Passage of ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Sparks Fireworks Among the Agriculture Sector

After a 218-214 vote, the “one big, beautiful bill” is headed to President Trump’s desk for signature.

Agriculture leaders and organizations erupted with reaction headed into the holiday weekend. Here’s a closer look at the statements of support and condemnation made across the agriculture industry.

Federal Agriculture Leaders

Ranking Member Angie Craig

House Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02) called the legislation “disgraceful” in a statement.

“Today marks a grave turning point for our country, one which leaves rural communities and farmers behind, and places us on the road toward increased hunger, less prosperity, and fewer opportunities for working families,” Craig said. “This bill takes food away from millions of children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Congressional Republicans have sold out ordinary Americans to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-rich and large corporations. The Republican budget is a disgrace, and every single person who voted for it should be ashamed.”

She highlighted her objections to the bill saying the legislation is:

• Slashing SNAP benefits
• Taking food away from millions of Americans
• Taking benefits away from veterans, homeless people, and former foster youth
• Forcing states or counties to raise local taxes or cut services
• Pushing states to eliminate SNAP entirely
• Rewarding states with high error rates
• Breaking up the long-standing farm bill coalition
• Reducing farm revenue
• Hurting rural communities
• Hurting rural grocers
• Damaging the food economy

State Agriculture Leaders

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

Mike Naig was elected to serve as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

“The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a significant victory for Iowa’s farmers and rural communities, delivering permanent tax relief, enhanced death tax exemptions, extension of the 45Z tax credit, and strengthened crop insurance and commodity reference price provisions that help our farmers at a time when there is uncertainty in the ag economy,” Naig said in a statement. “These measures bolster farmers’ financial stability, allowing them to invest in their operations and pass family farms to the next generation without the lingering fear of excessive tax penalties. I want to thank Iowa’s entire federal delegation and President Trump for their steadfast leadership in championing these pro-farmer policies that boost the ag economy and support rural prosperity.”

Looking ahead, Naig urged Congress to “focus on finalizing a modernized, comprehensive five-year farm bill to further help producers manage risk, enhance our voluntary conservation efforts, reinstate robust interstate commerce eroded by Prop 12, and address other emerging and evolving agricultural challenges.”

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller

Sid Miller is the 12th Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

“On the eve of celebrating our nation’s independence, the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill signifies a historic achievement for American families, farmers, and rural communities,” Miller said in a statement.

“Amid increasing costs, this legislation provides tax certainty for the hardworking individuals who drive our economy and support our nation. From farmers in the Texas Panhandle to cattle ranchers in the Hill Country, it guarantees their effort and labor are recognized and rewarded rather than penalized. The bill broadens deductions for farm equipment, encourages agricultural innovation, and protects the legacy of family-run farms. The bill also delivers a historic $50 billion investment into rural healthcare, ensuring that our farmers and ranchers have reliable access to quality medical services,” Miller added.

“On behalf of Texas agriculture, I thank every member of Congress who stood with the working class and voted to put America first. This victory is more than policy; it’s a set of promises kept to rural America and a bold step toward securing the future of our farms, our families, and our food supply.”

National Advocacy Groups

American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.

President Zippy Duvall kept his comments brief following the passage of legislation that will bring “certainty” to farmers and ranchers. 

“Modernizing important farm safety net programs and making permanent critical tax provisions could be the difference between staying in business or shutting down the family farm,” Duvall said.

He added, “More than half of farmers are losing money, so an increase in reference prices is desperately needed, and tax tools will help farmers and ranchers plan for the next season and the next generation.”

AFBF applauded lawmakers for taking a “big step toward ensuring America’s farmers and ranchers can continue to keep pantries filled for America’s families.” 

National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union (NFU) advocates on behalf of more than 230,000 American farm families and their communities.

President Rob Larew began his statement acknowledging the positive aspects of the bill. “We appreciate the efforts of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to include long-overdue investments for family farmers and ranchers in this legislation. The bill strengthens the farm safety net, supports biofuels and conservation, and extends key tax incentives that help keep family farm operations viable. These wins reflect persistent advocacy from our Farmers Union members across the country, who raised their voices during our Week of Action in May.”

Larew expressed concern, as well. “However, these gains are paired with harmful tradeoffs. Cuts to SNAP divide the farm bill coalition and reductions in Medicaid will have harmful effects on millions of Americans. Farm policy should unite us. This approach undermines the foundation of the farm bill and puts its future at risk,” he said.

Looking ahead, Larew urged lawmakers to “finish the job” with a comprehensive farm bill. NFU advocates for a farm bill that “that strengthens rural communities, ensures fair markets, and reflects the full scope of challenges facing today’s farm families,” Larew said.

National Corn Growers Association

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents more than 36,000 dues-paying corn growers in 48 states, and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their state.

In a statement President Kenneth Hartman, Jr. said, “The legislation contains several important and longstanding priorities for corn growers, including the extension of key tax provisions and investments in commodity and trade promotion programs. Corn growers have been pushing for many of these improvements since at least 2023 and spent much of the last year preparing to shape the federal tax provisions. We appreciate the members of Congress who worked to ensure our views and these provisions were included in the final bill, and look forward to the president signing this legislation into law tomorrow.”

Hartman noted corn farmers from around the country plan to fly into Washington, D.C., in less than two weeks to lobby for other priorities including year-round E15 and a mini farm bill.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) “has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.”

“America’s cattle farmers and ranchers are pleased by the final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill,” said Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane on Thursday. “This legislation will protect family farmers and ranchers from the devastation of the death tax, it will avoid a massive year-end tax hike that could have put cattle operations out of business, it expands and protects many of the small business tax deductions that family producers rely on to save more of the hard-earned money, and it funds critical foreign animal disease prevention measures that protect cattle health.”

The NCBA statement went on to call out lawmakers who were supporters of the legislation “since day one” by name.

National Association of Wheat Growers

National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) is the primary policy representative in Washington, D.C., for wheat growers, “working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public.”

In a statement, President Pat Clements thanked members of the House and Senate for their work and said, “This legislation will empower America’s wheat producers to invest in their operations, remain globally competitive, and support national food security and economic resilience. NAWG commends Congress for recognizing the vital role of wheat producers in the food supply chain.”

The NAWF statement acknowledged the bill reflects some of the organization’s top policy priorities including:

• Enhancing the farm safety net
• Strengthening crop insurance
• Expanding market opportunities

American Soybean Association

The American Soybean Association (ASA) represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers.

The American Soybean Association issued a brief statement following the passage of the bill acknowledging the legislation includes several top organizational priorities including securing key farm programs like crop insurance and tax provisions like the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

“At a time of great uncertainty for the agriculture economy, the support of Congress to enhance key programs and vital domestic markets for our farmers is critical,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland, a Kentucky soybean grower. “ASA thanks the House for maintaining several crucial farm programs and tax provisions that support U.S. soybean growers.”

National Sorghum Producers

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) works to create legislative and regulatory change for a more profitable, diverse, and competitive sorghum industry.

In a statement, the NSP “applauded” the bill’s passage and said it delivered significant gains for sorghum farmers, including:

• Increased reference prices under Title I of the farm bill
• Improvements to PLC and ARC programs to strengthen the commodity safety net
• Crop insurance improvements to enhance producer risk management
• Expanded trade development funding to grow export markets
• Extension of the 45Z clean fuel production credit benefiting biofuel-related sorghum demand
• Permanent extension of key tax provisions important to farmers and rural businesses

“This is a strong step forward for producers who have waited too long for the certainty they need to plan ahead,” said NSP Chair Amy France.

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.