U.S. Rep. Crawford Pushes for More Farm Aid as Talks Continue

Congressman says $12 billion relief package is inadequate, calls for faster aid to farmers facing financial pressures.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, is advocating for additional federal aid to support Arkansas and American farmers who are struggling with the impacts of trade wars, high input costs, and low commodity prices. While a $12 billion farmer relief package was approved by Congress in late 2025, Crawford says this is far from enough to offset the industry's losses, which experts estimate could be up to four times that amount. Crawford is sponsoring the "Bridge the Gap for Rural America Act" to provide a 50% advance payment on farm support programs and lift payment limitations, aiming to get aid to farmers more quickly than the standard timeline.

Why it matters

The agriculture industry is a critical component of Arkansas' and the nation's economy, and the financial pressures facing farmers could have far-reaching implications if not addressed. Crawford's efforts to secure more robust and timely aid are intended to help keep farmers in business and maintain food security.

The details

Crawford's "Bridge the Gap" legislation would allow farmers to receive a 50% partial payment for the 2025 crop year now, rather than waiting until October 2026, and would also suspend standard payment caps on Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs for that year. The congressman says this is necessary to provide relief in the same year the damage occurred, rather than over a year later when it may be too late for some farmers to stay in business.

  • The $12 billion farmer relief package cleared Congress in late December 2025.
  • The USDA has promised to distribute the $12 billion in aid no later than February 28, 2026.
  • Crawford's "Bridge the Gap" legislation was filed in October 2025 and is currently in the House Agriculture Committee.

The players

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford

A Republican congressman representing Arkansas' 1st congressional district, who is pushing for more federal aid to support the state's and nation's farmers.

USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has promised to distribute the $12 billion in farmer relief funding by the end of February 2026.

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What they’re saying

“What we need to do now is provide some measure of relief so that the relief comes in the year where the damage took place, not 12 to 14 months down the road.”

— U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (Talk Business & Politics)

“If the damage is done in 2025, you can't wait till 2026 to get help.”

— U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (Talk Business & Politics)

What’s next

Crawford is uncertain when his "Bridge the Gap" legislation may move forward, as Congress is juggling other issues like ICE funding and appropriations measures. However, he says it is imperative to provide faster relief to farmers than what a full Farm Bill reauthorization could deliver.

The takeaway

Rep. Crawford's push for more robust and timely federal aid for farmers underscores the significant financial pressures facing the agriculture industry, which is critical to Arkansas' and the nation's economy. His efforts aim to get relief to farmers in the same year they are experiencing losses, rather than over a year later, in order to help keep them in business and maintain food security.