Costa, Simon, Lofgren Urge Democratic Leadership to Reject Efforts to Undermine Proposition 12

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) are leading members of the California delegation in urging House Democratic leadership to oppose any Farm Bill provisions that would overturn or weaken California’s Proposition 12, a voter-approved animal welfare law.

The members are calling on leadership to reject any language that would preempt state standards like Proposition 12, arguing that such provisions would override the will of millions of Californians, disrupt a market that has already adapted, and penalize farmers and producers who have invested to comply.

“More than 7.5 million Californians voted in favor of Proposition 12, and Congress should not use the Farm Bill to override that clear will of the voters,” said the Members. “The law has been upheld by the Supreme Court and the market has already adapted. A federal override now would punish farmers and producers who followed the rules and create even more uncertainty. We urge Democratic leadership to reject any effort to undermine this law.”

Proposition 12, approved by California voters in 2018, established minimum space requirements and humane housing standards for certain livestock products sold in the state. The law has since been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming states’ authority to set such standards.

The members emphasized that previous efforts to overturn state animal welfare laws have been blocked and urged leadership to continue that approach.

Read the full letter HERE.