Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) have reintroduced the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating the shortage of veterinary services in rural communities.

The proposed legislation would make student loan repayments received through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and similar state programs exempt from federal income tax. Currently, recipients of these repayments are subject to federal withholding taxes, which lawmakers say limits the program’s effectiveness.

The VMLRP provides financial assistance to veterinarians who commit to practicing for at least three years in underserved areas. According to the announcement, nearly every rural state faces a shortage of veterinarians, which has implications for both animal and public health, particularly in regions dependent on agriculture.

Senator Crapo stated that the bill would reduce financial barriers for veterinarians willing to serve in rural areas, benefiting both the agricultural industry and public health infrastructure. Senator Smith emphasized that the shortage impacts nearly every state and that updating tax policy is a step toward improving access to veterinary care.

Co-sponsors of the Senate bill include Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and John Larson (D-Conn.).