Grassley: I will try to stop new Labor Department regulations of kids working on farms

Photo by decorahnews.com

During a town hall meeting in Calmar Wednesday night, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa criticized the U.S. Labor Department for advocating new standards that would prohibit youths under the age of 18 from doing many traditional chores that they have been doing on farms.  The rules would affect farms that are set up as a corporation or a business partnership.

Grassley told the crowd of 30 people at the Calmar Library that he and 43 other U.S. Senators have signed a letter objecting to the proposed regulations.

He says the Senate is discussing either passing legislation overriding the new standards or passing a rider on the appropriation bill cutting off funding for any such activities. "I hope we can get this stopped," he told the Calmar crowd.

Grassley says he's opposed to the new standards for several reasons--it might hurt 4H/FFA programs; it could be applied inconsistently; it might prevent kids from working for their neighbors; and it would be counter to the current health and fitness drive.