On April 30, the U.S. House of Representatives took a major step forward for American agriculture by passing H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (the 2026 farm bill). The bill cleared the floor with a vote of 224-200, reauthorizing and modernizing critical USDA programs through fiscal 2031. This includes updates to crop insurance, conservation efforts, nutrition assistance, trade promotion and rural development, addressing everything from water challenges in the West to livestock protection and wildfire recovery.

“The 2026 farm bill is an essential update for American agriculture,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts. “Several economic threats and challenges face our farmers and ranchers across Arizona and across our country today. This farm bill is a great step in the direction of supporting farmers and ranchers in the way they need to be supported. The bill updates reference prices, which is desperately needed, and addresses a wide variety of topics that impact our ability to grow the food we need, right here in the United States for American consumers. We applaud Chairman Thompson and all the members of the House who worked to pass this important legislation. We look forward to the Senate passing their version soon.”

For Arizona’s producers, who face pressures including Colorado River shortages, Mexican wolf depredation on livestock and wildfire impacts in key forestlands, this passage is especially meaningful. The bill reflects months of bipartisan committee work under House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), building on more than 150 listening sessions with farmers and ranchers nationwide.

Arizona’s Strong Voice on the Floor: Key Amendments from House Republicans

Arizona’s Republican delegation played a pivotal role in shaping the final package through targeted amendments that were adopted by voice vote during floor debate. These provisions directly address on-the-ground needs in our state:

  • Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) offered (and saw adopted as part of En Bloc #1) an amendment granting the Secretary of Agriculture emergency contracting authority to speed recovery from the White Sage Fire in the Kaibab National Forest. This amendment streamlines procurement for rehabilitation, restoration and hazard mitigation critical for protecting watersheds, grazing lands and forest health that support Arizona ranching.

 

  • Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) successfully advanced two key amendments:
    • A report on assistance available to Arizona agricultural producers facing Colorado River water losses (Amendment No. 15). This shines a light on federal resources for farmers and ranchers hit hardest by drought and allocation issues.
    • Revisions to USDA standards for confirming livestock depredations by Mexican wolves (Amendment No. 16). This update will make it easier for producers to document losses and access relief, easing a long-standing burden on Arizona’s livestock industry.

 Arizona representatives co-sponsored several of these efforts, amplifying Arizona’s priorities. These amendments passed efficiently and demonstrate how our state’s delegation turned local challenges into national policy wins.

Arizona Farm Bureau: A Driving Force Behind the Bill

The Arizona Farm Bureau provided vocal support throughout the process. President John Boelts issued a strong endorsement early on, praising the bill for delivering “long-overdue certainty and stability for America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.” The organization urged grassroots engagement during floor week, highlighted the legislation in member communications, and was listed among the hundreds of stakeholder groups backing H.R. 7567. Their advocacy helped ensure Arizona-specific issues — such as water reliability and predator management — stayed front and center.

Arizona Farm Bureau members can take pride in how their input shaped a bill that works for real producers on the ground. During House floor debates, the Arizona Farm Bureau was even referenced by Chairman Thompson.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Every Republican House Member That Votes “Yes!”

A big thank you to every Republican member of the U.S. House who voted “yes” on final passage. Your leadership and commitment delivered a farm bill that prioritizes production agriculture, food security and rural economies over partisan gridlock. In a divided Congress, securing 224 votes for this comprehensive package took real courage and collaboration, especially with the bill moving quickly after committee approval in March.

Here is the full list of Arizona representatives that voted yes:

  • David Schweikert (District 1) — Serving since 2011 (Fountain Hills area, northeastern Phoenix suburbs).
  • Eli Crane (District 2) — Serving since 2023 (northeastern Arizona, including Prescott, Flagstaff and parts of the Navajo Nation).
  • Juan Ciscomani (District 6) — Serving since 2023 (southeastern Arizona, northern Tucson and suburbs).
  • Abraham J. Hamadeh (District 8) — Serving since 2025 (western Arizona areas).
  • Paul Gosar (District 9) — Serving since 2011 (western and northwestern Arizona).

You stood with farmers, ranchers and the families who feed our nation. Arizona agriculture salutes you.

What’s Next?

The bill now heads to the Senate, where negotiations will continue to reconcile differences and produce a final version for the president’s desk. With the current 2018 farm bill on its third extension, timely action is essential to avoid further uncertainty.

This House passage is a strong start for the 2026 farm bill. It modernizes programs, protects Arizona’s unique agricultural interests and reaffirms that rural America remains a national priority. Stay tuned as the process moves forward — and if you’re an Arizona producer, keep engaging with your representatives and the Arizona Farm Bureau to ensure the final bill reflects our state’s needs.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the House of Representatives vote: “Farmers and ranchers applaud the House of Representatives for passing a new, modernized farm bill. We appreciate Chairman G.T. Thompson’s leadership to get this done. After three years of extensions and eight years since a farm bill was passed, we’re grateful the House found a bipartisan path forward. Important updates to research and conservation, as well as increased loan limits and clarity on interstate commerce, will help farmers survive today’s challenges and give them the tools to thrive in the future.”