{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mcbride-and-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-protect-poultry", "Reps. McBride and Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Poultry Producers and Strengthen U.S. Agricultural Biosecurity", "2025-04-10", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Sarah McBride", "M001238", "mcbride.house.gov", "mcbride", "https://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride (D-DE) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the Supporting Avian Virus Eradication (SAVE) Our Poultry Act, bipartisan legislation that will designate highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as a high-priority research and extension area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill aims to strengthen biosecurity protocols and support research into effective prevention\u2014safeguarding producers, the national food supply, and critical export markets.\n\nThe bill was developed after Mike Puglisi, owner of Puglisi Egg Farms in Middletown, Delaware, met with Rep. McBride to raise concerns about the threat of avian flu to family-owned farms like his.\n\n\u201cThis is about listening to the people doing the work,\u201d said Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE). \u201cWhen a farmer in New Castle County came to me with real concerns about how avian flu could affect his flock and his livelihood, I knew we needed a serious, bipartisan solution. The SAVE Our Poultry Act is about supporting our farmers in their efforts to protect their animals, their markets, and their futures.\u201d\n\nThe SAVE Our Poultry Act will:\n\nAuthorize USDA research grants to study the highly pathogenic avian influenza\n\nAnalyze the impact of poultry vaccination on international trade and market access\n\nFund enhanced biosecurity practices and disinfection methods for poultry producers\n\nDelaware is home to over 200 million chickens and one of the most productive poultry regions in the country. Avian influenza outbreaks have repeatedly threatened farm incomes, disrupted supply chains, and driven up costs for consumers. The bill\u2019s targeted investments will help protect both small and large producers while supporting research and policy that balance domestic food security with international trade standards.\n\n\u201cThis is a national security issue. We must take responsible steps to protect our agricultural industry,\u201d said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). \u201cThe SAVE Our Poultry Act is about supporting practical research that protects our farmers in addressing avian influenza. It's about safeguarding the industry, protecting jobs, and ensuring our food supply stays safe.\u201d\n\nFor farmers like Mike Puglisi, the bill offers both immediate relief and long-term hope, \u201cWe feel this bill would be vital to the long-term availability of eggs, which are an excellent source of nutrition,\u201d said Puglisi, the owner of Puglisi Egg Farms. \u201cIt would also help protect other animal agriculture groups, as this virus can mutate and become problematic to other farmers in the barnyard. Maintaining viable export markets\u2014which this bill addresses\u2014is critical to our industry and our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cEgg prices hit record highs because of bird flu,\u201d said Rep. McBride. \u201cThat crisis didn\u2019t just make grocery bills higher for Delawareans\u2014it was a serious threat to the livelihoods of our egg producers. We must make the investment necessary to ensure we protect our farmers and their ability to keep shelves stocked.\u201d\n\nThe Delmarva Chicken Association praised the bill\u2019s introduction, \"Keeping chicken flocks safe and healthy is an all-hands-on-deck effort, and family farmers who raise chickens are on the front lines of the fight,\" said Holly Porter, Executive Director of the Delmarva Chicken Association. \"Investing in biosecurity and in scientific advancements that could help prevent avian disease, including avian influenza, is critical to protecting the U.S. chicken supply. We're heartened to see the SAVE Our Poultry Act be introduced and look forward to its passage in Congress.\" The National Chicken Council also supports the legislation.\n\nThat concern is echoed by national industry leaders. \u201cUnited Egg Producers is a national farmer-cooperative representing more than 90% of the U.S. egg production. High Path Avian Influenza is our top concern and without additional action by the federal government, the influenza will continue to disseminate in our industry and farmers. In fact, we may not survive it.\u201d said Chad Gregory, President and CEO of United Egg Producers.\n\nThe full bill text is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"]], "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://mcbride.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mcbride-and-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-protect-poultry"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.502542058005929, "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"}