WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives, on April 30, passed H.R. 7567 Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 – also known as the farm bill, overcoming legislative infighting and rigorous issue debates.
A new farm bill, which is supposed to be reauthorized every five years, has not been passed since 2018. This House vote was approved in a 224 to 200 vote, which included 209 Republicans, 14 Democrats and one independent in support.
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate where 60 votes will be needed for passage and will probably include additional changes to win political support. If the bill is not passed in the Senate by the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, 2026, the current farm bill, which is already in its eighth year, would need to be extended for one more year.
“It is more evident than ever that rural America needs a new farm bill now — not next year or next Congress,” U.S. Rep. Glenn (GT) Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said in floor remarks on April 29 about the bill. “Producers are operating under the third consecutive farm bill extension, and the simple truth is that the policies of 2018 are no match for the challenges of 2026. It is time to get this critical legislation done.”
“I have said it before, and I will say it again, because it’s important: This bill was not written in Congress,” Thompson added. “It was written out in the fields and pastures of our great nation while the agriculture committee held over 150 listening sessions. We went to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, and we asked them what they needed from Congress. Every provision in this bill is directly informed by what we learned in these listening sessions.”
The nation’s agriculture groups have been voicing their approval for the advancement of a new farm bill, and the direction provided for the U.S. industry.
“After three years of extensions and eight years since a farm bill was passed, we’re grateful the House found a bipartisan path forward,” Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation president, said. “Important updates to research and conservation, as well as increased loan limits and clarity on interstate commerce, will help farmers survive today’s challenges and give them the tools to thrive in the future.”
“We urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and move this important bipartisan legislation forward,” Duvall added in his statement. “Food security is national security, and investing in America’s farmers and ranchers is an investment in America’s families. We all benefit from a reliable and affordable food supply.”
Industry reaction
One amendment included in farm bill discussions that has been “hotly” discussed in the past few weeks is adding hot, rotisserie chicken to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This initiative has been
led by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) and was voted, overwhelmingly, by the House in a 384 to 35 approval vote on April 30.
“I want to thank Rep. Crawford for his leadership on this issue, and congratulate him for the passage of his amendment by such a wide and bipartisan margin,” Harrison Kircher, National Chicken Council president, said. “I also want to congratulate House Ag Committee Chairman Thompson and committee staff for getting the Farm Bill over the finish line in the House.”
“The ‘Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act’ is popular because it’s a winner on affordability and nutrition,” Kircher added. “We urge the Senate as they consider their version of the Farm Bill to build on this momentum.”
On the farm bill, the National Turkey Federation added that it’s, “a major step forward for America’s turkey producers.”
“The National Turkey Federation applauds the House of Representatives for passing the Farm Bill that will provide the stability and certainty our farmers need to keep producing, growing and feeding families across the country and the globe,” NTF said.
The United Egg Producers, in a statement on its social media, noted that, “This legislation plays a critical role in strengthening our food system, supporting agricultural producers and ensuring a safe and stable food supply for families across the country.”
“At a time of ongoing challenges for America’s egg farmers, the Farm Bill delivers essential tools and resources that help farmers continue producing safe, affordable, abundant eggs for families across the country,” UEP added. “We thank Congressional leaders who worked diligently to advance this legislation and recognize the importance of maintaining a strong, science-based, forward-looking farm policy.”
Ted McKinney, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO, whose group represents all 50 states, also applauded the new bill, adding that, “H.R. 7567 prioritizes provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention and preserve the viability of the Security Crop Block Grant Program. These measures reflect key priorities of state departments of agriculture … and reinforce the importance of a unified farm bill that supports U.S. farmers, ranchers and consumers.”
“The goal remains the same: to sign a bipartisan farm bill into law that advances American agriculture and supports the continued production of food, fiber and fuel that communities depend on,” McKinney added.
The National Corn Growers Association, which notes that its growers have been facing years of difficulties and losses, are hopeful for the new farm bill.
“The legislation includes important provisions in the conservation, trade, credit, rural development, research and energy titles,” Jed Bower, NCGA president, said. “USDA programs are important to the success of corn farmers and rural communities, particularly as our growers face their fourth year of net losses and struggle with high input costs.”
The NCGA is also looking toward agriculture leaders in the House who have noted that a bill vote in the next few weeks regarding expanding 15 percent ethanol fuel blends year-round to give benefit to corn growers.
“We look forward to working with our allies in Congress over the next two week to secure passage of the E15 legislation,” Bower added. “Allowing the year-round sale of E15 would help our growers by expanding ethanol sales while also saving consumers money at the pump at a time when fuel prices are on the rise.”
At least one group critical of the new farm bill is the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million workers involved in meatpacking, food processing, grocery, and other related industries.
“As the Trump Administration considers raising line speeds at meatpacking plants to dangerous levels and continues to fight federal workers’ collective bargaining rights, not a single provision in this Farm Bill will improve standards or safety for food workers,” Milton Jones, UFCW international president, said in a statement. “Food affordability for consumers continues to be ignored as well, with SNAP cuts left in place and no measures to protect families from predatory pricing tactics.”
