The Republican-led Senate Agriculture Committee approved the Agricultural Act of 2026, also known as the Farm Bill, by a party-line vote of 12 to 11, advancing the legislation to the full chamber.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) welcomed the development, stating that it “is grateful to Chairman Boozman and his staff for convening today’s markup and favorably reporting the Agricultural Act of 2026. We continue to call upon Congress to enact a bipartisan farm bill before the end of this year.”
NPC CEO Kam Quarles said there are still remaining items to be improved as a new Farm Bill hopefully moves toward enactment this year. “There is a bipartisan effort to enhance risk management tools for specialty crops and for Congress to give clear direction to USDA on how to deliver economic relief to American fruit and vegetable growers. A new Farm Bill needs to include those important provisions in support of these family farms,” said Quarles.