WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week the House passed a major bill that is arguably one of the most consequential pieces of legislation: the Farm Bill. It’s a massive legislative package that regulates food, agriculture, and conservation policy.
For years, Congress extended the 2018 Farm Bill, but last week, the house passed a new Farm Bill mostly along party lines.
“Producers are operating under the third consecutive Farm Bill extension and the simple truth is the policies of 2018 are not the same challenges of 2026,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R- PA), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
Rep. Thompson said he’s traveled across America and listened to people in the agriculture industry on how they can improve the Farm Bill. He said the measure expands investments in rural communities, brings science backed management back to our national forests and would expand access to credit and prioritize American commodities on the global stage.
“Very pleased we got it over the finish line,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY). “This is something we’ve tried to do for three years. We’ve got a good product here. It will do a lot for our farmers in our district and across the country.”
But some Democrats argue the President’s tariffs and the war in Iran put additional pressure on farmers and food affordability.
“It [the bill] turns a blind eye to the farmers calling for emergency economic assistance so they can afford to keep on planning, it locks in the 187-billion dollar cut to food assistance that Republicans made in the big ugly bill,” said Rep. Angie Craig (D- MN), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member. “Putting more pressure on struggling Americans at a time when the cost of groceries and healthcare continues to grow.”
Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Pablo Jose Hernandez (D- Puerto Rico), is frustrated this Farm Bill does not include a transition of NAP to SNAP benefits for the territory.
“We’re gonna keep fighting for this,” said the Resident Commissioner. “This is a matter of justice for the people of Puerto Rico. It’s also a matter of economic development for the nation as a whole. Puerto Rico imports a lot of food products from the mainland so if we get more money for SNAP we will import more food for the mainland and would benefit a lot of these members’ districts. So, I will keep fighting for this. This is what’s right.”
Some changes in the Farm Bill will allow SNAP benefits to be used for hot prepared foods like rotisserie chicken and the House removed controversial pesticide labeling language after “Make America Healthy Again” activists called for its removal. The measure itself faces an uphill battle in the Senate, especially over SNAP benefits.
