Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) delivered the following closing statement at the full committee markup of the Republicans' partisan farm bill. Watch the second day of the markup here.

[As prepared for delivery.]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I came into this Congress with the sincere hope that we could get a five-year, 12-title farm bill across the finish line – with the farm and hunger coalition that has so successfully worked together so many times before. 

As we walked through each of these titles over the course of the last two days, it’s clear what a shell of a farm bill this bill truly is. The farm programs funded in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill would have been supported by the minority in this bill. 

Republicans picked the winners for new investment in the Big Ugly Bill and decimated Title 4 outside of regular order. Now, they are refusing to invest new money in many farm programs that have stagnated after nearly a decade of inflation. This bill delivers what no one is asking for: the status quo.

Folks, it is not status quo in farm country. A global trade war has left devastating impacts to our nation’s farmers. And the farm assistance offered by this administration is a fraction of the need. We offered help to farmers and families during this mark up today. But apparently, we can only spend money when it cuts taxes for the wealthy in this country – like my colleagues voted for in reconciliation last year. 

I do not know any farmer in Minnesota who is asking for the status quo.

Have we made some bipartisan improvements to the bill during the amendment process, sure. But despite that, this remains a lackluster, disappointing farm bill that does not meet the moment. This bill does not lower input costs or stabilize our export markets. It does not help make food more affordable while prices surge under Trump’s backward economic policies. And it is going to have challenges getting broad bipartisan support on the floor. 

I will vote no on this bill.