In the latest Capital Update from the National Pork Producers Council, attention in Washington is turning toward the next farm bill and potential leadership changes on Capitol Hill that could impact agricultural policy.
House Agriculture Farm Bill Markup Set for Late February
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) told Republican members he is targeting the week of February 23 for a markup of a new five-year farm bill. The proposal is expected to closely resemble legislation approved by the committee in May 2024 during the previous Congress.
That earlier bill included a provision addressing California’s Proposition 12 — a priority issue for pork producers — though it was never taken up by the Senate. Thompson has indicated a goal of bringing the bill to a full House vote before Congress breaks for Easter.
NPPC continues to push for a Prop. 12 fix, citing increased production costs, operational uncertainty, and higher pork prices for consumers since the law took effect in January 2024.
Why it matters: The farm bill sets policy for agriculture, conservation, forestry, and nutrition programs and authorizes key initiatives tied to animal disease preparedness and export promotion.
Senate Agriculture Committee Leadership Could Shift
On the Senate side, leadership of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee could change if Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is elected governor of Minnesota later this year. Klobuchar recently announced her candidacy, with primary elections scheduled for August 11 and the general election on November 3.
If she leaves the Senate, Democrats would select a new ranking member for the committee. Currently next in line is Cory Booker (D-NJ), who has previously taken positions critical of conventional animal agriculture.
Why it matters: Committee leadership plays a central role in shaping legislative priorities, scheduling, and messaging — all of which directly influence how agricultural policy is debated and advanced.
Bottom line for producers
Farm bill timing and committee leadership remain key variables in 2026 policy discussions. With Proposition 12 still unresolved and broader ag priorities on the table, developments in the coming weeks will be closely watched across the pork industry.
