On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) voted to repeal a Biden administration rule allowing beef to be imported from Paraguay.
The U.S. Senate overturned the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) rule to resume Paraguayan beef imports by a bipartisan 70-25 vote. The resolution was made under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo executive branch rules within a certain timeframe.
Tuberville called the overturning of the rule "a huge win for Alabama's cattlemen" because it put American farmers "first."
“Today is a huge win for Alabama’s cattlemen. Not only did the USDA’s rule jeopardize our domestic beef industry, but it put Americans’ safety at risk. The Biden administration has a long track record of putting America’s farmers last, instead of first. Cattle production is a $2.5-billion industry in Alabama, and we want to ensure it stays that way. I appreciate all that Alabama’s hardworking cattlemen do to provide safe, quality beef for Americans, and will continue to be a voice for them in D.C.”
In November 2023, the White House announced Paraguay beef imports would no longer be banned, which it had been since 1997.
Tuberville criticized the move in December and called on the Biden administration to "get the woke ideology out of farm aid."
Biden's @USDA is importing unsafe beef from Paraguay and unequally distributing emergency relief funding to our nation’s producers.
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) December 10, 2023
They need to do their jobs and support our farmers. pic.twitter.com/A2fk65DrWV
Tuberville's office noted that "beef cattle production ranks second behind broilers in cash receipts among Alabama farm commodities," adding, "Last year, Alabama producers sold $447 million worth of cattle and calves."
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