Three Republican Congressmen representing Central California are asking USDA to reopen the slaughterhouse operated by Central Valley Meat Company – citing the region’s high unemployment. The facility was shut down Monday after federal inspectors viewed an undercover video shot last month by an investigator for the Compassion Over Killing animal rights group. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – Representatives Devin Nunes, Kevin McCarthy and Jeff Denham say that shutting the plant will do nothing to further the goal of responding to the alleged animal abuse. The group is asking the Secretary to intervene against attacks occurring at the behest of radical groups.

The request comes after USDA and McDonald’s severed ties with Central Valley Meat Company – suspending purchases of meat from the facility. McDonald’s said there are behaviors in the covert video which appear to be unacceptable and would not adhere to the standards they demand of their suppliers. Despite USDA’s move to suspend purchases – federal officials say nothing they have seen in the video shows meat from cows that may have been sick made it into the food supply.