WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry met on Thursday to consider the Agricultural Act of 2026. While the committee failed to report the bill out of committee by a vote of 10-11, they may reconvene after the August recess if an agreement can be reached. The main disagreement was over the proposed timeline for implementing new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state cost-sharing requirements, with Republicans proposing a one-year delay and Democrats seeking a two-year delay.
Ahead of the markup, USA Rice submitted a
letter of support to Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), urging bipartisan approval of the Agricultural Act of 2026. The letter highlighted several priorities important to the U.S. rice industry, including preserving a strong farm safety net, codifying USDA administration of Food for Peace, and maintaining voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. USA Rice also joined an American Farm Bureau Federation-led
coalition letter supporting the committee's approval of the legislation, which was signed by more than 250 food and agriculture organizations. The coalition included several rice state organizations, such as the Arkansas Rice Federation, California Rice Commission, Florida Rice Growers, Louisiana Rice Producers Group, Mississippi Rice Council, Missouri Rice Council, and Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group.
After releasing the discussion draft in June (see
USA Rice Daily, June 23, 2026), and proposing compromise language last week to include year-round E-15 and a one year delay of the SNAP state cost-share (see
USA Rice Daily, August 3, 2026), the committee proceeded to mark up the bill yesterday. The committee entered the markup with 205 first-degree amendments and 10 second-degree amendments filed across all 12 Farm Bill titles. At the beginning of the meeting, members approved an en bloc package of amendments by voice vote. The package incorporated several provisions supported by USA Rice, including an amendment offered by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to permanently codify the transfer of the Food for Peace Program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), formalizing USDA's current administration of the program. A coalition of more than 80 organizations, including USA Rice, has advocated for the permanent transition of the administration of Food for Peace Title II to USDA given the department’s proven track record of administering other U.S. in-kind food aid programs. This week, a broad cross-section of farm, labor, maritime, and government officials met at the Port of New Orleans to celebrate the latest U.S. donation of rice and wheat through the Food for Peace Program (see
USA Rice Daily, August 6, 2026).
"We are greatly disappointed that the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance a farm bill today," said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann. "We applaud Chairman Boozman for putting out a discussion draft in June, and his willingness to negotiate with others and incorporate feedback to try to build a consensus. At a time when the rice industry is facing the smallest crop in nearly four decades and an abysmal market outlook, we urge the committee to deliver for farmers, and work swiftly to pass a bill that can be conferenced with the House of Representatives and signed into law at the earliest possible moment."
Boozman recessed the markup rather than adjourning it, allowing the committee to reconvene at a later date, potentially in September, as lawmakers continue negotiations. While the Senate works to advance its version of the legislation, the House has already passed its own proposal, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, following committee approval in March and House passage on April 30. With the current extension of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 set to expire on September 30, lawmakers face a narrowing window to enact a new five-year Farm Bill.
You can watch the full Markup Meeting
here.