After a markup that lasted over 20 hours, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) says the legislation reflects the will of the committee, and it is filled with bipartisan provisions that will move the needle for farmers, ranchers and rural Americans across the country.
“Throughout this markup, it became clearer than ever before that our country needs a new farm bill, and we don’t need it next year, or next Congress. We need it now,” Thompson says. “I look forward to working in good faith with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we move toward a final vote on the House floor.”
Pork Producers Urge Passage Through House
Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation boasts relief for pork producers facing an “imminent patchwork” of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, a state law that puts small farmers on the chopping block, increases the risk of industry consolidation, and undermines states’ rights.
“Pork producers of all shapes and sizes need this regulatory relief and are grateful for Chairman Thompson’s steady commitment to providing relief from state laws outside our borders,” says Duane Stateler, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president and pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Now, it is up to the full House of Representatives to finish the job: pass this farm bill and give agricultural producers across the country true freedom to farm.”
Along with a dozen national farm, agriculture and transportation groups, NPPC is calling on Congress to “fix this mess immediately.” The coalition’s ask is simple: one state law should not be forced on agricultural producers across the country.
In addition to providing regulatory relief from Prop 12, the Farm Bill 2.0 also acted on additional U.S. pork producer priorities, including:
- Funding and converting the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program into a full program.
- Increasing funding for critical agricultural trade promotion programs, including the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, E. Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, and Priority Trade Fund.
- Requiring USDA to report how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect agriculture.
- Establishing the Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to better identify and overcome trade barriers.
- Expanding the Animal Health Protection Act to include improving animal disease traceability.
- Allowing the establishment of additional training centers and programs under the Beagle Brigade Act.
- Requiring thorough documentation on USDA’s ability to protect producers from significant economic losses due to a foreign animal disease outbreak.
- Capping administrative expenses for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, allowing a higher percentage of funds to be used for research.
- Requiring USDA to conduct research and development on a policy to insure pork producers against financial losses from a catastrophic disease.
State Departments of Agriculture Voice Support
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) commends the committee for prioritizing provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities through a doubling of the Market Access Program, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention, and reaffirm pesticide authorities. These measures reflect key priorities of state departments of agriculture and reinforce the importance of a unified farm bill that supports U.S. farmers, ranchers and consumers.
“NASDA supports this legislation and congratulates Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and members of the House Agriculture Committee for moving the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 forward,” says NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “Advancing this legislation out of committee with a bipartisan vote marks an important step toward delivering the certainty and support America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities urgently need.”
