James Comer
09/26/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2025 08:15
Comer Leads Bipartisan Effort Urging Speaker Johnson to Strike Anti-Hemp Provisions from FY26 Ag Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) led a bipartisan effort opposing the inclusion of anti-hemp language in Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256-bills comprising the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Congressman Comer and 27 of his fellow lawmakers warn that adopting this harmful language-including a sweeping redefinition of legal hemp-would jeopardize the long-term future of the U.S. hemp industry, and they urge House leadership to stand up for American hemp farmers by removing the language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations package.
"We write to express our strong opposition to Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill). Under the 2018 Farm Bill language, the hemp industry supports 320,000 American jobs, generates $28.4 billion in regulated market activity, and produces some $1.5 billion in state tax revenue.1 If the language contained in the FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to American farmers supplying the regulated hemp industry and small businesses, and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country. Additionally, there are serious procedural concerns with how the language ended up in these bills. This language has not been considered in a markup or hearing by any relevant authorizing committee and there was no public forum for members to express concerns with this language and preferred alternative legislation more appropriate for the relevant authorizing committees," wrote the lawmakers.
Instead of pursuing this damaging appropriations language, the lawmakers detail a bipartisan path forward for Congress and outline a responsible and workable legislative regulatory framework. The American hemp industry stands united behind a framework that restricts hemp product sales to adults 21 and older, standardizes packaging and labeling to protect consumers and eliminate "look-alike" products, and mandates independent third-party lab testing for consumable hemp products.
"Legislation to this effect has already been introduced in the Senate and the House Energy and Commerce Committee is actively discussing draft language along these same lines. By arbitrarily changing the definition of legal hemp rather than responsibly regulating the market, Congress is effectively turning out the lights on America's legal hemp farmers and undermining the work being done by our colleagues in the authorizing committees and in states that have created regulatory frameworks for hemp products. For these reasons, we strongly urge leadership to remove this language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations bill. We will continue to stand up for American hemp farmers and small businesses and oppose efforts to include this language in any bill," concluded the lawmakers.
Read the letter here.
Background:
Congressman Comer has been a steadfast advocate and champion of the hemp industry since his tenure as Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture began in 2011. Since joining Congress, he has consistently worked to support and grow the industry's opportunities, including his key role on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which expanded the definition of hemp, has enabled the industry to flourish and created vital opportunities for farmers-especially in Kentucky. Congressman Comer remains committed to advancing bipartisan solutions alongside fellow lawmakers and industry partners to oppose any efforts that would hinder the hemp industry or create further uncertainty and economic hardship for farmers.
"We write to express our strong opposition to Section 759 of H.R. 4121 and Section 782 of S. 2256 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill). Under the 2018 Farm Bill language, the hemp industry supports 320,000 American jobs, generates $28.4 billion in regulated market activity, and produces some $1.5 billion in state tax revenue.1 If the language contained in the FY26 Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bill were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to American farmers supplying the regulated hemp industry and small businesses, and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country. Additionally, there are serious procedural concerns with how the language ended up in these bills. This language has not been considered in a markup or hearing by any relevant authorizing committee and there was no public forum for members to express concerns with this language and preferred alternative legislation more appropriate for the relevant authorizing committees," wrote the lawmakers.
Instead of pursuing this damaging appropriations language, the lawmakers detail a bipartisan path forward for Congress and outline a responsible and workable legislative regulatory framework. The American hemp industry stands united behind a framework that restricts hemp product sales to adults 21 and older, standardizes packaging and labeling to protect consumers and eliminate "look-alike" products, and mandates independent third-party lab testing for consumable hemp products.
"Legislation to this effect has already been introduced in the Senate and the House Energy and Commerce Committee is actively discussing draft language along these same lines. By arbitrarily changing the definition of legal hemp rather than responsibly regulating the market, Congress is effectively turning out the lights on America's legal hemp farmers and undermining the work being done by our colleagues in the authorizing committees and in states that have created regulatory frameworks for hemp products. For these reasons, we strongly urge leadership to remove this language from the FY26 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill and any final FY26 appropriations bill. We will continue to stand up for American hemp farmers and small businesses and oppose efforts to include this language in any bill," concluded the lawmakers.
Read the letter here.
Background:
Congressman Comer has been a steadfast advocate and champion of the hemp industry since his tenure as Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture began in 2011. Since joining Congress, he has consistently worked to support and grow the industry's opportunities, including his key role on the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which expanded the definition of hemp, has enabled the industry to flourish and created vital opportunities for farmers-especially in Kentucky. Congressman Comer remains committed to advancing bipartisan solutions alongside fellow lawmakers and industry partners to oppose any efforts that would hinder the hemp industry or create further uncertainty and economic hardship for farmers.
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