Senate markup of farm bill could happen next month

Senate Agriculture Committee chair John Boozman says markup of the version of the farm bill that passed the House April 30 could take place by early June.

Boozman told Agri-Pulse that while the House passage was helpful, its version contains provisions, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and changes to pesticide regulations, that may make bipartisan support difficult.

Unlike the House, where a simple majority was sufficient, the Senate version must clear a 60-vote threshold to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

Boozman described farmers’ current economic reality as a “generational situation,” noting that many producers are losing money regardless of the crop they plant. While a new farm bill is the long-term goal, he warned that funding from previous legislative efforts may not be available until October. He suggested that farmers might require bridge payments to stay in operation until the new farm bill policies take effect.

The Senate is expected to be in recess from May 23-June 1. Boozman said he plans to release the text of the Senate version, known as Farm Bill 2.0 or the skinny farm bill, in June and plans a committee markup the same month.  

The House passed its version of the farm bill, dubbed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, by a 224-200 vote.

A new farm bill has not been passed since 2018.