WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement upon passage of the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the Farm Bill, out of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“As the sole dairy farmer in Congress and a new member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I was proud to vote in favor of the Farm Bill,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan bill delivers real wins for the Central Valley, including addressing rising production costs and expanding technical assistance for dairy producers, while also improving crop insurance and disaster assistance for our specialty crop growers. It also invests in rural infrastructure and wildfire prevention to better protect our communities and natural resources. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line to provide the certainty our farmers, ranchers, and producers are counting on.”

Key wins for the Central Valley include:

• Directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to examine rising dairy production costs and identify ways to better incorporate those costs into price coverage and insurance formulas, ensuring support reflects current economic realities for dairy producers.
  
  
• Increasing Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (DBII) funding for California to ensure the state receives equitable resources compared to other regions. This funding supports technical assistance, marketing, and business development for dairy farmers.
  
  
• Expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Dairy Nutrition Incentives to include yogurt and a broader selection of cheese, improving access to nutritious dairy options for families.
  
  
• Expanding eligibility for specialty crops under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), helping growers replant and rehabilitate trees impacted by natural disasters. 
  
  
• Prioritizing efforts to combat Citrus Greening by strengthening coordination and research at USDA and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). 
  
  
• Expanding crop insurance access for specialty crop growers by directing USDA’s Risk Management Agency to work more closely with producers to improve coverage options. 
  
  
• Reauthorizing USDA Rural Development water infrastructure programs that support clean drinking water, wastewater systems, solid waste disposal, and stormwater management in rural communities. 
  
  
• Directing the U.S. Forest Service to partner with large landowners on wildfire prevention efforts to better protect communities and natural resources.

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