Cotton Proposes Easing Egg Regulations to Increase Supply and Address Affordability Issues

In a move to tackle rising egg prices, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas plans to introduce legislation aimed at relaxing federal regulations governing egg handling, Fox News Digital has learned. The Lowering Egg Prices Act of 2025 would update existing rules to allow surplus broiler hatching eggs to enter the food supply as pasteurized liquid egg products.

“Arkansas consumers have paid higher egg prices and faced egg shortages because of bureaucratic red tape that forces farmers to throw out hundreds of millions of usable eggs each year,” Cotton said in a statement. “My bill will cut these excessive regulations and lower egg prices.”

The proposed legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to rewrite current egg regulations. The change would create a regulatory pathway for eggs originally intended for hatching to be diverted into the food supply, effectively increasing the number of eggs available to consumers.

Egg prices have been a significant concern for American households in recent months. Prices climbed steadily through late 2024, reaching record highs of more than $6 per dozen by March 2025. This price spike represented one of the most visible manifestations of broader inflation concerns affecting American consumers.

The Trump administration has already taken steps to address the egg supply chain issues. Earlier this year, President Trump directed the USDA to allocate $1 billion toward strengthening the egg supply chain against avian influenza. The comprehensive plan focused on enhancing biosecurity measures, providing relief to farmers, advancing vaccine research, and increasing egg imports.

Avian influenza has been a major factor in egg supply disruptions. When the virus is detected in a hatchery, standard protocol typically requires culling entire flocks to prevent further spread, which creates significant supply chain disruptions and drives prices upward.

The egg industry has faced additional scrutiny this year, with multiple lawsuits against producers alleging price-fixing practices. In a separate but related action, the Trump administration sued California for allegedly implementing regulations that contradict federal law and contribute to higher egg prices.

Despite these challenges, egg prices have shown signs of improvement in recent months. According to the USDA’s latest egg markets overview, prices during early December decreased in most markets. Large white eggs, for example, dropped approximately 17% to an average of $1.91 per dozen, though some regional markets like California continued to see higher prices.

Cotton’s bill represents the latest attempt to address food affordability concerns that have become politically significant in recent years. By targeting regulatory barriers rather than implementing subsidies or price controls, the legislation aligns with traditional Republican approaches to market intervention.

The egg industry is a critical component of the U.S. food system, with Americans consuming over 95 billion eggs annually, according to industry data. Any significant fluctuation in egg prices affects millions of households, particularly those with lower incomes for whom eggs represent an affordable protein source.

Food policy experts note that the regulatory change proposed by Cotton could potentially increase egg supply without requiring additional government spending. However, some consumer advocates may question whether the changes could affect food safety standards, as regulations governing egg handling were originally implemented to protect public health.

If passed, the legislation would provide immediate relief to both egg producers, who would gain additional revenue streams for eggs currently being discarded, and consumers facing high prices at grocery stores across the country.