U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford and Julia Letlow have introduced new legislation aimed at providing immediate support to American farmers facing economic challenges. The proposed bill, called the Bridge the Gap for Rural Communities Act, is intended to offer relief as farmers wait for the full benefits of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which will not take effect until October 2026.
“Sadly, we have already lost farmers, and without action we are on the precipice of losing many more,” said Rep. Crawford. “This bill is not a silver bullet, but it will give farmers and agriculture lenders breathing room as they work through operating loans for next season. Anything we can do to keep farmers in the field for at least one more year to bridge the gap to the full benefits of the Working Families Tax Cut Act must be done. I appreciate Rep. Letlow co-leading this effort with me as we champion the needs of farmers in Washington.”
Rep. Letlow added, “Our commodity producers need more timely support at a time of increasing pressure on the farm economy. Our bill will provide much needed flexibility to Louisiana growers, easing cash flow concerns and putting them in a stronger position for the next planting season.”
Farmers across rural communities are experiencing significant difficulties due to rising input costs and stagnant commodity prices. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, expenses between 2020 and 2025 have risen sharply: seed costs by 18%, fuel and oil by 32%, fertilizer by 37%, labor by 47%, and interest expenses by 73%. Despite these increases, commodity prices have not matched this growth, leading to projected losses per acre for major crops such as soybeans ($114.15), wheat ($111.64), corn ($169.31), rice ($154.53), cotton ($379), sorghum ($159.95), and peanuts ($173.39).
The Working Families Tax Cut Act made changes intended to modernize farm safety nets by raising statutory reference prices for several commodities—such as a 19% increase for soybeans and a 21% increase for rice—and boosting other program parameters like revenue guarantees under ARC from 86% to 90%. However, these adjustments will only become active in late 2026.
Until then, Crawford’s new legislation seeks to help both farmers and agricultural lenders manage ongoing financial strain and plan ahead for upcoming seasons.
Rick Crawford has represented Arkansas’s 1st District in Congress since replacing Marion Berry in 2011; he was born in Florida in 1966 and lives in Jonesboro.
