“If there is a moment in time where there is interest in, say, for instance, changing the rules around glyphosate or ultraprocessed foods, we should look for those opportunities to gain wins.”
Democratic U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (Maine) has successfully teamed up with MAHA Republicans to stop the government from passing a bill that would exempt pesticides from state and federal regulation.
Tucked into the appropriations bill that funds the EPA was language that would have prevented states, localities, and federal authorities from taking any action against the use of approved pesticides, including glyphosate, the main ingredient in the pesticide Roundup. The manufacturer of Roundup, Bayer (formerly Monsanto), has been paid billions in settlements to resolve thousands of claims that glyphosate causes cancer. The proposed bill would have given pesticide manufacturers ways to avoid paying any future damages to the families of individuals dying from pesticide applications.
The Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, an organic farmer from North Haven, Maine, Chellie Pingree, demanded the provisions be removed during final negotiations over government funding. Behind closed doors, she back-channelled with “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) activists to keep the pressure on members of Congress.
The Ranking Republican, Mike Simpson (Idaho), responded by claiming that “MAHA moms,” while he agrees with them on many issues, were acting on “misinformation,” that the bill was merely designed to ensure consistent labeling, not to protect corporations like Bayer. “I don’t know why that is so hard to understand.”
“What does he think, we’re idiots?” responded MAHA advocate against pesticides, Kelly Ryerson. “Americans of all political beliefs simply do not want to be poisoned by pesticides!”
“This is completely wrong, and some of these pesticides are linked to cancer and infertility. Why on earth would we want to shield the companies?” said Rep Thomas Massie (Republican, Kentucky).
“Florida’s farmers and families deserve protection from harmful chemicals that threaten our food supply, water, and health,” said Rep Anna Paulina Luna (Republican, Fl-13).
Lacking the votes, Simpson conceded, acknowledging that Democrats had put up a good fight and it wasn’t worth holding up the entire appropriations bill.
Meanwhile, the dastardly Trump administration has urged the Supreme Court to hear a case that could neuter lawsuits over Roundup. The Court recently considered taking up the case in a closed-door meeting, but has not yet made a decision.
“Moms and women will not be silenced,” rallied Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America.
Within the Republican Party, the fissures between MAGA and MAHA are widening.
