As Republicans and Democrats argue over the price tag and what is and what is not infrastructure, the American Farm Bureau Federation says ‘no’ to the tax and spending bill--the political linchpin for a bipartisan infrastructure bill the organization supports. Trillions in social spending, infrastructure and stop-gap-spending-and-borrowing bills are colliding this week in a ‘perfect legislative storm’ with Democrats divided and Republicans on offense. But American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duval said AFBF opposes the Democrats’ go-it-alone social spending bill, despite billions for rural broadband and other Ag related efforts.

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“You’re talking somewhere between $66 billion to $90 billion, but we’re looking at a $3.5 trillion bill, and $2 trillion worth of tax increases.”

With final details on capital gains, stepped-up basis, estate tax ‘carve-outs’ and more, in flux…as AFBF waits to see something on paper. Duvall said the AFBF fully supports infrastructure improvements, even at the $1 trillion price tag, Speaker Pelosi’s aim is for a Thursday vote on Senate-passed bipartisan-backed infrastructure, even as the social spending bill remained in flux and as key moderates in both chambers opposed it. Further complicating things—a looming pandemic government shutdown Friday, as Republicans refuse to raise the nation’s debt limit.

“Well, a government shutdown never helps anyone, it frustrates everyone, and we would hope that through coming together, from both sides of the aisles, they could find a way around that.”

Especially since the stop-gap-debt-limit bill that runs through December 3rd also has $10 billion in fresh agriculture disaster aid.

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