House passes highly controversial Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act despite strong opposition

The House on Thursday passed the Lower Food and Fuels Cost Act, which includes the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act, by a vote of 221-204.

Six Republicans (Reps. Don Bacon, NE-2; Randy Feenstra, IA-4; Vicky Hartzler, MO-4; Ashley Hinson, IA-1; Dusty Johnson, SD-AL; Adam Kinzinger, IL-16; and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, IA-2) voted yes along with the majority of House Democrats. Five Democrats (Reps. Henry Cuellar, TX-28; Pete DeFazio, OR-4; Vicente Gonzalez, TX-15; Seth Moulton, MA-6; and Peter Welch, VT-AL) voted no. Only one Republican, Rep. Dusty Johnson, voted for the bill in the House Agriculture Committee’s markup on May 19.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would create an Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within USDA, headed by a political appointee from the Secretary of Agriculture, with authority to investigate Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) violations. This single position would be granted authority to bring civil action at will against a meat or poultry processor for PSA violations. It also charges this office with liaising with the Department of Homeland Security on cybersecurity issues. Read more