Sen. Franken lauded the U.S. Department of Labor’s decision to pull its proposed update to employment rules that would have applied to youth who work on family farms. As Sen. Franken traveled around the state on his Farm Bill Outreach Tour, this was among the top concerns voiced by the agricultural community. Sen. Franken has been working closely with the department for some time to communicate those deep concerns from Minnesota farmers.
 
“I’m relieved that the Department of Labor decided to shelve these regulations,” said Sen. Franken. “I’ve heard from a lot of Minnesotans about this proposal—and I’ve worked to make sure that we protect our proud tradition of family farming. For generations, Minnesota’s kids have grown up on farms, learning the trade and the values that are so important to our state. And on the farms I’ve toured in Minnesota, I’ve always seen how seriously everyone already takes safety. While they may have been well-intentioned, these rules would have had a negative impact on our state’s ag community, and I want to thank the Department of Labor for hearing our concerns.”