House Passes Rep. Scholten’s Bipartisan Agricultural Bills

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) secured House passage of two of her commonsense, bipartisan agricultural bills in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (the Farm Bill), along with several other amendments and priorities for Michigan. As Rep. Scholten continues to work to achieve a final version of the Farm Bill that best delivers for West Michigan, she is among the top Democrats leading the charge to improve it and has secured these major policy accomplishments along the way.

The Friends in the Field Act would strengthen biological pest control practices on farms in West Michigan and across the country by encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to engage in further research and development around its best uses. The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act would remove administrative hurdles for small farmers and ranchers to participate in federal nutrition programs, which would expand their economic opportunities and improve access to healthy, affordable food for families.

"I'm thrilled my Friends in the Field Act and Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act have passed the House and are one step closer to becoming law," said Rep. Scholten. "These bipartisan, practical bills are essential to the economic well-being of our farmers and producers, and will help ensure families in West Michigan and nationwide have access to fresh, healthy food. Both efforts are about making sure the government is working for the people it serves, which is exactly what I came to Congress to do, and I will keep fighting to improve the Farm Bill for West Michigan."

In addition to passing her bills, Rep. Scholten partnered with Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-02) to advance the Making Access to Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act and the Sustainable Agriculture Research Act. The bipartisan MATCH Act makes it easier to carry out critical emergency watershed protection measures after disasters. The bipartisan Sustainable Agriculture Research Act helps find cutting-edge solutions to food, agricultural, and environmental challenges.

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