WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, was formally named the Ranking Member of the committee after the Senate approved its organizing resolution. 

As Ranking Member, Boozman will work with Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in a leadership capacity for the Republicans to shape the committee’s agenda for the 117^th Congress.

“The Senate Agriculture Committee has a well-deserved reputation as being among the most bipartisan on Capitol Hill. It is a place where committee members actually sit down around a table, hash out our differences and create policy that is good for American agriculture. I am confident that trend will continue as Chairwoman Stabenow and I work together to address the many challenges our agricultural producers and rural America face,” Boozman said.

Boozman highlighted that his focus will be on efforts to address the impact of the pandemic, grow the farm economy, modernize important nutrition programs and expand opportunities across rural America.

“The membership on the Republican side of the committee is eager to address these issues. We are excited to welcome two new members to the committee this Congress and look forward to working to address the concerns and needs of the ag community,” Boozman said.

For the 117th Congress, committees will have an equal number of Republicans and Democrats on each committee due to the 50-50 Senate composition. 

Along with Ranking Member Boozman, Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Mike Braun (R-IN) were selected to serve on U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for the 117th Congress.

What Arkansans Are Saying about Boozman’s Leadership
on the Ag Committee:

"The understanding and insight Senator Boozman brings to the Senate Ag Committee is a positive for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Senator Boozman understands the challenges that our farmers and ranchers deal with involving global markets, risk management, international trade opportunities and other issues beyond the farmers’ fencerows" said Rich Hillman, Arkansas Farm Bureau President. "Federal agricultural programs are critical to the stability and national security of our food supply. We are fortunate to have Senator Boozman’s leadership as ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee. I know he has a strong relationship with Senator Debbie Stabenow, the Senate Ag Chair, which helps ensure our nation’s food supply does not get impacted by political discord."

"Senator Boozman has long been a champion of row crop agriculture and farmers in Arkansas. Over the years, he’s proven his effectiveness and support for Arkansas agriculture largely through his committee assignments. As an appropriator, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee, he is very well positioned to address many of the issues facing farmers and agriculture. We are elated and proud of his newest leadership role as Vice Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and we look forward to working with him again in the 117th Congress in support of Arkansas farmers who do the essential work of providing affordable, safe and abundant food and fiber for America. Senator Boozman is extremely knowledgable on agriculture issues, and he’s a strong and effective advocate for Arkansas’s agriculture community," said Agriculture Council of Arkansas President John King III.

"Arkansas’s ag community, and particularly the rice industry, is especially proud that Senator Boozman has been named Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry. The Arkansas Rice Federation looks forward to working with him to enact policies that support our country’s number one rice-producing state. As producers of a nutritious food source with a significant economic footprint and impact, our industry will be well served by Senator Boozman and his understanding of the important role our farmers play in feeding the world," said Chairman of the Arkansas Rice Federation David Gairhan.

"The appointment of Senator Boozman to Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee is great news for Arkansas producers across the state," says Cody Burkham, Executive Vice President, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. “At a time when cattle market volatility, increasing packing capacity, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are at the front of mind for cattle producers, we know that Senator Boozman’s personal experience, steadfast leadership and commitment to the cattle and beef industry assure Arkansas cattle producers they have a champion in Washington. We look forward to working with the senator to better the outlook of cattle producers in Arkansas and across the nation.”