Farm bill clears US House. See how Texas lawmakers voted, why

• The U.S. House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which now moves to the Senate.
• Texas's Republican congressional delegation unanimously supported the bill, along with two Texas Democrats.
• Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the bill for providing certainty to producers.
• Some Texas Democrats voted against the bill, citing concerns over cuts to nutrition assistance programs.

The U.S. House passed a long-awaited farm bill, drawing praise from Texas's agriculture leader and unanimous support from the state's Republican congressional delegation.

The U.S. House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the farm bill, on Thursday, April 30, in a 224-to-200 vote. The bill is one step closer to becoming a law, but it still has to clear the Senate.

While Texas Republicans unanimously voted for the bill, there was some division among Texas Democrats, as some thought it did nothing and harmed Texans and Americans. Others thought it was needed because of the gap left by the original farm bill's expiration.

Here's how Texas leaders and lawmakers responded to the House passing the bill.

Texas agriculture commissioner praises U.S. House for farm bill

Following the bill's passage in the House, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the House but also urged the Senate to act swiftly.

"Our producers are facing skyrocketing input costs, volatile markets and crushing regulations. They need certainty, not more uncertainty," Miller said in a statement. "This Farm Bill delivers by strengthening the farm safety net, investing in rural America, and providing real relief at the grocery store."

More specifically, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-15, said on social media that the bill was a "massive win" for South Texas farmers and ranchers and their water resources.

"What I am most excited about is the creation of a working group that will ensure that the Mexican Government complies with the 1944 Water Treaty."

According to the International Boundary and Water Commission, the treaty allows the U.S. and Mexico to use the waters in the international segment of the Rio Grande from Fort Quitman, Texas, to the Gulf of Mexico.

She, along with the entire Texas Republican delegation, voted in favor of the bill.

Texas Democrats split on voting for Farm Bill

U.S. Rep. Christian D. Menefee, D-18, was one of 17 Texas Democrats who voted against the bill.

In a statement, he said that the legislation does nothing to lower grocery prices and locks in devastating cuts to nutrition assistance that Texans rely on.

"In Texas alone, more than 300,000 people have already lost SNAP benefits because of Republican cuts in Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill,’" Menefee said in a statement. "Across the country, 3.4 million hardworking Americans have lost food assistance. It is cruel, plain and simple. Now Republicans want to make those harmful cuts permanent, putting even more families at risk of going hungry."

However, two Texas Democrats — U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez — voted with the Texas Republicans on this issue, according to the vote count.

In a statement, Cuellar, D-28, said he voted yes because Texas farmers and ranchers needed certainty after all this time.

"House Democrats fought to strengthen this bill and protect our producers, our workers, and our communities," read his statement. "Our work doesn’t stop here. I’ll keep fighting to improve this bill as it moves through the Senate and make sure it delivers for the people we represent."

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at [email protected].