Today, the House Committee on Agriculture advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. It goes to the House floor for consideration.
“The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 builds on the progress we made supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities and delivers the tools our producers need to stay competitive and our Nation fed,” says Congressman Derrick Van Orden.
Scott Metzger, American Soybean Association president and a soybean farmer from Ohio, says ASA sincerely appreciates the bipartisan members of the House Agriculture Committee who voted to advance the legislation.
“Soybean farmers are facing major headwinds, and the provisions included in this 2026 Farm Bill will help farmers across the country navigate changing market dynamics and ongoing farm production and economic challenges,” Metzger says.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says the legislation finally completes the Farm Bill cycle. He says it gives producers the operational tools and programmatic investments they need.
Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert says that with rural America facing intense economic pressure, this bipartisan proposal is essential. She says it increases credit availability for farmers and ranchers and reduces regulatory burdens on producers and their ag lenders. The bill improves financing options for community facilities, increases Farm Service Agency guarantee and direct loan limits, and allows USDA to recognize modern farm structures.
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney says he commends the committee for prioritizing provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities through a doubling of the Market Access Program, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention, and reaffirm pesticide authorities.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the organization appreciates the effort of the House Agriculture Committee, but remains concerned that this proposal does not yet meet the scale of the crisis facing family farmers and ranchers. This includes reining in corporate consolidation, building true safety nets, and investing in local communities.
“The path from committee to a final, signed farm bill is long,” Larew says. “NFU will continue working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to strengthen this legislation. The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers are urgent, and the final farm bill must reflect that reality.”
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