The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“LAB SHUTDOWN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H469 on Jan. 11, 2019.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
{time} 0915
AG/LAB SHUTDOWN
(Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's research lab in Peoria, Illinois.
For more than 75 years, the Ag Lab has conducted breakthrough research, impacting lives of people all over the world.
Decades after discovering how to mass-produce penicillin, the Ag Lab just found out how to enhance its effectiveness in people who have developed antibiotic resistance. They have also developed an all-
natural bug repellent that is more effective than DEET.
Unfortunately, the 200 employees at the Ag Lab have been sent home due to this government shutdown, putting their groundbreaking research at a dead halt.
It is time to stop using workers as pawns in this government shutdown. We must put this shutdown to an end so the Ag Lab can continue its advanced research that drives American agriculture and our economy.
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