Randy Feenstra

Feenstra Applauds Passage of Farm Bill Out of House and Highlights Major Victories for Iowa Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) praised House passage of the Farm Bill, highlighting major legislative wins for Iowa agriculture. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 includes provisions from 15 bills he introduced, seven he co-led, and four he co-sponsored. “Today marks a major milestone not just for Iowa agriculture, but for agriculture across the country,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m proud to help deliver this critical legislation across the finish line. It was shaped by the voices of our farmers, producers, and manufacturers. I’ve worked to ensure that farmers and working families are heard in this Farm Bill and that it provides the certainty, investment, and opportunity they deserve. This bill strengthens export markets, keeps farmland in the hands of the next generation of Iowans instead of China, repeals the harmful Prop 12 mandate, and prioritizes farmer safety. Most importantly, it delivers real results and gives our producers the tools they need to succeed. The vote for this bill was a vote for our farmers, and I’m honored to have helped move it forward. But our work isn’t done. As President Trump has made clear, we must have swift passage in the Senate and get this legislation to the President’s desk.” Feenstra introduced 15 bills included in the Farm Bill, either partially or in their entirety: 1. Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act – which would codify USDA’s role in negotiating regionalization agreements for livestock exports from unaffected areas of the country in the event of an animal disease outbreak. 2. Precision Ag Loan Act – which would promote precision agriculture loans to help farmers lower their water usage, increase yields, and decrease input costs. 3. Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports (FRIDGE) Act – which would develop the infrastructure – including cold-chain storage and port improvements – to ship Iowa beef, chicken, turkey, pork, grains, specialty crops, and other perishable goods worldwide and diversify our trading partners. 4. Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense (FARMLAND) Act – which would enhance oversight on foreign land ownership by increasing transparency and reporting requirements to ensure Iowa farmland stays in the hands of Iowa farmers. 5. Farmers First Act – which would expand and improve behavioral health services in rural communities and connect farmers and those in times of crisis with trained medical professionals to receive the personalized care that they need. 6. Roll-Over Prevention and Safety (ROPS) Act – which would continue operations of the National ROPS Rebate Program at USDA to help combat on-farm deaths caused by tractor rollovers. 7. Genome to Phenome Initiative Reauthorization Act – which would reauthorize the Genome to Phenome Initiative at 2018 Farm Bill funding levels, supporting enhanced genetics research to reduce the economic impact of pathogens on crops and animals. 8. Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act – which would modify the timeframe for payment rate adjustments in the Livestock Indemnity Program to ensure producers receive fair and accurate livestock pricing. 9. Middle Mile for Rural America Act – which would reauthorize the Middle Mile Program to help bridge the digital divide and connect rural communities to high-speed internet. 10. Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act – which would increase the accuracy of the SNAP Payment Error Rate (PER) calculations by amending the tolerance level from $54 to $0. 11. Rural Broadband Modernization Act – which would increase the minimum speed requirements within the ReConnect Program. 12. Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act – which would double the authorized funding for the AgARDA program to support high-risk, high-reward research. 13. Future Funding for Agricultural Research, Mentorship, and Education Reauthorization (Future FARMER) Act – which would extend the National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants and fellowships supporting food and agricultural science education through FY2029. 14. Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act – which would enhance the flexibility of USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Programs to better help farmers and rural communities combat flooding through increased flood protection, improved data collection, and repairs to aging infrastructure. 15. Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act – which would further expand vital crop and livestock insurance protections to veteran farmers. Feenstra co-led 7 bills included in the Farm Bill, either partially or in their entirety: 16. Save Our Bacon Act – which would help overturn California’s Proposition 12 mandates on Iowa hog farmers. 17. Agriculture Export Promotion Act – which would double funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) to support exports of American agricultural products. 18. Farm to Fly Act of 2025 – which would include sustainable aviation fuel as an advanced biofuel under several USDA bioenergy programs that provide support and incentives for renewable energy projects. 19. Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act – which would ensure poultry growers receive fair compensation when federal disease control measures, such as HPAI, impact their operations. 20. A-PLUS Act – which would allow livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities. 21. Butcher Block Act – which would unlock access to grants and affordable loans to help small and family-owned meat processors improve and expand their operations. 22. Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 – which would help our producers access, navigate, and enroll in voluntary conservation programs administered through the USDA. Feenstra cosponsored 4 bills included in the Farm Bill, either partially or in their entirety: 23. Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 – which would work to increase biochar and its uses as a renewable fuel to test the impact of biochar across various soil types, application methods, and climates. 24. Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program Act – which would codify and expand the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program to provide critical support to rural health care facilities. 25. Support for the Healthy Dog Importation Act – which would provide USDA with additional tools to monitor and safeguard the health of dogs imported into the United States. 26. Community College Agriculture Advancement Act – which would establish new capacity grant programs to help community colleges develop and maintain agricultural programs. ### Issues:Agriculture

Feenstra Applauds USDA Research, Education, and Economics Reorganization and Relocation to Ames

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area agencies for beginning their reorganization process, including agency restructuring and the planned relocation of positions to Ames, Iowa. This major step is intended to modernize the USDA, strengthen support for employees, and put farmers and producers first. The reorganization seeks to better align the Department with its core priorities, strengthen investments in agricultural research, leverage cutting edge scientific methods, and reduce complexity. “Representing one of the largest agricultural districts in the nation, I applaud relocating key USDA functions to Ames,” said Rep. Feenstra. “This reorganization will reduce bureaucratic complexity, strengthen leadership, and help bring the USDA closer to America’s farmers and producers that it serves. By streamlining operations and clarifying accountability, it will allow scientists, statisticians, and researchers to focus on core USDA mission work—advancing the science and data that drive American agriculture.” “The Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area has been essential to the growth of U.S. agriculture since its creation and will remain a pivotal foundation for U.S. agriculture as we shape the next generation of agricultural innovation and economic research,” said REE Under Secretary Scott Hutchins, Ph.D. “Our mission to solve agricultural challenges across the nation will undergird this restructuring and bring U.S. farmers and ranchers the service and assistance that they need to thrive and remain profitable.” ### Issues:Agriculture

Feenstra Secures $38.5 Million to Begin Funding Critical Infrastructure for 185th Air Refueling Wing After 20 Year Commitment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R–Hull) issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee approved $38.5 million sought by Rep. Feenstra in Fiscal Year 2027 funding for the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. “Since elected to Congress, I have made securing critical funding for the 185th Air Refueling Wing a top priority and worked with my colleagues to honor a twenty-year-old commitment to our Air National Guard,” said Rep. Feenstra. “The 185th is a cornerstone of our community and a vital asset to our national defense. I am proud to help deliver this essential investment, which will strengthen military readiness and modernize key infrastructure. This funding represents one of the largest federal investments in a military construction project this year. I remain committed to supporting the 185th Air Refueling Wing and Sioux Gateway Airport and ensuring Northwest Iowa has the infrastructure needed to sustain its critical mission for our country.” The 185th Air Refueling Wing executes the KC-135 refueling mission—a critical component of U.S. national security and global defense operations. As demonstrated in ongoing overseas missions, the KC-135 plays an essential role in supporting fighter aircraft and protecting both American forces and allied partners. For more than two decades, the 185th has carried out its mission without adequate runway infrastructure to support the KC-135’s maximum takeoff weight. This has led to repeated runway degradation, costly repairs, and operational waivers. Despite these challenges, the 185th has consistently met its mission requirements with professionalism and resilience. Last December, Rep. Feenstra led the Iowa congressional delegation in urging leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to authorize military construction projects at Sioux Gateway Airport and the 185th ARW in the final conference agreement for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). That request was ultimately included in the final legislation and enacted into law. Watch Congressman Feenstra’s Full Statement HERE. ###

Feenstra Highlights Historic Success of Working Families Tax Cuts, Highlights Benefits for Iowans This Tax Day

Position: Rep. Feenstra supports the Working Families Tax Cuts, citing benefits including expanded child tax credits, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, increased estate tax exemptions, and enhanced small business deductions as delivering relief to working families and small business owners.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted to pass a resolution expressing support for tax policies that support working families to highlight the positive impact the Working Families Tax Cuts are having as families are filing on Tax Day and the benefits already reaching households across the country. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Feenstra played a direct role in advancing key provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts, including raising the Death Tax exemption, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, enhancing the small business deduction, and expanding the Child Tax Credit. “This Tax Day, the numbers show the impact of the Working Families Tax Cuts, and families across Iowa are seeing real relief through bigger refunds,” said Rep. Feenstra. “This is not abstract policy, it is real money going back into the pockets of hardworking Iowans, farmers, and small business owners. From family farmers who can pass their operations on to the next generation, to parents who can better afford to raise a family, to workers who can finally keep more of what they earn with no tax on tips and overtime, Iowans are seeing real results. This is what pro-growth, pro-family tax policy looks like, and we are just getting started.” Watch Congressman Feenstra’s full statement on the House floor HERE.

Feenstra Tours Northwest Iowa Agricultural Facilities with USDA Under Secretary Lindberg Highlighting Success of Iowa Agriculture

IOWA – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Luke Lindberg to tour agricultural facilities across Northwest Iowa and meet with local leaders and workers to highlight the success of Iowa agriculture across the globe. The tour included visits to the Blue Bunny factory in Le Mars, Agriculture Processing Incorporated in Sergeant Bluff, and Seaboard Triumph Foods in Sioux City. “I was honored to join USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg in touring our world class agricultural facilities across Iowa, and to hear directly from our producers and manufacturers about how we continue to grow markets both at home and abroad,” said Rep. Feenstra. “From processing facilities to refineries, I had the opportunity to highlight the success of Iowa agriculture directly with Under Secretary Lindberg. As a top agricultural exporting state, Iowa plays a critical role in feeding and fueling the world, and expanding access to new international markets is essential to keeping our farmers competitive. That means strengthening trade relationships, breaking down barriers to U.S. products, and ensuring our producers have the tools they need to reach customers around the globe. I will continue working with President Trump, Under Secretary Lindberg, and our trade partners to open new doors for Iowa agriculture, increase demand for our homegrown commodities, and deliver stronger prices for our farmers and rural communities.” ### Issues:Agriculture