Senator Jon Tester from Montana, who is a Democrat and is facing a difficult re-election campaign, won on Thursday as the Senate backed his effort to overturn the Biden administration's approval of beef imports from Paraguay.
On Thursday, the Senate voted 70-25 to reject the decision, but it still needs approval from the House and President Biden to become official.
However, Tester sees this as a win and warns that allowing beef imports from Paraguay could expose American cattle to foot and mouth disease.
Tester criticized President Biden's decision, stating that it puts the food supply at risk and disadvantages Montana consumers by allowing beef imports from a country with a recent history of foot and mouth disease.
The Montana senator believes the administration should not permit beef imports from Paraguay until it is confirmed that Paraguayan beef producers meet the same standards as American ranchers.
Tester is contesting Biden's decision using the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn federal agency actions within a limited period of time. According to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act, lawmakers must introduce a resolution disapproving of a federal agency action within 60 days of being notified of the action.
This marks the first time a Democratic senator has taken the lead in challenging the Biden administration using the Congressional Review Act. However, Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, another centrist, has co-sponsored such resolutions with Republicans to overturn rules imposed by the Biden administration.
Ranchers and farm groups such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, the Livestock Marketing Association, the National Farmers Union, the Montana Farmers Union, the Montana Stockgrowers Association, and the Montana Farmer Bureau Federation support the resolution.
Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota co-sponsored the resolution and expressed concerns that Biden's decision would harm domestic ranchers and farms.
Senator Jon Tester from Montana, a Democrat in a challenging reelection race, achieved a victory when the Senate supported his effort to overturn the Biden administration's decision to permit beef imports from Paraguay. The Senate rejected the decision with a 70-25 vote, but it still needs approval from the House and President Biden to become official.
