A new farm labor rule proposed by the Obama Administration has prompted strong opposition from Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, who represents Callaway County in Congress.
Luetkemeyer has asked the U.S. Department of Labor to drop its proposed rule that he says could "hamper young Missourians' ability to consider agriculture-related careers and farm families' ability to employ youth to work in agriculture."
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced it wants to revise the Fair Labor Standards Act relating to young workers employed in agriculture.
Luetkemeyer was joined by 152 other members of Congress representing rural areas throughout the nation who signed a letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking her to drop the proposed new labor rule.
Signers included Missouri Congressional Republicans Vicky Hartzler, Jo Ann Emerson, Sam Graves, Billy Long and Luetkemeyer.
"This proposed rule," Luetkemeyer said Monday, "jeopardizes our nation's agricultural heritage and hinders the ability of young Americans to gain valuable work experience."