Farmers may soon see certainty with federal programs after the House voted to pass the 2026 Farm Bill, mostly along party lines, with moderate rural Democrats' support clearing the chamber in a vote of 224-200.
Quad Cities area Congressman Eric Sorensen voted against the package. In a statement, the Moline Democrat states that the bill maintains 2018 funding, lacks support for SNAP benefits, and fails to include year-round E-15 sales. He notes he will work with Senate colleagues on the final version of the bill.
The issue of E-15 will come back up in a separate bill expected to be voted on in mid-May.
On the Iowa side of the Quad Cities, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted for the bill, stating in part, “It strengthens the farm safety net, boosts exports, invests in research, and brings real reforms across agriculture and nutrition programs.”
She was joined by fellow Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, of Marion, who released a press statement following the vote: “Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa, and right now our farmers are hurting—higher input costs, tighter margins, and more uncertainty are squeezing producers. That’s why I fought tooth and nail to make sure this Farm Bill delivers for Iowa, including pushing back on California’s Prop 12 overreach—stopping out-of-touch activists from dictating how Iowa farmers do their jobs and driving up costs for pork producers.”
The bill includes Rep. Hinson’s Save Our Bacon Act, which removes state regulations on livestock producers like the one in California, which, among other things, bans the use of gestation crates on pigs, metal enclosures that prevent pregnant pigs from turning around. Animal welfare activists claim the crates cause physical and psychological stress to the pigs.
Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller, who represents parts of Mercer County and west central Illinois, voted for the bill, stating, “[T]his legislation ensures [farmers] have the tools to manage risk, stay competitive, and continue feeding and fueling not only our nation, but the world.”
She was joined by fellow Illinois Republican Darin LaHood, who represents parts of Henry County and northern Illinois. WVIK reached out for a statement on his yes vote and did not hear back at the time of publication.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 also removed controversial language in pesticide labeling that could have provided liability protection for pesticide companies. Every Representative in the WVIK listening area voted for the amendment to remove that language, except Rep. LaHood.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Senators have yet to introduce legislation. This is the first time both chambers have made progress on a Farm Bill since 2018.
