WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in the House overcame internal bickering among Republican factions to pass Farm Bill legislation Thursday that includes several consequential measures for agriculture.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 passed the House on a 224-200 vote and goes over to the Senate.
The version approved Thursday removed controversial language that would have prohibited states and courts from, “penalizing or holding liable entities for failing to comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved by the EPA administrator.”
Bayer and Monsanto have been wading through thousands of lawsuits across the U.S. from plaintiffs claiming the companies failed to warn about the risk of glyphosate to human health and that exposure caused cancer.
That provision angered supporters of Make American Healthy Again movement, who want to eliminate glyphosate and other allegedly harmful chemicals from from food production systems. Bayer has proposed a settlement to end the lawsuit liabilities, but that has not been approved by a judge.
The American Soybean Association applauded the bill’s passage because it contains conservation program funding, the Plant Biostimulant Act, increased access to credit programs, funding for precision agriculture, and reauthorization of the Biobased Markets (BioPreferred) Program and Biorefinery Assistance Program.
“At a time when U.S. soybean farmers need certainty more than ever, the 2026 Farm Bill offers a myriad of tools and programs to help the agricultural industry navigate changing market dynamics and ongoing farm production and economic challenges,” said Scott Metzger, ASA president and soybean farmer from Ohio.
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) President Gary Blair said the organization applauded lawmakers on navigating the bill through the House, "and reinforcing the importance of conservation investments.
“We urge the Senate to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill this year,” added NACD Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters. “Long-term authorization is critical to provide the certainty and continuity our nation’s producers need to protect our natural resources and keep working lands productive."
On the equipment side, the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) was generally supportive of the passage.
“The farm economy is the backbone of our nation and equipment dealers are essential partners in ensuring America’s agriculture sector thrives,” AED president and CEO Brian P. McGuire said.
“We look forward to working with the Senate to pass a farm bill and provide much needed certainty, support, and stability to farmers, ranchers, and rural America.”
AED noted multiple provisions to codify the sale of year-round E15 were proposed but not included in the House version or in standalone legislation, “due to concerns from independent refineries. AED continues to urge Congress to expeditiously pass legislation permitting the sale of year-round E15.”
McGuire said the House is expected to consider E15 legislation in May.
The conservation title of the Farm Bill emphasizes, “proven, voluntary incentive-based and locally led conservation programs,” along with, “science, technology, and innovation, including within the conservation practice standards establishment and review processes.”
The bill protects and enhances the Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), “while promoting precision agriculture.”
The Farm Bill also aims to “streamline and improve” program administration for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the Technical Service Provider Program (TSP), and P.L. 566. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was re-authorized as well.
Source : Farm Equipment