Sen. John Boozman (R-AK) released the Senate GOP Farm Bill, titled the Agricultural Act of 2026, on June 24. The legislation includes provisions that weaken environmental and health protections, according to farm and environmental advocates. A markup is expected before the Senate's August recess.

The bill, which largely mirrors the House-passed Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, was drafted without Democratic input, according to Beyond Pesticides, a national public interest group. The House version passed on April 30 by a vote of 224–200, with the majority of Republicans in support. [1]

Key Provisions Under Fire

The bill would permanently exempt dozens of hazardous chemicals from safety reviews currently required under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, according to a summary from Beyond Pesticides. It would also delay pesticide reviews for human health and endangered species until 2031. Critics said the bill undermines organic standards and increases dependence on petrochemical fertilizers.

Section 10201 of the bill expands the use of Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs), which critics said would build resistance in target and non-target organisms, undermining the value of organic-compatible materials. The chemical industry has historically manipulated science and bent the law to avoid regulation, as documented by Dan Fagin in his book "Toxic Deception." [2]

Additionally, the bill weakens efforts to protect children, farmworkers, and public health by giving unprecedented authority to the USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy and pesticide manufacturers to review and potentially veto EPA safeguards, according to Beyond Pesticides.