The Senate Ag Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill in a 12-11 party line vote on Sept. 16. Committee Republicans prevailed in their second attempt to pass the legislation, thanks to the return of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He cast the deciding vote.
“I do want to say how pleased I was to have Sen. McConnell here today,” committee Chair John Boozman said following the vote. “He made a special effort to really get back this week in order to vote.”
The bill now heads to the full Senate, where it faces an uphill battle.
Democrats hold firm on SNAP
Democrats continued to oppose the bill over new provisions scheduled to go into effect in fiscal year 2028. States with payment error rates over 6% for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will pay a percentage of food benefits previously covered by the federal government. However, states with the highest error rates can delay paying their penalties for two years.
The farm bill legislation just advanced by the committee delays those provisions until FY 2029. Democrats argue they should be delayed an additional year.
Committee drama
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, made a last-ditch effort to include language prohibiting state and local governments from regulating agricultural production methods. The language would essentially negate controversial statutes like California’s Proposition 12, which regulates housing standards.
Boozman refused Ernst’s effort, saying he’d already closed the bill to additional amendments before August’s failed vote.
Multiple Republicans countered that allowing Ernst’s amendment would open the bill up to additional amendments, further delaying the vote. Committee member John Hoeven, R-N.D., encouraged Ernst to instead address Prop 12 when the bill is considered by the full Senate.
After some procedural drama, Ernst ultimately voted in favor of advancing the bill.
Industry groups push for passage
Following the ag committee vote, multiple ag groups called on the Senate to pass the farm bill as soon as possible.
“We applaud members of the Senate Agriculture Committee who recognize the critical support the farm bill provides for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau president, shortly after the vote. “It’s been almost a decade since Congress last passed a farm bill.
“In the past 10 years, more than 200,000 family farms have gone out of business, as farmers grappled with a pandemic, global unrest, rising expenses and falling prices paid for the food they grow. A new, modernized farm bill will help give farmers the tools they need to survive continued and unforeseen challenges ahead.”
Gregg Doud, National Milk Producers Federation president and CEO, applauded the committee for advancing the bill, which he says includes key provision supporting and strengthening the dairy industry.
“With a farm bill already through the House, we’re hopeful that both chambers can now work together on full congressional passage in 2026 that gives dairy farmers the certainty they deserve,” Doud said.
American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger echoed those sentiments, calling the vote an important step toward delivering a comprehensive five-year farm bill for America’s farmers.
“Advancing the farm bill out of committee moves Congress closer to providing the certainty and support farmers need,” Metzger said. “ASA appreciates the work of committee members to move this critical legislation forward.”
Getting the bill through the Senate will require some compromise to get the required 60 votes for passage. However, even if the Senators manage to craft a deal, the bill will still need to be reconciled with the House farm bill. That may not happen any time soon. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Sept. 16 that he was recessing the House for seven weeks until after the midterm elections.