House Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill

The Republican-backed legislation will now proceed to the House floor for a full vote.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The House Agriculture Committee voted to advance this year's farm bill early Thursday morning after over 20 hours of deliberation. The legislation passed 34-17 with the support of seven Democratic members and will now move to the House floor for a full vote.

Why it matters

The farm bill is a major piece of legislation that sets policies and funding for agricultural and food programs. Its passage is crucial for farmers, producers, and rural communities across the country. However, the bill has faced partisan divisions, with Democrats criticizing Republican efforts to include provisions they oppose, such as reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The details

The 800-page bill text includes provisions for agricultural and food programs and largely resembles the farm bill introduced two years ago. Several amendments were adopted, including ones related to the tobacco industry, wildlife connectivity, cover crops and virtual fencing. Democrats pushed back on the bill, accusing Republicans of ignoring the impact of President Trump's tariffs on the agriculture industry.

  • The House Agriculture Committee voted to advance the farm bill early Thursday morning.
  • The committee adopted several amendments during over 20 hours of deliberation.

The players

G.T. Thompson

Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and author of the farm bill.

Angie Craig

Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee and critic of the "absolutely flawed farm bill".

Brad Finstad

Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee who celebrated the bill's passage.

Jill Tokuda

Democratic Representative who proposed an amendment seeking financial relief for farmers affected by higher costs resulting from Trump's tariffs.

Adam Gray

Democratic Representative who proposed an amendment requiring a report on how proposed changes to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement would impact U.S. agricultural products.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Throughout my time in Congress, I've been focused on delivering a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that is written by farmers for farmers, and by rural America for rural America.”

— Brad Finstad, Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee (X)

“Despite the administration's claims, all is not well in farm country. The president's trade war has been illegal this entire time and Republicans have given up their power.”

— Angie Craig, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee (House Agriculture Committee markup meeting)

What’s next

The farm bill will now proceed to the House floor for a full vote.

The takeaway

The partisan divisions over the farm bill highlight the ongoing tensions between Republicans and Democrats on agricultural policy, with Democrats criticizing Republican efforts to include provisions they oppose. The bill's advancement to the House floor sets up a potentially contentious debate as Congress works to enact a new five-year farm bill.