The Senate has passed on a party-line vote of 50-49 a $3.5 trillion budget resolution which proposes major investments in conservation, nutrition, childcare, family leave and climate change. It also proposes tax increases on wealthy individuals and corporations to help pay for the package.

Passing the budget resolution is the first step in the process. The next step is consideration by committees. The resolution provides instructions to committees with specific spending targets. Committees will have until Sept. 15 to finalize their provisions for the final bill. After the committees complete their work, the provisions will be merged into a budget reconciliation package for final consideration. 

During consideration of the resolution, Republicans offered numerous non-binding amendments, with many used to force Democrats to take tough votes that could be used against them in an election year.

Senator John Thune's, R-S.D., non-binding amendment that called for “preserving” current tax rules for transferring farms and businesses, including the “full benefit of the step-up in basis for assets acquired from a decedent” was adopted on a vote of 99-0. The administration's proposal to start taxing capital gains at death and its impact on stepped-up basis has been a major issue with agricultural organizations and producers.

Provisions of the budget framework include:

The Senate Finance Committee was given instructions to find revenue/taxes to help offset the cost of the package. It is expected the final package will have higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, taxes on imported carbon fuels, and strengthening IRS tax collections.

The Democrats will use reconciliation to pass the final bill since there will be no Republican support. This means they will need every Democratic Senator to vote for final passage which is expected in late September.

Grain farmers benefit from meat exports

U.S. corn and soybean farmers benefit from beef and pork exports, according to a new U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) study. The study conducted by World Prospectives Inc. found that in 2020, U.S. beef and pork exports contributed 41 cents per bushel to the value of corn and $1.06 per bushel to soybeans. 

Key findings from the study:

Value of red meat exports’ feed use of soybeans and corn in 2020:

Value to U.S. corn and soybean crop from red meat exports:

Legislation to protect producers from Prop. 12

Legislation was introduced in the Senate to protect producers from outside of California in having to meet California's Proposition 12, which requires producers to meet strict housing requirements in the production of pigs (24 square feet of usable floor space per breeding pig) and laying hens in order to sell pork and eggs in the state. Proposition 12 goes into effect on January 1. 

The "Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act" would prohibit state and local governments from interfering with the production or manufacture of agricultural products in other states and would challenge those states from interfering in interstate commerce. States and local government would still be able to regulate farming practices within their jurisdiction.

Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said, "I don’t know why anyone would want to live in a state where it’s almost impossible to buy bacon. But California wants to impose such a rule on its residents. Iowa has an abundance of agricultural products to offer and folks from coast to coast should be able to enjoy them. I’m glad to sponsor this bill which will protect Iowa farmers and producers and allow them the freedom to operate their farms as they see fit.”

The bill was introduced by Grassley and Senators Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and John Cornyn, R-Texas. 

Proposition 12 has survived various court cases and challenges by 20 states. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected the National Pork Producers Council's argument that Prop. 12 violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

California consumes 15% of the pork in the U.S.

Infrastructure bill passes the Senate

The nearly $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed the Senate this week on a vote of 69-30. The bill now moves to the House for consideration. 

Moffitt confirmed undersecretary for Marketing & Regulatory Programs

The Senate confirmed Jenny Lester Moffitt as USDA's undersecretary for Marketing And Regulatory Programs. Most recently, Moffitt has been serving as undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. 

Sources: P. Scott Shearer, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly own the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.