Close Window
"The Members nominated to serve on the Agriculture Committee bring to the table ideas and viewpoints as diverse as the districts they serve," Chairman Peterson said. "As we begin an important year for American agriculture, the new ideas and energy they bring will be extremely valuable, particularly as we write a new Farm Bill."
The House Democratic Steering Committee, which assigns all Democratic Members of Congress to Congressional committees, nominated seven additional freshmen members to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. They are:
. Congresswoman Nancy Boyda of Kansas
. Congressman Joe Donnelly of Indiana
. Congressman Brad Ellsworth of Indiana
. Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
. Congressman Steve Kagen of Wisconsin
. Congressman Tim Mahoney of Florida
. Congressman Zack Space of Ohio
The Steering Committee previously appointed Congressman Tim Walz of Minnesota to serve on the Committee. The remaining assignments of returning Members of Congress are expected to be released soon.
The House Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of agriculture and rural development issues. These areas include renewable energy, disaster assistance, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation, animal and plant health, agricultural research, bioterrorism, forestry, and more.
A major responsibility of the Agriculture Committee in the 110th Congress is reauthorization of federal farm programs in the Farm Bill. The bill authorizes commodity support, agricultural trade, marketing, food assistance and rural development policies over several years. The current farm bill was written in 2002, and many of the provisions in that bill will expire this September.
Congressman Peterson was selected to chair the Agriculture Committee by the House Democratic Caucus in December 2006.
For more information contact Scott Kuschmider
Email: Scott.Kuschmider@mail.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-1496
http://agriculture.house.gov