According to political writer Ben Goad, the measure effectively replaces cuts required by the $85 billion sequester that would have prompted the agency to furlough thousands of federal meat inspectors around the country for up to 11 days.

Note: Progressive Cattleman covered the furlough's potential effects on the beef industry in a March 7 article.

Meat processing and packing plants cannot operate without onsite inspectors.

The funding would be shifted to FSIS from other USDA accounts. 

—From an article in The Hill, written by Ben Goad (Click here to read the full article.)