Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Chair of the Senate Western Caucus, and Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, published a joint op-ed in The Daily Signal discussing recent legislative developments for rural America and the West.
The article focuses on President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they describe as providing significant benefits to rural communities. According to Lummis and LaMalfa, the bill represents a major effort to strengthen energy and food security in the United States. “One Big, Beautiful Bill” is a giant step toward strengthening our country’s energy and food security and unleashing prosperity,” they wrote.
They argue that previous policies under President Joe Biden restricted access to lands and waters with valuable energy and mineral resources, negatively impacting local economies in rural areas. They credit Trump and Republican lawmakers with crafting legislation aimed at reversing these effects.
Signed into law on July 4, the reconciliation package expands domestic production of oil and gas by increasing both onshore and offshore leasing opportunities. It also boosts revenue sharing from offshore drilling for Gulf states, where substantial reserves remain.
The bill includes provisions to support American agriculture. It strengthens programs such as reimbursement for livestock lost to predators like the gray wolf, an issue that has affected ranchers in western states. There are also enhancements to disaster assistance programs for farmers facing losses due to events like wildfires or droughts, along with measures to improve biosecurity.
Tax changes in the legislation include permanently higher estate tax exemptions intended to help family farms during generational transfers. The extension of immediate expensing is designed to allow farmers and ranchers deductions on necessary equipment and infrastructure investments.
Lummis and LaMalfa stated: “After four years of policy failures from the Biden administration, One Big, Beautiful Bill delivers much-needed relief to rural economies across the West. The Western Caucus has been proud to assist in passing this ‘America First’ agenda. Now it’s time to see the results across the West.”
