For over four decades, the American Farm Bureau Federation has asked every presidential candidate to weigh in on their priorities for American agriculture. One of the questions posed this year to former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was regarding a patchwork quilt of state regulations, specifically rules like California’s Proposition 12. As president, what policies would you support to shore up the free flow of food and farm products between the states, to the benefit of all consumers and farm families?

Here are their responses:

Trump campaign

As you correctly note in the question, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution plainly states that Congress – not individual states – has the power to regulate commerce “among the several States.” For many years, this provision has been understood to block efforts by individual states to regulate interstate trade in ways that are discriminatory or burdensome. I will use all authority under the Constitution and U.S. law to stop efforts by California – or other states – that hurt American farmers in other states. I will also direct the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture to actively monitor – and strongly oppose – any further efforts to limit the ability of American farmers to sell their products anywhere in this great country.

Harris campaign

Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that excessive red tape can sometimes prevent small businesses, including small farms and ranches from selling their goods. They also know that it can be difficult for small farmers and ranchers to identify and comply with unnecessarily burdensome regulatory requirements. If they are elected, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will fight to reduce barriers and make it easier for farmers, ranchers and other small business owners across the country to earn a living and support a family off their hard work. The Biden-Harris Administration has pushed to improve and modernize the process of regulatory review, enhance public participation, and improve regulatory analysis. As president, Kamala Harris will work to ensure regulations are responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.

Regardless of which candidate is elected president, the National Pork Producers Council said it will “continue to engage with the new administration to fight against damaging and far-reaching regulations like Prop 12. NPPC’s message to all the candidates is the same — we must fix Prop 12.”

In the latest Capital Update, NPPC stated, “though a rare occurrence when the Biden-Harris administration and former President Trump agree on policy, the bipartisan opposition to Prop 12 continues to grow. It features some of the most respected voices in agriculture policy, including Secretary Vilsack, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Ranking Member Boozman, and more.”