Cedar Rapids, IA — As radical animal rights activists and special interest groups ramp up their attacks — including a $30-million ad buy that targets Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas — on agriculture and against the Save Our Bacon Act, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is calling out their efforts to lie to the public while standing strong with farmers, veterinarians, and agricultural organizations in Iowa and across the country. Josh Turek’s support for Prop 12 is disqualifying in the Iowa agriculture community.
“Iowa farmers do not need to be lectured by activists who have spent millions trying to regulate them out of business even though they’ve never stepped foot on a farm. Let’s call this what it is: a desperate attempt by Liberal Josh Turek and radical liberals to disguise themselves as advocates for American farmers, instead of the anti-agriculture activists they actually are,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. “These people do not represent Iowa farmers and many of them don’t know the first thing about raising livestock. While activists push their agenda from California, Iowa family farmers work sunrise to sunset every day to provide the best care for their animals and safe, affordable food for families across America. I’ll always protect family farms and strengthen food security for Iowans and Americans.”
“No matter how much money liberal activists light on fire, I can assure you reversing California’s Prop 12 is a top concern of Iowans at my county meetings. Opponents of a Prop 12 fix support coastal elites dictating farming practices, hiking bacon prices for families and pinching the family farmer. Iowans don’t need big government red tape out of California and Massachusetts tying our hands. We know how to farm,” said Senator Chuck Grassley.
“As liberal activists who have never set foot on a farm try to ban our bacon with dangerous and arbitrary overregulation, I’m fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best are heard,” said Senator Ernst. “After the U.S. Supreme Court left an open invitation for Congress to strike down Proposition 12, it’s time we band together to end California’s war on breakfast and other nonsensical standards that threaten food security, jeopardize the livelihoods of our farmers, and hike up prices at the grocery store.”
“Iowa’s pork producers use science, innovation, and generations of experience to help feed our nation and the world. California’s Proposition 12 imposes costly requirements on producers outside its borders, driving up food costs and creating uncertainty throughout our food supply chain,” saidIowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
“California politicians have no business regulating Iowa agriculture. The Save Our Bacon Act protects our farmers and producers from being forced to operate under rules set by activists. I’m grateful for Representative Hinson’s work to defend Iowa livestock producers and stand up against California’s overreach,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
“Ashley Hinson has been a strong and consistent advocate for Iowa’s farm families and rural communities. She understands that decisions about how Iowa farmers raise livestock should be made by Iowa farmers, not politicians in other states. Out-of-state mandates like Prop 12 have already squeezed out real farmers and are making groceries more expensive for families. I appreciate Ashley’s leadership and her commitment to standing up for Iowa agriculture,”said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Background:
Mandates like California’s Proposition 12 drive up costs for Iowa pork producers and consumers. Compliance with Prop 12 would cost family farmers up to $4,000 per sow, placing an enormous financial burden on family-owned operations, and ultimately driving up grocery prices for Iowa families. After Prop 12 went into effect in California, the price of pork increased by 20%. A 2025 analysis from the US Department of Agriculture found that Prop 12 compliance costs would “disproportionately affect small- and mid-sized producers, who face tighter margins and less access to capital.”
Hinson’s Save Our Bacon Act will protect interstate commerce for Iowa livestock producers, blocking mandates on Iowa farmers while ensuring states can regulate their own producers as they see fit. This language is supported by over 400 grassroots agriculture organizations and veterinarians.
Recent misinformation campaigns have falsely claimed the legislation would benefit foreign-owned corporations or harm American producers. The reality is exactly the opposite. Family farmers are the most vulnerable to Proposition 12’s costly mandates because of the high capital investment required to renovate facilities to Proposition 12 compliance standards.
These attack campaigns have been led by groups like the American Meat Producers Association, a 501(c)(4) organization founded in late 2025 by animal rights activists specifically to defend Proposition 12 and similar state laws. The group is funded by meat companies that have already spent millions transitioning to Prop 12-compliant facilities, giving them a direct financial stake in preserving and expanding those mandates across state lines and limiting the ability of competitors to operate under conventional production standards. The organization’s President, Holly Bice, previously worked for animal rights groups like the Humane Society Legislative Fund and Animal Wellness Action.
###