What Happened?

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is scheduled to discuss a bill today, Wednesday, September 16, that could expand what types of farm losses qualify for federal disaster payments. The committee will discuss the Agricultural Act of 2026, a bill that would broaden coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and lock livestock disaster aid programs into federal rules. The hearing is chaired by Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as the ranking Democrat on the panel. [](#ngr-bd632870-ca38-4c9c-af68-125966ebd562)

Why Does It Matter To Me?

Farmers who grow crops that do not qualify for standard federal crop insurance rely on the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) as a backup. When drought, flooding, or another disaster destroys a harvest, NAP can cover some of those losses. The bill would expand the types of losses that qualify for help under the program.

The bill would also write the rules for two livestock programs into permanent federal regulations.

  • The Livestock Indemnity Program, which pays farmers when extreme weather kills their animals
  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish program, which covers losses from disease and other disasters

Both Sides, Now

Legis1 reported that the bill builds on farm program investments included in separate tax legislation called the Working Families Tax Cuts. Sen. Boozman released the full text of the Agricultural Act of 2026 on July 31, following an earlier draft on June 23.

The committee tried to advance an earlier version of the farm bill on Aug. 6, but failed to move it out of committee. That earlier proposal included a one-year delay in state cost-sharing requirements and a provision that would have let states use whichever of their fiscal 2026 or fiscal 2027 food stamp error rates was lower.

The National Governors Association reported $100,000 in second-quarter lobbying covering food stamp rules and the Agricultural Act of 2026. The National Treasury Employees Union reported $340,000 in second-quarter activity on a draft Senate agricultural bill. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition reported $6,241 in second-quarter lobbying on the bill.

What Happens Next?

Wednesday's hearing is the committee's next formal step after the Aug. 6 markup failed. A hearing does not guarantee a vote, and the committee would still need to approve the bill before it could go to the full Senate. No Senate floor vote is scheduled, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) just announced an early recess. The last votes for nearly the next two months will take place today to allow congressmembers to return to their districts and campaign for the midterms.

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This article was generated by AI pulling from data. Each article is edited by an editor for accuracy and clarity.

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