House passes the 2026 Farm Bill with key county priorities

On April 30, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) by a vote of 224–200. Several amendments to the Act were backed by the National Association of Counties, including those that would: 

• Improve access to affordable broadband: Requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider the affordability of broadband service when determining whether an area is “unserved,” helping ensure rural residents are not excluded from broadband funding simply because service exists but remains unaffordable
• Strengthen rural health access: Prioritizes funding for rural health facilities under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine and Community Facilities programs, helping counties expand telehealth capacity, improve access to medical services and support rural health systems that serve geographically dispersed populations