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Grassley says child labor letter needs a response

A letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, authored by South Dakota Senator John Thune and co-signed Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and others, about proposed child labor standards has, so far, gone unanswered.

Senator Grassley was asked about the letter this morning.

“It’s ridiculous that they even told some senators that they wouldn’t talk to ‘em or even have a Deputy Secretary talk to ‘em.”

Grassley says the Labor department is trying to “muddy the waters” by saying it will “re-propose” certain child labor rules as they apply to the farm.

“I think we’re going to have just as egregious rules written when new ones come out.”

Grassley joined Senator Thune asking the Labor Department to forget about writing those rules altogether.

“They’re just going to ruin 4H, ruin FFA, as examples. So, I applaud whatever Senator Thune’s doing, so I’ll be right there helping him.”

The concern in agriculture remains that children will be prevented from helping out on their family farms or their relatives’ farms to the extent they are able to today.