Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today on behalf of rural communities in support of my amendment, which clarifies that USDA Circuit Rider program activities that are necessary to prevent imminent harm to life or property shall be treated as excepted activities during government shutdowns.

The USDA Circuit Rider program is a hugely successful initiative that provides necessary technical expertise and training to rural communities. The technical expertise is critical to communities to operate safe and clean drinking water systems and helps ensure compliance with clean water regulations.

Circuit riders, as these experts are referred to, are in the field every day, helping communities with water system compliance, operations, management, and training.

Additionally, this assistance protects the Federal Government's sizable investment in rural water infrastructure.

Under most government shutdowns, the Circuit Rider program has been deemed essential because of the critical role it plays to prevent imminent harm to life and property, until the most recent shutdown in October.

Circuit riders routinely serve as first responders for the rural water sector, providing immediate assistance during system failures, water quality violations, natural disasters, and other emergencies, often as the only available technical resource.

Therefore, it is essential, even during a government shutdown, that this program continues.

My amendment simply clarifies that during a lapse in appropriations, the Circuit Rider program will continue to be funded and operational. Even during a government shutdown, folks in rural communities continue to need safe and clean drinking water.

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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chair, I urge passage of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chair, I rise today to introduce my bipartisan hot rotisserie chicken amendment No. 8 to H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

My amendment seeks to add hot rotisserie chicken to the list of foods eligible for SNAP recipients to purchase. By expanding access to hot rotisserie chicken, we are providing families with a high quality, nutrient-dense protein source.

This directly aligns with the new dietary guidelines for Americans established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is a step toward Making America Healthy Again.

Hot rotisserie chicken is available at most local grocery stores that accept SNAP and is often around $5 or $6. That is a great bargain, Mr. Chair, considering the multiple meals you can get from one chicken. Plus, there is no financial burden on the taxpayer associated with this amendment.

Currently, SNAP participants may only purchase cold rotisserie chicken, which is simply refrigerated hot chicken. This requirement not only degrades quality but also wastes energy and adds unnecessary cost. Additionally, some Americans lack easy access to reheating methods, making it difficult for them to warm and consume the cold rotisserie chicken.

By allowing the purchase of hot rotisserie chicken, we give families the opportunity to use it as a meal or as an ingredient in countless recipes such as chicken salad, enchiladas, soups, and casseroles, and the list goes on.

This meaningful change will allow families to enjoy a wider variety of wholesome meals.

Governors from States around the country and my great State of Arkansas have pending waiver requests at the USDA to allow their States to make hot rotisserie chicken SNAP eligible. Their leadership demonstrates the growing recognition that this amendment is not only practical and targeted, but essential to our constituents.

Together, we can make our nutrition assistance programs more effective and make a positive impact on the American family with this sensible, targeted addition.

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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), who is the distinguished chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

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Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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