S. 1312 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 7, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryNew investigator office for meat and poultry competition
The bill creates a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This office would investigate and prosecute companies that violate rules designed to keep the meat and poultry industry fair and competitive. The office would have power to use subpoenas (legal orders to produce documents or testimony) and bring legal cases against packers and live poultry dealers who break these rules.
How it affects you
If you raise livestock or poultry for sale, or work in the meat industry, this office could help protect you from unfair business practices by larger competitors. Consumers may see indirect benefits if the office helps ensure fair competition keeps meat and poultry prices and quality competitive. The office will also work with other federal agencies on national security issues related to the food supply.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 7, 2025)
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025
This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters.
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&S Act) by packers and live poultry dealers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer or live poultry dealer.
Additionally, the office must
• serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector,
• consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector,
• maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise, and
• coordinate with the USDA Office of the General Counsel and the Packers and Stockyards Division of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
As background, the purposes of the P&S Act are to assure fair competition and trade practices, safeguard farmers and ranchers, protect consumers, and protect livestock, meat, and poultry industry members from unfair, deceptive, unjustly discriminatory, and monopolistic practices. Those engaged in the business of marketing livestock, meat, and poultry in commerce are subject to the P&S Act.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1312
A BILL
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) · Introduced Apr 7, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 7, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.”