The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act was passed by a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives; bills within the legislation aim to strengthen food supply chains, reduce grocery store costs, lower gas prices, and increase competition in the American meat industry. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act also addresses systemic risks in the supply chain issues within American energy sectors, increasing fertilizer prices, and biofuel availability.
Before the vote on The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives, stating “Congress cannot shy away from addressing the urgent economic challenges that our local communities and our entire country — and that challenge continues to be inflation. We know how rising prices, consolidation across industries, and supply chain challenges are impacting America’s families, businesses, and seniors. And as lawmakers, our job is to listen to the people we represent — and then respond with legislation that can help solve those problems. And indeed, this package — the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act — is just that.”
The aforementioned act was led by Rep. Spanberger and included her Meat and Poultry Investigator Act and her Butcher Block Act. Spanberger’s Meat and Poultry Investigator Act would establish an “Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters” at the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the intent of preventing shortages, enforcing America’s anti-trust laws, and holding businesses with illegal practices in the meat industry accountable. Spanberger’s Butcher Block Act aims to increase competition within the meatpacking industry by expanding regional livestock and allocating grants to smaller producers.
