ICGA, ISA support passage of farm bill proposal in Senate Ag Committee

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 17, 2026) — The Senate Agriculture Committee passed its version of the farm bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026, by a 12-11 vote on Wednesday. The bill moves to the floor of the U.S. Senate where 60 votes will be needed for passage.

Once that happens, the Senate bill will go to a conference committee to sort out its differences with the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, which is the U.S. House of Representative’s version of the farm bill. The latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill officially ends on Sept. 30. If Congress fails to pass a final reauthorized bill or approve another short-term extension, then federal agricultural programs face disruption.

Regardless of future concerns, the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) are pleased with the progress and the result from the Senate Ag Committee. The Senate bill included year-round sales of E15, which is a blended fuel of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline.

“We appreciate the work of the Senate Ag Committee and our allies in Washington to advance the farm bill and E15 provisions moving forward,” said ICGA President Alan Dunn, a farmer from Michigantown, Ind. “This step provides the long-term certainty farmers need and expands E15 access, which will drive profitability across the industry.”

He added that farmers must remain focused on the goal. “As the bill heads to the Senate floor or a preconference with the House, please reach out to your delegation and ask them to keep up the momentum and deliver a much-needed, five-year farm bill and year-round access to E15 for Indiana’s corn farmers,” Dunn said.

M&P Chair David Hardin, a farmer from Avon, Ind., also praised the progress in the Senate. “Thank you to the Senate Ag Committee and those working on our behalf in D.C. for moving the farm bill through this next crucial step,” Hardin said. “Advancing this bill will give soybean farmers the necessary legislative assurance while protecting crop insurance and trade programs that support our bottom line. Indiana farmers need to reach out to their representatives and senators as we move to the next stops in getting a new farm bill passed.”