Election 2016
Election is important to cattle business, America.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016) — Colin Woodall kicked off his election update session at Cattlemen’s College® by saying he needed to manage some expectations right out of the gate.
“When you leave here, you are not going to know who is going to be the next president,” the senior vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) said. The room filled with laughter, like it did often when the witty lobbyist delivered a line. Yet, he is the first to tell you this election year is serious business, for cattlemen and for America.
“If you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” Colin Woodall said. “But more importantly, it’s a right that’s been given to us, and we need to exercise that right.”
While most associate Nov. 8, 2016, with the presidential election, Woodall said that’s only one piece of the puzzle. There are some very important House and Senate races, as well. Then there are the hot-button policy issues at the moment — all of which could go in cattlemen’s favor or not depending on who is in Washington.
There’s the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is being negotiated by the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada and Mexico. Then there's the Waters of the United States, more commonly known as WOTUS. The Endangered Species Act is also important to cattle raisers.
Policies related to production practices and animal health issues continue to be big issues.
“There is always a new attack from the animal rights activists,” Woodall says. “Who is in the White House and who is in Congress will determine how big these fights are for us.”
Yet, many Americans have yet to register to vote. Of those who are registered, many more will not show up to cast their ballot. Woodall’s generation, Gen X, is the worst offender of all age groups, but he’s trying to change that.
“If you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” Woodall said. “But more importantly, it’s a right that’s been given to us, and we need to exercise that right.”
He adds that some have strayed from voting saying they’re too busy. He reminded those folks about absentee and early voting. Others feel like their vote doesn’t count anyway. What’s the point?
“Every vote counts,” he assured the crowd. “That’s why we need you.”
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