John Boozman

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman held a markup hearing on his version of the Farm Bill, but the measure failed to move forward due to a 10-11 vote against it. Although debates over SNAP funding are blocking passage, the legislation governs vast agricultural policy and contains crucial provisions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect broadband program.

Senators are working to advance a long-delayed farm bill ahead of a congressional recess, with the House having passed a version in April. The Senate committee faces challenges over changes to the food stamp program, including disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over reducing error rates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Senators are working to advance a long-delayed farm bill after years of partisan disagreements, with the Senate Agriculture Committee aiming to markup the bill before an August recess. The House passed a farm bill in April 2024, but Senate negotiations face challenges over changes to the food stamp program, particularly provisions that would shift costs to states based on error rates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Senators are working to advance a long-delayed farm bill, which establishes national farming and nutrition policies. The Senate Agriculture Committee aims to finalize the bill before an August recess, following the House's passage in April. Partisan disagreements and challenges over changes to the SNAP program, including cost shifts for states, have complicated progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured bipartisan support in Washington for new sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, marking a shift in momentum for Kyiv. The Senate advanced the sanctions, which Zelenskyy views as critical to pressuring Russia into peace talks, amid growing confidence in Ukraine's battlefield success.

Sen. Mitch McConnell's hospitalization is hindering Senate Republicans' efforts to advance a farm bill before the August recess. The absence of McConnell, a key vote, complicates passing the legislation along party lines, as Democrats oppose the bill for excluding their SNAP cost-share delay demands.

U.S. Representatives are urging the Senate to schedule a vote on the CLARITY Act by July to address ethics concerns related to cryptocurrency. Rep. French Hill emphasized the need for a deadline to facilitate consensus, citing bipartisan support and the importance of establishing a market framework for crypto regulation.

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released a 2026 Farm Bill draft focusing on expanding crop insurance, shifting conservation program funding, and maintaining changes to SNAP from a 2025 Republican-led spending bill. The draft lacks provisions on livestock industry standards and ethanol labeling, and faces criticism from Democrats over continued SNAP cuts.

Senate Republicans' farm bill proposal excludes Democrats' demand to delay a shift of food aid costs to states, risking bipartisan support. Democrats plan to oppose the bill without this delay, which is set to start in October 2027. The draft also omits Republican priorities like year-round E15 fuel sales and restrictions on state animal welfare laws.

The US House passed a bill to allow year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend, but its Senate approval remains uncertain due to opposition from environmental advocates and lawmakers in oil-producing states. The White House supports the measure, which aims to provide cheaper fuel options and boost agricultural interests, though Senate leaders express skepticism about securing 60 votes for passage.

The US House passed a bill to allow year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend, but its future in the Senate is uncertain due to opposition from environmental advocates and lawmakers from oil-producing states. The White House supports the legislation, which aims to provide consumers a cheaper fuel alternative and boost agricultural interests, though Senate approval requires 60 votes.

The US House passed a bill allowing year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend, but its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Proponents argue it offers a cheaper fuel alternative and benefits agriculture, while opponents include environmental advocates and lawmakers from oil-producing states. The EPA has issued waivers for extended E15 sales due to Middle East tensions.

The US House passed a bill allowing year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend, but its Senate path is uncertain due to opposition from environmental advocates and oil-producing states. The EPA has issued waivers for extended E15 sales amid rising gas prices, but Senate support remains divided.

The 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement succeeded in removing pesticide liability language from a House farm bill but lost support for its nominee to surgeon general. The vote showed MAHA's influence on food policy, while the withdrawal of Casey Means' nomination highlighted tensions over vaccine messaging and public health alignment.