Figures Issues Statement Opposing 2026 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026:

"I voted against this Farm Bill because it does not go far enough to protect farmers and families in Alabama. We had an opportunity to provide much-needed relief for farmers, to make significant investments in rural hospitals, to bolster support for our land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University, and to provide states with time and flexibility to adjust to the new cost-sharing requirements for SNAP. Unfortunately, this bill fails to do any of these things. I'm disappointed that this bill is not as strong as it could be because we have an obligation to help our constituents address their everyday problems-not make them worse."

The Farm Bill includes one of Figures' amendments, co-led with Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, to address Heirs' property issues by expanding education and technical assistance around land transfer, estate planning, and farm succession. This will help families, before land is lost, to navigate estate planning, clear title, and succession planning in time to make a difference.

Figures also offered amendments that were ultimately not included in the final bill. These amendments would have required a clear examination of what happens if states determine that SNAP is no longer financially viable under the new cost-shift structure; supported rural health care systems; and strengthened land-grant universities that serve as the backbone of agricultural research and extension.

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