Lucas Re-Elected as House Ag Committee Chairman

The House Republican Conference re-elected Rep. Lucas to serve a second term as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee during the 113th Congress.
Chairman Lucas issued a statement that read in part, “It is an honor to serve in this leadership position and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working on behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents. And, we advanced a strong, reform-minded, fiscally responsible farm bill that can save billions of dollars and provide certainty to our agricultural producers. This process is not complete though I am confident that it’s just a matter of time.”
Chairman Lucas announced the new Republican Members who have been recommended by the Republican Steering Committee to join the Agriculture Committee for the 113th Congress. The recommendations are expected to be officially approved by the Republican Conference in January.
The new Republican Members are Reps. Dan Benishek (MI-1) and Jeff Denham (CA-19); and Reps.-elect Chris Collins (NY-27), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Richard Hudson (NC-8), Doug LaMalfa (CA-1) and Ted Yoho (FL-3). There is one vacancy remaining to be filled. Republican Members expected to return to the Committee are: Lucas (OK), Goodlatte (VA), King (IA), Neugebauer (TX), Conaway (TX), Thompson, (PA), Gibbs (OH), Scott (GA), Tipton (CO), Southerland (FL), Crawford (AR), Roby (AL), DesJarlais (TN), Gibson (NY), Hartzler (MO), Ribble (WI) and Noem (ND).
The House Republican Steering Committee approved the following six Republican Members to join the 113th Congress’ House Appropriations Committee: Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-3), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-3), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1), David Joyce (OH-14), Thomas Rooney (FL-16), and Rep.-elect David Valadao (CA-21). That Committee recommended the following Republican Members join the 113th Congress’ Ways & Means Committee: Reps. Tim Griffin (AR-2), Mike Kelly (PA-3), Tim Scott (SC-1) and Todd Young (IN-9).