Democrats Attempt to Revive Food Safety Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Food safety legislation stalled by a constitutional snag could be revived as part of a giant year-end budget bill.

The bill to increase the Food and Drug Administration's powers to keep food safe stalled after overwhelmingly passing the Senate last week. House Democrats said after it passed that the bill contains fees that are considered tax provisions, which under the Constitution must originate in the House.

House Democrats are attempting to fix the problem by adding the legislation to a catchall spending bill unveiled early Wednesday.

The food safety bill would increase FDA inspections of food facilities, place stricter standards on imported foods and give the agency broader authority to order a recall.