By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Four Texans were named to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture for the 118th Congress.

New to the committee this session are U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Monica De La Cruz (TX-15).

The committee, which is chaired by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, is responsible for legislative oversight of U.S. agriculture, forestry, nutrition and rural development.

“I welcome this diverse group of legislators to the House Committee on Agriculture for the 118th Congress,” Thompson said. “It’s imperative we hit the ground running through a rigorous hearing schedule, listening sessions and aggressive oversight. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues as we put forward commonsense solutions that provide certainty for rural America.”

As part of the committee, the Texans will be tasked with passing a new farm bill, the impost impactful legislation for agriculture.

“Representing the largest agriculture district in Texas and one of the largest agriculture districts in the country, my work on the House Agriculture Committee is critical for the continued success of the farmers, ranchers and producers of Texas’ Thirteenth Congressional District,” Jackson said. “I am ready to work diligently with Chairman Thompson and my other colleagues on the committee to ensure we pass an impactful farm bill this year. I am excited to be a champion for Texas’s agriculture priorities and lead the way in providing the resources needed for farmers and ranchers in my district and across the state to continue to feed and clothe the world. We must work to strengthen the farm safety net, bolster our supply chain and prioritize agriculture as a national security issue to help create a vibrant and productive rural economy.”

“I am honored to join the Agriculture Committee. Our farmers and ranchers are the bedrock of South Texas,” De La Cruz said on a Facebook post. “For years our community has toiled the land and grown our towns around farming. I’m proud to be the granddaughter of a Mexican campesino who got his start in America by working watermelon fields. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I look forward to working to strengthen rural communities and ensure American have a safe and abundant food supply.”

De La Cruz recently introduced the Feral Swine Act that would extend the federal government’s feral swine eradication program for another five years.

The program consisted of three coordinated components: feral swine removal, restoration and aid to farmers and ranchers for feral swine control efforts.

“Farmers and ranchers in South Texas and across the United States know the threat posed by wild hogs,” De La Cruz said. “These animals damage crops, hurt livestock, damage property, pollute the water and pose a risk to pets and people. Texas is flooded with swine that have no natural predator besides humans. That is why I’ve introduced this bill. We have to protect our farmers and ranchers in Texas from this predator ravaging our lands.”

Also serving on the committee are Democratic members Greg Casar (TX-35) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30).

Casar did not comment on his appointment to the committee, but Crockett released a statement about serving on the House Agriculture Committee.

“It is an honor to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. I am excited to get to work using this position to help deliver for the people of Texas’ 30th Congressional District under the leadership of Ranking Member David Scott,” Crockett said. “Alongside my fellow House Democrats, I am focused on protecting our farmers, fighting for a strong food supply for the American people and protecting our social services like SNAP, through the passage of the farm bill.”

For a full list of members serving on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, click here.