Statement from Congresswoman Beatty on Today’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty released the following statement regarding today's vote on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the "Farm bill."

"Today, I voted against H.R. 7567 - the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026."

"Since the start of Trump's trade war, families are paying $310 more for groceries, farm income is down $25 billion, and farm bankruptcies have increased 46%. The evidence is clear: Americans are facing an aggressive affordability crisis, because of Republican policies. Instead of working with Democrats to make life more affordable, Republicans have prioritized cutting food assistance, protecting corporate profits over health, and stripping funding to underserved communities."

"This harmful legislation codifies the devastating $187 billion cut to SNAP from the One Big Ugly Bill that passed last summer. It makes this Republican-driven attack on working families permanent, and takes away food assistance for 40 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans, and 4 million people with disabilities. Many states may even be forced to stop providing SNAP entirely. At its core, this is cruel, merciless policy that will have dire consequences. I refuse to support a bill that attacks the most vulnerable among us -it's unforgivable."

"This legislation would also weaken public health protections, jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of farmworkers and everyday Americans. It prioritizes big pesticide companies by shielding the largest manufacturers from liability if their products cause users serious health problems - even cancer. It also weakens environmental safety reviews meant to protect the health of working people. No company should be free from accountability for causing harm to its users."

"This bill is yet another example of Republicans abandoning marginalized communities as it makes harmful changes to the 2501 Program - the only USDA program specifically focused on supporting minority farmers by ensuring they have access to all USDA services."

"Despite my opposition to the broader Farm Bill, I am pleased that the Heirs' Agricultural Resources, Viability, Education, and Succession Transfer (HARVEST) Act - legislation I led with Congressman Shomari Figures - was included in the final package."

"The HARVEST Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study how historically Black land-grant universities can better educate and assist the next generation of farmers on inheriting and transferring agricultural land and assets. Over the last century, Black Americans have lost approximately 90 percent of their farmland - dropping from roughly 19 million to 3 million acres. The USDA has called heirs property 'the leading cause of Black involuntary land loss,' and without clear title, families cannot qualify for federal aid programs, compounding the disadvantages Black farmers already face."

"Though, broadly, this Farm bill package causes irreparable harm to Americans, I am proud to have led the HARVEST Act, which pushes Congress to finally address the root causes of heirs property, bringing us one step closer to mending the systemic gap barring Black farmers and agriculturalists from the success they deserve."

"I will continue to advocate for Black farmers and marginalized communities to advance food and agricultural equity."

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