[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3042-S3043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               FARM BILL

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to advocate for America's 
hard-working farm families and deliver the message of hope to the men 
and women who grow our Nation's food, fuel, and fiber through updated 
farm policies that strengthen the industry and support rural America.
  Today, I am proud to release the Agriculture Act of 2026, a 
discussion draft of farm bill 2.0. It is a bill for the people who feed 
America. This bill follows the great work accomplished by House Ag 
Committee Chairman GT Thompson and the bipartisan bill he ushered 
through the House in April.
  It incorporates more than 100 bipartisan marker bills and priorities 
for my colleagues, as well as input from farmers, ranchers, rural 
community leaders, and stakeholders from across the country who share 
our goals of securing policies that improve the outlook in farm country 
and continue our Nation's strong agricultural legacy for generations to 
come.
  Agricultural producers are facing extremely difficult times because 
of years of headwinds. Hard-working farmers and ranchers are struggling 
to break even, let alone profit, in this current economic climate.
  High inflation, steep input costs, and low market prices have put 
many farm families on a course toward bankruptcy, with 
multigenerational operations fighting for survival.
  I hear the despair from farmers in my home State of Arkansas; in 
fact, I hear it from all over the country from their producers that 
advocate for their industry in meetings every day.
  I know my colleagues have heard the same stories of distress from 
their producers for at least the last 3 years.
  The calls for a modernized farm bill have only grown louder as the 
inherently risky nature of agriculture coupled with the unique 
challenges facing producers today pose an imminent threat to their 
livelihoods and our national security. That is why we took urgent 
action last year to update farm programs in the Working Families Tax 
Cut. Not enough has been said about the positive impacts these 
improvements will have on our producers.
  To the farmers who asked for an improved farm safety net and for more 
farm in the farm bill, we delivered. The Working Families Tax Cut 
enhances commodity programs, expands access to more affordable crop 
insurance, and makes those tools more responsive to real-world risk.
  We significantly increased reference prices, expanded access to 
disaster programs to be more responsive to drought, predation, and 
invested in our animal health programs and research

[[Page S3043]]

infrastructure, among many other improvements.
  These improvements benefit producers of all sizes across all crops 
and across all regions.
  Farmers will see these benefits this fall. The farm bill is about 
more than agriculture, it is one of the most important investments 
Congress can make in rural America.
  The proposal I unveiled today is built for rural communities. It 
strengthens local economies, improves quality of life, and delivers 
critical infrastructure and services from safe and reliable drinking 
water to expanded broadband access, medical care, and affordable 
childcare--helping families thrive and supporting growth in our rural 
communities.
  Our plan is built for farmers who take risks. We increase USDA's loan 
limits so farmers can access the capital necessary to maintain and grow 
their operations.
  The current caps simply fail to reflect current economic conditions. 
This bipartisan provision is not optional. It is essential to ensuring 
producers have the financing that they need at a critical time for 
American agriculture.
  We recognize the vital role especially crop producers play in feeding 
America and the unique challenges that they face. That is why we 
incorporated several bipartisan measures to provide targeted support 
during periods of economic hardship and market disruption.
  We also make critical investments to strengthen the long-term 
competitiveness, resilience, and success of Americans, especially in 
the crop industry.
  Farmers and ranchers are one of the best stewards of our natural 
resources, and this proposal helps ensure they have the tools and 
support they need to meet their unique, evolving challenges.
  By strengthening the voluntary, incentive-based, and locally led 
conservation delivery system, we empower producers to implement 
practical solutions that work for their operations while protecting the 
land for future generations.
  Our plan is built for America's future. We make critical investments 
in agricultural research, helping close the gap between the United 
States and our foreign competitors in public research funding. At the 
same time, it strengthens support for 1890 land-grant institutions so 
they can continue their vital mission of educating the next generation 
of leaders, innovators, and producers.
  This draft meets the moment for many real-world needs. We take steps 
to respond to the spike in fertilizer costs, and we strengthen our 
defenses against foreign adversaries taking advantage of our 
agricultural industry.
  A farm bill cannot become law without bipartisan support. This 
legislation must receive 60 votes in the Senate. That reality guided 
this discussion draft. My goal is to advance a bill that can earn broad 
bipartisan support and deliver meaningful results to rural America.
  No single proposal has all the answers, but this discussion draft is 
a strong foundation on which to build as we continue conversations to 
strengthen American agriculture and secure a brighter future for family 
farmers.
  America's farmers, ranchers, and producers have always answered the 
call to do more to feed the Nation. Farm bill 2.0 is built to support 
the backbone of our food system. It demonstrates our commitment to the 
tireless men and women who raise the safest, most abundant and 
affordable food supply in the world. At its core, the farm bill is a 
contract with the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities to provide 
the policy certainty and predictability they need.
  This farm bill is more than 3 years overdue, and we owe it to our 
constituents to get it done. A vote for this farm bill is a vote for 
our farmers and our ranchers.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in sending a clear message to rural 
America: The Senate stands with our farm families, and we are committed 
to ensuring they have the certainty, the tools, and the support they 
need to succeed.
  I want to thank Senator Klobuchar and all the members of our 
committee and the staff for their thoughtfulness regarding the content 
of this draft. I look forward to working together as we go forward.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Georgia.

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