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Ag Secretary says One Big Beauitful Bill Act contains big wins for agriculture

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a game changer for America’s farmers and ranchers. “From the 2 million family farms that no longer will be subject to the death tax to the 100% expensing in the bill, the $10 billion in tax cuts, just for our farmers and ranchers,” she says.  “And the reference price is getting updated, and 3.8 billion in additional income.”

She tells Brownfield the bill helps ensure a future for agriculture. “If we’re going to save America, we’re going to have to save America’s family farms,” she says. “There’s just no way around it. National security is predicated on a safe and abundant food supply, and us being able to basically feed ourselves.”

Rollins says the bill specifically addresses the Death Tax, which is critical to preserving American agriculture. “It’s a huge step in ensuring that we can continue to not only preserve what we still have, but actually expand and open up the market to bring more farmers and more people into agriculture,” she says. 

AUDIO: Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins

The Senate continues to finalize its version of the bill and aims for a vote before the July 4th break, a deadline President Trump has publicly set. 

One sticking point for the bill has been Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provisions.  On Thursday, the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the Senate Ag Committee’s revised provisions for state cost-share and SNAP eligibility comply with the Byrd rule.  The Byrd Rule prevents unrelated policy changes from being inserted into budget bills that require only a simple majority to pass the Senate. 

Committee Chairman John Boozman of Arkansas says the ruling paves the way for important reforms that improve efficiency and program management.  The updated Senate plan allows states to choose either the Fiscal Year 2025 or Fiscal Year 2026 payment error rate to calculate the state match requirement that begins in Fiscal Year 2028.  States must contribute a set percentage of the cost of its SNAP benefits if its payment error rate exceeds six percent.   Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar says the proposal would raise grocery costs and take food away from millions of people, including seniors, children, and veterans.