Congress Faces an Ag Shake-Up
By the Numbers: The Agriculture Leaders Congress Is Losing
WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Agriculture policy advocates face a major shake-up in the next Congress, with significant turnover possible on the House and Senate agriculture committees. At least nine House Agriculture Committee members and five Senate Agriculture Committee members are leaving Congress at the end of the 119th Congress, including leadership.
Retirements, bids for other offices, primary defeats and competitive elections will reshape a new set of leaders that will begin on Jan. 3. According to an analysis by agricultural lobbying firm Invariant, 86 House members and 16 senators are departing.
The House Agriculture Committee faces the confirmed departure of six members following retirements or primary defeats, while two members are running for other offices. Another six members face competitive midterm races that could cost them their seats.
In the Senate, four members are retiring, while two are seeking other offices.
Although Election Day will determine the final makeup of Congress, lawmakers still have weeks of legislative and federal funding negotiations ahead, including the passage of the farm bill and the FY 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
House Republicans are scheduled to hold leadership elections Nov. 10, Politico reported. Democrats' elections are expected in the new year, as their party leadership does not rely on seniority.
CONFIRMED DEPARTURES FROM HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
Angie Craig (D-Minn.) -- Lost primary for U.S. Senate seat. Craig is the House Agriculture Committee's ranking member, and her departure would create a Democratic leadership vacancy.
Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) -- Lost the Republican primary for governor.
Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) -- Lost the Republican primary for governor.
Don Bacon (R-Neb.) -- Retiring from Congress.
Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) -- Retiring from Congress. Longtime leader of farm labor reform.
Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) -- Lost his primary and is leaving Congress.
Barry Moore (R-Ala.) -- Running for the Senate.
John Rose (R-Tenn.) -- Running for governor.
HOUSE INCUMBENTS IN TOSSUP RACES
The following House members are in competitive races rated Toss Up or Lean Democrat by the Cook Political Report. The outcomes could affect the next Congress and its agriculture policy priorities:
P[L1] D[0x0] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
Zach Nunn (R-Iowa)
Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.)
Don Davis (D-N.C.)
Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.)
Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas)
David Valadao (R-Calif.)
SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE DEPARTURES
Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) -- Retiring.
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) -- Retiring.
Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) -- Retiring.
Tina Smith (D-Minn.) -- Retiring.
SENATORS SEEKING OTHER OFFICES
Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) -- Running for governor.
Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) -- Running for governor.
Senate Agriculture Committee Incumbents in Tossup Races
Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)
OTHER DEPARTURES IMPORTANT TO RURAL AMERICA
While not all serve on agriculture committees, these lawmakers leave behind experience relevant to farm policy, federal spending, rural infrastructure and natural resources, sometimes for other chambers.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) -- Retiring from a state where cattle, grain production and federal public lands are major policy issues.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) -- Retiring from a state with significant livestock and public lands interests.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) -- Retiring from a state with major poultry, pork and specialty-crop industries.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) -- Retiring, with experience on issues affecting rural communities and regional agricultural interests.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) -- Running for the Senate
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) -- Lost his primary and is leaving Congress. Led regenerative agriculture legislation.
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) -- Retiring as House Budget Committee chairman. His departure could affect federal spending and farm program negotiations.
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) -- Retiring, with experience in rural infrastructure and agricultural transportation.
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) -- Retiring from a district where public lands, livestock and rural economies are important policy issues.
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) -- Retiring from a state where federal lands, ranching and natural resources are central policy issues.
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Jake Zajkowski can be reached at jake.zajkowski@dtn.com
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