Fuel, Fertilizer and Input Costs Must Come Down

My first priority in Congress will be to bring down costs by removing authorization for the war and tariffs that are driving inflation. Washington is crushing farmers under the triple-hit of higher diesel, fertilizer and equipment expenses. Tom will:

• Vote to end the war with Iran on day 1

• Vote to remove tariff authority from the Executive on day 1

• Protect the supply chains farmers depend on so families aren't paying for Washington's foreign policy

End Monopoly Abuses of Farmers

Most farmers in the 5th District raise beef cattle, and four meatpackers control most of what they're paid. Two of those four are foreign-owned. Tom will:

• Pass the PRIME Act, a bipartisan proposal to support the right of local processors to sell locally and avoid the hegemony of the big packers  

• Require utility monopolies to purchase at market rate distributed power produced by farmers from manure management and other diversification programs.  

• Support “Right to Repair” reforms that ensure farmers truly own the equipment they buy, including their right to fix their own equipment, instead of being chained to the corporate seller for the life of the product and subject to their delays.

• Enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act and other antitrust laws against packers who rig the market 

Don't Tread on Our Farms

Block the Valley Link transmission line and unconstitutional abuses of eminent domain for private profit. Strengthen the power of local communities to protect rural communities from data centers without full community approval of terms. Tom will:

• Fight the Valley Link transmission line by forcing Congressional hearings on the abuse of eminent domain, tightening federal rules against the abuse of property rights, and removing the tax breaks given to data centers and related projects. 

• Protect the rights of farmers to diversify production related to clean energy and to sell to the grid at market rates. 

• Oppose Flock surveillance cameras that track Virginians without their consent

Upgrade the Farm Bill

The current Farm Bill needs a broad spectrum upgrade.  For Virginia farmers and ranchers, Tom will:

• Ensure that disaster relief funds are available to Virginia ranchers and farmers. 

• Make the beef check-off system voluntary and directly allocate funds for research through the Farm Bill

• Limit or ban live animal imports across the border until more research can be done and quarantine facilities can be established for screwworm to protect the cattle industry in Virginia

Protect Rural Health Services

Farmers and rural communities deserve access to quality, affordable health services. Tom fought to curb the power of insurance companies and private equity to squeeze dollars out of rural communities while shutting down vital services, particularly maternal health care. Recent changes from HR1 removed over $1 trillion from rural health systems, and raised premiums by 50-75% on Virginia families. Rural hospitals and clinics are closing, and insurance companies keep raising premiums while denying care. McGuire voted for the Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Tom will:

• Fight to keep rural hospitals open

• Go after insurance company abuses

• Make coverage affordable for farm families who don't get insurance through an employer