WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has invited U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to Kansas so she can personally see how proposed rules by the Department of Labor threaten the future of family farms. If implemented, the rules will impose overly-burdensome restrictions on many common farm activities of youth on farms or ranches not directly owned by their parents. These changes will fundamentally alter the rural way of life and disrupt agriculture practices across the country.

“I’d like to personally show you the practical effects these regulations will have on our treasured way of life.” Sen. Moran stated in his invitation to Sec. Solis. “I believe it is critically important for you to see first-hand the far-reaching impact these rules will have on American agriculture. In the words of one of Kansas’ favorite sons, Dwight D. Eisenhower, ‘Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.’”

In addition to inviting Secretary Solis to personally visit the state, Sen. Moran requested a meeting with the Secretary in Washington so he can share his reservations about the proposed changes that fail to take into account the history and practices of American agriculture.

Sen. Moran is also providing Kansans an opportunity to share their stories about the value of working on a farm. Kansans can share comments, photos and videos by visiting https://www.moran.senate.gov/KeepFamiliesFarming
 
Sen. Moran, along with 33 of his colleagues, previously wrote to Sec. Solis to request a 60-day extension of the comment period on the proposed rule because the original comment period fell during the fall harvest season. After fully reviewing the proposed rule, Sen. Moran led 29 of his colleagues in sending a separate, substantive letter asking the Secretary to withdraw the proposed rule. Click here to read a copy of this letter.

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