USRPA signs on to support estate tax repeal

This week, USRPA signed on to a letter to Senator John Thune (R-SD) thanking him for supporting family-owned businesses and farms by introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023, which would eliminate the estate tax. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Senate votes to repeal WOTUS Rule

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule regulating the waters of the United States (WOTUS) on a 53-43 vote. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) joined the Senate Republican Caucus on the vote. The measure passed in the House in March and will now be sent to the President’s desk. President Biden is expected to veto the measure and the Senate will likely not have the votes to overturn the veto.

Secretary Vilsack testifies before Congress

This week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the House Agriculture Committee as it prepares for the upcoming farm bill. He also testified on President Biden’s budget request for the fiscal year 2024 before the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees. Throughout these hearings, members questioned the Secretary on USDA’s reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan which resulted in increases in spending for nutrition programs. Members also emphasized the importance of a strong farm safety net and disaster relief.