American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry vote to advance the farm bill to the full Senate. “We applaud members of the Senate Agriculture Committee who recognize the critical support the farm bill provides for America’s farmers and ranchers. We appreciate Chairman Boozman’s leadership in moving this legislation forward and we urge lawmakers in the House and Senate to advance a farm bill to President Trump’s desk. “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. “More than 100 farmers and ranchers descended on Washington this week to send the message that we’re counting on Congress to work together to advance a bipartisan farm bill. A strong farm bill ensures an abundant and safe food supply. It benefits every family in America, regardless of their political affiliation.”
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after leading committee passage of the Agriculture Act of 2026: “Farm country is hurting and needs results now. Advancing this bill out of committee is a critical step toward getting a fully updated Farm Bill signed into law. While this is clearly welcome progress, we need more of our colleagues’ votes to reflect the urgency of supporting farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and rural communities. I will always stand with the families who feed America and the world. They continue to have my commitment on getting bipartisan Farm Bill 2.0 across the finish line.”
The American Soybean Association welcomes today’s advancement of the Agricultural Act of 2026 by the Senate Agriculture Committee, 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,” said Scott Metzger, president of ASA and Ohio soybean farmer. “ASA appreciates the work of committee members to move this critical legislation forward.” As the bill heads to the Senate floor or a preconference with the House, ASA urges lawmakers to continue bipartisan negotiations and work together to build the broad support necessary for passage. That bipartisan commitment must continue across Congress to deliver a final farm bill that can be signed into law.
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcomed the markup of the U.S. Senate’s version of the Farm Bill by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which includes a provision that would permanently move the administration of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Thank you to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar for their support of the provision, and especially to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who authored the amendment,” said Amanda Hoey, chief executive officer of the Oregon Wheat Commission and chair of the USW Food Aid Working Group. “The USDA’s administration of the Food for Peace program aligns with the agency’s agricultural focus, technical expertise and proven track record of humanitarian assistance for those in need today and our future customers.” The Moran amendment was included with bipartisan support as part of a manager’s package at the start of the bill’s markup in August. U.S. Wheat looks forward to the continuation of the Farm Bill legislative process as the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives reconcile legislative text and work towards final passage of this important legislation.
Today, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 out of committee. The legislation complements the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, led by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and passed out of the House of Representatives in April. “Advancing the Agricultural Act of 2026 from committee is a significant step in the right direction as we work to restore certainty and common sense to agricultural policy,” Chairman Thompson said. “Farm country cannot wait any longer for updated policies, and I applaud Chairman Boozman and Senate Republicans for recognizing this urgency, even as Senate Democrats refuse to come to the table to support American producers. Passing a full, five-year farm bill remains my top priority, and I look forward to working with any lawmakers who make good faith efforts to support our producers in the coming months.”
Following the advancement of the Agricultural Act of 2026 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney issued the following statement. “NASDA congratulates Chairman John Boozman and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee on advancing the farm bill,” McKinney said. “NASDA members remain united on the same goal: we must enact a bipartisan farm bill to strengthen American agriculture and support production of food, fiber and fuel for all.” The farm economy continues to experience instability, including rising input costs, weather-related losses and trade challenges. This legislation provides vital support to farmers, ranchers and consumers and provides economic growth for rural communities, and NASDA remains committed to continued collaboration with the U.S. Senate to bring the legislation across the finish line. Seeing a bipartisan 2026 Farm Bill passed is one of NASDA’s policy priorities, citing 12 farm bill issues most critical to state agriculture departments. NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, are responsible for administering many farm bill programs at the state level on behalf of farmers, ranchers and consumers nationwide.
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Act of 2026 out of committee. “There are real wins for family farmers and ranchers in this farm bill, and we appreciate the Senate Agriculture Committee for moving it forward with these needed updates. Country-of-origin labeling is a major win for farmers and consumers alike, and nationwide, year-round E15 will open new markets for family farmers. “But we need to hold two truths at once: this farm bill delivers some real improvements, and it will not stop the crisis farmers and ranchers are living through right now. Family farmers are caught between rising input costs, concentrated corporate power, and a farm safety net that no longer reflects the realities of farming today. American families are struggling with high prices and lack of robust nutrition programs. Incremental fixes won’t reverse that. We need bigger, bolder reform of farm policy. Without it, farms will keep going out of business, and rural communities and American families will pay the price. “As this farm bill moves forward, NFU will keep working with Congress to think beyond this bill and build farm and food policy that works for all American families.”
National Sorghum Producers today welcomed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s advancement of the Agricultural Act of 2026, moving Congress one step closer to delivering a long-overdue five-year farm bill. “Farmers have waited far too long for the certainty of an updated farm bill,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a sorghum farmer from Scott City, Kansas. “Today’s vote is an important step forward for producers facing weak prices, high input costs and continued uncertainty.” The Senate legislation includes two longstanding NSP priorities: nationwide, year-round access to E15 and the permanent transfer of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Year-round E15 represents a real opportunity to grow demand for sorghum and strengthen the farm economy,” France said. “We appreciate Chairman John Boozman’s leadership and Sen. Roger Marshall’s continued work to keep this critical priority moving forward.” The bill also includes Sen. Jerry Moran’s provision permanently placing Food for Peace at USDA. The change would strengthen the connection between American farmers and international food assistance while reinforcing the use of U.S.-grown commodities to help feed people in need around the world. “Food for Peace demonstrates the reach and value of American agriculture,” France said. “We thank Sen. Moran for his leadership in protecting the program and ensuring it remains closely connected to the farmers who make its mission possible.” NSP urged Senate leaders to bring the legislation to the floor and called on lawmakers in both parties to work together toward final passage. “Today’s progress matters, but the work is not finished,” France said. “Sorghum producers need Congress to come together and deliver a farm bill that provides certainty, strengthens markets and supports the future of American agriculture.”
The National Pork Producers Council is pleased to see movement of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s farm bill and Congress one step closer to the clarity and certainty a 5-year farm bill reauthorization would bring. With various hurdles cleared, it is now time for leaders in D.C. to hear the persistent, urgent plea of America’s 60,000-plus pork producers to finally stop the threat of a state-by-state patchwork of farm animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12. “America’s pork producers deserve a robust farm bill, which should come with protection from being forced to rebuild our barns every time another state decides it knows what is best for animal welfare,” said Rob Brenneman, NPPC president and pork producer from Washington County, Iowa. Not only does Prop. 12 make sustaining their businesses onerous for pork producers, but also it hinders the critical input and expertise of swine veterinarians. Practicing Doctors of Veterinary Medicine from Illinois explained, “As veterinarians, we know that good welfare cannot be reduced to a single measurement such as square footage.” “Science gives us the flexibility to learn and improve. Laws, however, change slowly and often lock today’s understanding into tomorrow’s production systems. If every state establishes its own production requirements, adapting new scientific knowledge becomes increasingly difficult. Veterinary medicine advances by questioning assumptions, evaluating new evidence, and continuously improving,” DVMs Bill Hollis and Aaron Lower shared. As farm bill negotiations continue in conference, NPPC encourages the Agriculture Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members to produce a bipartisan farm bill that focuses on keeping pig farming in the U.S. affordable, checks the overreach of interstate commerce California has enjoyed, and bottom line, offers the best care for animals. That bill must include a solution to the state patchwork problem of Prop. 12.
R-Calf USA: The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced out of committee the Agricultural Act of 2026 with a bipartisan provision to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. The committee’s action marks another major step forward for MCOOL. During the committee’s August Farm Bill markup, the provision was adopted on a 17-6 bipartisan vote, marking the first time the Senate had acted to advance MCOOL for beef since the 2008 Farm Bill and the first significant congressional action to restore the law since its repeal in 2015. Led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., the provision would restore consumers’ ability to clearly distinguish American beef from foreign beef at the grocery store while allowing American cattle producers to differentiate their product in the marketplace. “We commend the Senate Agriculture Committee for its recognition that American cattle ranchers deserve the opportunity to compete for consumers who want American beef and that all American consumers deserve to know where their beef comes from,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “We also recognize our thousands of cattle producer members who have stood behind this effort for years and never wavered in their commitment to restoring MCOOL. “The Senate has demonstrated bipartisan support, the president has demonstrated his support, and American ranchers and consumers have made their voices clear. We must remain vigilant to ensure MCOOL remains in the Farm Bill through the next steps of this process and is ultimately restored into law.” R-CALF USA has remained one of the nation’s leading advocates for restoring MCOOL for beef, working through multiple Congresses and administrations to advance legislation, build producer and consumer support, engage policymakers and keep the issue at the forefront of the national cattle policy debate. Momentum behind MCOOL has accelerated in recent weeks. On Sept. 4, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, to review available authorities and determine a path forward for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, including potential regulatory action or legislative recommendations. With today’s committee action, the Farm Bill now moves forward as congressional leaders work toward passage of a final package.
The National Cotton Council (NCC) applauds the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for advancing the Agricultural Act of 2026 and urges Congress to maintain momentum toward final passage of a full, five-year farm bill this year. “We appreciate Chairman Boozman and the Senate Agriculture Committee for moving this important legislation forward,” said NCC Chairman Nathan Reed. “Cotton producers and farm families across the country continue to face high input costs and ongoing market uncertainty. This action represents important progress toward providing producers with the stability they need and strengthening the farm safety net for the years ahead.” The NCC continues to urge Congress to take bipartisan action to complete a comprehensive farm bill that provides meaningful support for U.S. agriculture and rural America.
Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert made the following statement after the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026: “Farm Credit thanks Chairman John Boozman and all members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for their work on the Agricultural Act of 2026, an important step toward advancing a complete, five-year Farm Bill this year. “As producers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, completing a five-year Farm Bill is more important than ever. This legislation includes bipartisan provisions to increase credit availability for farmers and ranchers, modernize and streamline programs, and reduce regulatory burdens on producers and their ag lenders. “As the House and Senate Agriculture Committees shift into the next steps toward enactment, Farm Credit looks forward to collaborating with Congress to enact a robust, forward-looking and complete Farm Bill to give certainty to rural America.”
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) today applauded Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and all committee members for passing a new multi-year Farm Bill out of committee. ARA appreciates the committee’s leadership and commitment to strengthening America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural supply chain through a comprehensive Farm Bill. “Agricultural retailers play a critical role in delivering the crop inputs, services, and expertise farmers need to remain competitive,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “We appreciate Chairman Boozman and committee members for recognizing the unique role of retailers and other agricultural businesses in the Senate’s Farm Bill, and we are committed to working with Congress and the Administration to get this bill signed into law.” ARA looks forward to continuing to work with Chairman Boozman, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-Pa.), and all members of Congress to advance a Farm Bill that supports producers and strengthens the agricultural supply chain.
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union UFCW International President Milton Jones said: “The Farm Bill that advanced today bows to powerful agricultural interests and leaves hardworking families out to dry. Amid a nationwide affordability crisis, 5 million Americans have lost SNAP benefits, including 1.5 million children, and there is no relief in sight. Instead, the future cuts to food assistance will be even deeper. “The bill also does nothing to protect the safety of workers across the food supply chain, support union jobs, or strengthen rural communities. The Senate Agriculture Committee had an opportunity to go back to the drawing board after failing to pass this legislation last month, but they turned down that chance. “This Farm Bill fails on key issues for UFCW members, their families, and their communities. We urge lawmakers to reject it.”
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) applauds the Senate Agriculture Committee for advancing Farm Bill 2.0, the Agricultural Act of 2026. The legislation provides America’s farmers, ranchers and manufacturers with the certainty and critical resources necessary to support our food supply chain, strengthen our rural communities and protect national security. The bill addresses several AFIA policy priority issues, including updating agriculture research programs, modernizing the regulatory review process for new ingredients, increasing investments in trade promotion programs and improving preparation and response to animal disease outbreaks. Specifically, the AFIA thanks the Senate committee for the inclusion of the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (Innovative FEED) Act in the farm bill. This legislation, which the AFIA and hundreds of animal health and food-related organizations have supported for many years, would modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s review process for certain novel animal food ingredients and allow the agency to use the existing Food Additive Petition process for ingredients that provide benefits such as improved animal health, enhanced food safety or reduced environmental impact. “Including the Innovative FEED Act in the farm bill sends a clear message: agriculture must have access to modern tools and technologies if America is going to remain globally competitive, productive and resilient,” said AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman. “The farm bill is American agriculture’s roadmap for the next several years and the animal food industry thanks Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., and the committee for recognizing our industry’s role in delivering innovative solutions that advance animal and public health.” Today, the FDA considers many innovative feed ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutritional benefits (e.g., taste, nutrition and aroma) as “drugs,” putting them through a lengthy, costly and inappropriate regulatory review process. This unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, which the agency notes has not kept pace with scientific innovation, has hindered innovation in America’s animal food industry, resulting in U.S. farmers, ranchers and pet owners lagging their global competitors who have access to many of these technologies. The Innovative FEED Act would give the FDA the legal authority it needs to appropriately regulate these animal food ingredients as feed ingredients, while maintaining the strong safety standards producers and consumers expect, accelerating innovation, improving animal nutrition and providing livestock and poultry producers with additional tools to meet growing demand. The AFIA will continue to work with the FDA and regulators to support the long-term success of U.S. agriculture and the animal food industry. The AFIA looks forward to working with Congress to advance a final farm bill that promotes innovation, supports agricultural productivity and ensures the United States remains a global leader in food and agriculture.
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded today’s vote to advance legislation that will permanently allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15, a 15% ethanol blend that sells for $0.30 less per gallon on average compared to regular fuel. The E15 fix, which is part of the larger Farm Bill, now moves to the full Senate. “Consumers deserve lower-cost fuel options and farmers deserve reliable markets,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Year-round E15 delivers on both fronts, and we’re grateful to our bipartisan Senate champions for making E15 an urgent priority. “Now is the time for Congress to prioritize U.S. drivers over those who simply oppose lower-cost options at the pump. We look forward to working with leaders in both the House and Senate to finally put commonsense, bipartisan legislation on the President’s desk.” With this provision, drivers would have access to E15’s significant savings all year long. E15 has already been approved for use in all cars made in 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today—and is currently available at more than 5,100 gas stations in 35 states. It has remained on the market each summer since 2019, thanks to a series of regulatory and short-term measures, but only a permanent fix will offer the certainty needed to quickly expand consumer access. Legislation allowing year-round E15 already passed the House this May.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reconvened today and narrowly passed the Agricultural Act out of committee. The legislation, also commonly referred to as “farm bill 2.0,” contains many corn grower policy priorities. This includes language that would allow for the year-round sale of fuels with 15% ethanol blends, often referred to as E15. In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement:
“We are pleased that the farm bill passed in committee and is one step further in the legislative process. Corn growers are in Washington this week, reminding legislators that the true finish line is for the farm bill and year-round E15 to become law this year. “The Senate farm bill would expand year-round consumer access to E15, which is important to farmers and the rural economy. It has the potential to significantly lower gas prices across the country while shoring up the nation’s energy security. “There is still work to be done. The 2026 corn crop is the most expensive crop we’ve ever planted, raised, and are now harvesting. The pressures on the ag economy only continue to mount. We encourage the full Senate to take bipartisan action to provide certainty in a worrisome time by voting to pass this legislation. “Corn growers thank the leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee for continuing to move this important piece of legislation forward and for their service to agriculture. “As recent action in the House of Representatives on the farm bill and E15 demonstrates, expanding access to higher blends of ethanol is a bipartisan endeavor, and one that can benefit all of our nation’s citizens. We are deeply appreciative of Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar and all our allies on the committee for pushing to expand access to E15.”
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026, moving a comprehensive, five-year farm bill one step closer to consideration by the full Senate. NAWG applauds the Committee’s action and appreciates Chairman John Boozman and members of the Committee for continuing to move the farm bill process forward. The legislation includes several priorities important to wheat farmers, including support for agricultural research, risk-management and trade programs, expanded access to agricultural credit, and the permanent transfer of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Wheat farmers have waited far too long for the certainty of a new farm bill, and today’s vote is an important step toward finally getting this legislation across the finish line,” said NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer. “We applaud Chairman Boozman and members of the Committee for addressing many of the challenges facing wheat farmers and moving this legislation forward “But committee action must not be the end of the road. Wheat growers are still facing stubbornly high input costs and prolonged global uncertainty, while operating under a farm bill that hasn’t kept pace with today’s economic realities. Senate leadership must bring the farm bill to the floor and pass it as soon as possible “Congress spent the last four years debating the next ‘five-year’ farm bill. America’s wheat farmers need action now. The full Senate must build on today’s momentum, pass a comprehensive farm bill, and work with the House to deliver a final package to the President’s desk without further delay.”
