After a markup session lasting more than 20 hours, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee with a 34-17 vote. The Republican-led bill attracted votes from seven of the panel's Democrats to widen its overall support. The farm bill expands dairy nutrition incentives in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and strengthens dairy programs not included in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
"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. 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," House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson said in a statement.
Dairy organizations thanked members of the committee for advancing the bill, noting its importance to dairy farmers and industry stakeholders.
“We applaud Chairman Thompson and members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing the 2026 House Farm Bill, which includes key provisions that support and strengthen the dairy industry,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “We stand ready to work with members of both the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis to pass a farm bill this year that will provide critical support for dairy farmers and their cooperatives.”
Key dairy provisions include:
- Authorizing long-term dairy product processing cost surveys
- Extending the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, the Dairy Indemnity Program, and the Dairy Promotion and Research Program
- Supporting voluntary, producer-led conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), with a continued designation of conservation funds for livestock producers and a directive for states to prioritize methane-reducing practices
- Establishing a long-term policy directive for the U.S. government to proactively negotiate protections for common cheese names like “Parmesan” and “feta,” as championed by NMPF
- Moving Food for Peace program administration to the USDA and continuing $200 million in annual funding for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods that incorporate milk powder to treat chronic malnutrition globally
- Reassigning export promotion funding initially passed last year into existing farm bill programs, including the Market Access Program
- Expanding economic opportunities for farmers to partner with local food distribution organizations to provide fresh, locally grown foods, including milk and other dairy products, to eligible community institutions
- Including full-fat fluid milk, hard cheeses and yogurt in the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program
- Expanding the REAP Program to include farmer-owned cooperatives with less than 2,500 employees
- Reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
- Continuing the ROPS Rebate Program under the USDA, establishing cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures
In a statement, Michael Dykes, DVM, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, said key provisions will support healthier food choices for families while encouraging SNAP participants to purchase more nutrient-dense dairy foods.
“At a time when policymakers across the country are focused on improving Americans’ health through nutrition programs, expanding access to wholesome dairy foods through SNAP is an important step forward,” Dykes said. “We are especially grateful to Representatives Tony Wied and Josh Riley for their leadership in adding yogurt and other cultured dairy products to the program, ensuring it reflects the full range of nutritious dairy foods families enjoy. Expanding these incentives will help more families access wholesome dairy products while supporting America’s dairy farmers and processors."
