Farm Bill Does Not Meet the Moment, Leaves Farmers Without Resources and Remedies Needed

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Maryland's only Member on the House Agriculture Committee, voted no on the Farm Bill, citing reductions to SNAP which have thrust an unsustainable cost share burden on the state of Maryland, the $1 billion dollars of cuts to USDA conservation programs, and the undermining of critical USDA funded agricultural research at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).

McClain Delaney grew up in a farming family and came to Congress ready to work on behalf of her rural and farming constituents to develop a bipartisan Farm Bill. Unfortunately, the bill brought to the House Floor failed to address the crisis now hitting farmers and rural America.

"My father believed a good Farm Bill gives farmers the tools they need to thrive and feed our nation," said McClain Delaney. "I could not support this bill because it fails to address the real pressures farming families face. It ignores the largest cuts to SNAP in the program's history while thrusting an unsustainable cost share on our state, fails to provide adequate relief to farmers impacted by tariffs (that decimated overseas markets and drove up input costs) and allows a USDA reorganization which undermines critical technical assistance programs and other support services designed to support our farming communities."

The Congresswoman also sounded the alarm for the future of BARC, a nationally esteemed USDA research facility located in Maryland, which has been a cornerstone of ag research for almost a century. Last week, the Administration announced BARC's closure, despite clear Congressional directive and FY26 funding to keep it open.

"I waited for six hours to speak against the impacts of this Farm Bill and in opposition to unauthorized USDA facility closures. BARC is a lifeline for farmers, and its research addresses pests (like the dreaded screw worm parasite), nutritional needs, conservation techniques and threats to our national resources. It is also home to our National Bee Lab. Sadly, Republicans unanimously blocked my efforts to protect BARC as well as other efforts to help our rural communities thrive," she said.

"When farmers are left without adequate resources or remedies to the problems they face, we in Congress have failed to do our job. While my Congressional office was able to negotiate some key wins on conservation policies and rural broadband, the legislation sadly did not meet the moment. Given the adverse implications of this Farm Bill on the livelihoods of farmers and on the state budget of Maryland, I could not in good conscience vote for this legislation. I will keep fighting to help our farming families and to further agricultural facilities and research for the agricultural sector," she said.

###

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.