Burns Gets Burnt Down Over His Pesticide Vote

Montana Sen. Conrad Burns (R) is paying a price for selling out to the chemical companies with his vote to allow pesticide testing on fetuses and pregnant women. The Associated press reports that Burns claims that on his vote, "There's a lot of room for debate." No there isn't. State Senate President Jon Tester (D), who deals regularly with pesticides as a farmer, made that clear when he said simply, "you don't use them on women and children." Tester added that Burns' statement "goes to show you that he's out of touch with Montana."

State Auditor John Morrison (D) made said it was clear why Burns voted the way he did: "The only explanation for his vote I can think of is that he's collected thousands of dollars from pesticide company PACs." According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Burns has received $5,000 from Dupont and $2,000 from the American Crop Protection Association since 2000. The Environmental Working Group lists $122,000 in campaign contributions to Burns from pesticide industry groups from 1992 to 1996.