Massie Discusses Legislative Initiatives with
Maysville Rotary Club
This month, I addressed the Maysville Rotary Club at the invitation of President Rod Baker to discuss current events in Washington, D.C. with the Rotarians and their guests. It was a pleasure to see Mason County Judge/Executive Owen McNeill, Judge Stockton Wood, and former Chief of Police Ronald Rice in attendance for my remarks.
The Ledger Independent was there to cover the event. In addition to taking the photo included above, the paper published a detailed account of my remarks, linked here. The following passages are excerpted from their coverage:
"The Congressman also talked about some of the bills he is currently sponsoring including the Prime Act, which would allow local beef producers to process their meat at a local facility and sell to local markets and restaurants.
Currently, four large processors control 85 percent of beef processing in the nation, Massie said. Of those four, one is owned by China, another by Brazil and the others by international groups. Because a full-time on-site USDA inspector is required by the federal government before beef is sold, beef raised in Kentucky or any state goes through those processors.
Under the Prime Act, while beef would still be subject to unannounced USDA inspection, an onsite inspector would not be required as long as the beef is processed and sold in the same state where it was raised.
If the bill passes, it would mean “a renaissance of small processors,” Massie said. The result would be more profit for local farmers and lower prices for consumers, he said.
He also spoke of his opposition to mandatory COVID vaccines for the military, a move which has driven thousands from its ranks, Massie said.
He made it clear that “I am not against the vaccine, I am against the mandate.”
Massie also touched on a bill that would eliminate what he said is double taxation on Social Security benefits. Taxed as income from wages, benefits are taxed as a beneficiary’s income reaches levels beyond what the system allows, he said.
“It makes no sense to me why we would tax retirement twice,” he said.
“With inflation, this would be a pretty good time to pass this bill,” Massie said."