A major federal farm bill moved forward early Thursday after the House Agriculture Committee approved the legislation with bipartisan support.
The committee voted 34–17 to advance the measure, known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
Seven Democrats joined Republicans in backing the bill, including Rep. Josh Riley of New York’s 19th Congressional District.
The legislation includes funding for specialty crop research and development and expands the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. It also increases resources for new, young, beginning and veteran farmers.
Other provisions would improve reporting on dairy production costs used to calculate “make allowances” for dairy farmers and add funding to detect plant and animal diseases at ports of entry.
The bill also funds the national Roll-Over Protection Structures rebate program, which helps farmers install tractor safety equipment.
“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 President David Fisher said.
The measure now moves to the full House for a vote. If approved, it will be considered by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry before potentially heading to the full Senate.
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