Rep. Clyde Votes for Northeast Georgia Farmers, Supports 2026 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, commonly known as the Farm Bill, by a vote of 224-200:

"After three years of Farm Bill extensions, Washington owes our farmers, ranchers, and producers the stability needed to continue feeding, clothing, and fueling our great nation," said Clyde. "Therefore, I proudly voted for the 2026 Farm Bill to deliver the relief and support our farmers throughout Northeast Georgia and across America deserve. From bolstering crop insurance and food security to investing in rural broadband and export programs, this legislation ensures American agriculture remains the greatest in the world."

Background

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 reauthorizes and improves programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through 2031.

The 2026 Farm Bill:

• Strengthens commodity programs, crop insurance, and rural development tools that stabilize farm income and food supply chains
• Shifts food aid toward U.S.-grown commodities and moves authority to USDA, prioritizing domestic producers
• Includes provisions on foreign ownership of farmland and strengthens domestic production capacity
• Emphasizes work, diet quality, fraud reduction, and administrative oversight in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supports farmers and agriculture producers who are currently struggling due to ongoing supply chain disruptions by updating and reauthorizing agriculture programs

A few GA-09 specific provisions include:

• Prohibits school lunch program from purchasing poultry products from China
• Allows SNAP beneficiaries to purchase hot rotisserie chicken - an affordable, nutritious option currently prohibited for SNAP users
• Increases funding for export promotion programs
• Designates the U.S. National Poultry Research Center of USDA located in Athens, GA as the U.S. Abit Massey National Poultry Research Center. Last year, Rep. Clyde cosponsored Rep. Buddy Carter's bill to name the USDA facility after the Gainesville poultry icon. Learn more HERE.

Numerous GA organizations support the legislation, including AgGeorgia Farm Credit, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Corn Growers Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Green Industry Association, and the Georgia Soybean Association.

Bill text of the 2026 Farm Bill is available HERE.