House Agriculture Committee passes Johnson’s Butcher Block Act

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee on May 17 unanimously passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) that would make improvements to the pricing of cattle in America.

“Ranchers need more shackle space,” Rep. Johnson said. “The market is too concentrated and South Dakota cattle producers deserve more options on where to sell their product.”

The Butcher Block Act, H.R. 4140, which Rep. Johnson sponsored in June 2021 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), would establish a loan program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for new and expanding meat processors and finance producer investment to drive competition within the meat packing industry, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

Additionally, H.R. 4140 would allocate grants to entities to increase hiring and processing capacity, the summary says.

Following Rep. Johnson’s introduction of H.R. 4140 in June 2021, the USDA announced in July 2021 that it planned to provide $500 million in grants to expand meat and poultry processing capacity, mirroring provisions in the congressman’s bill.

“I’m grateful USDA has begun implementing my bill already and I look forward to seeing the details of the program codified,” said Rep. Johnson.

H.R. 4140, which now moves to the full chamber for consideration, has garnered a total of 17 cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Liz Cheney (R-WY), and Tom Emmer (R-MN).