It's not rationalizing, this is what they mean. It's always been meat, specifically beef. And policy wise it's opposed to laws and initiatives that end subsidies for beef, seek to discourage red meat consumption, or account for the environmental impact of beef production.

They framed it as a the war on protein so that any bill concerned with beef could be countered with, "so you're against protein rich diets for Americans?!" Not only are the liberals going to take away your steak but now they're also responsible for the health crisis as well as why our men aren't tough and strong.

Don't accept bad faith framing.