Why an Executive Order on Glyphosate Hits Home for This Midwest Millennial Mama

If you’ve been following the news, you might have seen headlines about President Trump’s recent executive order concerning glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. For many, it might seem like just another political maneuver, another piece of legislation in a long line of them. But for me, as a Midwest Millennial Mama, and especially as a survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, this news isn’t just political – it’s profoundly personal.​

My journey through Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma changed my life forever. It wasn’t just a physical battle; it was a wake-up call, forcing me to look at everything around me – our food, our environment, and the policies that shape them – with a critical eye. And what I’ve seen, especially here in our beautiful, agriculture-rich state of Iowa, has filled me with a constant, gnawing worry: are we all slowly being poisoned? 🤔

​The Executive Order: A “National Security” Shield for Big Ag?

​On February 18, 2026, President Trump used the Defense Production Act to declare glyphosate “critical to national security.” His administration argues that without this widely used weedkiller, our food supply would be jeopardized, and food prices would skyrocket.

​Here’s the part that hits me hardest: this order also attempts to grant legal “immunity” to companies like Bayer (the owner of Monsanto, which makes Roundup). What does this mean in plain English? It means that if the government says, “Keep making this chemical for national security,” then the company making it might not be held responsible for the harm it causes.​

Bayer has been facing billions of dollars in lawsuits from people—like me—who developed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after using Roundup. These lawsuits argue that Bayer failed to warn us about the dangers. Now, this executive order, coupled with efforts in the 2026 Farm Bill, could create a “pesticide shield.” If the EPA approves a label, then states and individuals might lose their ability to sue, effectively slamming the courthouse doors on cancer survivors seeking justice.​

The Unignorable Link: My Cancer and Your Concern

​This isn’t just about legal loopholes; it’s about our health. While the U.S. EPA continues to claim glyphosate is safe, many other scientific bodies disagree:

• The World Health Organization (WHO)’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” way back in 2015, specifically linking it to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The EXACT cancer I was diagnosed with in November 2022.
• A significant 2019 study from the University of Washington found that individuals with high exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides had a staggering 41% increased risk of developing NHL.​

Think about that! A 41% increased risk. For a chemical declared “critical” while companies are shielded from accountability. And then think about our home, Iowa, where this chemical is sprayed extensively across our farmlands, drifting into our air and water.

My Constant Worry for Our State​

As a Midwest Millennial Mama, my biggest job is to protect my family. And honestly, it feels like an uphill battle when the very air we breathe and the soil our food grows in might be compromised. When I hear about policies like this, my immediate thought goes to every family, every child, every farmer in Iowa.

​Are we truly prioritizing our national security by potentially sacrificing the health of our citizens? Are we creating a system where corporate profits are protected, while the human cost of their products is swept under the rug?​

This isn’t just about my cancer. It’s about preventing more stories like mine. It’s about demanding that our government and corporations prioritize public health over corporate interests. It’s about ensuring that we, as Iowans, are not slowly being poisoned in our own homes and on our own land.​

I will never forget meeting RFK Jr. in 2024. I was still in the thick of it—recovering from my life-saving stem cell transplant, sitting in my wheelchair, just trying to survive. I looked him in the eye and told him about my battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

At the time, he was the loudest voice in the room calling out glyphosate for what it is: a poison that destroys lives. He was adamant that this chemical was a primary cause of NHL. He gave me hope that someone was finally listening to the victims instead of the corporations. But now? Seeing this administration use an Executive Order to shield the very company that made me sick? I am beyond disgusted. What happened to making America healthy again?

What Can We Do?​

This issue is complex, but understanding it is the first step. Here’s what I believe we need to do:

• Stay Informed: Keep asking questions, keep researching, and don’t take easy answers at face value.
• Speak Up: Share your concerns with your elected officials at both state and federal levels. Your voice matters.
• Support Sustainable Solutions: Advocate for agricultural practices that protect both our farmers and our health.​

This executive order might be signed, but the conversation is far from over. As a community, and especially as mothers and protectors of our homes, we have a right – and a responsibility – to demand better.​

What are your thoughts on this executive order? Does this news concern you as much as it concerns me? Share your comments below. 👇🏻