Sponsors (2)
The bill creates a USDA office to strengthen enforcement against anti-competitive conduct in meat and poultry—benefiting farmers, small processors, and potentially consumers and supply-chain security—while imposing compliance burdens on large processors, risking interagency conflict, and adding federal costs.
Farmers and small meat processors gain stronger federal enforcement against anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry sector, increasing their ability to challenge unfair conduct.
Consumers (taxpayers) may see more competitive markets and potentially lower retail prices if enforcement reduces monopolistic or unfair trading behavior in meat and poultry markets.
Federal coordination with DOJ, FTC, and DHS on competition and supply-chain security issues in food and agriculture is strengthened, improving multi-agency responses to systemic risks.
Meat packers and large processors could face increased compliance costs, greater legal exposure, and higher litigation risk from expanded investigatory powers and subpoenas.
Creating and empowering a new USDA enforcement office risks duplicating or conflicting with DOJ and FTC antitrust authority, producing legal uncertainty and potential interagency friction.
Taxpayers may incur new federal costs to staff and operate the Office (attorneys and professional staff) required by the statute.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a USDA Office of the Special Investigator with subpoena and enforcement authority to investigate and prosecute Packers and Stockyards Act violations and coordinate with DOJ, FTC, and DHS.
Introduced February 14, 2025 by Josh S. Gottheimer · Last progress February 14, 2025
Creates a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters inside USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division and establishes a Special Investigator appointed by the Secretary with staff of attorneys and other professionals. The Special Investigator is authorized to investigate and pursue civil or administrative enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act using tools including subpoenas and to coordinate with the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Homeland Security. The change adds substantive investigatory and enforcement authority and creates a new federal office and officer; the text does not specify new appropriations, funding levels, or an effective date.