In the ongoing farm bill amendment process, progressive champion Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced an amendment that would guarantee states the right to pass and implement GMO labeling laws.  The statement of purpose for Sanders's amendment reads "to permit States to require that any food, beverage, or other edible product offered for sale have a label on indicating that the food, beverage, or other edible product contains a genetically engineered ingredient."  Companies like Monsanto have argued that states do not have the right to pass such laws, that only the federal government has that authority.  Sanders's amendment would eliminate that counterargument.

GMO labeling is very popular among the public--and, of course, not popular at all with Big Ag.  In a YouGov poll from two months ago, 82% thought GMO foods should be labeled, with just 9% opposed.

In what should come as no surprise because Congress listens more to industry than to public opinion, the amendment failed.  The vote count was 27-71. Among the 27 supporters were 24 Democrats, 2 Independents, and 1 lone Republican.

Who stood up for consumer rights and sustainable agriculture and voted for Sanders's amendment?
Mark Begich (D-AK)
Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Diane Feinstein (D-CA)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Angus King (I-ME)
Pat Leahy (D-VT)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Harry Reid (D-NV)
Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)

The entire Republican caucus in attendance, save Murkowski (who has been a leader with Begich in fighting industry on the issue of GE fish), voted against it.  One would expect nothing less.  Which Democrats, however, voted against the interests of consumer rights and environmental sustainability?

Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Max Baucus (D-MT)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Tom Carper (D-DE)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Mo Cowan (D-MA)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Kay Hagan (D-NC)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Carl Levin (D-MI)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Mark Udall (D-CO)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

I was very disappointed with Baldwin, Brown, Franken, Gillibrand, and Warren here.