Story perspectives

House Strips Pesticide Liability Shield, Sends Bill to Senate

5/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lawmakers eliminated the pesticide liability shield from the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 after a bipartisan amendment.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Eli Crane led the 280-142 amendment that removed the shield.
The U.S. House passed the bill by a 224-200 vote on April 30, sending it to the Senate.
The legislation omitted a year-round E15 gasoline sales provision and set a separate vote for May 13.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, ended traditional price supports, required farmers to enroll in crop-insurance and created a pesticide liability shield that insulated manufacturers from $2 billion in pending suits while allocating $1.5 billion in subsidies. In 2026, Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Eli Crane led a bipartisan amendment that removed the shield, exposing firms such as Bayer to litigation.

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Story summary

Lawmakers eliminated the pesticide liability shield from the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 after a bipartisan amendment.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Eli Crane led the 280-142 amendment that removed the shield.
The U.S. House passed the bill by a 224-200 vote on April 30, sending it to the Senate.
The legislation omitted a year-round E15 gasoline sales provision and set a separate vote for May 13.

1 / 2