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House Ag GOP pushes amendments to stop harmful tax proposals

Republican House Ag Committee members – in a marathon debate Friday on a new spending package – tried to get assurances that harmful tax proposals will not be included to offset spending.

Kansas Congressman Tracey Mann offered an amendment during the remote hearing from a Kansas sorghum field, “This change doesn’t change the game for agriculture it ends the game for tens of thousands of farmers. My amendment would establish a sense of this committee to protect farmers and ranchers and producers from thes looming tax burdens that we’re sure to see in this reconciliation bill.”

Chairman David Scott repeatedly told members he is having serious discussions on all sides to prevent any change in stepped up basis, “It would be devastating.”

Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, praised Chairman Scott for listening, and for sending a letter to President Biden in June, but said a strong message should be sent now, “Letters are nice but this would be devastating to our rural communities and to our farm families if any of these proposals go through.”

Voting on the $66 billion in new ag spending for ag research, renewable energy, rural development and forestry – along with 30 GOP amendments – was postponed until sometime this week.

Chairman Scott said cost estimate delays from the Congressional Budget Office are why $28 billion in conservation spending weren’t included on Friday but would be added to the measure before it gets to the House for a vote.