Bayer AG, the German pharmaceutical giant that acquired Monsanto in 2018, has ramped up political spending in state legislatures across the U.S. as it faces mounting legal battles over Roundup, a herbicide linked to cancer claims. The company has funneled funds into lobbying efforts and political action committees to push for state laws that would protect it from further litigation.

Missouri has become a focal point of this legal fight, with an estimated 25,000 lawsuits pending in Cole County alone. Court records have revealed that Bayer-backed groups, such as the Modern Ag Alliance, have been funding aggressive media campaigns in support of legislative measures that would limit liability for Roundup-related claims. Since November, the group has spent over $100,000 on radio ads in Missouri to assert that glyphosate, Roundup’s active ingredient, is safe.

A bill introduced by state Rep. Dane Diehl (R) aims to shield Bayer from further legal challenges by mandating that the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s warning label on Roundup satisfies Missouri’s legal standards. If enacted, this legislation would likely dismiss most lawsuits against the company in the state.

Despite passing in the Missouri House, the bill faces growing resistance in the state Senate from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Opponents, including state Rep. Mazzie Christensen (R), argue that Bayer is being granted a legal shield similar to the federal PREP Act, which protects vaccine manufacturers from liability.

Bayer has already spent billions in legal settlements, setting aside $16 billion to cover damages from Roundup cases. The company has paid out $10 billion so far, but ongoing lawsuits threaten its financial standing.

Meanwhile, Bayer’s efforts to influence state legislation mirror broader industry trends. Contributions from pesticide industry PACs have surged in recent election cycles, with a sharp increase in donations to state lawmakers in key agricultural states, including Iowa, Illinois and North Carolina.