Better late than never, right? Actually, no. This is something that has been so long overdue that the potential move is an insult to both health-conscious Americans and the beef industry itself… at least those in it who believe in this nation.

For generations, American beef has been more than just a product — it’s been a symbol of who we are as a people. From the ranchers who rise before dawn to the family grilling burgers on a Sunday afternoon, beef represents the heart of American industry and tradition. Yet for years, Americans haven’t been told the full truth about where much of that beef actually comes from. And now, with a rare bipartisan push in Congress, there’s a growing chance that may finally change.

At the center of the debate is something called “Country of Origin Labeling,” or COOL. Once upon a time, it was standard practice for Americans to know where their beef originated. Consumers could read the label and see whether their steak came from a U.S. ranch or a foreign supplier. That transparency gave Americans confidence and helped support domestic cattle producers. But under relentless pressure from international trade groups and multinational meatpackers, Congress repealed mandatory COOL for beef in 2015 after the World Trade Organization ruled it was a “barrier to trade.”

In the years since, the meat industry has become increasingly consolidated, with just four companies — Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef — controlling roughly 85 percent of U.S. beef processing. Two of those giants, JBS and National Beef, are foreign-owned. They work day and night trying to bring any independent ranchers under their wing and thereby under their thumbs.

Their global reach means that beef processed in an American facility may have originated in Brazil, Australia, or Uruguay — and yet still be labeled “Product of the USA” as long as it was repackaged or minimally processed here. That legal loophole has misled consumers and undercut domestic ranchers for nearly a decade.

American ranchers have paid the price. While consumers assume “Made in the USA” means homegrown, domestic producers have been forced to compete with cheaper, lower quality imported beef that benefits from lower environmental and labor standards abroad.

This not only hurts American ranchers — it erodes national food security and weakens the backbone of rural America. Then, there’s the health issues associated with filthy conditions and weak regulations that mean we have no idea what’s going into the cows that turn into the beef in our burgers.

Now, there’s movement to restore honesty to the system. The American Beef Labeling Act would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. The proposal has gained unusual bipartisan traction because it’s rooted not in ideology, but in fairness. Americans have a right to know where their food comes from, and U.S. ranchers deserve a level playing field in their own market.

Critics of COOL argue it could reignite trade disputes, particularly with Canada and Mexico, which previously challenged the labeling rule before the WTO. But supporters counter that transparency isn’t protectionism — it’s sovereignty. Other nations proudly label their products; why shouldn’t America? When Americans spend their hard-earned money, they have a right to make informed choices, whether for reasons of quality, safety, or patriotism.

The fight for labeling is also about trust. Over the last few years, Americans have watched as global supply chains faltered, prices soared, and local producers were left behind. We learned that relying too heavily on foreign imports for essentials — from medicine to energy — leaves us vulnerable.

Beef should be no different. When the next crisis hits, will we still be able to feed our people with American-raised meat, or will we be left at the mercy of global suppliers?

Restoring transparency isn’t just about consumer awareness; it’s about restoring integrity to an industry that once stood as a pillar of American strength. Local ranchers don’t want subsidies or special favors. They simply want fairness — to compete honestly and proudly under a label that reflects the truth.

Congress now faces a simple question: Will it side with multinational corporations and foreign trade bodies, or will it stand with American ranchers and families who deserve to know what’s on their dinner tables? For too long, the global meat cartel has dictated the terms. It’s time for Washington to put America first again — starting with something as simple, honest, and sacred as a label on our beef.