After two days of debate, the House Agriculture Committee approved a Republican authored farm bill by a margin of 34-17. Seven Democrats joined all GOP committee members to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which will now be considered by the full House. Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, R- Pa., said he was proud of the bill and the work he says has improved it over 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,” Thompson said in a prepared statement released well after midnight Thursday morning. “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."
Democrats divided
The seven Democrats who voted with Republicans included Jim Costa of California, Sharice Davids of Kansas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Adam Gray of California, Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan, Josh Riley of New York and New Mexico’s Gabe Vasquez.
Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., remained solidly opposed the bill. In her opening remarks, Craig criticized Republicans for, among other things, continuing food assistance cuts and not opposing Trump's tariff policies the Supreme Court recently deemed illegal.
Toward the end of the marathon markup session, Craig lamented Republicans’ decision last year to bypass the traditional farm bill coalition and pass farm program funding through President Trump’s “big beautiful bill” while also cutting Title 4 nutrition funding. According to her, Democrats would have supported the additional support for farm programs.
“Republicans picked the winners for new investment in the Big Ugly Bill and decimated Title 4 outside of regular order,” Craig said. “Now, they are refusing to invest new money in many farm programs that have stagnated after nearly a decade of inflation. This bill delivers what no one is asking for: the status quo.”
Ag groups respond
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval applauded committee members for recognizing a new farm bill is “critical” as farmers face “headwinds not seen in a generation.” He says the bill has a “ripple effect” across the country by supporting farmers.
“We urge House leaders to continue the momentum and bring this important legislation to a vote on the floor,” Duvall said.
The National Pork Producers Council praised the bill for including language that would nullify state laws like California Proposition 12, which sets more stringent requirements for animal living spaces. The NPPS also supported provisions in the bill intended to protect farmers from animal disease outbreaks and to expand markets for 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,” NPPC President Duane Stateler said in a statement shortly after the vote. “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.”
What happens next?
Now that the Ag Committee has advanced the legislation, it will advance to a vote before the full House of Representatives. Chairman Thompson has indicated he’s spoken to House Speaker Mike Johnson about setting aside time to consider the full bill. As of Thursday morning, that time has yet to be announced.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman recently indicated he will introduce his own farm bill proposal in the coming months. That proposal will reportedly include language to legalize year-round E15 sales.
If the Senate and House manage to pass farm bills, the two chambers will negotiate a final bill to approve and pass on to the president. Whether or not that will happen any time soon remains the big unanswered question for farmers.