Why The Wall Street Journal Is Talking About Hens

That’s exactly what happened this month when our Senior Policy Counsel, Hannah Truxell, had her letter to the editor published in response to a national debate over California’s groundbreaking law sparing hens from cages.

This is more than a media win. It’s proof that when supporters like you speak up, the nation listens—and the truth about animal protection can’t be ignored.

Why does a letter to the editor matter?

The Wall Street Journal shapes national conversations about business, policy, and the future of our food system. Having our expert’s fact-based, compassionate perspective published in its pages means the story of sparing hens from cages—and the values we all share—reaches millions.

When Hannah’s letter appeared, it wasn’t just words on a page. It was a rallying cry for everyone who believes animals deserve better—and a clear rebuttal to the misinformation surrounding the DOJ’s lawsuit.

What did our expert say?

When you picture a hen, you probably imagine her stretching her wings, exploring her surroundings, and living free from suffering. That’s the vision behind California’s Proposition 12—a law that, thanks to voters like you, set out to ensure that no hen is forced to spend her life confined in a tiny cage. Now, as the Department of Justice files a lawsuit to roll back these protections, it’s more important than ever to remember who these laws are truly for—and why standing up for animals is a value we all share.

Prop 12, passed decisively by California voters and upheld by the US Supreme Court, prohibits the sale of eggs from hens kept in cruel cages. This isn’t just a California issue—similar commitments to animals have been made by states like Colorado, Michigan, and Utah, reflecting a growing consensus across the country: animals should not suffer needlessly for our food.

But in July, the DOJ sued to block California’s law, claiming it interferes with interstate commerce and drives up prices. Some headlines suggest that sparing hens from cages is to blame for the cost of eggs. The facts, however, tell a different story.

Hannah’s letter set the record straight:

• Prop 12 is lawful and widely supported. Californians overwhelmingly voted to spare hens from cages, and the Supreme Court agreed.
• Federal law doesn’t block animal protections. The Egg Products Inspection Act regulates packaging, not how animals live.
• Avian flu—not cage-free laws—is why egg prices spiked. Experts across the industry agree.
• Momentum is growing. From Michigan to Colorado, more states are standing up for animals—because supporters like you demand it.

Egg price spikes haven’t been caused by cage-free laws. Instead, a historic outbreak of avian flu wiped out flocks and disrupted supply chains nationwide. Even industry leaders and agricultural officials have made it clear: bird flu, not animal protection laws, is the real driver behind higher prices.

Your voice makes headlines

Why did The Wall Street Journal publish our letter? Because people like you are changing the narrative. Every time you raise your voice, you make it clear that protecting animals isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s what most people believe.