Congress to tackle housing, farm bill, election security, and more

(The Center Square) – U.S. lawmakers face a busy week ahead of them, aiming to advance legislation related to agriculture, housing, election security, and more while the partial government shutdown enters its third week.

Due to bad weather, the House Committee on Agriculture had postponed its February markup of the 2026 U.S. farm bill; now, it will do so March 3. Though Democrats have loudly opposed deregulatory provisions within the massive agricultural support package, congressional leaders expect bipartisan support.

Farm bills authorize various nutrition, rural development and farm support programs for a span of typically five years, but Congress has not passed a farm bill since 2018. Failing to renew authorization for crop insurance, rural health care, and other critical programs is not a scenario lawmakers on either side of the aisle...