By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

After officially being sworn-in Friday, Jan. 3, leaders of both the U.S. House and Senate shared their priorities for the upcoming Congress.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) told the House, in this Congress, they’ll champion the policies that put America and Americans first.

“We have a mandate that was shown in the election cycle,” Johnson said. “The American people want an America first agenda.”

His first priority as leader of the House, Johnson said, is defending our nation’s borders.

“In coordination with President Trump, this Congress will give our border and immigration enforcement agents the resources that they need to do their job,” Johnson said. “We will secure the border. We will deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens and finally finish building the border wall.”

According to the speaker, his other priorities include: fighting high inflation, extending the tax cuts implemented in President-Elect Trump’s first term, protecting industries from one-sided trade deals, and drastically cutting the size and scope of government.

“Our people are asking for a thriving economy, a rebuilt middle class, strong borders and a strong military. And we can deliver that,” Johnson said. “See, these objectives and these aims don’t have an ‘R’ or ‘D’ behind them—only USA. That’s what we’re about.”

Border security is also a priority of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

“We have a lot to do this Congress. Border security. Extending the tax relief Republicans delivered during the first Trump administration. Lifting burdensome and expensive government regulations to help American businesses—and families—flourish. Providing for our nation’s defense in an increasingly unstable world. Bringing appropriations bills to the floor for serious deliberation, so that we make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars. An overdue farm bill to update farm programs for farmers and ranchers to reflect current agriculture needs,” Thune said.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed during Trump’s first term in office. It was the largest overhaul of the tax code in decades.

Some of the provisions in the act are set to expire this year.

According to the House Ways and Means Committee, if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts are not extended, the average American tax payer will see a 22% increase in their tax burden.

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefitted most farm and ranch businesses and has allowed them to build their operations and stimulate the agricultural economy.

They say important provisions in the bill included reduced tax rates, a new business income deduction, provisions to allow the matching of income and expenses, and an increase in the estate tax exemption.

Like Thune, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) have both indicated the farm bill is one of their priorities.

Before Congress can get to work on a farm bill, lawmakers must first ensure committees and Congressional offices are staffed.

The Senate will be tasked with considering Trump’s nominations to cabinet posts, among other tasks.

According to Agri-Pulse, a hearing on Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture, will be held next week. Rollins, a native Texan, is expected to appear before the Senate Ag Committee Jan. 15.

This legislative session, TFB’s priority issues are:

  • enacting a farm bill with additional investments in the farm safety net;
  • ensuring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act agricultural provisions are extended or made permanent;
  • delivering disaster and economic assistance in a timely, equitable and efficient manner;
  • securing the border while ensuring the agricultural workforce is protect and reforms are made to the current H2A program;
  • strengthening and enforcing trade agreements and enact new trade deals that benefit agriculture;
  • work toward solutions to force Mexico to abide by the 1944 Water Treaty and ensure annual delivery of water to the U.S.;
  • expanding broadband and cellular access to provide more opportunity in rural areas;
  • maintaining funding for control and eradication of invasive species and preventing introduction of foreign animal diseases; and
  • fighting against federal regulations that could impact farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to operate.

Thune’s full speech on his priorities this session is available here.

Johnson’s full speech is available here.