Ernst Celebrates Big Beautiful Win for Iowans
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) released the following statement celebrating the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
“President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on what Iowans voted for in November, keeping more money in hardworking folks’ pockets, real border security, and a safer America,” said Ernst. “In addition to the largest tax cut in history for our families, farmers, and small businesses, the bill strengthens the integrity of Medicaid and prioritizes those who truly need help by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. I am proud to have fought to save $100 million for taxpayers over the next decade and eliminated unfair practices in the FAFSA process that held back farm families from investing in their child’s education. I will always fight to improve Iowans’ lives and continue to lead the charge in Washington to reduce reckless spending and put taxpayers first.”
The Senate unanimously approved Ernst’s Ending Unemployment Payments to Jobless Millionaires Act that will disqualify anyone making a million dollars or more from being eligible for unemployment income support. It is estimated to save taxpayers up to $100 million over the next decade.
Ernst’s Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act was also included. It will ensure that Iowans will not have to sell off the farm, or their small business, to afford college by restoring the original exemption of all farmland, machinery, and other operational materials from being declared on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Ernst also provided certainty for Iowa farmers by raising reference prices to strengthen the farm safety net, improving foreign animal disease prevention, protecting access to affordable crop insurance, prioritizing domestic feedstocks to support biofuel producers, expanding trade opportunities, and permanently extending the death tax exemption to ensure family farms and small businesses can be passed down to the next generation.
Ernst was a leading voice in the fight to make the Trump tax cuts permanent to avoid a $4 trillion tax increase and empower small business owners and farmers to invest in themselves through provisions like bonus depreciation, 199-A, and the research and development deduction.
After the Trump administration busted more than 300 criminals accused of $14.6 billion in health care fraud, Ernst emphasized how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act strengthens and preserves Medicaid for our most vulnerable Americans who need it by targeting waste, fraud, and abuse.
Senate Advances Bold Tax and Ag Package Benefiting Iowa’s Soybean Farmers
Ankeny, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) applauds today’s U.S. Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping package delivering generational wins for soybean farmers through federal tax code reforms, farm safety net improvements, and biofuel incentives.
At the heart of the bill is a strengthened Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. It’s an essential tool for supporting biofuels, including biodiesel made from soybeans. The final Senate package reflects several of ISA’s top priorities including extension of 45Z through 2029, removal of indirect land use change (ILUC) penalties, and a new restriction ensuring only feedstocks sourced from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada qualify for the credit. Additionally, the Small Biodiesel Producer Credit increased to 20 cents per gallon, supporting local biodiesel plants and boosting market access for Iowa-grown soy.
“This bill corrects serious flaws in the clean fuel credit and ensures Iowa-grown soybeans are judged by their actual environmental performance, not by arbitrary land use penalties,” said ISA District 6 Director Dave Walton, a farmer from Wilton and Secretary of the American Soybean Association. “Senator Grassley’s work to fix 45Z is a legacy achievement for Iowa farmers and biofuel producers.”
The bill delivers long-term stability and permanent tax relief to farmers. It raises the estate tax exemption to $15 million per individual, locks in the Section 199A deduction, and boosts the soybean reference price to $10 per bushel in 2025 with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2031. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program is strengthened and Beginning Farmer and Rancher (BFR) benefits for crop insurance are also expanded. The bill doubles funding for USDA’s Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development, creating new global demand channels for Iowa commodities.
ISA extends a sincere thank you to Iowa’s congressional delegation for supporting policies that prioritize market access, tax fairness and a strong farm safety net.
“We especially want to recognize Senator Chuck Grassley for being a relentless advocate on behalf of farmers throughout the 45Z negotiations and Congressman Randy Feenstra, who championed Iowa agriculture throughout discussions on 45Z and estate tax reform that was critical in shaping the final package,” said ISA President Brent Swart, a farmer from Spencer.
“Our delegation understands that policies aren’t theoretical but can be instrumental in the success of family farms,” said Swart. “We urge the House to build on this momentum and pass the bill without delay.”
Iowa Biodiesel Board applauds Senate extension and clarification of biodiesel tax incentive
The Iowa Biodiesel Board today praised the passage of key tax provisions in the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – a positive signal to Iowa’s biodiesel producers who have been waiting for clarification of new tax policies. The legislation includes several of the biodiesel industry’s top priorities—most notably, extending the 45Z credit through 2029, extending the key transferability mechanism, and reviving the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit – a provision championed by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, issued the following statement:
“These improvements to the biomass-based diesel tax incentive come at a pivotal moment for the industry, which has seen months of uncertainty, stalled production and investment hesitation. Together with EPA’s proposed increase in Renewable Fuel Standard volumes—projecting more than 2 billion additional gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2026—the tax developments point to a significant resurgence in clean fuel demand. This gives us much-needed certainty for the near future.
“We extend special thanks to Senator Grassley for championing an extension of the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit through 2026—and increasing it to 20 cents-per-gallon. This is an important win, particularly for independent producers like those in Iowa. It will help ensure they are not disadvantaged in the market and have policy certainty right now as Treasury works to implement Congress’ improvements to 45Z.
“The transferability provision will ensure all producers in the market can access and monetize it. This provision is vital for biodiesel producers, especially smaller ones without a large tax liability. We’re also encouraged to see domestic production and North American feedstocks appropriately prioritized. This allows American soybean farmers to compete fairly in their own market—something we’ve long fought for – without shutting out the ability to import feedstocks if necessary to meet ambitious goals.
“We thank the Senate, especially Senators Grassley and Joni Ernst (R-IA), for reaffirming biodiesel’s value to U.S. manufacturing, energy security and rural economies. These policy improvements will help get the industry back on track and restore some of the momentum we’ve lost.”
