House Agriculture Committee advances 34-17 GOP-led farm bill with all Republicans and 7 Democrats after the two day, 22-hour markup
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement today upon the passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee:
“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. 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.
“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.”
Early reaction late Wednesday/ Early Thursday from the ag community is positive. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says “Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of Chairman Thompson and applauds supportive members of the committee on both sides of the aisle for recognizing that a new farm bill is critical as farmers face headwinds not seen in a generation. The farm bill has a ripple effect across the country by supporting the farmers who grow the food that stocks every kitchen pantry in America.
“We urge House leaders to continue the momentum and bring this important legislation to a vote on the floor. 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. Costs for fuel, fertilizer, equipment, and labor have surged, and margins have narrowed. The pressure on farm families has intensified so much that we’ve lost more than 175,000 farms since 2017. That’s just heartbreaking.
“Farmers are also counting on the Senate Agriculture Committee to follow suit and schedule a farm bill markup soon. This is an opportunity for both chambers to work on a bipartisan basis to do the right thing – not only for farmers, but for every family that depends on them. We call on members of Congress to step up and say yes to a strong U.S.-grown food supply.”
