House passes long-awaited farm bill, sending measure to Senate

NATIONWIDE — The U.S. House of Representatives took a significant step toward updating the nation’s agriculture policy Thursday, passing a long-awaited five-year farm bill as Iowa lawmakers and agricultural groups continue pushing for certainty amid ongoing economic challenges in rural America.
The measure, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, passed in a bipartisan 224-200 vote, marking the first major attempt to rewrite farm and nutrition policy since 2018. Congress has relied on a series of short-term ex-tensions over the past three years, leaving many farmers operating under outdated policies.
The bill would authorize key farm support and nutrition programs through fiscal year 2031. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, it would have little impact on discretionary spending over the next decade, while adding an estimated $162 million in mandatory spending over six years.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., said the legislation is overdue and necessary for producers facing mounting pressures.
“It is more evident than ever that rural America needs a new farm bill now, not next year or next Congress,” Thompson said. “Producers are operating under the third consecutive farm bill extension, and the simple truth is the policies of 2018 are no match for the challenges of 2026.”
Despite that urgency, the bill drew sharp criticism from many Democrats, who argued it fails to address key issues facing both farmers and low-income Americans. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said the legislation does not adequately respond to rising input costs or recent policy changes affecting food assistance.
“It doesn’t fix any of the underlying policy choices … that caused the problems in the first place,” Craig said, adding that it maintains significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enacted in last year’s federal spending package.
Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern echoed those concerns during floor debate, warning the bill could worsen food insecurity.
“We are considering … a five-year farm bill that, quite frankly, does nothing for our farmers and screws over poor people,” McGovern said. “It is going to make hunger worse in this country.”
Still, the legislation did garner some bipartisan support. Fourteen Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the bill, while three Republicans opposed it. Six members did not vote.
Because major changes to nutrition programs were already made through a separate spending and tax law last year, lawmakers described this version of the farm bill as relatively narrow in scope. Even so, it includes several updates aimed at agriculture and rural communities.
Among them is $200 million for a new local food procurement program designed to support food banks and strengthen regional food systems. The bill also raises borrowing limits for farmers through U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs and expands rural development funding, including support for mental health and substance abuse services.
In addition, the measure shifts oversight of certain international food aid programs to the USDA following the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Lawmakers also approved an amendment removing a controversial provision that would have shielded pesticide manufacturers from certain legal liabilities.
For Iowa lawmakers, the bill represents both progress and unfinished business.
All four members of Iowa’s Republican delegation, Reps. Zach Nunn, Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, voted in favor of the measure, emphasizing the importance of providing certainty for farmers.
“I fought to make sure this bill got across the finish line because Iowa farmers need certainty now — not another year of delay,” Nunn said in a statement. He noted that input gathered during listening sessions across his district helped shape his priorities in the legislation.
Nunn also pointed to a series of provisions aimed at strengthening agriculture, including support for rural broad-band, protections for livestock producers and measures intended to bolster the next generation of farmers.
Feenstra similarly praised the bill’s focus on agricultural stability and long-term investment.
“This bill strengthens export markets, keeps farmland in the hands of the next generation of Iowans instead of China, repeals the harmful Prop 12 mandate, and prioritizes farmer safety,” Feenstra said. “Most importantly, it delivers real results and gives our producers the tools they need to succeed.”
Iowa Corn Growers Association leaders also welcomed movement on the farm bill, particularly provisions addressing regulatory challenges such as California’s Proposition 12, which has raised concerns among livestock producers. The group has also advocated for expanded biobased product markets and stronger voluntary conservation programs.
At the same time, Iowa agricultural advocates have remained active in Washington, continuing to engage lawmakers on a range of issues tied to the farm economy. That includes ongoing discussions around biofuels policy, though leaders have emphasized that broader farm bill priorities remain central.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, thanked Iowa’s House delegation for their efforts during farm bill negotiations and stressed the importance of delivering results for producers.
“Our farmers feed and fuel the world,” Grassley said in remarks on the Senate floor, highlighting the economic strain agriculture has faced in recent years and the need for policies that support long-term stability.
The farm bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers are expected to release their own version in the coming weeks. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said House passage is an important milestone but acknowledged more work lies ahead.
“This is an important step toward updating long-overdue policies that support our farm families and strengthen rural communities,” Boozman said.
As the process moves forward, differences between the House and Senate versions will need to be reconciled before a final bill can be sent to the president’s desk.
For farmers across Iowa and the Midwest, the outcome carries significant weight. Beyond commodity programs, the farm bill shapes everything from crop insurance and conservation efforts to rural infrastructure and food assistance programs.