Senator Marshall and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Family Farms and Consumers from Burdensome Government Overreach

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) introduced the Food Security and Farm Protection Act alongside colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee, which prohibits any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction.

This legislation was introduced in response to California’s Proposition 12, also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative. This law sets minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and veal calves, and prohibits the sale of products from animals raised in California or out-of-state that do not meet these standards.

“The United States is constantly faced with non-tariff trade barriers from protectionist countries, which hurts American agriculture’s access to new markets. The last thing we need is for states like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” said Senator Marshall. “Midwest farmers and ranchers who produce our nation’s food supply should not be hamstrung by coastal activist agendas that dictate production standards from hundreds of miles away, and I am proud to support this legislation that gives Kansas agriculture producers the freedom to produce safe, affordable food for all.”

The Food Security and Farm Protection Act is co-led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

“Proposition 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation that stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers, and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” said Senator Ernst. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best – not liberal California activists – are heard.”

“California’s Proposition 12, along with Massachusetts’ Question 3, are based on arbitrary, nonsensical standards and have resulted in a harmful patchwork of regulations across the 50 states,” said Senator Grassley. “They’re a threat to Iowa, which leads the nation in pork production, and to farmers and consumers across this country. Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation. Our bill will end California’s war on breakfast and make sure delicious Iowa pork can be sold everywhere.”

Click HERE to read the full bill text.

Background

• Senator Marshall previously introduced this legislation in 2023.

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