By Blake Jackson
The House Agriculture Committee has approved the new Farm Bill, officially named The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, with a vote of 34-17. Notably, seven Democrats, including Rep. Josh Riley (D, NY-19), supported the measure despite differing views on some provisions.
Key elements of the legislation focus on strengthening the agricultural sector and supporting farmers nationwide.
- Research and development for the specialty of crop industry.
- Enhancing mandatory reporting on dairy production costs to ensure accurate data for calculating “make allowances,”
- Expanding the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
- Providing additional resources to young, beginning, and veteran farmers.
- Support for detecting plant and animal diseases at ports of entry and continues funding for the national Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS) Rebate Program.
“This is an important step toward delivering certainty for not only New York farmers, but also for farmers across the United States. New York Farm Bureau applauds members of Congress who supported the bill,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher.
“But there is still work to be done. We encourage farmers to reach out to their members of Congress to vote in favor of the Farm Bill, and I thank everyone who has already voiced their support.”
The bill now advances to a full House vote. If approved, it will move to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, and then to the full Senate, where passage will require 60 votes.
Categories: New York, Government & Policy