Rep. Sykes Votes No on Republican Farm Bill, Citing Harm to Families, Farmers, and Food Safety

Rep. Sykes Votes No on Republican Farm Bill, Citing Harm to Families, Farmers, and Food Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted against the Republican Farm Bill, citing harmful cuts to food assistance, insufficient support for farmers, and weakened food safety protections.

"In a moment when families are already stretched and farmers are under pressure, this bill moves in the wrong direction. It ignores the food affordability crisis, fails to stabilize conditions for farmers, and undermines animal welfare protections. A responsible farm bill should lower costs, protect public health, and support farmers, but instead it puts corporate interests ahead of the people who depend on safe food and basic nutrition assistance," said Rep. Sykes.

The bill lacks nearly $187 billion for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was cut from the Big Ugly Bill, threatening food assistance for millions of children, seniors, and veterans as states are forced to reduce enrollment amid high food costs. It also fails to address rising input costs, market instability, and ongoing trade disruptions affecting family farms.

Since the Big Ugly Bill was passed, SNAP participation in Ohio has declined from 1,389,247 in July 2025 to 1,292,669 in December 2025, a loss of nearly 94,000 residents receiving assistance during a period of continued high food costs.

Rep. Sykes is a proud co-sponsor of the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act, which would repeal these harmful SNAP cuts. She also introduced amendments to this Farm Bill to add her Food Farmacy Act, INFANTS Act, Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, and Feed Our Families Act to improve access to nutritious and safe foods. However, Republicans refused to consider them.