{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-fedorchak-house-gop-colleagues-send-letter-president-trump-following", "Downing, Fedorchak, House GOP Colleagues Send Letter to President Trump Following Reports of Potential Beef Imports from Argentina", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congressman Downing joined Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and six of his House Republican colleagues in a letter to President Trump urging him to give American producers an opportunity to meet increased demand following reports that the United States may import beef from Argentina.\n\nDowning and Fedorchak were joined by Representatives Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), and August Pfluger (R-TX).\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers highlight how American ranchers supply the world\u2019s highest-quality beef and should not be undercut by foreign imports produced under lower standards. They call on the administration to ensure that any future trade decisions are made with \u201cfull transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry.\u201d\n\nRead exclusive reporting from Fox News here.\n\n\u201cMontana beef is the envy of the world and a keystone of Montana's economy,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cOur ranchers take pride in their work, and our people crave the quality beef they know and love. Developing strong trade relations is important, but more important is nurturing the American agriculture we have right here at home. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in cattle country in this effort to ensure the voices of our ranchers are heard loud and clear.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve all received a number of questions and calls from our constituents over the last few days, so we are asking for clarity on the administration\u2019s long-term plans. Our farmers and ranchers stand ready to deliver on the President\u2019s America-First agenda,\u201d said Congresswoman Fedorchak. \u201cNorth Dakotans take great pride in producing the safest, highest-quality beef in the world\u2014and we should be building on that success. When it comes to beef, no one does it better than the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota's cattle producers set the standard for quality and safety in beef production,\u201d said Congressman Johnson. \u201cI understand the President's efforts to strengthen trade and keep food affordable, but those efforts should not undermine the farmer and ranchers who put dinner on our tables. Any decision to import foreign beef must hold countries to the same gold-standard regulations our producers meet every day. American ranchers play by the rules, produce the best beef in the world, and they deserve a fair shot to compete.\u201d\n\n\u201cWeld County leads Colorado and ranks among the top in the nation for agricultural production, raising some of the highest quality beef in the world,\u201d said Congressman Evans. \u201cWhile Republicans and the Administration have worked to support our producers through efforts like the Working Families Tax Cut Act, the proposal to purchase Argentinian beef raises serious concerns. Colorado farmers and ranchers deserve leaders who will stand with them, especially in the face of Governor Polis and state Democrats\u2019 relentless anti-ag policies. That\u2019s why I\u2019m working with the President to reduce grocery prices and tirelessly advocate for U.S. beef.\"\n\n\u201cOur American ranchers have dedicated their lives to delivering the highest\u2011quality beef while upholding the gold standard in food safety,\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cNo one creates a better product at a better value than American farmers and ranchers. Prioritizing America\u2019s food producers is essential to an American-First agenda, which I will continue to support.\"\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nRead key excerpts from the letter below:\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s cattle producers are among the most resilient and hardworking in the nation. They\u2019ve endured droughts, blizzards, and volatile markets while continuing to raise safe, high-quality beef that feeds families across America and around the world. Their work is a source of immense pride to our districts and to the broader U.S. agriculture community\u2026\n\n\u201cThe United States maintains the gold standard for food safety and animal health. These safeguards are enforced daily by USDA inspectors and are a key reason consumers trust American beef. Any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the confidence that U.S. ranchers have worked decades to earn\u2026\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s producers can compete with anyone in the world. If given an opportunity, they will continue to respond quickly to the market demand for more quality American beef in our grocery stores.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-fedorchak-house-gop-colleagues-send-letter-president-trump-following"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.383648883551359, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}