Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)

Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act

H.R. 9744 · House bill Agriculture and Food

A Democratic bill with 16 Democratic cosponsors · See all 16 cosponsors

Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Small Business, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill aims to fix competition issues in the meatpacking industry by breaking up massive companies and stopping foreign-controlled meatpackers from operating in the United States. It requires large meatpacking enterprises to stick to a single line of protein, like beef, pork, or poultry, instead of controlling multiple types. The Federal Trade Commission and the Small Business Administration are given specific powers to oversee business breakups and help fund new independent competitors and farmers' cooperatives. The legislation also addresses price discrimination and unfair pricing practices at both the wholesale and retail levels to help bring down food costs for American families. Finally, it provides private rights of action and heavy financial penalties for companies that break these new rules.

Yes· 3 of 20

  • Scored +8

    Would farmers be better off under this?

    Independent cattle producers and farmers gain stronger bargaining power, protections from abusive contracts, and new cooperative opportunities.

  • Scored +7

    Does this make it easier to run a small business?

    The legislation provides significant support, loans, and technical assistance for small businesses and farmers' cooperatives acquiring divested assets.

  • Scored +6

    Would people in rural areas be better off under this?

    Rural communities benefit economically from the promotion and funding of local and regional independent meat processing facilities.

The opposite· 3 of 6

  • Scored -4

    Would business owners be better off under this?

    Large dominant meatpacking enterprises face forced divestitures and strict operational limitations.

  • Scored -2

    Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?

    Owners and major investors in consolidated meatpacking conglomerates face negative impacts from structural breakups.

  • Scored -2

    Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?

    Major stakeholders in covered foreign-controlled and large domestic meatpackers face asset divestitures.