Enlarge By Mike Groll, AP file "Our food-safety laws have not been upgraded for more than a century, and we should not delay this bipartisan bill one more day," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., seen here in October, said. Senator and House leaders expect to spend the weekend looking for a way around a technical snafu that could scuttle a broadly supported food-safety bill over two years in the making. But it may not matter, as some representatives from agricultural states may vote against it because of an amendment they fear will hurt the produce industry. The first hurdle is the parliamentary one. The Food Safety Modernization Act passed by the Senate on Tuesday includes fees for an exporter and importer food-certification program. Under the Constitution, all taxes must originate in the House of Representatives. As the fees might be seen as taxes, and this version of the bill originated in the Senate, an objection could be raised on the House floor. Q&A: Learn more about the food-safety bill Many are hoping that the impasse can be overcome. "Our food-safety laws have not been upgraded for more than a century, and we should not delay this bipartisan bill one more day. No one should be playing politics with something this important," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. Some farm state representatives said Thursday that they are upset by an amendment added by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., that would exempt from regulation farms that do less than $500,000 in sales a year; that sell only within 275 miles of the farm; and that sell only on the farm or to farmers markets, restaurants or grocery stores. Robert Guenther, public policy director at United Fresh Produce, a trade association in Washington, D.C., said there is bipartisan "momentum" to require the Senate to strip out or change the amendment before sending the bill back to the House. Otherwise, because the industry doesn't think small farms should be exempt, there could be "a road block in the House." The amount of food covered is small, as little as 1% to 3% by some estimates, said Erik Olson, who oversees food programs for the Pew Health Group, a non-profit focused on health issues. "What's getting lost is that there are no federal or state standards for fresh produce, except for tomatoes in Florida," he said. More than 80% of consumers say they want stronger food protections, said the Consumers Union's Elisa Odabashian. She said this is just a way to kill the bill. "We're getting flooded with people saying 'This is despicable.' " Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more