WHAT HAPPENED: Democratic control of both chambers of Congress will trigger major changes on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, where new leadership and heavy turnover could reshape the congressional farm-policy agenda heading into 2027. In the Senate, Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar won the Minnesota governor’s race and will leave the Senate. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is considered a leading contender based on committee seniority. Current Chairman John Boozman of Arkansas would become the top Republican.
In the House, current Ranking Member Angie Craig is leaving Congress, opening the Democratic race for the committee’s top spot. The winner of the Democratic top-spot race would become chairman. The Democratic candidates are California’s Jim Costa and Ohio’s Shontel Brown. Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina is also expected to announce that he will run for the chairmanship. On the Republican side, current Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson has reached the party’s six-year leadership limit and is seeking a waiver to continue as the top Republican. Georgia Republican Austin Scott is also seeking the post.
NCC’s TAKE: “NCC has always worked with leaders on both sides of the aisle, and we stand ready to work with and educate new Members in the 120th Congress,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “We congratulate all of this year’s winners and look forward to welcoming new members to Washington and showing them how America’s chicken farmers and processors put an affordable, nutritious protein on families’ tables every day. Before we look to 2027, we are eager to work with Chairmen Boozman and GT Thompson, and ranking members Klobuchar and Craig to pass an important Farm Bill in the lame duck.”
WHAT’S NEXT: The committee chairs and ranking members will be settled through each party’s internal process over the coming weeks. That includes the Senate Democratic leadership vote expected in early December.
