Grassley, Ernst, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Preserve Interstate Ag Trade, Halt California’s Damaging Proposition 12

Grassley, Ernst, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Preserve Interstate Ag Trade, Halt California's Damaging Proposition 12

Prop 12 has harmed family farms in Iowa, fueled market consolidation and increased food costs.

WASHINGTON - Senate Agriculture Committee Members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced legislation to strike down California's Proposition 12 and its burdensome regulatory overreach. The Food Security and Farm Protection Act would prohibit any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction.

"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, and risk pushing smaller hog producers out of business. 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," Grassley said.

"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," Ernst said. "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."

"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," Marshall said. "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."

Background:

Grassley has consistently opposed regulatory overreach in America's heartland, like California's Proposition 12 and Massachusetts' Question 3. Grassley cosponsored similar legislation last Congress, and in a Des Moines Register op-ed, wrote, "We don't tell California grape or almond growers how to produce wine or almond butter, so Iowa producers would appreciate not being told how to raise livestock."

When the Supreme Court chose to uphold Prop 12, Grassley opposed the decision. In its ruling, the Court cited the Commerce Clause and opened the door for future legislative solutions to address the situation. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress explicit commerce authorities, stating the legislative branch has the power to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations and among the several States."

Text of the legislation can be found HERE.

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