Ag committees include familiar names in High Plains
With the return of Congress, Senate and House agriculture committees have been selected, and they include many familiar names to the High Plains region and a few new faces.
A pair of Minnesota lawmakers were elected to top positions as ranking members as the 119th Congress convenes.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, was tabbed as vice chair. The Senate’s top ag Democrat, Debbie Stabenow, who was chairwoman of the committee before Republicans took control, retired in January.
Rep. Angie Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, became the first woman to serve as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. She takes the place of David Scott, D-Georgia, who remains a member of the committee.
Senate Agriculture Committee
In addition to Klobuchar, Senate Agriculture Committee members are Chairman John Boozman, R-Arkansas; Roger Marshall, R-Kansas; Jerry Moran, R-Kansas; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Charles “Chuck” Grassley, R-Iowa; John Thune, R-South Dakota; Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska; Michael Bennet, D-Colorado; Tina Smith, D-Minnesota; and Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico.
Klobuchar has been a member of the agriculture committee since her first term in Congress, working to pass three farm bills.
“When I first came to the Senate, my No. 1 request was to be on the Agriculture Committee. I wanted to work on behalf of Minnesota’s farmers, make sure Americans could feed their families and boost our rural economy,” Klobuchar said. “From working across the aisle to strengthen our defenses against animal disease outbreaks to bolstering our ability to produce home-grown fuel and supporting conservation efforts, the work of the Agriculture Committee touches every aspect of our lives. I look forward to working with Chairman Boozman and Reps. Craig and G.T. Thompson to pass a strong farm bill.”
Moran has served on subcommittees that dealt with agriculture funding, and he is a former member of the House Agriculture Committee.
“Agriculture is the leading industry in Kansas, and our farmers and ranchers provide the fuel and food that supports the nation,” Moran said. “I look forward to advocating for Kansas producers on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and helping craft a long-term farm bill to provide much-needed certainty to farmers and ranchers.”
As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Moran said he plans to prioritize assisting farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods are impacted by drought, tornadoes and factors outside of their control. Moran said he will work to advocate for critical research on drought-resistant crops and conservation and advocate for policies which encourage the development of the biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel.
House Agriculture Committee
Chairman GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, who has been chair the past two years, will continue in his role. Besides Craig, as ranking member, other lawmakers include Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma; Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas; Don Bacon, R-Nebraska; Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota; Tracey Mann, R-Kansas; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Brad Finstad, R-Minnesota; Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas; Ronny Jackson, R-Texas; Zach Null, R-Iowa; Sharice Davids, D-Kansas; Yadira Caraveo, D-Colorado; Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico; Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas; and Greg Casar, D-Texas.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
