MARKUP Day Two: "The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026"

The House Committee on Agriculture convened to discuss the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, focusing heavily on nutrition programs, particularly the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Key discussions included proposed amendments to expand SNAP eligibility, such as allowing hot rotisserie chicken purchases and restoring benefits for Afghan allies and Ukrainian refugees. There was significant debate over the recent $187 billion cuts to SNAP enacted in the "big ugly bill," with many members expressing concern about the impact on vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, and working families. Amendments aimed at restoring SNAP benefits, delaying administrative cost shifts to states, and enhancing program integrity were debated, with some withdrawn and others postponed for recorded votes. The committee also considered amendments to support local farmers through programs like GusNIP and the DoD Fresh program, and to reinstate funding for the Local Food for Schools program, which had been cut by the USDA. Additionally, there was bipartisan support for measures to improve SNAP card security to prevent fraud. The meeting highlighted tensions between fiscal responsibility and the need to support food security, with members emphasizing the importance of nutrition assistance as a matter of public health and national security.