Farm Progress America, Jan. 10, 2025

Mike Pearson takes a look at the changes in Congress and the impact on agriculture.

After the November election, there has been a shift in power with republicans taking control of the U.S. Senate and holding the majority in the House of Representatives.

These changes have prompted committee changes.

The ag committee will have new leadership which will be vital to new legislative efforts, the farm bill and critical farm policy creation.

Four new members were named including:

Adam Schiff-- the first from California to sit on the committee since the 1980's and represent the top ag producing state in the country.

Jerry Moran from Kansas who has been a big advocate for rural America will be on the committee.

Jim Justice-- the former governor of West Virginia and a grain farmer who will be able to relate to agribusiness on the committee.

Democrat Elissa Slotkin-- A senator from Michigan who is from a meat packing family and is said to be a replacement for former senator Debbie Stabenow.

She is slated to be an influential voice as Congress tackles the farm bill.

Leadership roles are changing due to the changes in Congress including U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) being named as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Democrat Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota will serve as ranking member of the committee.

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These changes in committees and congress are sure to change the policies for agriculture.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.