The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal in a 11-10 vote, leaving the legislation without a clear path forward.
SNAP Continues To Be A Stumbling Block
Committee Chairman John Boozman recessed the markup after negotiations broke down over changes to SNAP. Democrats insisted on a two-year delay before states begin sharing SNAP benefit costs, while Republicans offered a one-year delay.
“I want us to get to a bipartisan agreement,” said Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar. “But first and foremost, that includes addressing this ridiculous SNAP situation.”
The committee did approve several amendments, including provisions to permanently move the Food for Peace program to USDA and allow hot rotisserie chicken purchases through SNAP.
Boozman said he can reconvene the committee later this year as lawmakers continue negotiations on the overdue Farm Bill.
Specialty Crop Growers Disappointed In Thursday’s Outcome
Following Thursday’s vote, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance issued the following statement:
“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is grateful to Chairman Boozman for convening today’s markup and for including in his manager’s package an amendment offered by Sen. Schiff to protect the integrity of the definition of specialty crops in USDA programs and services. We are also grateful to Senator Lujan for filing an amendment to make the Specialty Crop Emergency Framework mandatory and Senator Slotkin for filing an amendment to enhance the Federal Crop Insurance Program for specialty crop producers, which is also supported by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau.
We look forward to working with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to add the Lujan and Slotkin amendments to the farm bill as the legislative process continues. Despite today’s setback, we remain hopeful the Senate can find a bipartisan path forward to pass the Agriculture Act of 2026.”
“The Republican majority showed its hand in pushing a Farm Bill that puts massive agrochemical corporations above people’s health and the environment,” said J.W. Glass, senior EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re grateful that our Democratic senators are standing firm against such a monstrous bill that offers a toxic giveaway to pesticide companies, the timber industry and other corporate polluters.”
The Farm Credit Council is encouraging lawmakers to continue working toward a bipartisan Farm Bill after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the legislation.
“As producers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, completing a five-year Farm Bill is more important than ever,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert.
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