Still working to prevent fall-out from EPA’s costly pesticide permitting rule implemented November 1, 2011, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) introduced an amendment to H.R. 872 to provide a two-year moratorium on implementation of the rule and called on the Senate Majority Leader to hotline it.

“While I would prefer the Senate approve the House passed bipartisan H.R. 872 to eliminate the extra paperwork and confusion surrounding pesticide permits, without a clear solution to this double permitting issue a moratorium would have allowed more time to address the situation ,” Roberts said. “It is a shame this commonsense compromise was rejected due to partisan politics. I remain committed to finding a permanent solution to protect American agriculture and public health departments.”

Senate opponents of the measure blocked Sen. Roberts’ effort by objecting to the hotline despite the urgency given yesterday’s date of implementation.  In the U.S. Senate, to hotline a bill means to expedite approval by unanimous consent.

Sen. Roberts is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.