Schiff outlines California priorities for U.S. farm bill stalled in Congress
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has outlined a slate of California-focused priorities for the next U.S. farm bill, including opposition to proposed food assistance cuts and protections for a state animal welfare law.
The $390 billion measure, which was approved by the House last week on a near-party-line, remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate where Republicans cannot pass the legislation without the support of Democrats. Senate Republican leadership has indicated that its own version may be coming soon.
In its current form, the measure would structure major food and agriculture programs for five years, increase subsidies for farmers and cut food assistance programs for lower-income families. Congress last passed a farm bill in 2018.
This week, Schiff outlined his California priorities for the bill — some of which conflict with the House-approved version. The majority of House Democrats voted against the bill. California Reps. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and Adam Gray, D-Merced, were some of the 14 Democrats to vote for it.
Among Schiff’s most specific priorities are opposing proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — also known as SNAP — and protecting Proposition 12, a California measure requiring more space for breeding pigs that would be nullified under the bill. Voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 12 in 2018.
Schiff also emphasized modernizing and increasing funding for federal programs that “level the playing field for rural communities” and create a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers.
“It’s time for a farm bill that addresses the mounting challenges that farmers, farmworkers, and rural communities are facing,” Schiff said in a written statement to The Sacramento Bee Wednesday evening.
Schiff has made a concerted effort to learn about California agriculture since becoming a senator in 2024.
Last year, Schiff and other members of Congress pressured the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reverse its decision to close nine California regional offices, according to previous reporting by The Bee. After reconsideration, only one remote office was closed.
Schiff also became the first California senator in more than 30 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee and has since toured agricultural regions across the state.
In announcing his California priorities, Schiff said he also plans to introduce stand-alone bills to complement the U.S. farm bill. Those measures could address issues including improved mechanization for specialty crops, expanded fruit and vegetable procurement in federal food programs, increased nutrition incentives and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture.
This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Schiff outlines California priorities for U.S. farm bill stalled in Congress."
