Davids Calls for Return to Bipartisan Farm Bill Tradition at Center Forward Discussion

Image July 16, 2026 Press Release Davids (D), Finstad (R) discuss future of the Farm Bill coalition after years of partisan gridlock WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN-01) and Center Forward for a bipartisan discussion on the future of the Farm Bill coalition. During the event, Davids emphasized that supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities, and keeping food affordable have long been bipartisan priorities — and urged Congress to move away from political games and get back to working together. "Kansas has a long history of showing that the Farm Bill works best when people come together,” said Davids . “Leaders like Senator Bob Dole and Senator Pat Roberts understood that supporting farmers and making sure families can put food on the table aren't competing priorities — they're connected. That's the bipartisan tradition that made the Farm Bill successful for decades. We need to stop playing political games, rebuild that coalition, and get back to passing a Farm Bill that gives producers certainty and keeps our food system strong." “As a fourth-generation farmer, I know firsthand the importance of delivering a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that responsibly addresses the needs of my fellow Minnesotans,” said Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN-01) . “While the Farm Bill is a critical tool for farmers and rural communities, it also serves as a crucial piece of legislation for strengthening food security across the country. Whether it be my colleagues in Congress or community members back home, what makes the Farm Bill effective is listening to others to ensure we are meeting the needs of Americans. I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of this bipartisan conversation about how we can continue to make the Farm Bill successful for generations to come.” “Bipartisan policymaking delivers durable results that benefit all Americans,” said Cori Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Center Forward . “At Center Forward, we are proud to serve as Washington's leading bipartisan convenor, bringing together leaders to foster the conversations that make meaningful progress possible. We are grateful to Congresswoman Davids and Congressman Finstad for their commitment to pragmatic problem-solving as they work to advance the Farm Bill through Congress. Their leadership demonstrates that when lawmakers work across the aisle, they can build consensus and move important legislation forward on behalf of communities across the country — from rural towns to urban neighborhoods.” Earlier this year, Davids, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill through the House Agriculture Committee, emphasizing the need to provide certainty for Kansas farmers, strengthen the nation's food supply, and help address rising costs for families after years of delays in Congress. For decades, the Farm Bill has been one of Congress' most bipartisan pieces of legislation, bringing together lawmakers representing both rural and urban communities around a shared commitment to supporting American agriculture, strengthening conservation programs, expanding trade opportunities, and ensuring families can put food on the table. That longstanding coalition has become increasingly strained in recent years as partisan disagreements over nutrition programs have made it more difficult to reach the broad bipartisan consensus that has historically defined the legislation. Last year's partisan budget law, which Davids opposed, cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for tax breaks that benefit billionaires. Those cuts are projected to reduce farm income by more than $30 billion over the next decade while threatening jobs throughout the food and agriculture supply chain. During consideration of the Farm Bill, Davids supported an amendment to reverse those SNAP cuts and restore the historic bipartisan approach that has long united the Farm Bill coalition, but the Republican majority rejected the proposal. Issues : Agriculture