CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026

S. 4956 · Senate bill Environmental Protection

A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors

Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The "Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026" seeks to change how the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is applied. It aims to provide permitting relief to landowners. The bill directs that exemptions for certain discharges of dredged or fill material be interpreted liberally. Additionally, it specifies that recapture provisions should be interpreted narrowly.

Yes· 3 of 7

  • Scored +9

    Would farmers be better off under this?

    The bill is specifically named for and intended to provide permitting relief to farmers and ranchers.

  • Scored +8

    Would people in rural areas be better off under this?

    Highly beneficial for rural landowners who deal with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

  • Scored +6

    Would business owners be better off under this?

    Directly benefits landowners and agricultural business owners by reducing regulatory costs.

The opposite

  • Scored -5

    Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?

    The bill directs liberal interpretation of exemptions for discharging material into waters, potentially reducing environmental oversight.

  • Scored -4

    Does this give the federal government more power?

    Limits the federal government's ability to strictly enforce permitting for water discharges.