Historic Budget Legislation Advances with Narrow Margins
The U.S. House of Representatives has officially passed the final version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” securing a 218 to 214 vote. This closely mirrors the U.S. Senate’s razor-thin approval of the same legislation, which passed 51 to 50 thanks to a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President J.D. Vance.
This comprehensive budget legislation includes critical agricultural provisions championed by both the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee. Their coordinated efforts ensured that major components traditionally seen in a farm bill were prioritized—especially for the benefit of rural communities in Georgia and across the country.
Strong Wins for the Peanut Sector
Among the key victories in the bill is targeted support for the peanut industry. The legislation delivers an across-the-board boost through:
- An increase in the reference price under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program from $535 to $630 per ton.
- A voluntary base acres update, allowing growers to better align their farm programs with actual planting history.
- An increase in the marketing loan rate, moving from $355 to $390 per ton, providing greater financial stability.
- Modified payment limitations that reflect modern production costs, ensuring producers are not penalized by outdated thresholds.
In total, 30 million new base acres were added under this legislation, broadening the scope and accessibility of key agricultural support programs.
A Legislative Win for Rural America
This legislation underscores a renewed commitment to the vitality of rural America. With targeted investment in agriculture and strong bipartisan support for essential farm safety net programs, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is being hailed as a significant achievement by producers and policy leaders alike.
Tyron Spearman reporting for Southeast AgNet.