‘Farm Bill’ Passes Agriculture Committee Despite Failure to Meaningfully Address Hunger
Following the House Agriculture Committee’s vote to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, known more commonly as the “Farm Bill,” national anti-hunger advocates at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger expressed deep disappointment in the bill’s failure to address worsening food insecurity. The organization sharply criticized Committee members for again failing their duty to support those in need and instead pandering to those in power.
MAZON President & CEO Abby J. Leibman stated:
“This bill is proof that the Agriculture Committee majority has no interest in addressing the catastrophic cuts they made to SNAP last year, nor in supporting the family farms that are essential to our food system, nor in assisting the states and counties that are the front lines in delivering these programs. In fact, they demonstrated that they are perfectly comfortable shredding our institutional programs to combat hunger. And to what end? What is the point of neglecting those in need in favor of special interests and party politics?
“In failing to address hunger, this legislation has also lost what made the Farm Bill coalition so impactful. Frankly, it should no longer even be called a ‘Farm Bill’ in that it includes only a meaningless shell of its longstanding nutrition title and torpedoes the remarkable coalition that was its hallmark. State and county SNAP administrators are begging for guidance and relief, but clearly to no avail. The failure of the Committee to even delay the shocking policies of recent changes to SNAP is devastating administrators’ ability to provide assistance for food insecure families, and this Committee abandoned a clear opportunity to support them. It’s shameful to see this longstanding legislative process erode in such a brazen way, as Congress is meant to debate and pass legislation that supports all Americans, not just the richest among us. Today is yet another example of Republicans not just failing or ignoring, but actively refusing to help those in need.
“We are grateful to the many minority members of the Committee, led by Ranking Member Angie Craig, who stood fast against this bill and spoke about the needs of millions of Americans struggling with hunger. These were difficult circumstances in an uphill battle, and we are proud to have champions who will stand up for what is right even in the face of political difficulties.”
The legislation was passed out of committee early this morning on a 34-17 vote, with all votes against coming from Democratic representatives.
Earlier this week, MAZON led a coalition of 31 national faith-based organizations in sending a letter to committee members, urging them to act in support of those struggling with hunger across the country. The full letter can be found here.
MAZON’s previous statement about the partisan Farm Bill introduction can be found here.