Iowa Lawmakers Weigh Bill to Shield Roundup Maker from Cancer Lawsuits

Republicans push legislation to block suits if pesticide label follows federal guidelines

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Iowa legislature is considering a bill that would protect the maker of the weed killer Roundup from lawsuits alleging the product causes cancer, as long as the pesticide's label follows federal guidelines. The bill has the support of Republican leaders, who argue it would help ensure a steady supply of Roundup, with 70% of North American sales coming from an Iowa plant. Democrats have opposed the measure, citing the state's "cancer crisis" and the "horrible optics" of shielding the company from liability.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation highlights the ongoing debate over the safety of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, and the liability of its manufacturer, Bayer. While some studies have linked Roundup to cancer, the company maintains the product is safe when used as directed. This bill could set a precedent for other states to protect agrochemical companies from lawsuits, even as the U.S. Supreme Court considers Bayer's appeal to block thousands of such cases.

The details

The Iowa House is considering a bill that would block lawsuits alleging Roundup causes cancer, as long as the pesticide's label follows federal guidelines. The bill has the support of Republican leaders, including House Speaker Pat Grassley and House Republican Leader Bobby Kaufmann, who argue it would help ensure a steady supply of Roundup, with 70% of North American sales coming from a plant in Muscatine, Iowa. However, Democrats, such as Representative Austin Baeth, a doctor of internal medicine, have opposed the measure, citing the state's "cancer crisis" and the "horrible optics" of shielding the company from liability.

  • The Iowa legislature is currently considering the Roundup protection bill during its 2026 legislative session.
  • Last year, the Iowa Senate passed a similar bill to protect Bayer from Roundup-related lawsuits.
  • Last week, President Trump issued an executive order citing the Defense Production Act to ensure a steady supply of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup.

The players

Pat Grassley

The Republican speaker of the Iowa House and a representative from New Hartford.

Bobby Kaufmann

The Republican House Majority Leader in Iowa.

Mike Klimesh

The Republican Senate Majority Leader in Iowa.

Austin Baeth

A Democratic representative from Des Moines and a doctor of internal medicine.

Bayer

The manufacturer of the weed killer Roundup, which contains the active ingredient glyphosate.

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What they’re saying

“Companies should not be held to a legal standard for something that they're not allowed to put on the label by the FDA. Right? At the basic level of that bill that's what it is.”

— Mike Klimesh, Senate Majority Leader

“The optics of it are horrible for anybody to be in support of this bill when Iowa is in the middle of a cancer crisis.”

— Austin Baeth, Democratic Representative

What’s next

The Iowa House will decide whether to pass the Roundup protection bill during the current legislative session. If passed, it would then go to the governor for signature into law.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation in Iowa highlights the ongoing debate over the safety of glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup and the liability of their manufacturers. While some states have moved to protect agrochemical companies from lawsuits, the issue remains highly contentious, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a major case on the topic.