A second Texan has been named to a leadership role on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
U.S. Representative Filemon Vela was elected vice ranking member of the committee last week by democratic leadership on the committee.
“It is an honor to be elected as vice ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, and I am thankful that Ranking Member Collin Peterson and my other colleagues on the committee have entrusted me with this position,” Vela said in a press release. “This is an excellent opportunity to ensure South Texas agricultural issues such as fever tick, citrus greening and cotton rise to the forefront of the committee’s agenda.”
The role of vice ranking member was created earlier this year by the Democratic Caucus to provide more leadership opportunities for newer members.
“Congressman Vela understands agriculture and nearly every issue overseen by the Agriculture Committee resonates in his district,” Rep. Collin Peterson, Agriculture Committee ranking member, said in a press release. “Congressman Vela’s district is on the Mexico border while my district stretches north to Canada, so I think we will be a good balance when drafting farm and food policy. I look forward to working together this Congress.”
Vela represents the 34th Congressional District of Texas, which spans from Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley north to Gonzales County.
“Congressman Vela continually demonstrates his genuine interest in policy and actions taken by Congress that impact South Texas agriculture. His dedication will serve the committee and the state of Texas well as it begins deliberations on the next farm bill,” Dale Murden, former Texas Farm Bureau state director and president of Texas Citrus Mutual, said.
While on the House Committee on Agriculture, Vela was the only Texas Democrat appointed by House leadership to serve as a negotiator on the committee that drafted the most recent farm bill.
He is a member of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit, the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture and the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
According to his biography, he is a strong advocate for immigrant rights, education programs and federal healthcare centers.
The House Committee on Agriculture is chaired by fellow Texan Mike Conaway. Rep. Jodey Arrington is also on the committee.