The Senate Agriculture Committee could soon revisit the Farm Bill, and farm advocacy group The Cavalry Group wants producers to weigh in before new Farm Bill amendments come up for debate. Senators returned to Washington on Monday, Sept. 14, and Chairman John Boozman signaled he plans to bring the bill back to committee soon. The renewed push follows an Aug. 6 vote that failed by a single margin, 10-11. The Cavalry Group says animal rights groups spent the August recess lobbying hard, so farmers now have a narrow window to respond.
Why the August Vote Still Matters
The committee’s first attempt to advance the Farm Bill fell one vote short in August. However, that setback did not end the process. Lawmakers filed more than 200 amendments during that markup, showing how quickly unrelated proposals can attach themselves to a bill this large. Because the Farm Bill touches so many parts of the food and agriculture system, it often becomes a target for groups pushing unrelated policy goals.
Animal Rights Bills Under Watch
The Cavalry Group says it is tracking several animal-related bills that could surface as amendments. These include the FIGHT Act, the No Flight, No Fight Act, the SAFE Act and the Better CARE for Animals Act. The list also covers a proposed greyhound racing ban, the Puppy Protection Act, Goldie’s Act and the ACE Act. Additionally, the group is scrutinizing the Milk From Family Dairies Act and other proposals it says could expand federal authority over animal agriculture and lawful animal enterprises.
The organization argues the Farm Bill should focus on supporting farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Instead, it warns the bill could become a vehicle for expanding federal control over animal ownership, breeding, exhibition and equine activities. Consequently, the group is asking the Senate Agriculture Committee to keep unrelated animal legislation out of the bill entirely.
How Producers Can Take Action Right Now
The Cavalry Group has built a federal advocacy tool inside its website’s Member Portal. The tool lets members send emails directly to every senator on the Agriculture Committee with just a few clicks. According to the group, the entire process takes only seconds once a member logs in. The organization also plans to post the campaign on a public page so members can share it more widely.
Mindy Patterson, president of The Cavalry Group, framed the appeal as time-sensitive. She encouraged members to act within the next 24 to 48 hours rather than waiting until formal amendment debate begins. Finally, she noted that the group built these tools specifically so members could respond quickly when moments like this arise.
What This Means for Farmers and Ranchers
The renewed committee action shows the Farm Bill fight is far from over, and the coming days could shape which Farm Bill amendments actually reach the floor. For farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners, the outcome could affect how much federal oversight touches everyday animal agriculture practices. As a result, producers who want a say should watch the committee’s next moves closely and consider contacting their senators directly. Readers can learn more and access the advocacy tools through The Cavalry Group’s website. This story is based on a press release from The Cavalry Group.