The U.S. House of Representatives passed the final slate of fiscal 2026 spending bills on Thursday. A minibus funding the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Education passed by a vote of 341-88. Separately, the chamber approved the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill by a vote of 220-207, following contentious debate over ICE funding. The measures now move to the Senate, which must pass the legislation by Jan. 30 to avoid another partial government shutdown.
Earlier this week, specialty crop leaders expressed deep disappointment after learning that the text of the now-passed funding package failed to include critical economic assistance for America’s growers. The omission came despite new data from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) estimating that U.S. potato growers alone suffered $717 million in economic losses last year.
In response to the House’s spending bill, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) renewed its urgent call for no less than $5 billion in dedicated federal support to stabilize the sector.
“At a time when producers face rising costs, domestic labor shortages, and severe market and weather challenges, this omission is deeply concerning,” said the SCFBA co-chairs in a statement. The alliance noted that while the USDA’s recent Farmer Bridge Assistance program allocated $11 billion to row crops, it reserved only $1 billion for “specialty crops and other commodities,” leaving growers without equitable relief.
In recent weeks, the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus and American Farm Bureau Federation have echoed this call for assistance. Just last week, the SCFBA joined agricultural organizations from across the U.S. in calling on Congress for immediate financial assistance for America’s farmers and ranchers. Led by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the letter highlighted record-high input costs and historically low market prices in recent years have caused farmers to face negative margins and nearly $100 billion in losses nationwide. In December, the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus sent a letter urging immediate, equitable and timely economic relief for specialty crop producers.
The SCFBA is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.
