Statement of Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers on Wu/McMorris Rodgers Amendment to H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act include Frozen Fruits and Vegetables in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program

July 14, 2010

Mr. Chairman, I would like to say a few words in support of the Wu/McMorris Rodgers Amendment. 

Over the years, frozen fruits and vegetables have been treated the same as fresh, canned, and dried produce by the Department of Agriculture. Yet, when it comes to the federal snack program this is not the case.  Fresh and dried fruits and vegetables are included at the expense of frozen produce.

This, despite the fact, that frozen produce can be nutritionally superior.  As all of us know, the degradation of nutritional components can be significant if fresh produce is held for periods of time. Freezing produce can preserve the nutritional components of produce for an extended period of time. 

In fact, in 1998, the FDA approved labeling frozen produce as "healthy" – opining that frozen and raw produce should be treated similarly.

Moreover, there are many other benefits to using frozen fruits and vegetables, including safety, convenience, and value. There are fewer pathogens in frozen foods, there is no washing or cutting frozen produce – so less waste, and frozen produce has a lower cost per serving and have a much longer shelf life.

If this Committee is serious about nutrition as well as costs, including frozen produce in the federal snack program is the way to go. 

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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American Frozen Food Institute Applauds House Committee's Approval of 

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act

McLean, VA – American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. 

Naasz issued the following statement applauding the House Education and Labor Committee for approving the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act. 

"This legislation reauthorizing federal childhood nutrition programs is important to the health and well-being of America's children. AFFI commends the committee's decision to strengthen the bill by approving an amendment offered by Representatives David Wu (D-Ore.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) to include frozen fruits in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program. 

"At no additional cost to the taxpayer, the Wu-Rodgers amendment expands the snack program by enabling school dietitians to provide healthy, affordable frozen fruit. Thanks to Reps. Wu and Rodgers, schools can ease the pressure on strained budgets and ensure children have year-round access to fruits that provide the nutrition growing bodies need.

"AFFI appreciates the committee's recognition of the nutritional value of frozen fruits and the role they can play in providing a healthier diet for America's youth. 

"We applaud the committee's approval of the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act and urge Congress to swiftly approve the bill." 

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Statement of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers H.R. 4625, the Columbia River Restoration Act of 2010 Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure April 28, 2010.

I would like to thank the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for giving me the opportunity to comment on H.R. 4652, the Columbia River Restoration Act.  The Columbia River plays a critical role in Eastern Washington – providing hydroelectric power and pumping water to the surrounding communities that depend on both.

At the same time, the Columbia River finds itself as one of the most heavily regulated rivers in the country.  Since the beginning of the 20th century – there has been concern about the fish habitat living in the Columbia River and the impact that fishing, dams, and discharge has on the fish and their habitat.  I am concerned that the impact H.R. 4625 would have on these already regulated aspects of the Columbia River would be significant.

To be sure, we need to ensure that the Columbia River estuary is protected.  But, I am concerned about the overreach of this bill, impacting areas of the Columbia River and its tributaries that are hundreds of miles above the estuary.  In particular, I'm concerned about how this bill will impact current litigation on the Columbia River and the numerous Biological Opinions that are being developed and have been in place for years.  As a member whose district is impacted by this bill, I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my concerns with the bill's sponsor before any additional movement on the bill is made.