U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he will Chair the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research in the 119th Congress. The subcommittee is one of five under the authority of the Senate Agriculture Committee and will allow the Senator to drive the narrative on federal agriculture research, specialty crop policy, and our nation’s nutrition assistance programs.
“I’ve been proud to be a strong voice for Kentucky’s farmers my entire time in the Senate from the Agriculture Committee. I look forward to taking the helm of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, and Research in the 119th Congress. Research has long been essential to maintaining America’s competitive edge in agriculture, and I’m proud that Kentucky’s universities are leaders in agricultural research today. As I’ve said in the past, Congress has work to do to address the immediate concerns of American farmers, and that’s exactly what I intend to do from this new perch in the years ahead,” said Senator McConnell.
“Kentucky’s agricultural industry has never been more vital than it is now to the economic well-being of our state – from nutritional and equine health to the vibrancy of our bourbon industry and the sustainability of forage-based enterprises that raise beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. “Sen. McConnell’s stalwart leadership in protecting and promoting agriculture over many decades and now as chair of this critical subcommittee overseeing research underscores the importance of agriculture to Kentucky and to our country. We look forward to working with him and supporting his efforts to ensure the long-term strength and competitiveness of the agricultural industry, so central to the commonwealth’s future.”
During the 119th Congress, Senator McConnell also serves as Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.