House Republicans Release New Farm Bill

Legislation aims to support specialty crops, rural communities, and SNAP program

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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House Agriculture Republicans unveiled a new long-term Farm Bill on Friday, hoping to pass the first major farming legislation since 2018. The bill, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, expands investments in specialty crops, increases resources for young farmers, and moves the Food for Peace program to the Department of Agriculture.

Why it matters

The Farm Bill is critical legislation that sets policies and funding for the nation's agriculture, nutrition, and rural development programs. The new Republican-led bill aims to address modern challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, though the top Democrat on the committee criticized it for failing to meet the moment.

The details

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act establishes a framework to support specialty crop producers, provides over $1 billion for specialty crop research, creates a rural childcare initiative, strengthens rural hospital assistance, and improves rural broadband programs. It also makes changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including making an online SNAP pilot program permanent and expanding animal protein options.

  • House Agriculture Committee plans to markup the bill on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023 but has been extended.

The players

Glenn 'GT' Thompson

Republican Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Angie Craig

Democratic Representative from Minnesota and top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.

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What they’re saying

“This bill provides modern policies for modern challenges and is shaped by years of listening to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans.”

— Glenn 'GT' Thompson, House Agriculture Committee Chairman (aldailynews.com)

“Farmers need Congress to act swiftly to end inflationary tariffs, stabilize trade relationships, expand domestic market opportunities like year-round E15 and help lower input costs. I strongly urge my Republican colleagues to drop the political charade and work with House Democrats on a truly bipartisan bill to address the very real problems farm country is experiencing right now – before it's too late.”

— Angie Craig, Democratic Representative from Minnesota (aldailynews.com)

What’s next

The House Agriculture Committee is set to markup the bill on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The new Republican-led Farm Bill aims to modernize agriculture policies and address challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, though it has faced criticism from Democrats for failing to go far enough. Passing a new long-term Farm Bill remains a priority for Congress, as the previous 2018 legislation has been extended but is now outdated.