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Lawmakers divided on Proposition 12 fix as farm bill negotiations continue

Some lawmakers say they’re unsure if a fix for Proposition 12 will be included in a final farm bill package.

Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, says the Senate’s version of the farm bill isn’t likely to include a provision that would block California’s animal confinement law.

“I’m very much for Proposition 12 getting it fixed,” Boozman said. “I don’t think there’s a single Democrat that would vote for it.”

Boozman says committee leadership has offered some compromise.

“Grandfathering in the states that have already done it and precluded other states in the future,” he said. “But so far, we have not been successful in attracting anyone on the other side.”

Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota, the Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee, says she’s disappointed House lawmakers haven’t been able to find some middle ground.

“Unfortunately, the Republican majority didn’t want to sit down and have that conversation with me,” Craig said.

Craig tells Brownfield that there are pork producers on both sides of the issue in Minnesota.

“Those who have invested to be able to comply with Prop 12,” Craig said. “And then the other side of it that repeals a number of other state laws across the country if this thing gets into the farm bill.”

The U.S. House on Wednesday postponed its expected farm bill vote, sending the package back to the rules committee for continued negotiations.

Boozman and Craig made their comments about Prop 12 during a meeting with farm broadcasters as part of NAFB’s 2026 Washington Watch.

Chairman Boozman:

Ranking Member Craig: