Californian Backed to Head House Agriculture Committee
November 9, 2020 Hard to believe, but the House Agriculture Committee has not had a chairman from California since 1867, despite it being the highest grossing agriculture state – and the only state among the top few to feature specialty crops as a top contributor to farmgate revenue. The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) hopes to rectify that, announcing its support for Jim Costa of Fresno to succeed House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), who lost his bid for re-election.
Costa is the second House Agriculture Committee member to indicate they will run for the Chairmanship. Congressman David Scott (D-GA) has formally submitted his bid and is next in seniority to take over Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. His Georgia district is mostly urban, but he has served on the committee since joining Congress in 2003. If selected, he would be the first African American to chair the committee as well as the first African American from Georgia to lead any committee in Congress.
Costa is second in line by seniority. He’s served on the committee since taking office in 2005. His California district in the central San Joaquin Valley is an agriculturally rich area and a top producer of dairy, in addition to fruits, nuts, and vegetables — all sectors that could get special attention given the power of the House Ag chairmanship, according to United Fresh.
Costa represents California’s 16th Congressional District, which is home to not only Fresno, California’s fifth-largest city, but also a region of California that accounts for 25% of the state’s agriculture production. According to CFFA, the 16th District perfectly embodies the many elements of jurisdiction that the House Agriculture Committee is tasked with each year. Costa understands the importance of protecting the country’s domestic food supply, has been a strong advocate for rural America, and at the same time has strongly advocated for expanding our nation’s nutrition programs to assist those in need, CFFA President Ian LeMay says.
“During his time in Congress, Congressman Costa has repeatedly demonstrated an astute knowledge for not only the needs of production agriculture but also the needs of those who rely on our nation’s nutrition programs,” LeMay says. “A farmer himself, Congressman Costa understands the daily challenges farmers face to produce food and fiber for the American and global consumer.”
Costa currently serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture and was a conferee for both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. This experience, combined with his background representing such an agricultural powerhouse, make Costa a logical choice, LeMay says.
“California is the top agricultural-producing region in the world, and it has been since 1867, the last time a California representative held the Chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee,” he says. “By my estimation, California is due, and I can think of no better individual to lead the Agriculture Committee to help shape U.S. agriculture policy during these perilous times than Congressman Jim Costa.”
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