Welch votes against farm bill in Senate committee

Committee advances bill

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, voted against a farm bill advanced by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Sept. 16, 2026. The committee approved the Republican-written measure along party lines without considering amendments.

Welch, a committee member, said the bill does not adequately support Vermont’s small and family farms, provide needed nutrition assistance or invest in rural communities. He criticized committee Republicans for moving ahead without changes or bipartisan agreement.

The vote advanced the legislation from the committee but did not constitute passage by the full Senate. Welch said he remains committed to changing the bill before it reaches the Senate floor and called on senators to work together on revisions.

Welch sought changes

Before an earlier committee vote in August, Welch filed 42 amendments intended to support small and family farmers, strengthen rural communities and improve access to nutrition assistance. The bill did not advance at that August meeting.

Welch also objected that the latest measure does little to address cuts affecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called SNAP. SNAP provides food assistance to eligible households.

The farm bill sets federal policy for agriculture, food assistance and rural programs. Congress has not completed a full reauthorization since 2018.

Next step

Further changes could be considered before or during Senate floor action. Welch’s position as ranking member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy and Credit gives him a role in committee work concerning rural policy, energy and agricultural credit.

The timing of full Senate consideration has not been announced.