McConnell’s Return Breaks Farm Bill Deadlock, But SNAP Disputes Loom
Senate Republicans advanced the farm bill out of committee on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the chamber to break a party-line deadlock. The Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee voted 12-11 to send the measure to the full Senate. However, the bill faces significant hurdles in the full chamber, where it requires 60 votes to advance. Democrats oppose the current text, particularly provisions that would shift more Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs to states. While the current farm bill expires at the end of September, most program funding remains in place until the end of the year.
