Dear East Texas,
During the last week in August, I spent a lot of time on two topics—Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence. In one of the funnier days at work as a Member of Congress, I found out the hard way a few years ago when I visited a cow/calf operation in the Mount Pleasant area that the term “AI” can mean very different things on the ranch and inside our computers!! Since then, I can assure you that I have never gotten these two very different versions of AI confused. Tune in next week for a Special Edition newsletter on Artificial Intelligence.
But, last week, I sat down with Texas Farm Bureau members in Rusk County to have a family discussion about some very real challenges facing producers on the ground in East Texas. From cattle ranches to timberland to row crops—the men and women who work this land feed our communities, sustain rural jobs, and carry on a way of life that has defined East Texas for generations. When our farmers and ranchers succeed, our entire region succeeds with them. I remain committed to fighting for policies in Washington that support the people who put food on our tables and keep rural East Texas strong. My friend, Jodey Arrington, often says that the Ag industry is critical to our “food, fuel, and fiber”—and he is so right! |
Strengthening U.S.-EU Agriculture Ties |
But my focus on agriculture didn’t stop in East Texas. As the Chair of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), I led a bipartisan delegation of members of Congress to meet with 16 members of the European Parliament to discuss a variety of topics. Each year, this TLD group meets once in Europe and once in the United States. This year, we hosted in northern California and one of our main topics was agricultural trade. We spent significant time with the tree nut, fruit, and cotton industry representatives in California jointly conveying the continued importance of European markets for American agricultural products, and the need for the EU to reduce regulatory hurdles and non-tariff trade barriers that are hurting American farmers and ranchers and shrinking potential international markets.
While in northern California, we also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in agriculture, from precision farming and crop management to supply chain efficiency. I emphasized the need for the U.S. and EU to work together on smart, forward-looking policies that allow innovation to flourish without saddling each other’s farmers and producers with unnecessary red tape. I am proud to help lead this effort on behalf of East Texas agriculture and innovation. |
Texas Landowners: Branching Out |
I recently joined Congressman Pete Sessions at the Branching Out Seminar, hosted by the Texas Forestry Association's Texas Forest Landowners Council. The event brought together forest landowners, foresters, logging contractors, manufacturers, agency personnel, and others across Texas' forest supply chain—the people who know better than anyone what it takes to keep our working forests healthy and productive.
Our conversation focused on federal policies that can help keep private working forests economically viable, create stronger markets for Texas-grown timber, and support rural manufacturing. East Texas' forestry sustains jobs, families, and entire communities, from the woods to the mills. I'm grateful for the chance to sit down with the people who keep this industry running, and I'll keep fighting in Congress for the policies that support them. |
Investing in the Future of Rural East Texas |
Rural East Texas thrives when its communities have partners willing to invest in their future. For decades, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation has worked alongside our communities to strengthen the people, land, and industries that define rural East Texas, with agriculture standing at the center of that work.
I enjoyed sitting down with Charlie Glover, President and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, to discuss the future of agriculture in our region. We talked about the scope and mission of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, its historic and lasting impact on East Texas through years of generous giving, and tax matters impacting foundations, non-profits, and beneficiaries of these gifts. We look forward to continuing the close relationship with the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. For more information about them, see https://tlltemple.foundation/. |
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This week I voted to preserve the integrity of the Supreme Court and require it be composed of nine justices. Do you support my vote?
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Working Families Tax Cuts: Small Business |
House Republicans fought to protect farms and small businesses across America—and Clayton's family is a perfect example of what's at stake. In Troup, Texas, Clayton and his wife own and operate a farm-to-table meat ranch on more than 300 acres, raising beef, lamb, chicken, and goat.
Had the Working Families Tax Cuts not expanded upon and made the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s increased Estate Tax exemption permanent, families like them would have faced a 40 percent inheritance tax on a majority of the value of their family business. Today, the estate tax exemption has grown to $30 million for a married couple—$15 million each—meaning Clayton and his wife can now pass their ranch on to their kids without ceding their family business over to the federal government.
Watch Clayton’s full testimony HERE. |
On September 3, 1783, representatives of the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized U.S. sovereignty. The treaty is named for the city in which it was negotiated and signed. The last page bears the signatures of David Hartley, who represented Great Britain, and the three American negotiators – John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay – who signed their names in alphabetical order. |
Dealing with federal agencies can be complicated, and my office is here to help. If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, passport renewals, the VA, or other federal agencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (903) 561-6349 or visiting my website.
It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.
With gratitude, |
Nathaniel Moran Member of Congress |
Answer to Last Week's Texas Trivia Question
⬇️ When was Dolly Parton's first performance in Texas? |
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This Week's Texas Trivia Question
How many presidential libraries are located in Texas? Check back next week for the answer! |
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