WASHINGTON — A group of US senators introduced the Food Security and Farm Protection Act, which would prohibit state and local governments from impeding commerce and agriculture production in other states.

The new legislation was led by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). In her response to the legislation, Ernst cited California’s Proposition 12 as a primary reason for pushing this bill.

“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.”

During 2023, Marshall and other Republicans led the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, which challenged Prop 12 even after the Supreme Court upheld the legislation.

There was another campaign in 2024 with more than 900 agriculture groups asking Congress for a “federal fix” to the California law.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) came out in favor of the new legislation and thanked the Senators for the latest proposal this week.

“US pork producers have just suffered the worst 18 months of financial losses in history, and many farm families are contemplating whether they can pass along their farm to the next generation,” said Duane Stateler, president of the NPPC. “We urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately to provide us much-needed relief.”

NPPC pointed out bipartisan support from the Trump and Biden administrations on this issue including from Agriculture Secretaries Brooke Rollins and Tom Vilsack.