Congress Must Pass a New Farm Bill in 2026

The Protecting America Initiative (PAI) has pointed out many times that food security is national security. Without proactive policies in place to secure America’s food supply chain, our country will always be vulnerable to foreign threats. That is why PAI is calling on both parties in Congress to act without delay to pass a new “Farm Bill” in Congress.   

Too Many Short-Term Extensions Give Adversaries an Advantage 

Congress is supposed to re-authorize American agriculture policy in the Farm Bill every five years. However, the last new Farm Bill was signed in 2018. That means that America has not updated those policies in over seven years. Meanwhile, countries around the world have completely transformed their agricultural policy. This gap creates an unacceptable disadvantage for the U.S. and our farmers.  

The reason we have fallen behind is due to Congressional inaction. Traditionally, American agriculture policy is reviewed and reauthorized every five years. In adhering to that schedule, the current Farm Bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) originally expired on September 30, 2023. Lawmakers were supposed to pass a new agriculture bill with updated federal policies by 2023. 

Unfortunately, Congress’s complete failure has left our nation vulnerable. After nearly three years of punting the Farm Bill, enough is enough. Our farmers need clarity on long-term policies. Failure this year is not an option. Congress must pass a new, five-year Farm Bill.   

Five-Year Farm Bill Policies Provide Security and Certainty 

There are hundreds of key federal policies that are established and detailed in America’s Farm Bill. The bill sets out commodities, nutrition, conservation, and farm credit policy for the entire country, among other things. Right now, we are frozen in 2018 while the rest of the world laps American ag policy.  

Here are just a few of the key reasons why Congress must pass a new bill this year. 

Updating the Farm Safety Net - Commodity Reference Prices Are Frozen in 2018 

Farmers depend on federal commodity policy to survive. Updating commodity reference prices is the single most important economic fix in the new Farm Bill. Current reference prices were locked in during a different economic time and are no longer an effective safety net for 2026 farming. American farms are losing out and these delays reduce American food security and national security.  

Addressing Farm Worker Shortages 

The 2018 agriculture bill did not anticipate the current worker shortage that threatens the existence of American farms. Republican and Democratic lawmakers support an authorization for an agricultural labor law to enhance the ability for farmers to alleviate a labor shortage. This cannot happen without a new bill. Until then, farms could go bankrupt while we wait. 

Modernizing Crop Insurance and Risk Management 

The Farm Bill provides insurance to farmers against crop loss. Unfortunately, the 2018 bill doesn’t account for worldwide changes in crop yields. A new authorization is needed to expand insurance coverage, streamline claims, and improve disaster relief.  

Programs from the 2018 Farm Bill Are Unfunded 

Many bipartisan-supported programs enacted in 2018 – from research and development to water, biofuel, and textile protections – are currently unfunded until a new bill is approved.  

Increased Funding for New Markets 

The Farm Bill supports programs that help American farmers access new markets around the world. A new agriculture bill will increase funding for the market access program to support U.S. farm exports. 

The Time for a Bipartisan Deal Is Now 

American farmers are operating under policies that were designed in 2018 for a different world. These policies were scheduled to be updated in 2023. The country and our farmers have been dealing with uncertainty for far too long. 2026 is the year to take action. 

The current Farm Bill extension expires on September 30, 2026. Republicans and Democrats must work together now to forge a compromise Farm Bill that will last for five years and update critical policies from 2018. Without an updated agriculture policy, American farmers are at a disadvantage and could be forced into bankruptcy. We cannot allow this to happen. 

PAI has pointed out repeatedly that the food policy is the same as the national security policy. Without a robust and resilient domestic food supply chain, the United States is left at the mercy of our adversaries around the world. This is where we are headed until Congress passes a new, comprehensive Farm Bill.