March 19, 2024

To: USABeef.org Participants

From:  Candace Bullard, R-CALF USA Director of Operations

Date: October 26, 2022 

Subject: MCOOL Midterm Elections – Hold Your Elected Officials Accountable 

Background: R-CALF USA and you are credited with the introduction of the mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef proposed law that is now in Congress, Senate bill S.2716 and House bill H.R.7291, known as the American Beef Labeling Act. The next step is to get your senators and representative to cosponsor. 

Congress will resume session after midterm elections, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. We want MCOOL to be at the top of Congress’ priority list when session resumes, and these midterm elections empower you with the opportunity to hold your elected officials accountable. 

The seats of all 435 representatives are up for election; and as of today, the American Beef Labeling Act has only three House cosponsors: Reps. Gooden (R-Texas), Khanna (D-Calif.) and Griffith (R-Va.).  

Based on the principle that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, representatives who voted “NAY” against repealing MCOOL in 2015 may cosponsor the American Beef Labeling Act to reinstate MCOOL. However, those who voted “YEA” to repeal MCOOL in 2015 may still be against today’s American Beef Labeling Act. You should find out before the election! Click here to view the voting record of the 2015 COOL repeal bill in the House of Representatives.    

Thirty-five of the 100 seats in the Senate are also up for election; and as of today, the American Beef Labeling Act has 10 Senate cosponsors: Sens. Thune (R-S.D.), Tester (D-Mont.), Rounds (R-S.D.), Booker (D-N.J.), Hoeven (R-N.D.), Lujan (D-N.M.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Lummis (R-Wyo.), Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).   

There was no direct vote to repeal MCOOL in the Senate in 2015; however, you can click here to view the list of Senate seats up for reelection in 2022. 

Here’s How You Can Help: 

1.      Call your representative at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 7291 the American Beef Labeling Act before the Tuesday, Nov. 8 election and continue to follow-up after the election until they commit, or if your representative is already listed as a cosponsor, thank them for their support. If your representative commits to cosponsor, please let R-CALF USA know.  

2.      Call both of your senators at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to cosponsor S.2716 the American Beef Labeling Act before the Tuesday, Nov. 8 election and continue to follow-up after the election until they commit, or if one or both of your senators is already listed as a cosponsor, thank them for their support. If one or both of your senators commit to cosponsor, please let R-CALF USA know. 

3.      Email both of your senators and representative at www.LabelOurBeef.com by clicking on the “MCOOL Campaign” button, complete the form, click “Next” and then “Submit.” 

4.      Ask others to also make calls and send emails!  

5.      In-person visits have the most impact, if you can, schedule a meeting with your incumbent’s office nearest to you.    

When calling ask if they have seen the recent Morning Consult poll and share with them: 

  • 86% of American voters support the American Beef Labeling Act that reinstates mandatory country of origin labeling for beef (S.2716 and H.R.7291). 
  • 74% of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate or U.S. House candidate who supports the American Beef Labeling Act. 
  • 90% of voters are concerned that foreign importers of beef can legally put a ‘Product of U.S.A.’ sticker on a package containing beef that was born, raised, and harvested outside the United States (Only MCOOL will require all foreign beef imports to bear an origin label.)  

If they have not seen the recent Morning Consult poll, ask for an email address to send it to and follow through. Good luck and thank you for your continued support.    

There’s only one way to win – Never Give Up!  

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