United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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Senate Agriculture Committee
Standing committee
Active
Seal of the United States Senate.svg
United States Senate
119th Congress
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry logo.png
History
FormedDecember 9, 1825
Leadership
Chair John Boozman (R)
Since January 3, 2025
Ranking member Amy Klobuchar (D)
Since January 3, 2025
Structure
Political partiesMajority (13)
  •   Republican (13)
Minority (10)
Jurisdiction
Policy areas Agriculture, Crop insurance, Farm bill, Farm credit, Food stamps, Food inspection, Forestry, Home economics, National forests, National grasslands, Nutrition, Rural development, Rural electrification, Soil conservation, Soil survey, Water conservation, Watersheds, Wilderness areas
Oversight authority Agricultural Marketing Service, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Commodity Credit Corporation, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Farm Credit Administration, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, Food and Nutrition Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Forest Service, USDA Rural Development
House counterpart Committee on Agriculture
Subcommittees
Meeting place
328A Russell Senate Office Building
Website
agriculture.senate.gov
Rules

    The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of all matters relating to the nation's agriculture industry, farming programs, forestry and logging, and legislation relating to nutrition, home economics, and rural development. [1]

    Contents

    The current chair is Republican John Boozman of Arkansas, and the ranking member is Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

    History

    Founded in 1825 the committee was formed at the request of Senator William Findlay from Pennsylvania. Arguing that agriculture was as important to national progress as commerce and manufacturing, Findlay succeeded in persuading the full Senate to divide the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures into two separate committees. The Committee on Agriculture was formed by resolution on December 9, 1825. [2]

    During the first four decades of the existence of this committee, the need for it was repeatedly called into question. At that time in America, nearly two-thirds of the population was directly engaged in agriculture. [2] As such, issues related to agriculture overlapped with areas covered by other committees and were often referred to those committees instead of the Agriculture Committee. [3]

    Following a debate over the necessity of various committees to have need of the services of a dedicated clerk, a Special Committee was formed to investigate ways to "reduce the number and increase the efficiency of the committees." [4] On February 17, 1857, the Special Committee submitted a plan of reorganization for the committees that did not include the Agriculture Committee. During a special session of the Senate, on March 5, 1857, the Senate approved the Special Committees recommendations and the Committee on Agriculture was dissolved. [5]

    In 1862, the country was embroiled in the Civil War, a large influx of immigrants was occurring and the nation was moving towards industrialization. That year, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Organic Act recreating the Department of Agriculture. [6]

    It became the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry in 1884, a reflection of the growing importance of forests to the country's needs. [7] It was renamed again to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in 1977. Nutrition was added to the name after the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 directed the Department of Agriculture to "conduct more human nutrition research, establish a national nutrition education program and develop a system to monitor America's nutritional status". [8]

    Jurisdiction

    In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects are referred to the Agriculture Committee:

    1. Agricultural economics and research.
    2. Agricultural extension services and experiment stations.
    3. Agricultural production, marketing, and stabilization of prices.
    4. Agriculture and agricultural commodities.
    5. Animal industry and diseases.
    6. Crop insurance and soil conservation.
    7. Farm credit and farm security.
    8. Food from fresh waters.
    9. Food stamp programs.
    10. Forestry, and forest reserves and wilderness areas other than those created from the public domain.
    11. Home economics.
    12. Human nutrition.
    13. Inspection of livestock, meat, and agricultural products.
    14. Pests and pesticides.
    15. Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.
    16. Rural development, rural electrification, and watersheds.
    17. School nutrition programs. [9]

    The Agriculture Committee is also charged "to study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to food, nutrition, and hunger, both in the United States and in foreign countries, and rural affairs, and report thereon from time to time." [9]

    Members, 119th Congress

    Majority [10] Minority [11]

    Subcommittees

    Subcommittees [12] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management, and Trade Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) Cory Booker (D-NJ)
    Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology Roger Marshall (R-KS) Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety John Hoeven (R-ND) Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
    Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research Mitch McConnell (R-KY) John Fetterman (D-PA)
    Rural Development, Energy, and Credit Joni Ernst (R-IA) Peter Welch (D-VT)

    Leadership

    The committee, under its various names, has been chaired by the below. [13] [14]

    Committee on Agriculture, 1825–1857

    Committee on Agriculture, 1863–1884

    Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, 1884–1977

    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, 1977–present

    1. ↑ Helms briefly held the ranking position on the Senate Agriculture Committee while he attempted to succeed Lugar on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lugar kept the later position with the support of the committee's Republicans until a vote by the full Senate Republican Conference overruled them and installed Helms at SFRC. [18] [19]

    Historical committee rosters

    118th Congress

    Majority [20] Minority [21]
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [22] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Risk Management and Trade Tina Smith (D-MN) Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
    Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Michael Bennet (D-CO) Roger Marshall (R-KS)
    Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) John Hoeven (R-ND)
    Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research John Fetterman (D-PA) Mike Braun (R-IN)
    Rural Development and Energy Peter Welch (D-VT) Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

    117th Congress

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [23] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets and Trade Raphael Warnock (D-GA) John Hoeven (R-ND)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Michael Bennet (D-CO) Roger Marshall (R-KS)
    Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
    Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research Cory Booker (D-NJ) Mike Braun (R-IN)
    Rural Development and Energy Tina Smith (D-MN) Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    116th Congress

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [24] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets and Trade John Boozman (R-AR) Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Mike Braun (R-IN) Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Nutrition, Agricultural Research and Specialty Crops Deb Fischer (R-NE) Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA)
    Rural Development and Energy Joni Ernst (R-IA) Tina Smith (D-MN)

    Source [25]

    115th Congress

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [24] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets and Trade John Boozman (R-AR) Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Steve Daines (R-MT) Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security David Perdue (R-GA) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Nutrition, Agricultural Research and Specialty Crops Luther Strange (R-AL) Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA)
    Rural Development and Energy Joni Ernst (R-IA) Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

    114th Congress

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [24] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets and Trade John Boozman (R-AR) Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources David Perdue (R-GA) Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security Ben Sasse (R-NE) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Nutrition, Agricultural Research and Specialty Crops John Hoeven (R-ND) Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA)
    Rural Development and Energy Joni Ernst (R-IA) Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

    113th Congress

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittees [24] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets and Trade Joe Donnelly (D-IN) Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Michael Bennet (D-CO) John Boozman (R-AR)
    Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Pat Roberts (R-KS)
    Nutrition, Agricultural Research and Specialty Crops Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) John Hoeven (R-ND)
    Rural Development and Energy Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) Mike Johanns (R-NE)

    112th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Subcommittees

    Subcommittees [24] ChairRanking members
    Commodities, Markets, Trade, and Risk Management Ben Nelson (D-NE) Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
    Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Michael Bennet (D-CO) John Boozman (R-AR)
    Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing, and Agriculture Security Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Mike Johanns (R-NE)
    Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food, and Agricultural Research Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) Richard G. Lugar (R-IN)
    Jobs, Rural Economic Growth, and Energy Innovation Sherrod Brown (D-OH) John Thune (R-SD)

    111th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    110th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Jurisdiction" . Retrieved September 27, 2018.
    2. 1 2 Register of Debates in Congress. December 9, 1825. pp. 5–6.
    3. ↑ "Chapter 1: The Committee is Created: 1825–1857". The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 1825–1998. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
    4. ↑ Congressional Globe, December 23, 1856, pp. 182–184.
    5. ↑ Journal of the Senate, March 5, 1857, p. 386.
    6. ↑ Daniel J. Boorstin (1973), The Americans: The Democratic Experience p. 119, New York: Vintage Press.
    7. ↑ U.S. Senate (1976). Temporary Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System, p. 15. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
    8. ↑ "Chapter 7: Borrowing and Credit: 1970–1979". The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 1825–1998. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
    9. 1 2 "Jurisdiction". The United States Senate Committee On Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry. Retrieved May 31, 2019.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
    10. ↑ S.Res. 16, S.Res. 26 (119th Congress)
    11. ↑ S.Res. 17 (119th Congress)
    12. ↑ "Boozman, Klobuchar Announce Subcommittee Assignments for 119th Congress". February 5, 2025.
    13. ↑ "Chairmen of Senate Standing Committees 1789-present" (PDF). Retrieved September 23, 2020.
    14. ↑ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CDOC-105sdoc24/html/append4.html
    15. ↑ On March 4, 1851, upon convening in special session, the Senate resolved, "That the committees of the Senate at the Executive session shall be formed and constituted the same as at the last session of Congress, except where vacancies have occurred by the expiration of the term of any senator, and in such cases said vacancies shall be filled by the Chair." The terms of both the chair (Daniel Sturgeon) and 2nd most senior member of this committee having expired, Presley Spruance has been included as chair on this list.
    16. ↑ At the beginning of the 107th Congress in January 2001 the Senate was evenly divided. With a Democratic president and vice president still serving until January 20, the Democratic vice president was available to break a tie, and the Democrats thus controlled the Senate for 17 days, from January 3 to January 20. On January 3 the Senate adopted S. Res. 7 designating Democratic senators as committee chairs to serve during this period and Republican chairs to serve effective at noon on January 20, 2001.
    17. ↑ On June 6, 2001, the Democrats took control of the Senate after Senator James Jeffords (VT) changed from the Republican Party to Independent and announced that he would caucus with the Democrats.
    18. ↑ https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/06/Lugar-defeats-Helms-for-Foreign-Relations-post/5165536907600/
    19. ↑ https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/21/The-fight-between-Sens-Jesse-Helms-and-Richard-Lugar/4322538203600/
    20. ↑ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)
    21. ↑ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)
    22. ↑ "Subcommittees" . Retrieved March 25, 2021.
    23. ↑ "Subcommittees" . Retrieved March 25, 2021.
    24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Subcommittees" . Retrieved September 27, 2018.
    25. ↑ "U.S. Senate: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry". www.senate.gov. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
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