Stalled Farm Bill Legislation a Growing Source of Frustration

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry has failed to advance the latest version of the proposed Farm Bill. The news comes to the dismay of many agriculture groups.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance issued a statement following the latest developments surrounding the Farm Bill.

It reads as follows: “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is grateful to Chairman Boozman for convening today’s markup and for including in his manager’s package an amendment offered by Sen. Schiff to protect the integrity of the definition of specialty crops in USDA programs and services.

“We are also grateful to Sen. Lujan for filing an amendment to make the Specialty Crop Emergency Framework mandatory and Sen. Slotkin for filing an amendment to enhance the Federal Crop Insurance Program for specialty crop producers, which is also supported by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau.

We look forward to working with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to add the Lujan and Slotkin amendments to the Farm Bill as the legislative process continues. Despite today’s setback, we remain hopeful the Senate can find a bipartisan path forward to pass the Agriculture Act of 2026.”

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.

The outlook for the latest Farm Bill was positive after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the legislation back in May. With the latest stalemate among lawmakers however, discussion will continue until common ground can be found.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall also has weighed in on the latest update. “We are deeply disappointed that senators failed to advance a farm bill today,” he says. “At a time when farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country are facing multiyear losses, the need for a strong, bipartisan farm bill, one that included the long-awaited year-round E15, has never been greater. We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Boozman and members who supported the bill and urge them not to give up.”

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) also is expressing disappointment the Senate Committee’s markup did not advance the Farm Bill. However, the group welcomes several provisions included in the proposal that support conservation, agricultural innovation, and improved market information for America’s farmers.

“TFI appreciates Chairman Boozman and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for recognizing the important role nutrient stewardship, innovation, and market transparency play in helping farmers produce abundant, affordable food while protecting natural resources,” says TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “We share the goal of improving transparency across the global and domestic fertilizer supply chain and will continue engaging with policymakers to ensure that any reporting is carefully evaluated and does not create unintended consequences for farmers, retailers, domestic producers, or competition.”