ICYMI: Dems Team Up With MAHA Republicans Prevent Government Deregulation of Pesticides
ICYMI: Dems Team Up With MAHA Republicans Prevent Government Deregulation of Pesticides
- Sat, Mar 14 2026 at 11:26 AM
Mark,
"If there is a moment in time where there is interest in, say, for instance, changing the rules around glyphosate or ultra-processed foods, we should look for those opportunities to gain wins." - Chellie Pingree
Democratic U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (Maine) has successfully teamed up with MAHA Republicans to stop the government from passing a bill that would exempt pesticides from state and federal regulation.
Tucked into the appropriations bill that funds the EPA and Department of the Interior was a "preemption rider" that would have prevented states, localities, and federal authorities from taking any action against the use of approved pesticides, including glyphosate, the main ingredient in the pesticide Roundup.
During the summer, Republicans quietly included the rider in the draft funding bill. It would have shielded pesticide manufacturers, both domestic and foreign chemical companies, from lawsuits by individuals claiming harm or cancer from products like glyphosate (Roundup).
The manufacturer of Roundup, Bayer (formerly Monsanto), has paid billions in settlements to resolve thousands of claims that glyphosate causes cancer. The proposed bill would protect pesticide manufacturers from ever having to pay damages to the families of individuals who die from pesticide use.
The "federal preemption" effort would have stopped state and local governments from requiring health warnings or restricting harmful chemicals beyond what the EPA mandates.
There are more than 57,000 registered pesticides. Some pesticides are made of synthetic chemicals. There are over 750 different herbicide products containing glyphosate. Other pesticides are derived from natural materials. Soap-based pesticides with ammonium or potassium salts are permitted in organic farming.
The bill would require the EPA to conduct a thorough risk assessment for each pesticide before labeling, which can take up to 12 years, making it legally impossible to add new state-required warnings.
Chellie Pingree, an organic farmer from North Haven, Maine, and the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, demanded the provisions be removed during final negotiations over government funding. She quietly back-channeled with "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) activists to apply significant pressure on members of Congress.
The Ranking Republican, Mike Simpson (Idaho), responded by claiming that "MAHA moms," while he agrees with them on many issues, were acting on "misinformation," that the bill was merely designed to ensure consistent labeling, not to protect corporations like Bayer. "I don't know why that is so hard to understand."
"What does he think, we're idiots?" responded MAHA advocate against pesticides, Kelly Ryerson. "Americans of all political beliefs simply do not want to be poisoned by pesticides!"
"This is completely wrong, and some of these pesticides are linked to cancer and infertility. Why on earth would we want to shield the companies?" said Rep Thomas Massie (Republican, Kentucky).
"Florida's farmers and families deserve protection from harmful chemicals that threaten our food supply, water, and health," said Rep Anna Paulina Luna (Republican, Fl-13).
Lacking the votes, Simpson conceded, acknowledging that Democrats had put up a good fight and it wasn't worth holding up the entire appropriations bill.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has urged the Supreme Court to hear a case (Monsanto Company v. Durnell) that involved a $1.25 billion Missouri jury verdict. The core question is whether federal law overrides state laws that require cancer warnings.
Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018 and now faces over 180,000 claims related to Roundup. The Court recently considered reviewing the case in a closed-door meeting but has not yet decided whether to proceed.
"Moms and women will not be silenced," rallied Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America.
Within the Republican Party, fissures caused by conflicts between MAGA and MAHA factions are widening.
Steady on,
Rob
Comments
Post a Comment