WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The House Agriculture Committee advanced a bipartisan five-year Farm Bill early Thursday after a marathon markup, sending the legislation to the House floor with support from all Republicans and seven Democrats.
The measure passed 34-17 following more than 20 hours of debate across two days, marking significant progress toward updating federal farm policy that has operated under extensions since the 2018 farm bill expired.
Supporters say the legislation strengthens the farm safety net, expands rural investment, and improves access to credit, while critics argue it falls short of addressing declining farm income, rising costs, and export challenges.
The committee last approved a Farm Bill in 2024 that never reached the House floor, and lawmakers now face a more difficult path toward final passage as negotiations shift to the full House and Senate.
Sen. John Boozman, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, applauded the progress, saying the legislation builds on recent investments in the farm safety net, supports rural communities, and provides greater certainty for producers. He added that he looks forward to working in the Senate to move the bill forward.
Boosting the Regulatory Power of the Federal Farm Safety Net
Lawmakers also discussed language related to California Proposition 12 and the need for an additional regulatory framework to protect producers at the federal level. Rep. Jim Costa introduced a proposal to strike the provision addressing the law, but later withdrew the amendment, saying he would continue working to keep Proposition 12 in place. The Farm Bill also includes language prohibiting states from passing laws that ban meat imports from other states.
Major farm and commodity organizations welcomed the committee action, saying producers need updated policy tools as margins tighten and market uncertainty continues across agriculture.
Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and a representative of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, also joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss the legislation and what it could mean for specialty crop growers.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Quarles shared his perspective on the benefits of advancing a new Farm Bill and outlined areas he would like to see addressed as lawmakers continue working toward final passage. He also discussed expectations for the legislative process moving forward as the proposal heads to the full House for consideration.
With continued uncertainty across agriculture, Quarles emphasized the importance of a full five-year Farm Bill and provided an overview of the specialty crop sector, including key challenges and opportunities the industry is watching in the months ahead.
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) CEO Duane Simpson joined us on Market Day Report to share an industry perspective on the proposal from Farm Country.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Simpson discussed the benefits of enacting a new Farm Bill, the outlook for congressional action on E15 policy, and the additional provisions he hopes to see included in the final legislation.
Simpson also addressed broader challenges facing agriculture, including geopolitical tensions slowing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting pressure on global fertilizer supply chains as farmers prepare for planting season.
Unleashing American Energy...Without Year-Round E15?
Debate during the markup focused heavily on year-round sales of E15. An amendment to force a vote on the issue ultimately failed, with committee chair Glenn “GT” Thompson saying the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee rather than the agriculture panel.
An amendment was offered to force a vote on year-round sales, but it ultimately failed, with House Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson saying it wasn’t under the committee’s umbrella.
While the USDA’s Farmer Bridge Assistance Program payments are finally rolling out across farm country, producers say they are grateful, but say the end goal is to sell more commodities. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and many other ag groups say they want federal officials to create market opportunities for agriculture rather than relying on checks.
NCGA President Jed Bower joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on the proposal and the benefits he sees in getting a new Farm Bill in place for producers.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Bower also discussed the debate surrounding the absence of language supporting year-round sales of E15. During the committee process, Glenn “GT” Thompson told colleagues he believes the time is right for year-round sales but noted the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Bower addressed the outlook for the issue and the chances for future congressional action. Beyond policy, Bower spoke about geopolitical tensions slowing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the potential pressure on the global fertilizer supply chains as farmers prepare for spring planting.
The USDA says it is working to secure additional market opportunities for corn and ethanol, in addition to its support for E15, and the department is heading on a trade mission to the Philippines next month, where ethanol will be a major topic of discussion.
Thompson told his colleagues he believes the time is right for Congress to secure year-round sales of E-15, but said the Energy Committee, not Agriculture, has jurisdiction over that area.
