Rep. Don Bacon, who has represented Nebraska’s 2nd District in the U.S. Congress since 2017, voted to advance H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, out of the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 34-17 and includes six key priorities that Bacon advocated for.
The initiatives address agricultural security, modernization of federal programs, support for beginning farmers, investment in youth leadership organizations, and oversight of foreign farmland purchases.
“Passing a full five-year farm bill is about certainty for farmers, ranchers, and families. Nebraska producers need stability heading into planting season and American families need stability at the grocery store. This bill provides regulatory certainty, strengthens our crop safety net, modernizes farm loan programs, and invests in the research and innovation that keep American agriculture competitive,” said Rep. Bacon. “I am pleased that all six of our legislative priorities were included in this bill. We are strengthening oversight of foreign purchases of American farmland, enhancing agricultural cybersecurity, helping beginning farmers compete for land, supporting FFA and 4-H students, and improving SNAP administration so benefits are delivered efficiently and responsibly. Agriculture is economic security and national security, and this legislation equips producers with the tools they need to succeed.”
Among Bacon’s provisions included in the Farm Bill are:
– The AFIDA Improvements Act aims to improve data sharing on foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land transactions.
– The Support for Ownership and Investment in Land Act updates farm loan processes to help new farmers access credit more easily.
– The American Agricultural Security Research Act establishes Centers of Excellence at higher education institutions to strengthen agricultural cybersecurity infrastructure.
– The Youth Lead Act allows grants for youth organizations such as Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and Scouts.
– The SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act gives states flexibility to hire contractors during periods when application backlogs occur.
– The FIGHT Act prohibits gambling on animal fighting both online and in person.
Bacon emphasized Nebraska’s role as a leading state in beef production as well as its high rankings in pork, corn, soybeans, ethanol production—and noted Omaha’s agribusiness sector relies heavily on the financial health of local farmers.
He stated: “I speak in favor of the Farm Bill. I was here in the 115th Congress when we passed the last Farm Bill. The new one is now two years over date. The last Farm Bill was great but it’s out of date… In Nebraska we’re number one…for beef production…We’re in the top five for pork, corn…It’s important…we have tons of agribusiness…this Farm Bill is also important to this business community.”
Bacon also highlighted other aspects such as transferring Food for Peace back to USDA management to address global hunger through purchasing U.S.-grown commodities; reducing barriers for beginning farmers seeking credit; incentivizing research into precision agriculture technologies; improving tracking on foreign farmland purchases; supporting youth leadership programs; enhancing supply chain security; streamlining SNAP administration; all while working toward bipartisan solutions.
Don Bacon was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 before moving to Papillion where he currently resides. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BA degree before earning another degree from University of Phoenix.
The Farm Bill will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.
