Farm Bill Does Not Meet the Moment, Fracturing Bipartisan Historical Coalition to Our Farmers and Rural Communities

Congresswoman McClain Delaney votes no on the Farm Bill due to historic cuts to SNAP and farm conservation programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) voted against the House Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill, citing devastating cuts to SNAP and federal resources for farmers and rural communities. McClain Delaney grew up in a farming family and serves as Maryland's only Member on the Agriculture Committee, thus being the state's leading voice on agricultural conservation programs, ag-research, SNAP and food security and other USDA resources.

Since taking office, the Congresswoman has met with all five of her farm bureaus and key agriculture stakeholders in anticipation of drafting a Farm Bill.

"My father believed that a good Farm Bill gives farmers the tools and resources needed to thrive and to feed our nation. Sadly, I could not support this bill as it did not address the deeper economic struggles producers face or the hardships that millions of working families, small businesses and manufacturers are feeling given historic cuts to SNAP and lawless tariffs which are decimating crop markets," she said.

American agriculture is under immense strain. Farm bankruptcies are up 46% this year over last and farm income down $25 billion as tariffs decimate export markets. It also does nothing to address the $187 billion in SNAP cuts - the largest in history - and is leaving Rural America, state budgets, and farmers reeling. In Maryland alone, Trump's trade war costs families $1,700 per household and $4 billion statewide.

"Cutting food assistance doesn't just hurt the hungry, it hurts our local economies. 1 in 9 families in the 6th District depend on SNAP, half of them children. Moreover, for every dollar invested in SNAP, $1.50 flows back to our farmers, truckers, and grocers. We cannot balance the budget on the backs of the vulnerable while draining over $1 billion from conservation programs like EQIP," she continued.

Though the bill fell short, McClain Delaney refused to leave empty-handed fighting to secure wins for Maryland families and farmers. She secured the following:

• Addressing the USDA reorganization: For more than 100 years, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Maryland has empowered farmers, strengthened our food system, and kept American agriculture competitive through world-class research. The Congresswoman was able to secure report language to address the proposed USDA reorganization and its impact on BARC.
• Expanding affordable rural broadband: At a time when utility bills are too high and broadband internet is still out of reach for too many families, the Congresswoman's successful amendment-which passed with unanimous support-will require the Secretary of Agriculture to consider affordability when defining households or service areas for broadband grants for rural communities.
• Strengthening our conservation workforce: The Congresswoman's amendment was unanimously approved by the Committee, which will strengthen the newly created Grants for Community College Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs by explicitly prioritizing agricultural conservation and work-based learning opportunities.
• Modernizing the Rural Utilities Service (RUS): The Congresswoman secured report language that encourages RUS to modernize operations, support permitting for projects, and oversight for this critical office that provides financing for broadband, water and electricity projects in rural communities.
• Securing natural disaster assistance in Rural America: The Congresswoman secured report language, framed off her Rural Recovery Act, that encourages USDA to strengthen technical assistance support for rural communities recovering from major disasters.

The Congresswoman hopes that the legislation will be further amended by her House and Senate colleagues so that the final Farm Bill does what it was always meant to do-to help farmers and rural communities thrive.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.