MAHA activists help strip pesticide protections from farm bill
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 9
MAHA activists help strip pesticide protections from farm bill
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 9
Seventy-three Republicans joined all but six Democrats in backing the amendment, which activists said removed liability shields for pesticide makers facing hundreds of thousands of health-risk lawsuits.
The vote marked a major MAHA win after clashes with the Trump administration, which extended national-security protections to glyphosate and backed Bayer in Supreme Court arguments over cancer warning labels.
Environmental groups are cautiously partnering with MAHA on pesticide and food-chemical policy, helping drive bills in at least 40 states while risking friction with Democratic allies and Trump-aligned coalition leaders.
How will the Supreme Court's ruling on pesticide liability impact this fragile but powerful new public health coalition?
With the administration backing both glyphosate and new regulations, can this health movement force a consistent policy on chemical safety?
Can state-level wins on food safety by this new alliance overcome powerful federal protections for industry?
House Passes $390 Billion Farm Bill Stripping Pesticide Liability Shield: MAHA Movement Reshapes U.S. Agricultural Policy
Overview
In April 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $390 billion farm bill after intense debate, especially among Republicans. A major change was the removal of a liability shield for chemical companies, thanks to an amendment by Representative Anna Paulina Luna. This means chemical companies can now be held responsible for harm caused by their products, such as pesticides linked to cancer. The 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which gained strength after President Donald Trump returned to office, played a key role in driving this change and created new divisions within the Republican Party.