Van Orden touts farming legislation passed in Big Beautiful Bill

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) - The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, enacted many things. Particularly, a Farm Bill to help our state’s largest industry.

The loss of a loved one is always a difficult time, but for farming families, it comes with an added burden, but not anymore.

When we spoke with Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) on Thursday in Wisconsin Rapids, he addressed Farm Bill 1.0 in the Big Beautiful Bill.

One area specifically is the elimination of the federal estate tax. Otherwise known as the ‘death tax,’ it was a major concern for farming families.

“One of the predominant reasons for closures of family farms is the death tax,” Rep. Van Orden said. “So if a farmer wants to pass their land on to their kids, they’re able to do that without paying the federal government this money.”

The exemption amount will increase in January to $15 million per person and $30 million for a married couple. Under a previous tax bill in 2017, the exemption would have been just $7 million.

Van Orden says Congress is already working on Farm Bill 2.0 to push across additional items. He’s also leading efforts in Congress to prevent the infestation of screwworm.