House Agriculture Committee Releases New Farm Bill Draft
Republicans on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture have released text for a new Farm Bill, titled the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, calling it “modern policies for modern challenges.” Often referred to as “farm bill 2.0,” the proposal addresses provisions left out of last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed under budget reconciliation.
The bill expands disaster assistance programs, including updates to the Tree Assistance Program for orchards, and adds plant pests to the definition of “natural disaster.” It establishes a framework for USDA to deliver disaster aid to specialty crop producers and creates standing authority for ad-hoc disaster block grants to states.
A contentious issue is pesticide regulation. The House Republican draft would prevent states and courts from penalizing manufacturers for label warnings that exceed EPA health thresholds. Supporters say it ensures regulatory consistency, while critics argue lawsuits are necessary to hold companies accountable.
On conservation, the bill reauthorizes the Conservation Reserve Program at its current 27-million-acre cap and supports voluntary, incentive-based conservation. It protects working lands programs such as EQIP and CSP while promoting precision agriculture and science-based standards.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall praised the draft, citing needed updates to credit, conservation, research and rural development programs, while urging bipartisan action and additional support for farmers facing economic challenges.
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