Mar112026

Bipartisan Farm Bill Advances from Committee – Now What?

The House Agriculture Committee last week advanced, in a bipartisan vote of 34-17, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” or, as some call it, “Farm Bill 2.0”.

Why do we need a Farm Bill now?

For producers across the country, the Committee’s passage of the Farm Bill and the improvements made in it come at an important time while farmers and ranchers are planning for another year. Many farmers evaluating their balance sheets are seeing a sea of red ink is staring back at them.

The alarming downturn of the farm economy has also led key lawmakers to examine the potential path forward for additional emergency assistance for producers who are facing deep financial strain. Congress must stand by our farmers.

  • “Our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities are relying on us to step up and advocate for them.”– House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA)
  • “Farmers are waiting on a new Farm Bill. They can’t keep waiting.” – Congressman Don Davis (D-NC)

What’s included in the Bill?

Farm Bill 2.0 is made up of a number of bipartisan provisions and marker bills that would help guide federal farm policy. Of the 181 measures influencing Farm Bill 2.0, 82% had bipartisan cosponsors.

  • “The numbers don’t lie — this is a bipartisan farm bill.” – Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA)
  • “Food is a national security issue, and we must look at each title [of the Farm Bill] as a foundation to America’s production of food and fiber.” – Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA)

The measure builds on the wins for farm policy made through reconciliation, and generally reauthorizes and/or makes improvements across all 12 titles of the Farm Bill.

  • “The men and women who farm our land don’t just grow crops, they sustain our economy, our communities, and our country.” – Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA)
  • “After years of delay, farmer and ranchers need certainty and predictability, rural communities need stability. Families need to be able to afford groceries. That only happens when we do the hard work of building a bipartisan Bill.” – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS)

Farm Bill 2.0:

  • Enhances standing disaster programs and expands eligibility for assistance.
  • Further builds on the improvements made to support dairy risk management tools.
  • Expands access to low-cost financing for agricultural storage infrastructure.
  • Ensures producers can continue using key programs, such as Marketing Assistance Loans, even in the event of a government shutdown.
  • Protects and enhances working lands conservation programs.
  • Directly increases funding for trade promotion programs and works to address trade barriers.
  • Directs research and development of new crop insurance policies and establishes a Specialty Crop Advisory Committee for closer engagement with producers.
  • and More.
    • Access additional details on the measure here.

What are farm groups saying?

Key farm groups have lauded the bipartisan passage of the legislation, and urged Congress to quickly take up the measure.  Over 240 groups across all corners of agriculture expressed support for the measure.

  • The American Sugar Alliance stated, “America’s farm economy is in crisis; we cannot afford to lose more family farms or factories. It’s time to finally get a new Farm Bill across the finish line.”
  • Mr. Wes Beck, a corn and soybean farmer and pork producer from St. James, Minnesota, who currently serves as President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, stated, “[We] recognize the strong support by Congress and the Administration as our farm families weather some extremely difficult conditions. We hope that the Committee will move forward with Farm Bill 2.0 in keeping with the bipartisan spirit that has always been the Committee’s hallmark and we thank Members on both sides of the aisle for the steadfast support of American agriculture, including the farm families of Minnesota.”
  • American Farm Bureau Federation President, Mr. Zippy Duvall, stated, “[A] new farm bill is critical as farmers face headwinds not seen in a generation… We call on members of Congress to step up and say yes to a strong U.S.-grown food supply.”
  • “USA Rice supports the passage of this legislation and stands ready to work… to finalize the remaining sections of the farm bill.” – USA Rice
  • “The NCC urges bipartisan support for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act and stands ready to work with House and Senate leadership to secure final passage this year.” – National Cotton Council Chairman, Mr. Nathan Reed, Arkansas Cotton Producer
  • “Advancing this legislation without delay is critical not just for wheat farmers, but for the rural communities and American families who depend on them.” – National Association of Wheat Growers
  • “Enacting a full five-year farm bill is critical to the continued sustainability of American agriculture and the communities specialty crop producers serve.” – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance
  • “A strong farm bill is essential to sustaining a vibrant American agricultural economy and strengthening our national security. This legislation provides the certainty farmers need to continue producing a safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fuel supply for our nation and the world.” – National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman, Ms. Amy France

What now?

The bipartisan passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and the outpouring of support for the measure from across all corners of the agriculture sector, has sent a strong signal to Congress.

Lawmakers are reportedly discussing next steps, including securing floor time for the measure to be considered on the full House floor.  The Senate, for its part, is also discussing next steps.

Farm country is hurting – and a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill sends a strong message to America’s farm families.

The bottom line? Congress, it’s time. Stand by America’s farm families. Move the Farm Bill forward! 

Need a Farm Bill refresher? Find a high-level, title-by-title history and overview of this crucial piece of legislation that impacts every American, from the field to the dinner plate, here. Plus, learn about agricultural policy straight from America’s heartland on the Groundwork podcast.