News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel

ENGEL STATEMENT ON TILLERSON’S RUSSIA COMMENTS

   Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comments that stopping Russia’s meddling in the 2018 election will be “very difficult”:

“It boggles my mind to hear Secretary Tillerson say it’s ‘very difficult’ to prevent another attack on our democracy when, after more than a year, this Administration hasn’t even tried. Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan sanctions bill giving the Trump White House strong tools to punish those responsible for meddling in our 2016 election. Those tools have sat on the shelf. The utter failure to hold Russia accountable almost suggests that this Administration would be fine with Russian interference in the upcoming election. I’m not fine with it, and the American people aren’t fine with it. If President Trump won’t act, it falls to Congress to take responsibility and protect our democracy.”

Engel Speaks Out, Votes Against Anti-Consumer Menu Labeling Bill

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today offered the following remarks on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 772, the deceptively titled “Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act”, a bill that sounds like it would serve the people but in actuality works against the interest of consumers:

“I rise in opposition to this bill.

“In today’s world, when technology allows us to constantly be logged into the workplace, it is understandable that Americans often find themselves seeking more convenient meals outside the home. But dining out shouldn’t mean sacrificing nutrition. I believe Americans should have all the tools necessary to make informed choices about what they eat, and what they feed their families.

“Menu labeling gives Americans those tools, and we’ve been making progress towards more transparent labeling for consumers. This bill, H.R. 772, would undo that progress. It delays much needed transparency and will cause confusion for both consumers and businesses, many of which have already started implementing existing menu labeling requirements. Let’s not turn back the clock.

“Menu labeling is both a vital public health tool and an important consumer protection. I urge my colleagues to vote NO, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

Congressman Engel later voted NO on the bill.