Democrats tapped six newcomers for the House Agriculture Committee, including Gwen Graham of Florida, who defeated the Republican advocate of large cuts in food stamps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, the Democratic leader on the committee, announced the newcomers along with 13 returning members ahead of the first meeting of the committee for the 114th Congress. Said Peterson, “This is a great group of both new and returning members who care about the wide variety of issues overseen by the Agriculture Committee.”
The committee was scheduled to hold its organizational meeting today at 10 a.m. ET in 1300 Longworth.
Besides Peterson, the returning Democrats are, in order of seniority, David Scott of Georgia, Jim Costa of California, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Marcia Fudge of Ohio, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Suzan DelBene of Washington state, Filemon Vela of Texas, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Ann Kuster of New Hampshire, Rick Nolan of Minnesota, Cheri Bustos of Illinois, and Sean Patrick Maloney of New York state.
By seniority, the new Democratic members are Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona, Pete Aguilar of California, Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands, Alma Adams of North Carolina, Graham, and Brad Ashford of Nebraska.