By Jamie Martin
The Senate’s version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has sparked a wave of reactions across the agriculture community. With the House preparing to vote, major farm groups voiced both support and concerns.
Zippy Duvall of the American Farm Bureau Federation praised the bill’s improvements to the farm safety net and tax policies. “Prices being paid to farmers continue to fall, while expenses remain stubbornly high.
The combination is taking a toll — America lost more than 141,000 farms in a five-year period, leading to more consolidation of family farms,” said Duvall.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association highlighted support for landowner rights, increased tax exemptions, and disease prevention funding. Improvements to crop insurance and trade program support were acknowledged by the National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association.
Groups like the Association of Equipment Manufacturers welcomed tax reforms that boost U.S. manufacturing. However, changes to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit raised concerns.
While some, like the American Biogas Council, appreciated benefits for manure-based biogas projects, others, such as the Advanced Biofuels Association, opposed restrictions on foreign feedstocks.
Despite the agricultural wins, critics are worried about cuts to food and healthcare programs. The bill reduces Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding by $185 billion over ten years.
Additionally, while $50 billion is allocated to support rural hospitals, the National Rural Health Association fears Medicaid cuts will outweigh the benefits.
As the House prepares to vote, the future of this significant bill remains under scrutiny by farmers, ranchers, and advocates across the nation.
Categories: National