Sen. Chuck Grassley to colleagues on “Big, Beautiful Bill": Leave politics at the door

Lawmakers are working on other parts of the reconciliation package, where changes are likely on the way, which tackles several large parts of the Farm Bill. It is why Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is asking his colleagues to leave politics at the door.

“Just get this stuff out of the way, because we’ve been negligent in not passing a farm bill in ’23 and ’24, so we’ll just have to play it by ear. I’m sure Boozman’s moving ahead, and then we’ll find out about Democrats obstructing, and if they do, it’ll be the first time a five-year farm bill’s ever been done in a partisan way.”

Farmers across the Corn Belt are looking for answers as well. The Iowa Farm Bureau is calling on lawmakers to get the conversations started.

“If we pass all of our fiscal responsibilities in this reconciliation package, the real question becomes when or if, and how do we pass a consolidated farm bill in the future and those policies that are left in the lurch? How do we move those things forward, things like interstate commerce, year-round E15, and some of those things that aren’t fiscally connected,” said Brent Johnson, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Johnson says it is time for a new Farm Bill, warning that safety nets need major attention. Senate Majority Leader John Thune tells us that he hopes to get the reconciliation package to the President’s desk before Independence Day.

Related Stories
The biggest development of 2025 in agricultural law and taxation was the signing into law on July 4 of the Trump Administration’s landmark legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA)
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
The new rule removes prevented-plant buy-up coverage, prompting strong objections from farm groups concerned about added risk exposure.
Lawmakers and experts react to the Administration’s long-awaited announcement of “bridge” aid to stabilize farms and offset 2025 losses until expanded safety-net programs begin in 2026.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach shares her appreciation for rural communities and outlines how the Working Families Tax Cut is aimed to support farm families on RFD-TV’s Champions of Rural America.
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer shares insight into what these new accounts, established in provisions of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could mean for the farm families.
RFD-TV expert Roger McEowen explains why a “skinny” Farm Bill is likely in the future, but its scope may change due to provisions contained in the Big, Beautiful Bill.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.
Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to provide analysis on the January WASDE report and expectations for grain markets going forward.
Market reaction was bearish for corn and soybeans, with analysts noting that abundant supplies amid tepid demand could keep price pressure on agricultural commodities.