WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the reconciliation bill, known formally as H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tackling President Donald Trump’s sweeping agenda for tax policies and extenders, immigration reform and border security, national defense, among others. Following intense negotiations amongst Republicans over the past week, the vote advancing the bill to the Senate was 215-214-1.
The bill includes a number of budgetary Farm Bill-related provisions that address many of USA Rice’s Farm Bill priorities (see
USA Rice Daily, May 13, 2025).
Ahead of the vote by the full House, USA Rice released the following statement.
“USA Rice appreciates Congress’s recognition of the needs of America’s farmers, agricultural businesses, and rural communities. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes significant, much-needed investments in the farm safety net and includes several favorable tax provisions to help keep families farming. USA Rice urges swift passage of this important legislation.”
This bill now goes to the Senate where the chamber will undergo its own deliberative process. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) has stated publicly that it is his full intention to provide for meaningful updates to the Commodity Programs and Federal Crop Insurance similar to those in the House bill.
Both Chambers of Congress will recess next week for the Memorial Day Holiday, and it’s expected the Senate will swiftly begin its work in June. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has continued to reiterate his plan of having a finished product to the President’s desk by July 4, 2025.
While this process is far from over, USA Rice will continue working tirelessly to ensure these much-needed farm policy improvements will survive into the final product.