After 163 listening sessions across 43 states and one U.S. territory, House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson made one thing clear in conversation after the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026:
“This farm bill was not written in Washington—it was written in barnyards and pastures and machine sheds across America,” he said. “As the news comes out on what is in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, I think it will put a bounce in the steps of farm families across America, and they can sleep a little easier tonight because we didn’t write it in D.C., we heard from farm country and that’s what we have delivered.”
“This is what it looks like when policy starts with farmers and follows through,” says Laurie Fischer, CEO of the American Dairy Coalition. “House passage of the farm bill is an important step toward providing updated tools and stability for our farmers. The bill includes a number of provisions that support agriculture broadly, including several provisions delivering for dairy. We look forward to working with lawmakers as the process continues in the Senate.”
Among those farmer-driven priorities, Chairman Thompson pointed to his Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act that was signed into law in January. Building on that, the farm bill extends whole milk authority to the School Breakfast Program by amending the National School Lunch Act to apply equally to breakfasts, effectively aligning both school meal programs in statute. In short, the farm bill codifies clear language to remove ambiguity schools were experiencing, turning whole milk choice for school meals into a durable, uniform standard.
“We put it in the base bill because this is a high priority,” Thompson said.
Among the amendments that passed is one that increases transparency and accountability for federally-mandated commodity checkoff programs, requiring USDA to publicly post audit and financial information. Another centers on protections for farmland ownership. In addition, the Prop 12 fix is included to address interstate commerce when states impose production mandates.
Not making the cut was the year-round E15 amendment. Thompson said he supports it, but it falls under energy and commerce, and he anticipates a bill for consideration by mid-May.
On a more technical note, the authorization for the already funded biennial mandatory processor cost survey is included, pertaining to the ongoing discussions around federal milk pricing formulas, make allowances, and how value and cost are measured and distributed.
Several debated issues are expected to resurface as the Farm, Food and National Security Act moves now to the Senate. Thompson will chair the conference committee tasked with bridging potential differences.
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