Reps. Vasquez, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan BEEF Act to Protect American Ranchers and Lower Beef Prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the BEEF (Banning External Entry of Foreign Beef) Act, legislation to stop the Administration's latest expansion of foreign beef imports and advance a long-term strategy to rebuild the American cattle herd, strengthen domestic beef production, and lower costs for consumers.

This bill is in response to the Administration's announcement that it would import an additional 300,000 metric tons of foreign lean beef trimmings into the United States, hurting ranchers and raising prices for consumers. Vasquez has repeatedly opposed efforts by both Democratic and Republican administrations to increase foreign beef imports at the expense of American cattle producers.

"If we want more affordable beef, the answer is to grow American production, strengthen competition, and make it easier for the next generation of ranchers to stay in business - not make our country more dependent on un-vetted foreign imports," said Vasquez. "Cattlegrowers in New Mexico and across the nation have made it clear - they want to reverse the President's foreign beef imports and they need more time, and more tools, to grow their herds and fix the domestic supply chain. My bipartisan BEEF Act does just that, and I hope that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle can join me in supporting American cattlegrowers and this commonsense proposal."

"Lowering beef prices for Iowa families and supporting our cattle producers should go hand-in-hand," said Nunn. "If we want more affordable beef for the long term, we need more American beef being raised and produced here at home. After years of a shrinking cattle herd, that means giving our producers the stability and confidence to invest, rebuild, and grow. Our bipartisan bill puts producers at the table to develop a long-term plan to increase our domestic beef supply, while giving Congress a say before future decisions are made to expand foreign imports."

The BEEF Act would:

• Suspend the Administration's latest expansion of foreign beef imports.
• Require congressional approval before future presidential actions expanding beef imports can take effect.
• Establish a four-year Beef Import and Domestic Supply Advisory Board within USDA and direct it to develop strategies to rebuild the American cattle herd and increase domestic beef production.
• Advance policies to expand domestic processing capacity, improve livestock market competition, and lower beef costs for American families over the long term.

Rep. Vasquez has long been an ardent supporter of New Mexico's ranchers and cattle growers. Some of his recent work to support them includes:

• In June, he introduced the Protecting America's Herds Act, an innovative, bipartisan solution to combat the spread of the New World Screwworm parasite, herd loss, and a jump in beef prices.
• He was also integral in securing the necessary funding to build a sterile fly production and dispersal facility through the STOP Screwworms Act, legislation that required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a New World Screwworm fly rearing facility to combat the spread of Screwworms.
• On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration's push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers. The amendment ultimately passed out of the House in the Farm Bill.
• In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration's push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.

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