EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — This week it was announced that North Dakota Republican Senator John Hoeven has taken over the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. This subcommittee funds all discretionary programs under the Department of Agriculture, including essential potato breeding research conducted under NIFA and other programs.
John Keeling, head of the National Potato Council was pleased with the announcement. “It gives us great confidence that Senator Hoeven will oversee these activities. He has knowledge and involvement in the potato industry which speaks to his understanding of the industry’s needs.”
Additionally, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) was named to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee along with Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). They are the only two new Republican members of the panel as it embarks upon the Farm Bill reauthorization process this year. However since Senator Sessions has been nominated to become U.S. Attorney General, it is not clear how much time he will actually serve on the committee should he be successfully confirmed.
— Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
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