Grassley: Farm Bill Likely to Ride on NDAA, Not Standalone Vote

TL;DR: Sen. Chuck Grassley said on November 5, 2026 that the likeliest path to passing a farm bill in the lame-duck session is attaching it to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, not a standalone floor vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed the NDAA strategy in October. Grassley puts the cost gap between a two-year and one-year SNAP delay at roughly $18 billion.

Key takeaway

Grassley says the farm bill will most likely pass by riding on the defense bill (NDAA), not through a standalone Senate vote.

What happened

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said the most probable route for a farm bill in the lame-duck session is attaching it to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense policy bill. He made the comments in a November 5, 2026 interview with 95.1 The Bull.

Grassley said he still holds out hope for a last-minute standalone farm bill but described the NDAA path as the more likely outcome. Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed the NDAA vehicle strategy in October, adding leadership weight to Grassley's assessment. You can follow where the measure stands on our Senate status and timeline and status pages.

A central sticking point is how long to delay a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cost-share provision. Grassley put the cost difference between a two-year and a one-year delay at approximately $18 billion. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas separately insists a two-year SNAP delay is not an option and calls his one-year cost-share postponement a final offer.

What it means

Attaching the farm bill to the NDAA would change how and when the bill moves. Instead of its own floor vote, farm policy would advance as part of a larger must-pass defense package, which can limit debate and amendments on individual provisions.

Here is how the current reads break down:

• Grassley (Senate Ag): Standalone bill still possible, but NDAA attachment is the likelier path.
• Thune (Majority Leader): Confirmed the NDAA vehicle strategy in October.
• Boozman (Senate Ag ranking member): A two-year SNAP delay is off the table; a one-year cost-share postponement is his final offer.
• Lobbyist Randy Russell (K Street): A two-year extension of current law, not a full new farm bill, is the more achievable lame-duck outcome.

For farmers and ranchers, the practical question is whether year-end action delivers a full reauthorization or just an extension. Matt Perdue, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, is urging Congress to act before year-end, citing high input costs and market uncertainty. His push marks the first major farm-group pressure campaign of the lame duck. Readers weighing the two outcomes can compare them on our what's new vs. 2018 and funding breakdown pages.

What's next

As of November 6, 2026, the likeliest scenario, per Grassley, is NDAA attachment, though a standalone bill and a simple extension both remain possible. The NDAA is typically finalized late in the calendar year, which would set the practical deadline for any farm title to hitch a ride.

The SNAP delay dispute is expected to shape whatever path lawmakers choose. With Grassley's roughly $18 billion cost gap between a two-year and one-year delay, and Boozman holding firm against two years, negotiators still have to close that gap before any vehicle moves. Track the full text and cost picture on our full bill summary and follow floor action on our vote tracker.

Farm groups are expected to intensify pressure through year-end. The North Dakota Farmers Union campaign is likely the first of several as commodity organizations push for action before the session ends.

Frequently asked questions

Is the farm bill going to pass as a standalone vote?

As of November 6, 2026, Sen. Chuck Grassley says a standalone farm bill vote is still possible but not the likeliest outcome. He describes attaching the farm bill to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as the more probable path in the lame-duck session. Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed the NDAA vehicle strategy in October, which strengthens that assessment.

What is the NDAA and why would the farm bill attach to it?

The NDAA is the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual defense policy bill Congress treats as must-pass. Lawmakers sometimes attach other legislation to it because it is nearly certain to move before year-end. Attaching the farm bill to the NDAA would let farm policy advance without needing its own standalone floor vote, which is harder to schedule in a crowded lame-duck session.

How much does the SNAP delay cost difference matter?

Sen. Grassley puts the cost difference between a two-year and a one-year SNAP delay at approximately $18 billion. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The size of that gap is a central reason negotiators are stuck. Sen. John Boozman says a two-year delay is not an option and calls his one-year cost-share postponement a final offer.

Could Congress pass a farm bill extension instead of a full bill?

Yes. Lobbyist Randy Russell's read is that a two-year extension of current law, not a full new farm bill, is the more likely and achievable lame-duck outcome. An extension would keep existing programs running but would not deliver the title-by-title updates a full reauthorization includes. Both a full bill and an extension remain on the table as of November 6, 2026.

Who is pushing Congress to act before year-end?

Matt Perdue, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, is urging Congress to pass a farm bill before year-end, citing high input costs and market uncertainty. His campaign marks the first major farm-group pressure push of the lame-duck session. More commodity and farm organizations are expected to join as the year-end deadline approaches.

Sources

• 95.1 The Bull , Grassley concedes farm bill is likely riding on the NDAA, dated 2026-11-05.
• Agri-Pulse , Boozman holds firm against a two-year SNAP delay, dated 2026-11-05.
• Agribusiness Wire , K Street base case shifts to a two-year extension, dated 2026-11-05.
• Jamestown Sun , North Dakota Farmers Union launches year-end pressure campaign, dated 2026-11-05.