Young Farmers Seek Protection of ACA, SNAP as House Moves Toward Vote to End Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After weeks of uncertainty, the Senate voted Monday, Nov. 10, to approve a bipartisan package to reopen the federal government and extend the 2018 Farm Bill through Sept. 30, 2026. The bill (H.R. 5371) passed by a vote of 60-40, with seven Democrats and one Independent joining 52 Republicans to advance the measure. While this legislation would reopen the government, it fails to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits — a key protection for millions of rural Americans, including many farmers, said the National Young Farmers Coalition. 

The House of Representatives is expected to vote later Tuesday, potentially bringing the longest government shutdown in United States history to an end. In addition to the Farm Bill extension, the package includes FY2026 funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and several other departments, and a continuing resolution to extend FY2025 funding for the remainder of the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026.

The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) said it urges the House to prioritize affordable health care and nutrition access as it finalizes the deal:

“Farmers can’t feed our country without a functioning government, and can’t safely continue their businesses without access to affordable health care,” said Michelle Hughes, co-executive director of the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Reopening the government is essential to the success of young farmers in a critical time, but without protections for the ACA and SNAP, attempted lifelines to the rural communities our farmers lead will once again fall short.”

Farmers Call for Action on Health Care and Nutrition

Across the country, farmers and farm families rely on both the ACA and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). When SNAP benefits are delayed or reduced, farmers lose sales at local grocery stores, CSAs, and farmers markets, said the National Young Farmers Coalition. Without the ACA premium tax credits, many farmers face unaffordable health insurance costs during the off-season, the coalition said. 

“Without the ACA, my family’s healthcare costs will rise over 80%," said Liz Krug of Endless Roots Farm in Pennsylvania. "To keep our business going, my husband or I may have to find off-farm employment that provides more affordable benefits. We built this farm together, and now only one of us might be able to continue on. With two children, not having healthcare coverage is not an option for us."

Farm Bill Extension and USDA Funding Offer Short-Term Relief

The one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill and FY2026 funding for USDA programs will keep essential services — like farm loans, conservation assistance and local food grants — operating after weeks of disruption. However, the bill does not provide investments in land access, conservation or beginning farmer training and does include cuts in funding for several programs that support young farmers, said the National Young Farmers Coalition. 

The bill cuts funding for several critical conservation programs that are essential for the success of our nation’s small and beginning farmers, said the coalition, including the Conservation Technical Assistance program, Conservation Reserve Program, Transition Incentives Program, the Local Agriculture Marketing Program, the Value-Added Producer Grants program and the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.