Boozman, Klobuchar Report They Are 'Very Close' to Farm Bill 2.0 Deal

TL;DR: Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar believe they are "very close" to a bipartisan Farm Bill 2.0 deal, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President Duane Simpson said July 27, 2026. Both are optimistic about a markup before the August recess, but the committee remains deadlocked 11-11 with Sen. Mitch McConnell absent.

Key takeaway

Senate Ag leaders are reportedly close to a bipartisan Farm Bill 2.0 deal, but an 11-11 committee deadlock blocks any markup until McConnell returns.

What happened

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) President Duane Simpson said Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar believe they are "very close" to a bipartisan agreement on Farm Bill 2.0. Brownfield Ag News reported his remarks on July 27, 2026.

Simpson relayed that both Boozman and Klobuchar are optimistic about holding a committee markup before the August recess. The comments mark the most positive public signal yet on a bipartisan Senate path for the reauthorization of H.R. 7567 and its Senate companion.

A significant obstacle remains. Sen. Mitch McConnell is still in rehabilitation and has not been cleared to return to the Senate, leaving the Senate Agriculture Committee deadlocked at 11-11, according to Agri-Pulse. His continued absence will also cause him to miss the Fancy Farm event, underscoring that his return timeline is uncertain.

You can track the latest committee developments on our Senate status page and see how the two chambers' drafts differ in our full bill summary.

What it means

A finalized bipartisan text does not automatically clear the committee. The 11-11 deadlock means a markup cannot proceed without McConnell or a procedural workaround, even if Boozman and Klobuchar reach agreement on the bill's language.

For farmers, ranchers, and program stakeholders, the practical impact breaks down this way:

• Timing: A pre-recess markup is possible only if the deadlock is resolved. Without McConnell's vote, an agreed text may sit unmarked until the Senate returns.
• Substance: "Very close" describes negotiations, not a signed deal. Specific title-by-title provisions on commodities, conservation, crop insurance, and nutrition have not been released.
• Chamber gap: The House has advanced H.R. 7567 separately. A Senate bipartisan product would still need to be reconciled with the House version.

Readers weighing how a Senate deal might change current law can compare the drafts against prior law in our what's new vs. 2018 breakdown, and see cost implications in our funding breakdown.

What's next

As of July 28, 2026, the immediate question is whether the committee can hold a markup before the August recess. That outcome is likely tied to McConnell's return, which has not been confirmed.

If Boozman and Klobuchar finalize text but the deadlock persists, the committee would likely wait until McConnell is cleared or pursue a procedural workaround. No such workaround has been announced.

Watch our timeline and status page for markup scheduling and our vote tracker for any committee vote once one is set.

Frequently asked questions

Are Boozman and Klobuchar close to a Farm Bill 2.0 deal?

Yes, according to NCFC President Duane Simpson, who said on July 27, 2026 that Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar believe they are "very close" to a bipartisan agreement. Both are described as optimistic about holding a committee markup before the August recess. The comments describe negotiations in progress, not a signed or released bill text.

Why can't the Senate Ag Committee hold a markup right now?

The Senate Agriculture Committee is deadlocked at 11-11 because Sen. Mitch McConnell is still in rehabilitation and has not been cleared to return to the Senate. A markup cannot proceed without his vote or a procedural workaround, even if Boozman and Klobuchar finalize a bipartisan text. His return timeline is uncertain, and he will also miss the Fancy Farm event.

When will the Senate mark up Farm Bill 2.0?

As of July 28, 2026, no markup date is confirmed. Boozman and Klobuchar are reportedly optimistic about a markup before the August recess, but the 11-11 committee deadlock caused by Sen. McConnell's absence must be resolved first. Whether that happens before recess likely depends on McConnell's return, which has not been cleared.

What is the 11-11 deadlock on the Senate Ag Committee?

The 11-11 deadlock refers to the Senate Agriculture Committee having equal members present on each side because Sen. Mitch McConnell has not been cleared to return from rehabilitation. Without his vote or a procedural workaround, the committee cannot advance a bill on a tied vote, so a markup of Farm Bill 2.0 cannot move forward even if text is finalized.

Does a bipartisan deal mean Farm Bill 2.0 will pass soon?

No. "Very close" to a deal describes negotiations between Boozman and Klobuchar, not a completed bill or a scheduled vote. Even a finalized bipartisan text must clear the committee, pass the full Senate, and be reconciled with the House-passed H.R. 7567. The current 11-11 committee deadlock is the immediate obstacle to any near-term markup.

Sources

• Brownfield Ag News , NCFC says Senate Ag leaders close to a bipartisan Farm Bill 2.0 deal before August recess, dated 2026-07-27.
• Agri-Pulse , McConnell still not cleared to return; Senate Ag Committee remains 11-11 deadlocked, dated 2026-07-27.