Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) took the helm of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday. He is the first member of Congress to chair both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. He led the House committee from 1995-1997 and led the drafting of the 1996 farm bill.
“I am honored to work for America’s farmers and ranchers,” Roberts said in a statement. “I look forward to an aggressive schedule with hearings providing much needed oversight of our farm programs, school meals, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.”
“I will fight to ensure farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to advance American agriculture,” Roberts said. “I will fight barriers to trade opportunities and regulations that threaten our producers’ competitiveness. And I will continue my work to maintain the security of our food supply and ensure science-based regulations govern our food and agriculture sectors.”
