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Senate Ag Republicans question USDA data on Biden’s proposed tax plan

Republican Senate Ag Committee members want Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to publicly disclose how the Biden administration’s proposed tax increases will impact farms and ranches. 

Ranking member Senator John Boozman of Arkansas says USDA data suggests just 2% of farm and ranch families will be impacted by the proposed tax changes.  “Our informal work with various economists has that figure much higher than that,” he says.  “We said if you’re going to use that figure, please give us the basis for that so we can look and compare notes.”

He tells Brownfield the Biden administration has said exclusions for farmers and ranchers would apply. But, Boozman says he still has questions.  “How would that work,” he asks.  “That seems to be a very complicated thing to do and so far we haven’t had any details in that regard.  And yet the Biden administration seems like they’re going forward in that direction.”

Boozman says he’s doubtful any hearings will be held to discuss it further.  “We have a very good relationship with Secretary Vilsack as we do with Chairwoman Stabenow,” he says.  “I would hope that Secretary Vilsack will just send his data over.  In the sense that you’re using a figure let’s back it up.  That’s really all there is to this.”

The letter was signed by seven other Republican senators who serve on the committee:  Senator Chuck Grassley (IA), Mike Braun (IN), Joni Ernst (IA), John Hoven (ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Roger Marshall (KS), Tommy Tuberville (AL).

AUDIO: Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member, Senate Ag Committee

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