{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=169DCDF9-BEE2-4819-A24B-B747BDC4832E", "COCHRAN, TESTER INTRODUCE BILL TO UPDATE 95-YEAR-OLD LIVESTOCK MARKETING LAW", "2016-09-16", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today announced the introduction of legislation to amend a 95-year-old law to address technological advances now being used in livestock sales.The Senators' bill, S.3350, would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to ensure that the law\u2019s protections are extended to online or video livestock auctions and to ensure modern electronic banking options.\u201cThe Packers and Stockyards Act was written to protect the integrity of livestock sales and to promote competition.\u00a0 This legislation is intended to make certain that this law remains an effective tool for livestock producers by recognizing the benefits of modern technology,\u201d Cochran said.\u201cPlain and simple, the old laws on the books are all hat and no cattle.\u00a0 Every year when I buy my steer and hog to feed my family, I think about the folks who are buying and selling 1,000 head.\u00a0 These hardworking producers deserve a sensible process that keeps up with their changing industry,\u201d said Tester.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a common-sense bill that will strengthen Montana\u2019s livestock industry and ensure it continues trucking into the future.\u201dThe Senate legislation would clarify that Packers and Stockyards Act provisions apply to online or video auctions.\u00a0 This change would ensure that producer protections provided at fixed-facility livestock markets are extended to those who buy or sell through online or video auctions.Secondly, the Cochran-Tester bill would authorize modern electronic payment methods, including credit and debit cards or the Automated Clearing House payments system.\u00a0 The law currently only authorizes the use of checks or wire transfers to settle livestock sales.S.3350 has been referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee.\u00a0 Similar legislation (HR.5883), introduced by Representative David Rouzer (R-N.C.), was approved this week by the House Agriculture Committee.Changes to the Packers and Standards Act are supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Livestock Producers Association, and United States Cattlemen\u2019s Association.In Mississippi, the legislation has the support of the Mississippi Farm Bureau, the Mississippi Cattlemen\u2019s Association, and livestock markets in the state. \u00a0Both Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tester serve on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=169DCDF9-BEE2-4819-A24B-B747BDC4832E"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8847510907799006, "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"}