Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., believes the 117th Congress yields a positive outlook for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast.
Prominent Georgians are represented on the House Ag Committee. The committee is empowered with legislative oversight relating to the U.S. agriculture industry, forestry, nutrition and rural development, according to the press release announcing Congressman David Scott (GA-13) as the committee’s new chairman.
Scott has served in the House Ag Committee since 2003. Scott replaces Collin Peterson, who lost his seat in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District to Michelle Fischbach.
Redding added that Georgia Congressmen Austin Scott (GA-08) and Rick Allen (GA-12) will remain on the House Committee.
Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02) remains the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.
“It’s historical in that one state controls both, in the House, the authorization committee, House Ag, as well as the funding committee or bank for USDA for Food and Drug Administration with House Ag and Appropriations. That’s a very good thing for us, particular Southeasterners and Georgians,” Redding said. “This is highly unusual, historical as far as our lifetime in the House. That should work well for Southeast specialty crop on a lot of the policy issues, dealing with the USDA and FDA.”