Ernst: Senate Republicans Delivering Farm Bill for Rural America

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) applauded the release of a Senate Farm Bill draft and thanked Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman for his leadership.

Since 2023, Ernst has worked to secure an updated Farm Bill that addresses ongoing challenges facing Iowa farmers and rural communities. The draft includes many of Ernst's priorities and builds on the wins secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act last year to strengthen the farm safety net, develop new market opportunities, improve foreign animal disease prevention, support domestic biofuels, and help ensure family farms can be passed on to the next generation.

"I am encouraged to see Chairman Boozman release a Farm Bill draft that builds on many of the priorities Senate Republicans fought to secure in the Working Families Tax Cut Act. I am proud the draft includes my proposals to crack down on foreign adversaries purchasing American farmland, increase transparency and accountability in SNAP, expand local meat processing options, and prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding research in countries of concern like China and Iran," said Ernst. "As the committee moves toward a mark up, I remain focused on securing a fix to Proposition 12, which allows liberal activists in California to impose mandates on farmers across the country, and permanent, year-round access to E15 so consumers have cheaper options at the pump and farmers have stronger markets for the crops they grow. This announcement is an important step forward, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen it and deliver the certainty, stability, and support rural America deserves."

Ernst secured the following wins on behalf of Iowa and American farmers in the Farm Bill draft:

FARMLAND Act strengthens oversight of foreign-owned farmland and counter threats posed by nations like China by modernizing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act.

Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act reins in fraudulent and inaccurate payments within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by requiring all errors be publicly reported.

Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act speeds up the adoption of innovative conservation technologies and practices that improve water quality, soil health, and on-farm productivity.

Farmers First Act prioritizes farmer mental health by expanding access to crisis support and mental health resources in rural communities.

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research (AFAR) Act prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding research in foreign counties of concern, including China, Russia, and Iran.

Farm to Fly Act expands the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), adding value to American-grown feedstocks and strengthening domestic energy security.

Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act builds new markets for crops like corn and soybeans by incentivizing the use and production of biobased products.

Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act strengthens the nation's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to animal disease outbreaks and disasters, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and New World screwworm.

Expanding Local Meat Processing Act increases local meat processing capacity by reducing regulatory barriers and allowing livestock auction markets to invest in small meat processing facilities.

Fertilizer Research Act sheds a light into the fertilizer market and help lower input costs for farmers.

Listen to Ernst talk about the Farm Bill draft here.

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