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119-s-1312119th CongressWALLET

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a USDA Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters with independent authority to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The office would be led by a senior career Special Investigator and would have subpoena and litigation authority under that Act.

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  • Farmers and ranchers: Gives producers a dedicated federal investigator focused on unfair, deceptive, unjustly discriminatory, or monopolistic practices in livestock, meat, and poultry markets.
  • Packers and live poultry dealers: Allows the Office to investigate regulated packers and live poultry dealers and bring civil or administrative actions authorized by the Packers and Stockyards Act against those entities.
  • Federal coordination and security: Requires the Office to staff attorneys and experts and to coordinate with USDA’s General Counsel and Packers and Stockyards Division, serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, and consult with the Department of Homeland Security on food sector security.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New USDA investigator for meat competition

If enacted, the Department of Agriculture would create an Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. The office would be led by a senior career Special Investigator appointed by the Secretary. The Investigator could use subpoenas, hire lawyers and staff, and investigate packers and live poultry dealers. The Investigator could bring civil or administrative cases under the Packers and Stockyards Act and must notify the Attorney General for federal court cases. The Investigator could not sue entities not covered by that Act. The office would coordinate with DOJ, FTC, DHS, USDA General Counsel, and the Packers and Stockyards Division. The bill would also add a clause letting the Secretary carry out section 217 so the office can be implemented.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/8/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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