Bill · H.R. 4757· House(119-HR-4757)
Pigs and Public Health Act
- Introduced
- 7/25/2025
- Last activity
- 7/25/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Veronica Escobar
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Pigs and Public Health Act aims to remove nonambulatory pigs from the United States food system. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement regulations for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of these pigs. The bill mandates stricter transportation requirements to ensure animal comfort and safety. It also prohibits the use of certain drugs for growth promotion that contribute to nonambulatory conditions. Additionally, the Act establishes an online portal for confidential complaints and provides whistleblower protections for workers. Finally, it requires a study and report on the public health threats posed by nonambulatory pigs.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would union members be better off under this?+3
The bill mandates OSHA standards for mechanical lifting aids and provides strong whistleblower protections for workers.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands the regulatory authority of the USDA and OSHA regarding livestock handling and transportation.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill establishes an online portal for public access to confidential complaints and aggregate data reports.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
The bill mandates significant new costs related to drug prohibitions, transport standards, and mandatory euthanasia/recordkeeping.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The bill mandates significant new operational requirements, recordkeeping, and staffing costs for livestock entities.
Is this likely to grow the economy?-2
The bill imposes new compliance, recordkeeping, and staffing costs on agricultural entities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Public Health Protection: The bill aims to protect consumers by ensuring products from nonambulatory pigs do not enter the food supply, which helps reduce the spread of diseases like Salmonella and Swine influenza (Section 2).
-
Improved Working Conditions: Implementing humane treatment and new OSHA standards, including mechanical lifting aids, is intended to create safer and better working conditions for individuals handling pigs (Section 2; Section 104).
-
Reduced Animal Suffering: The Act mandates humane euthanasia for nonambulatory and certain injured or diseased pigs to prevent needless suffering (Section 103).
-
Enhanced Transparency and Reporting: The creation of an online portal allows individuals to submit confidential complaints regarding potential violations (Section 201).
-
Worker Protections: The bill provides whistleblower protections, ensuring that covered individuals cannot be retaliated against for assisting in investigations or reporting illegal conduct (Section 202).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Business Requirements: Covered entities will be required to implement written policies, maintain specific records, and undergo electronic submission of those records to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (Section 103).
-
Additional Staffing and Training Costs: Entities may need to take steps such as hiring and training additional employees to comply with the new Act and future OSHA standards (Section 104).
-
Changes to Agricultural Practices: The bill prohibits the use of certain drugs, such as beta-adrenergic agonists, for growth promotion or feed efficiency (Section 101).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2Improves Privacy Rights+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Improves Pandemic Preparedness+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+2Improves Small Business Support-3Improves Economic Growth-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+3Good For Low Income Households+1Good For People With Disabilities+1Good For Business Owners-4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 7/25/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York