Lawmakers are down to their last week to reach a deal to stop the first GMO labeling requirements from taking effect in Vermont on July 1.

 

Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan continued negotiating into the weekend, but an industry source said that they still hadn't reached a final deal as of Sunday afternoon.

 

Roberts and Stabenow have been trying to cut a deal on national GMO disclosure standards that could garner the 60 votes to move it though the Senate. House members leave town Friday for their July 4 break, and they would need to approve a Senate deal before they go.

 

Should Stabenow and Roberts reach a deal, it may not be easy for opponents to mobilize opposition to it, given that the Senate's attention, and the public's, is focused on the gun control debate in the aftermath of the June 12 mass shootings in Orlando, Fla. The Senate has votes scheduled Monday evening on rival GOP and Democratic proposals for restricting access to assault-style rifles.

 

Click Here to read more.