Senate Republicans face internal clash over Farm Bill as it heads for a vote this week. Reps. Ashley Hinson and Sen. Joni Ernst are pushing to attach the "Save Our Bacon Act" — legislation that would override state animal welfare laws and block new ones.
Critics say the bill protects Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, which operates massive U.S. pork operations using gestation crates that confine pregnant pigs so tightly they can't turn around. Voters in multiple states have already banned the practice.
Both Hinson and Ernst have taken campaign cash from Smithfield and the National Pork Producers Council, which includes Smithfield board members. Smithfield's lobbyist was recently cited for failing to disclose the company's Chinese ownership (WH Group) in federal filings.
Florida Republicans Rick Scott, Anna Paulina Luna, and Byron Donalds are opposing the measure, framing it as a states' rights issue and a threat to U.S. food sovereignty.
Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman's Farm Bill was already on shaky ground before this fight erupted. If the "Save Our Bacon" language stays in, the entire bill could collapse.
Critics say the bill protects Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, which operates massive U.S. pork operations using gestation crates that confine pregnant pigs so tightly they can't turn around. Voters in multiple states have already banned the practice.
Both Hinson and Ernst have taken campaign cash from Smithfield and the National Pork Producers Council, which includes Smithfield board members. Smithfield's lobbyist was recently cited for failing to disclose the company's Chinese ownership (WH Group) in federal filings.
Florida Republicans Rick Scott, Anna Paulina Luna, and Byron Donalds are opposing the measure, framing it as a states' rights issue and a threat to U.S. food sovereignty.
Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman's Farm Bill was already on shaky ground before this fight erupted. If the "Save Our Bacon" language stays in, the entire bill could collapse.
