Moran Minute: From Sabine County to Marshall—Your Voice Matters

Dear East Texas,

This past week, I traveled across the First District—logging hundreds of miles to meet with folks from all walks of life. From community bankers and county leaders to manufacturers, small business owners, and families who call rural East Texas home. I had the chance to listen, learn, and discuss how the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) will impact our communities, and to understand how I can better serve the constituents of the First District of Texas.

After casting my vote in support of the OBBB, I spent the week traveling across the District—explaining its provisions, answering questions, and staying connected with the folks I represent. Whether it was standing along the shores of Lake O’ the Pines, touring an East Texas manufacturing facility, or visiting with neighbors in Hemphill and the Toledo Bend Lake area, the message from me was clear: federal policy must reflect the will of the folks I represent.

While the work of Congress may happen in Washington, the heart of that work lives here—in the conversations, concerns, and values of East Texans. One of those important values is supporting our farmers, ranchers, and the agricultural industry.

Texas’ First District is home to more than 12,000 farms and 2.1 million acres of farmland. Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our local economy—and this bill honors their work and sacrifices by delivering meaningful, lasting support.

Here’s how the bill helps:

• Preserves family farms by making enhanced estate tax relief permanent—allowing generational land to remain in the family without excessive tax burdens.
• Strengthens small-town businesses with a permanent 23% small business deduction and expanded expensing limits—critical tools for the 98% of farms that file as pass-throughs.
• Revitalizes rural economies through a renewed Rural Opportunity Zone program—designed to direct long-term investment into underserved and rural communities like ours. This time around, there is a weighted emphasis on investment in truly rural communities.
• Reduces burdens on farmers by raising the 1099-misc reporting threshold to $2,000 (instead of $600)—making it easier to hire seasonal help without unnecessary red tape, and reducing red tape regulations for small businesses.
• Protects our producers by reducing the cost of borrowing and leveling the playing field against foreign imports in U.S. fuel markets. The One Big, Beautiful Bill incorporates the ACRE Act, which incentivizes banks to lend to those in rural communities that are involved in farming and ranching.

In total, this bill delivers over $10 billion in tax relief for American farmers. It ensures that rural communities like ours aren’t left behind—but are instead empowered to grow, lead, and thrive.

As your Congressman, I remain committed to making sure East Texas has a strong voice in Washington—and that our rural values are not only heard, but respected.

On Wednesday, I spent time at Lake O’ the Pines—a natural beauty that is vital to both our local economy and our way of life in East Texas. Lake O’ the Pines is more than a scenic destination. It supports small businesses, draws in visitors, and brings families together. But it also represents something deeper: the values of stewardship, tradition, and resilience that define East Texas. Protecting this lake means preserving both our economy and our culture. We must stand together to protect this natural resource, and I applaud the efforts of our local communities as they stand together with our state legislators to do just that.

I also joined the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce to provide a federal legislative update and listen to the needs and concerns of the community. Too often, rural communities like Sabine County are left out of the national conversation. That’s something I’m working to change. The people here deserve to be heard, and their priorities deserve to be acted on. We are proud to be working with local government leaders and the Sabine River Authority to make sure that economic development comes to the Toledo Bend area, and that SRA funding continues.

That’s why legislation like the One, Big, Beautiful Bill matters. It expands Opportunity Zones to better serve rural areas, cuts back federal overreach for small businesses, and lowers taxes for working families and ag producers. For places like Sabine County, that means more local investment, more room to grow, and more freedom for people to build a life right here at home. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill also contains Made in America incentives that will help attract new investment to facilities like the former Lone Star Steel plant by offering full expensing in the year those investments are made.

Earlier this month, I had the great privilege of speaking at a Naturalization Ceremony in Marshall, Texas, at the invitation of U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. I had the opportunity to welcome a group of brand-new American citizens—men and women who have worked hard, followed the law, and chosen to embrace the promise and responsibility of being an American citizen.

This month, I was honored to receive the Phyllis Schlafly Friend of American Invention Award from the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund. As part of my ongoing work to protect American inventors, I recently reintroduced the bipartisan RESTORE Patent Rights Act, which helps ensure that innovators can defend their patents and keep their ideas from being stolen or outsourced overseas from bad actors like China.

Strong patent protections are essential to keeping America at the forefront of innovation—and I’ll continue fighting to uphold those rights.

Click here to read more about the RESTORE Patent Rights Act.

On May 30, 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., by President William Howard Taft—then serving as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. It remains one of the most iconic monuments in our nation’s capital—and a personal favorite of my son, Lincoln, who shares not only his name, but also a deep admiration for the great president.

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