WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Agriculture Committee approved the Agricultural Act of 2026 on a 12-11 party-line vote Sept. 16, advancing the long-delayed farm bill to the full Senate and setting up additional debate over nutrition spending, livestock regulations and farm policy priorities.
The vote succeeded after Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky returned to Washington and cast the deciding Republican vote.
Every Republican on the committee voted in favor of the measure, while every Democrat voted against it, according to committee proceedings.
The legislation includes permanent nationwide sales of E15 fuel, mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, expanded farm credit access, conservation program changes and updates to international food aid programs, according to a summary released by the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Prop 12 amendment denied
One of the most contentious moments during the committee meeting involved California's Proposition 12 livestock housing law.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sought consideration of an amendment she said would preserve Proposition 12 and other existing state laws while preventing future state mandates from creating a patchwork of livestock production standards across the country.
“This amendment preserves Proposition 12 and other existing state laws,” Ernst said. “It protects federal and state animal health authorities. But most importantly, it prevents future mandates from creating an unaffordable patchwork of 50 different production standards for farmers across this country.”
Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., declined to reopen the bill for additional amendments.
Boozman said committee members understood the amendment process had ended during the committee's August markup and that reopening the bill would require restarting committee consideration.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, supported Ernst's proposal and criticized the committee for not allowing a vote on the amendment.
“We’re the number one pork-producing state of the nation,” Grassley said. “It’s just stupid that we don’t have a chance to bring Iowa’s interest to this debate on the first farm bill we’ve had in discussion for now the third year.”
Grassley also expressed frustration that lawmakers would not consider his proposal related to the Packers and Stockyards Act.
Despite those concerns, both Ernst and Grassley voted to advance the legislation.
E-15 and beef labeling provisions
According to the Senate Agriculture Committee's bill summary, the legislation would permanently allow year-round, nationwide sales of E-15 gasoline, a priority for corn growers and ethanol producers.
Grassley said the provision would increase domestic corn demand and provide additional certainty for producers.
The bill also includes mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, often referred to as MCOOL.
Supporters, including National Farmers Union, say the policy would give consumers more information about where beef originates and allow U.S. cattle producers to better distinguish domestic products in the marketplace.
Other provisions included in the measure would increase farm loan limits, expand agricultural credit programs, provide additional flexibility in the Conservation Reserve Program and permanently transfer the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to committee documents and statements from Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
SNAP disagreement remains
Democrats opposed the bill largely because of changes involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
According to committee discussions, the bill would require certain states with higher SNAP payment-error rates to share a portion of program costs.
Boozman added a delay before the requirement takes effect, but Democratic members argued the proposal still shifts too much financial responsibility to states.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said she appreciated efforts to address concerns but continued to advocate for additional changes before final passage.
Republicans countered that allowing current law to remain in place could ultimately cost states more.
Conservation programs updated
According to the bill text and conservation groups reviewing the legislation, the measure includes changes to the Conservation Reserve Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program and several easement initiatives.
The bill would encourage the use of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity projects and includes provisions aimed at improving watershed health, forest management and drought resilience.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said several of the proposals would strengthen conservation programs used by farmers, ranchers, hunters and anglers.
What happens next?
The bill now moves to the full Senate, where lawmakers are expected to continue debating Proposition 12 and SNAP provisions.
Ernst, Grassley and livestock groups including the National Pork Producers Council have indicated they will continue pursuing changes related to Proposition 12 before final passage.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he wants to move the legislation through the Senate and into conference negotiations with the House as soon as floor time allows.
Even if approved by the Senate, differences between the chambers’ versions of the farm bill would need to be reconciled before legislation could be sent to the President for signature.