House Agriculture Committee advances 2026 Farm Bill

Late Wednesday night, the House Committee on Agriculture voted 34-17 to advance a new farm bill following nearly three days of markup. The legislation was approved by all Republican members of the committee along with seven Democrats.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., released a statement after the committee approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

“Today, my colleagues at the House Committee on Agriculture stepped up for farm country and passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee,” Thompson said. “I am proud of this bill, as well as the work that’s been done to improve it during the last two days.”

“After a markup that lasted over 20 hours, the legislation reflects the will of the committee, and it is filled with bipartisan provisions that will move the needle for farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans across the country,” he said.

“Throughout this markup, it became clearer than ever before that our country needs a new farm bill, and we don’t need it next year, or next Congress. We need it now. I look forward to working in good faith with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we move toward a final vote on the House floor.”

Among the provisions included in the legislation is a fix related to California’s Proposition 12, along with a pesticide provision designed to protect pesticide manufacturers from certain litigation related to human health claims when products are used according to federal law. The provision would also prevent states or local governments from establishing their own requirements for pesticide health warning labels.

During the markup process, an amendment proposed by Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., to allow year-round sales of E15 was ruled outside the committee’s jurisdiction and was not included in the bill.

Agricultural organizations largely welcomed the committee’s action, thanking Thompson and committee members for advancing the legislation.

Duane Stateler, president of the National Pork Producers Council and an Ohio farmer, said the proposal would provide important regulatory relief for pork producers.

“Pork producers of all shapes and sizes need this regulatory relief and are grateful for Chairman Thompson’s steady commitment to providing relief from state laws outside our borders,” Stateler said. “Now it is up to the full House of Representatives to finish the job: pass this farm bill and give agricultural producers across the country true freedom to farm.”

Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association and an Ohio farmer, said soybean growers are facing significant economic pressure.

“Soybean farmers are facing major headwinds, and the provisions included in this 2026 Farm Bill will help farmers across the country navigate changing market dynamics and ongoing farm production and economic challenges,” Metzger said. “We sincerely appreciate the bipartisan members of the House Agriculture Committee who voted to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and continue to stand up for U.S. agriculture.”

Jed Bower, president of the National Corn Growers Association, said the bill addresses several priorities important to corn growers.

“We are pleased to see that the House Committee on Agriculture has advanced the 2026 Farm Bill, which builds upon the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s investments in agriculture and addresses additional programs and policies important to corn growers,” Bower said. “Highlights for NCGA in the legislation include provisions in the credit, conservation, rural development, research and energy titles.”

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall urged House leaders to bring the bill forward for a vote.

“We urge House leaders to continue the momentum and bring this important legislation to a vote on the floor,” Duvall said. “Farmers understand there are many competing priorities in our country right now, but so much has changed since Congress last updated the farm bill in 2018.”

“Agriculture has endured a pandemic, runaway inflation, rising interest rates, and historic supply chain and market disruptions,” he said. “Costs for fuel, fertilizer, equipment and labor have surged, margins have narrowed, and the pressure on farm families has intensified so much that we’ve lost more than 175,000 farms since 2017.”

The full text for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 can be found at https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/.