NCBA Priorities Approved in House Reconciliation Bill

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2025) – Today, several key priorities championed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) moved one step closer to becoming law when the U.S. House of Representatives passed their reconciliation bill. The bill includes key cattle health, disaster recovery, and tax priorities crucial to the success of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers need Congress to invest in cattle health, strengthen our resources against foreign animal disease, support producers recovering from disasters or depredation, and pass tax relief that protects family farms and ranches for future generations,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “Thankfully, this reconciliation bill includes all these key priorities. NCBA was proud to help pass this bill in the House and we will continue pushing for these key policies until the bill is signed into law.”

The reconciliation bill includes provisions that are crucial to the success of cattle producers and will:

  • Reimburse cattle producers for loss due to depredation by federally protected predators.
  • Expand access to the livestock forage disaster program for producers experiencing drought.
  • Continue funding the feral swine eradication program.
  • Bolster the “three-legged stool” that protects the cattle industry from foreign animal disease, including the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). The NAVVCB currently houses emergency supplies for responding to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Additionally, the bill includes key NCBA tax priorities that protect the legacy of family farms and ranches for future generations, such as:

  • An increase to the estate and gift tax exemption amounts to $15 million per individual and $30 million per couple, adjusted for inflation annually. The package also makes this exemption permanent.
  • Preserved stepped-up basis.
  • A permanent increase to the Section 199A Small Business deduction from 20% to 23%.
  • Expanding the limitation on Section 179 expensing from $1 million to $2.5 million.
  • Reinstating the 100% bonus depreciation for five years.
  • Extending the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023.

“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association extends our gratitude to all the members of Congress who voted yes on this reconciliation package,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “America’s farming and ranching families sorely need the provisions in this bill to succeed. We strongly urge the Senate to swiftly pass this bill and deliver a win for our nation’s cattle producers.”