1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to oppose any Farm Bill language that includes the “Save Our Bacon Act” or similar provisions that would override state animal welfare laws. This proposal is deeply concerning for several reasons. First, it undermines the principle of states’ rights. States and their voters have long had the authority to establish standards for products sold within their borders. In recent years, voters in states such as California and Massachusetts approved farm animal welfare laws through the democratic process, and those laws have been upheld by the courts. Congress should not erase those decisions simply because powerful industry groups dislike the outcome. Second, this proposal would weaken protections against some of the cruelest forms of industrial animal confinement. Regardless of where someone falls politically, most Americans agree that animals should not spend their lives in conditions where they cannot even turn around or express basic natural behaviors. Animal welfare has historically been one of the few issues that enjoys broad bipartisan support. It is disappointing to see these protections targeted in legislation that many Americans may never realize contains such sweeping language. Third, I am concerned about the potential effects on animal health and biosecurity. As Texas faces the renewed threat of New World screwworm and livestock producers remain vigilant against other infectious diseases, this is not the time to discourage higher husbandry and biosecurity standards. While disease prevention depends on many factors, Congress should be encouraging responsible livestock management—not making it harder for states to adopt standards they believe protect animal health and public confidence in our food system. Finally, I am concerned that this proposal favors the largest industrial agricultural operations at the expense of many smaller producers. Numerous farmers have already invested substantial resources to comply with higher animal welfare standards because consumers increasingly demand those products. Changing the rules now would reward those who chose not to make those investments while disadvantaging producers who acted responsibly. Whether one approaches this issue from the perspective of states’ rights, free markets, animal welfare, public trust, or support for family farmers, this provision moves in the wrong direction. Please oppose the inclusion of the Save Our Bacon Act or any similar federal preemption language in the Farm Bill. Congress should respect the choices made by individual states, support responsible farmers, and preserve reasonable animal welfare protections rather than dismantling them. I hope you will stand with your constituents—not just the largest agricultural interests—and vote against this provision. Thank you for your consideration.