Democrat Rep Slams Oregon Hunting Ban as ‘Insane’
Democratic Representative Val Hoyle denounced Oregon's IP 28 ballot initiative that would ban hunting, fishing, and livestock breeding, calling it insane for criminalizing standard agricultural practices.
U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, a Democrat, described Oregon Initiative Petition 28 as “insane” and warned that it would make artificial insemination of cattle a felony sex crime, according to Breitbart News.
The initiative, known as IP 28, unofficially reached its signature threshold in late May 2026 to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. The measure’s official title is the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions Act, or PEACE Act.
Under current Oregon law, animal cruelty statutes primarily protect domestic pets like dogs and cats. IP 28 would dramatically expand these protections to cover wild animals, livestock, and animals used in research. The initiative would make it illegal to injure or kill any animal except in cases of self-defense, effectively ending hunting, fishing, and animal breeding operations throughout the state.
Representative Hoyle sharply criticized the signature-gathering campaign behind the initiative, suggesting that petitioners misled Oregon voters about the measure’s true impact. It would make it illegal to kill any animal except in self-defense, she explained, noting that this would eliminate Oregon’s commercial fishing industry entirely.
The congresswoman further highlighted what she described as absurd legal consequences of the proposal, stating that it would classify the artificial insemination of livestock—a routine agricultural practice—as a felony sex crime. She accused signature gatherers of asking people simply whether they wanted to help save animals, without explaining the full scope of the initiative’s provisions.
Hoyle also pushed back against what she characterized as a naive understanding of food production systems. She pointed out that food does not magically appear on grocery store shelves through some “food fairy” waving a magic wand, but rather comes from farmers, ranchers, and commercial fishermen whose livelihoods would be destroyed by the initiative.
The ballot measure represents one of the most aggressive animal rights proposals to reach a state ballot in recent years and has drawn opposition from agricultural groups, hunting organizations, and now at least one Democratic member of Congress. If approved by Oregon voters in November 2026, the initiative would fundamentally transform the state’s relationship with animal agriculture and outdoor recreation.
With information from Breitbart News
