Senator Raphael Warnock on Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m looking forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the Capitol, to advance bipartisan ideas in the Farm Bill that will benefit Georgia’s farmers and agriculture industries”
Today, Senator Reverend Warnock was officially re-appointed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, where he will play a crucial role in crafting the 2023 Farm Bill, the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking member, today announced the majority and minority chairs, ranking members and subcommittee rosters for the 118th Congress.
“This is a critical year for the committee, as we consider the 2023 Farm Bill,” Stabenow and Boozman said in a joint statement. “We are eager to work with all senators, but especially our committee members, to craft a strong, balanced, bipartisan farm bill. We know our subcommittees will play an important role in the committee’s efforts to hear from stakeholders across the spectrum with interest in the farm bill, and other important issues in the committee’s jurisdiction.”
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry subcommittee chairs, ranking members and rosters, with members listed in order of subcommittee seniority, are as follows:
The Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade oversees matters regarding production agriculture, including commodity programs, crop insurance, commodity exchanges, agriculture trade, international food assistance and credit.
The Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources oversees programs regarding conservation and protection of natural resources, regulation of pesticides and agriculture biotechnology and forestry.
The Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research oversees programs regarding food and nutrition assistance, school meals, non-program crops, organic production and research
Press Release Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) was officially re-appointed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, where he will play a crucial role in crafting the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government, authorizing a majority of the programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as the nation’s nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Congress renews, revises, and reauthorizes the Farm Bill in a comprehensive bill every five years. The Farm Bill, which last passed Congress in 2018, is set to expire on September 30, 2023. The Farm Bill also addresses agriculture community priorities such as commodities, crop insurance, forestry, conservation, trade promotion, nutrition assistance, research (including research at land-grant institutions), and rural development (such as rural housing and rural broadband).
“Agriculture is central to Georgia’s economy, and with the Farm Bill up for reauthorization this year, I’m excited to champion the needs of Georgians while forging bipartisan consensus to help our farmers and producers thrive,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m looking forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the Capitol, to advance bipartisan ideas in the Farm Bill that will benefit Georgia’s farmers and agriculture industries.”
“From expanding export opportunities for Georgia’s farmers and agribusinesses, to bolstering tools for beginning and underserved farmers, to protecting federal nutrition benefits, strengthening rural communities and improving rural broadband access—I am laser-focused on delivering for Georgia in my role on the Agriculture committee,” concluded Senator Warnock.
Senator Warnock has prioritized helping Georgia farmers navigate economic challenges and getting farmers the tools they need to grow and thrive. Senator Warnock fought to secure over $5 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act for farmers in Georgia and across the country, including $3.1 billion for economically-distressed borrowers and $2.2 billion for borrowers who have experienced discrimination by USDA. In October, Senator Warnock announced he already secured over $29 million in funds to help underserved Georgia farmers receive relief for qualifying USDA farm loans. The Senator has worked to elevate the voices of all farmers and producers through a series of moderated conversations with USDA officials. Senator Warnock has pushed the Administration to create more favorable trade conditions and expand market access for Georgia’s agriculture sector in international markets. In September, Senator Warnock secured $300 million to help eliminate barriers to land, capital, and market access for underserved farmers. The Senator has also worked to ease stressors and economic tensions for farmers, including securing $10 million in funding for USDA’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) in the most recent spending bill, which helps to better connect farmers to farm stress resources.
Additionally, Senator Warnock announced today that he was re-appointed to the Senate Commerce Committee, where he will play a key role in helping the committee to update the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authorizing legislation, which is set to expire this year. Long-term authorization bills provide FAA with fiscal certainty and make possible the reliable, predictable funding FAA needs to invest in critical priorities that ensure safe, efficient air travel.