Press Releases

Today Chairman Goodlatte announced the new vice Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Richard Pombo, and the addition of Rep. Mike Sodrel to the Committee roster. Subcommittee assignments for Reps. Jean Schmidt and Sodrel were also announced. The Vice Chairman position was formerly held by newly elected House Majority Leader John Boehner. The Republican Steering Committee appointed Rep. Pombo to the position last week.

Rep. Pombo represents California’s 11th Congressional District. California is the nation’s largest agricultural producer and fifth largest supplier of food and agricultural commodities in the world. Additionally, California produces a large number of specialty crops including almonds, olives, asparagus, walnuts and artichokes, among many others. Rep. Pombo has served on the House Committee on Agriculture since 1993.

“I have enjoyed working alongside Richard for many years and I know that he will continue to work hard for American agriculture in his new position as Vice Chairman. In addition, Richard is a strong voice for California agriculture and ensures that the issues facing producers in California remain in front of the Committee,” said Chairman Goodlatte. “Additionally, I am pleased that Mike Sodrel has joined our Committee. I look forward to working with him to ensure American agriculture remains competitive and that our producers have what they need to continue to produce the safest, most affordable food supply in the world.”

“As Vice Chairman, I will continue to work on solutions so American family farmers have the tools they need to produce domestically and around the world,” said Rep. Pombo. “Specifically, I’ll continue to work for opening both domestic and export markets for our agriculture products as well as push for increased investment in the rural community for the competitive edge.”

Rep. Mike Sodrel was appointed to the Committee by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Boehner. Rep. Sodrel was elected to Congress in 2004 and represents the 9th Congressional District of Indiana.

Chairman Goodlatte also announced subcommittee assignments for Reps. Schmidt and Sodrel. Rep. Schmidt will serve on the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Dairy, Nutrition and Forestry and the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture. Rep. Sodrel will serve on the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management and the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.

To view the Subcommittee rosters, please CLICK HERE.

http://republicans-agriculture.house.gov

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