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House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement upon the passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee:
“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.”
Several farm organizations offered support for the Committee’s movement on a new farm bill, and reminded lawmakers about what’s a stake for farmers and ranchers.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:
“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.”
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew:
“The path from committee to a final, signed farm bill is long. 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. They deserve one that delivers real fairness, resilience, and opportunity for their operations and their communities.”
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said:
“At a time when our producers confront unprecedented economic challenges, enacting a full five-year farm bill is critical to the continued sustainability of American agriculture and the communities specialty crop producers serve.”
NCFC President & CEO Duane Simpson:
“We urge House leadership to bring up the farm bill without delay and look forward to the Senate Agriculture Committee beginning its process in the coming weeks.
“We also would like to extend a special thanks to Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) for his leadership in including a provision that would enhance the ability of farmer cooperatives to access the Rural Energy for America Program. If enacted, it would help cooperatives pursue projects that would provide significant impacts toward lowering energy consumption and cutting costs.”
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney:
“Advancing this legislation out of committee with a bipartisan vote marks an important step toward delivering the certainty and support America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities urgently need.”
National Pork Producers Council president Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio:
“Pork producers of all shapes and sizes need this regulatory relief and are grateful for Chairman Thompson’s steady commitment to providing relief from state laws outside our borders. Now, it is up to the full House of Representatives to finish the job: pass this farm bill and give agricultural producers across the country true freedom to farm.”
Source: aggregated news releases
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