Ag Policy Blog

Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., the ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, has not reacted publicly to the announcement by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., that he is running to be the ranking member on the committee in the next Congress.

Scott's staff in his personal office did not respond to an email asking for a reaction to Costa's decision Thursday to release a letter he has sent to his Democratic colleagues asking for their support in his campaign to become ranking member.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Scott, 79, who was re-elected this year, is receiving treatment for a back ailment in Atlanta and will not return to Washington until December 3.

In a news release, Costa, 72, said, "With the incoming return of Donald Trump to the presidency, our caucus needs a leader who will fight to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), defend the historic investments we made through the Inflation Reduction Act, and bring a strong Democratic message back to rural America."

"As a member of the committee for 20 years, I have the experience to lead Democrats as we find a path forward on passing a bipartisan farm bill, which is currently expired. We must also be able to bridge the divide between our rural and urban communities that allows for America's leaders to get things done," Costa said.

"As someone who has represented a rural, agriculture-focused district through a coalition of bipartisan support, I understand how to represent rural Americans. The Agriculture Committee can, and should, be better utilized as the link to rural America and to showcase what our Caucus stands for."

In his letter, Costa started off by writing that "President-elect Trump will utilize Project 2025 as a roadmap for governing our nation."

Although Trump has distanced himself from the policy document which was developed by the Heritage Foundation and other think tanks, Costa said Trump "has promised" to slash SNAP, eliminate science-based research, marketing and checkoff programs and "cut American farmers off from foreign market access."

Costa did not mention Scott in the letter, but talked about his own history as a member of the House Agriculture Committee for 20 years, his service before that in the California state Senate and his background as the grandson of a dairy farmer who immigrated from the Portuguese Azores islands.

Punchbowl News reported in September that Scott would seek another term as ranking member despite his infirmities.

There has been speculation for the past year about a challenge to Scott on the grounds that he has not been a vigorous leader, but also controversy because he is the first Black Democratic leader of the committee.

Scott has served as both chairman and ranking member.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn. who are also Black, have also been "floated" as potential Democratic leaders on the committee, Punchbowl said.

Some House Democrats are revolting against older leaders, Axios reported.

Jerry Hagstrom can be reached at jhagstrom@nationaljournal.com

Follow him on social platform X @hagstromreport

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