Congressman Williams Op-Ed: If we want to lower costs for American families, it starts on the farm

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, the following Op-Ed by Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, appeared in Agri-Pulse.

"The hardworking farmers and ranchers who feed our communities are facing rising production costs that ultimately reach the dinner tables of American families. When families across Texas' 25^th Congressional District reach out with affordability concerns, it's clear Congress must act. That is why it is more important than ever to get the Farm Bill across the finish line.

"Since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, our farmers, economy, and communities have faced new challenges. Producers are facing rising input costs, changing markets, disease outbreaks, unpredictable weather, and the increasing cost of equipment and financing.

"A farmer doesn't have the flexibility to decide on a piece of equipment, a new crop, or a future investment based on what Congress might do six months from now. Farming requires planning years in advance, and producers need a predictable and reliable framework before making investments that can determine the future and success of their operation.

"We must give our farmers the certainty they need to keep producing the safe, affordable food our families depend on.

"The House passed H.R.7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which addresses the needs of various crop producers across different regions. Under the leadership of Chairman Glenn Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee, this Farm Bill was shaped by more than 150 listening sessions with farmers. It expands access to credit, strengthens risk-management tools, supports precision agriculture, and lowers energy costs in rural America. The legislation also invests in rural communities and reinforces conservation programs for working lands, which ensures American agriculture remains competitive in a challenging global landscape.

"More than 500 agricultural stakeholder organizations support H.R. 7567. This legislation's broad support reflects exactly what I hear from producers throughout Texas.

"While these policies may sound like they are happening far away in Washington, they have very real impacts on rural America.

"One example is rural water. Section 6407 of the Farm Bill strengthens the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program by supporting the construction, refurbishment, and servicing of well and wastewater systems, and authorizes funding for water-quality testing. For rural communities, access to safe and reliable water is a basic necessity.

"Agriculture is an important part of our small-business economy. As Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, I have continued these conversations both back home in Texas and during hearings in Congress. I regularly hear from farmers and ranchers about the challenges they face and the policies that can help them grow their operations.

"I understand these challenges personally. I run a calf-cow operation and a ranch in Weatherford, Texas, and I have seen firsthand the work involved in raising livestock and caring for the land. Agriculture is part of the community I represent and the way of life I know.

"Agriculture is a major part of the future workforce we are building in Texas. In my district, Tarleton State University is preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders through programs in agribusiness, animal science, range and ranch management, sustainable agriculture, and other related fields.

"Last July, my House Republican colleagues and I passed H.R. 1, delivering significant tax relief for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. Among its agricultural provisions, the law permanently increased the estate tax exemption to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples, helping protect family farms and ranches from being forced to sell assets to pay estate taxes. It made 100 percent immediate expensing permanent, allowing producers to deduct the full cost of qualifying machinery and equipment purchases. For family farms all over Texas, these policies can save generations' worth of investment.

"We continued this work when passing the Working Families Tax Cuts, which strengthened the financial foundation for America's farmers and ranchers. The 2026 Farm Bill is the next step, giving producers the policy tools and certainty they need to build on those gains.

"If we want to lower costs for American families, it starts on the farm. Congress must finish the job and pass H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026."

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25^th Congressional District of Texas.