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.”
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.”
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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.
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.”
