WASHINGTON, D.C. (WNAX) – South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson is co-sponsoring a bill called the “DIRECT Act” that would allow small meat processing plants to sell their products across state lines.

Johnson says it would help with the livestock backlog and meat shortages.

Johnson says many state inspection standards are the same as federal rules.

Johnson says locker plants and other processors could opt into the plan.

Senator Mike Rounds has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.