Ag Policy Blog

WASHINGTON (DTN) -- In a letter to Democratic colleagues on Thursday, Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, is seeking their support to become the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee next Congress.

The nearly five-year member of Congress, who has served on the committee for the same length of time, currently serves as vice ranking member. She represents a Cleveland district with a long legacy of food assistance and anti-hunger advocates.

"I've built a reputation for maintaining relationships across our caucus, the farm bill coalition, and the aisle. That credibility matters because the challenges we face cannot be solved by any one part of our coalition alone," she said in the letter.

Brown has been building her agriculture portfolio in Ohio and gaining experience across the industry in recent years. In recent years, she has traveled to colleagues' districts in Illinois, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Colorado and Hawaii to understand the diverse needs around the country.

"This is the one committee that truly touches the lives of every American," she said.

Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., currently leads Democrats on the committee but will leave the House early next year. Her absence leaves behind competition. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., also has expressed interest in the position. Committee leadership announcements and votes often emerge after the November elections.

AUSTIN SCOTT PARTNERSHIP?

Who takes the top Republican seat on the House Agriculture Committee matters to Democrats too, Brown told DTN in an interview Wednesday.

House Agriculture Chairman Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., is seeking a waiver to serve an additional term as chairman after completing his six-year term limit. His competitor, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., expressed his interest last spring and is the next Republican in line for the role.

"I have a decent relationship with Austin Scott, who I believe is rumored to be the top Republican on the Agriculture Committee," Brown said.

While not formally endorsing a Republican because she has "no leverage on Republican politics," she said, "we would be better positioned to be able to try to find some compromise," than GT Thompson.

"The best farm bills, the only farm bills, are bipartisan farm bills. So, we have to get back to that point," she explained.

She affirmed that she would work with any person placed in the role of leadership. However, Brown said it has been difficult for Democratic leadership to have confidence that Thompson will come to the table when the parties need to work in a bipartisan manner.

"What I have found with GT is that initially he was very committed to working in a bipartisan way but has been undermined and undercut by this administration multiple times," she said.

FARM BILL COALITION

The farm bill coalition is built on the idea that farm programs cannot pass without food programs and vice versa. The legislation includes nutrition provisions alongside multiple farm-focused titles.

In the Senate, Democrats are holding out over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program error rates, a key part of the bill's food provisions.

The Ohio Democrat told DTN she is "cautiously optimistic" that Republicans will maintain the farm bill coalition in the future. "Those priorities (food and farm) have not been in competition, and they should not be in competition," she said.

She said she supports the current position of Senate Democrats. "While we're in the lame duck, I do sincerely hope that we can get something passed. But it has to be done in a bipartisan way."

Her platform for Democratic agriculture leader has three priorities: affordability, accountability and coalition-building. Those focus on food costs, the committee's oversight of USDA and bringing more Democrats into agriculture and food policy, not just those who serve on the committee.

Read more on DTN:

"Top Agriculture Republican Seeks Waiver for Another Term as Chairman," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jake Zajkowski can be reached at jake.zajkowski@dtn.com

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