WASHINGTON — The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 10-11 Thursday against advancing the farm bill, leaving critical agricultural programs and food aid policies without a path forward.
Republicans fell one vote short. Every Democrat on the committee voted no, united in opposition to a proposed two-year delay in states' cost-share obligation for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Democrats argued the change—built on SNAP modifications enacted in a 2025 reconciliation law—would shift costs onto states and undercut benefits for low-income families.
The decisive missing vote belonged to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. the only committee member who did not appear. Without him, Republicans could not muster a majority.
The stalled bill also contained provisions for E15 ethanol blends and mandatory country-of-origin labeling for agricultural products. Both measures would have affected producers and consumers across farm country.
The committee's failure pushes the fight over the SNAP cost-share delay into September, extending uncertainty for farmers, food aid recipients and the industries tied to both.
