Senate Agriculture Committee Deadlocks Over SNAP Funding in Farm Bill

The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry failed to advance the Agricultural Act of 2026, known as Farm Bill 2.0, after a partisan deadlock over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In a vote that failed 11-to-10, Democrats blocked the bill because of a dispute over how long states should be exempt from sharing the cost of federal nutrition benefits. Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar demanded a two-year delay on these requirements, while Committee Chair John Boozman offered only a one-year extension.

Despite the main bill's failure, the committee approved bipartisan amendments to implement Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling on beef, permanently move the Food for Peace program to the USDA, and allow SNAP purchases of hot rotisserie chicken. The legislation also included sought-after provisions for year-round E15 fuel sales and increased loan limits. However, Senator Tina Smith argued that the current proposal would shift an estimated $140 million in administrative costs to Minnesota counties.

Agricultural advocacy groups, including the North Dakota Farmers Union and the Kansas Farmers Union, expressed frustration over the gridlock, noting that farmers have waited three years for a new bill. The impasse is exacerbated by the absence of Senators Mitch McConnell and Tommy Tuberville during the vote. With the current extension expiring September 30, Chair Boozman recessed the committee until September, raising concerns that the U.S. may go another year without a primary farm bill, following the last full authorization in 2018.