Nunn Leads Bipartisan BEEF Act to Support Iowa Cattlemen, Lower Costs for Families

DES MOINES, IA - Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Banning External Entry of Foreign Beef (BEEF) Act , bipartisan legislation aimed at rebuilding America's cattle herd, increasing domestic beef production, and lowering grocery costs for families. The bill would also reverse the recent expansion of foreign beef imports and require congressional approval before similar increases can take effect in the future.

"Lowering beef prices for Iowa families and supporting our cattle producers should go hand-in-hand," said Rep. 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."

Earlier this month, Rep. Nunn sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging the Administration to prioritize market stability and consult closely with cattle producers before making decisions that could disrupt livestock markets.

The BEEF Act builds on that effort by establishing a Beef Import and Domestic Supply Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The board would bring together cattle producers, processors, and industry experts to advise USDA and Congress on increasing the domestic beef supply, expanding processing capacity, improving competition, and ensuring producers have the tools and certainty needed to grow their herds. This approach complements USDA's recently announced Ranchers First Initiative to support cattle producers and rebuild the American beef herd.

"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 Rep. 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."

Specifically, the BEEF Act would:

• Establish a four-year Advisory Board within USDA to develop a strategy to rebuild the American cattle herd, increase domestic beef production, cut red tape for ranchers, and keep beef affordable for consumers.
• Direct the Board to advise the Secretary of Agriculture and Congress on retaining breeding cattle, expanding domestic processing capacity, improving competition in livestock markets, and increasing the domestic beef supply.
• Require any executive action that would increase beef imports to be submitted to Congress and approved by law within 30 days before it can take effect.
• Suspend the proclamation allowing up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef imports into the U.S.

Text of the bill can be found here .