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:

More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.