TEXAS FARM BUREAU

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

1. TFB advocated for FY2026 appropriations to provide critical funding to combat the New World Screwworm and to build a sterile insect production facility.

AGR · Agriculture

1. TFB expressed the dire need for Congress to pass a new farm bill. Texas farmers and ranchers have experienced challenges with inflation, drought, extreme weather, sluggish markets, lack of labor, etc. TFB expressed how important it is to pass a new farm bill.

IMM · Immigration

1. TFB advocated to create a new agricultural guest worker program for farmers and ranchers. TFB is seeking comprehensive reform to our agricultural guest worker program, known as H-2A. TFB is working to address four issues in the legislation to ensure the bill addresses the needs of producers. 2. TFB supports and advocated for Rep. John Moolenaars, Supporting Farm Operations Act (H.R. 7046), which will address the high labor costs facing farmers. The bill would freeze the wage rate for migrant farm workers, known as the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 7046

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

1. TFB advocated for making certain provisions permanent in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such as the death tax exemption rate, section 199A business income deduction, sec. 179, and bonus depreciation.

DIS · Disaster Planning/Emergencies

1. TFB lobbied lawmakers to press the USDA to swiftly deliver economic disaster assistance, passed in the American Relief Act of 2024, to aid farmers who are struggling from lack of a farm bill and economic losses beyond their control. 2. TFB lobbied lawmakers to urge USDA to deliver assistance for 2023-2024 natural disaster assistance for producers suffering losses from drought, wildfires and natural disasters. 3. TFB lobbied lawmakers to press USDA to quickly deliver to producers the $280 million in disaster assistance for farmers suffering losses from lack of enforcement of the 1944 Water Treaty between the U.S. and Mexico. 4. TFB expressed concerns to Congressional leaders regarding the USDA layoffs and cutting USDA programs and the impacts this could have on delivering key disaster assistance to producers.

NAT · Natural Resources

1. TFB urged lawmakers to be outspoken on the need for Mexico to abide by the 1944 Water Treaty and delivery, annually, water to the U.S. Mexico has not been upholding their end of the Treaty and is drastically behind in delivering water to the U.S.

FOO · Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.)

1. TFB pushed back against claims Americas food system is flawed and certain pesticides, herbicides, and additives are harming our food system. TFB also educated Congressional leaders on the role all farms, both larger and smaller in scale, play in securing the future of our food and fiber supply.