Rep. Van Epps Votes YES on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep.Van Epps (TN07) voted in favor of the 2026 Farm Bill, also known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act.   

This legislation focuses on strengthening agricultural production, rural infrastructure, and domestic food supply chains. From unpredictable weather and rising input costs to volatile global commodity prices, farmers face growing financial uncertainty, which makes long-term planning increasingly difficult. This bill strengthens the farm safety net by expanding crop insurance, dairy coverage, specialty crop research, export promotion, and access to agricultural credit. It also invests in rural broadband, water infrastructure, meat and poultry processing capacity, and precision agriculture technologies that help lower producer costs and improve efficiency. Together, these reforms give farmers more stability and better tools to remain competitive.

This legislation also includes national security provisions that would add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for certain agricultural transactions and require reviews of agricultural land purchases tied to entities from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. 

Rep. Van Epps stated, “I was proud to vote in favor of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. I am pleased this legislation focuses on strengthening agricultural production, rural infrastructure, and domestic food supply chains. I know that Tennessee’s cattle operators, row crop producers, poultry growers, and specialty crop farmers will greatly benefit from stronger risk management tools, expanded market access, and rural infrastructure investments. I am also glad that this legislation includes increased access to energy systems for farmers, ranchers, and producers. Energy costs directly impact farmers and we must do more to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.”

“In 2022, Tennessee was home to approximately 63,000 farms spanning about 10.7 million acres. Nearly half of these—around 31,000—were managed by new or beginning farmers, while roughly 12,000 producers were military veterans. Altogether, these operations produced close to $5 billion in agricultural market value, including about $2 billion from livestock and $3 billion from crop production. Tennessee’s farmers and ranchers are essential to our economy, and they deserve support. This includes small family farms, which are critical to our domestic food supply,” Rep. Van Epps continued.  

“As a veteran, I am always focused on the safety of our nation and food security is national security. That’s why I am grateful that this legislation enhances the role of the administration in reviewing the acquisition of U.S. farmland and agricultural technology by our adversarial nations. We cannot let U.S. adversaries control our food supply,” he concluded.   

The Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Soybean Association, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, the Tennessee Cattlemen, and National Pork Producers all supported this legislation.  

Read more about the Farm, Food, and National Security Act here. 

Background

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Van Epps has been committed to supporting farmers and ranchers of Tennessee’s Congressional District. 

Rep. Van Epps:

• Met with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation here.
• Met with the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association to discuss rural communities here.
• Explained how the Working Families Tax Cut benefits Tennessee farmers here.
• Supported the Working Families Tax Cut pro-farmer policies here, here, and here.
• Visited Wally-Mo Trailers and praised the work ethic of rural Tennessee here.
• Praised the Tennessee FFA Foundation for educating students about agriculture here.
• Met with USDA Assistant Secretary Yvette Herrell to discuss policies for farmers and rural Tennessee here.
• Praised White House’s policies putting farmers first here.
• Celebrated National Agriculture Day, honoring farmers and ranchers here.
• Celebrated Tennessee's Ag Day on the Hill with industry leaders and students here.
• Met with the Cheatham County Cattlemen's Association Board here.
• Visited the Robertson County Farm Bureau here.
• Championed the Working Families Tax Cut's higher death tax threshold here.
• Highlighted the Food and Agriculture Sector as critical in a CHS hearing on agroterrorism here.
• Met with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation here.