ICBA supports strong farm bill, opposes expansion of FCS financing

ICBA said it strongly supports passage of a farm bill that protects producers, strengthens rural communities, and ensures a balanced agricultural credit system, but it opposes any expansions of Farm Credit System financing for non-farm purposes.

Details: In a letter to House Agriculture Committee leaders on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), ICBA:

• Said it appreciates the higher reference prices for commodities and the enhanced crop insurance provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

• Expressed support for higher loan limits for the USDA’s guaranteed farm loan programs and the prompt approval of these loans.

• Urged the committee to oppose or restrict any expansions of FCS financing for non-farm purposes.

Background: Introduced this month by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), H.R. 7567 builds on ag investments made last summer in H.R. 1 and is slated to be marked up by the committee next week.

Recent ICBA Farm Advocacy:

• ICBA this month urged Congress to pass an additional farm economic assistance package one to two times larger than the $12 billion announced by the administration in December.

• ICBA and 60 farm groups this month expressed opposition to crop insurance cuts during the budget process.

• ICBA and other groups in October urged President Donald Trump to provide financial assistance to farmers as a bridge until market demand for agricultural commodities boosts prices.

• ICBA in October sent a letter to the Treasury and Agriculture departments urging the administration’s support for a farm aid package as large or larger than the $10 billion package adopted by Congress last year.