Yesterday’s Senate Agriculture Committee markup proved exactly why legislative vigilance matters.
The committee approved an amendment to restore mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) for beef by a vote of 17-6, but the full Farm Bill later failed to advance out of committee on a 10-11 vote.
Animal rights amendments were introduced during the markup, confirming what The Cavalry Group has warned for weeks: major legislation like the Farm Bill can become a vehicle for proposals that directly impact animal owners, farmers, ranchers, sportsmen, breeders, exhibitors, and other lawful animal enterprises.
The committee recessed (not adjourned) meaning the Farm Bill is expected to return to the Senate Agriculture Committee after the August recess when Congress returns on September 14th.
It was reported that Chairman Boozman said that it would take a ‘miracle’ to get the farm bill out of committee and voted on by the full Senate and signed into law before the midterms. Boozman added, “We can do it with cooperation.”
When Senators return in September, Chairman John Boozman is expected to continue negotiations in an effort to build enough bipartisan support to move the Farm Bill through committee. At that time, it is important to note:
✔️ Additional amendments may be offered.
✔️ Previously offered amendments could be reintroduced.
✔️ New compromises may be negotiated.
✔️ The Senate Ag Committee could vote again on a revised Farm Bill.
Yesterday’s Senate Agriculture Committee markup proved exactly why legislative vigilance matters. The Cavalry Group will continue to closely monitoring any effort to attach legislation that could negatively impact animal owners, breeders, exhibitors, working-animal industries, agricultural producers, and private property rights, including:
Greyhound Protection Act – H.R. 5017
BETTER CARE for Animals Act – H.R. 3112 / S. 1538
Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act – H.R. 1477
Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (F.I.G.H.T.) Act – H.R. 2742 / S. 1529
No Flight, No Fight Act – H.R. 7371 (Federal Gamefowl Transport Ban)
Puppy Protection Act – H.R. 2253
Thank you to everyone who remains engaged in the legislative process. Your voice matters, and together we will continue protecting animal enterprise, agriculture, and our constitutional freedoms.
More updates will follow as Congress returns in September.
If you’re not a member of The Cavalry Group, we urge you to become a member by joining at our website: TheCavalryGroup.com
