be much more honest.

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