New Senate Majority Leader John Thune lays out his 2025 priorities

The 119th Congress is in session, and ag lawmakers are ready to get to work.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he has an aggressive agenda to tackle for farm families.

“Extending the tax relief Republicans delivered during the first Trump Administration, lifting burdensome and expensive government regulations to help American businesses and families flourish, bringing appropriations bills to the floor for serious deliberation so that we make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars, and an overdue farm bill to update farm programs for farmers and ranchers to reflect current agricultural needs.”

Aside from taking on the leadership role, Thune remains on the Senate Ag Committee. He is hoping that a new farm bill can get passed soon but acknowledges it will require bipartisan support.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Speaking about his administration’s tariff strategy, Trump acknowledged that producers could face financial strain in the short term but promised stopgap support.
Rising cow numbers and higher yields are boosting milk supplies, which may keep pressure on prices and farm margins into the fall.
As input costs continue to rise, diesel prices have held steady in recent weeks, according to energy analysts at GasBuddy.
The USDA is moving to close the farm trade gap through promotion, missions, and stronger export financing.
Farm legal and taxation expert Roger McEowen explains the IRS’s shift to electronic payments and disbursements, and what it means for upcoming tax filings.
Estate tax relief reduces pressure, but succession planning remains the critical challenge for farm families.