House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson is aiming to move a new version of the farm bill through committee in late February, restarting formal negotiations around agricultural policy priorities expected to shape the next several years.
The proposal — often referred to as “Farm Bill 2.0” — has not yet been formally introduced, but is expected to mirror much of the framework that advanced out of committee in 2024 before stalling. Committee staff are still awaiting final cost estimates, which could influence the timing of the markup.
Republican leadership has indicated a desire to bring the bill to the House floor before the Easter recess. With many large spending items already addressed through prior legislative action, the updated bill is expected to place greater emphasis on policy direction rather than major funding expansions.
According to Chairman Thompson, the legislation would be approximately 80% policy and 20% spending, with a focus on strengthening risk management tools, improving market access, supporting rural development, and modernizing agricultural programs. Biofuel market expansion and targeted producer assistance are also expected to be part of the discussion.
Timeline Uncertainty and Political Headwinds
Despite optimism from committee leadership, some lawmakers caution the timeline could slip. Differences remain over nutrition policy, regulatory provisions, and the inclusion of controversial measures that could limit bipartisan support.
Ranking Member Angie Craig has described the proposed schedule as ambitious, noting that negotiations could take longer depending on final bill language and committee consensus.
What It Means for Poultry Producers
For poultry producers, progress on the farm bill matters less for direct payments and more for indirect but critical factors — including feed ingredient policy, risk management frameworks, rural infrastructure investment, energy programs, and research funding.
Any movement toward modernizing agricultural policy provides an opportunity to better align programs with the realities of today’s poultry industry, where efficiency, biosecurity, and market access continue to drive decision-making.
As discussions advance, late February could mark an important checkpoint in determining how federal agriculture policy evolves heading into 2026.
