Thompson named top Republican on Agriculture

Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (Pa.) won the race to take over as the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee. 

Thompson edged out Reps. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) and Rick Crawford (R-Ark.). 

Thompson, who was first elected to Congress in 2008, is the most senior member on the panel and the ranking member of the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. 

Thompson is slated to succeed outgoing Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), who announced his retirement in July 2019. 

The panel has jurisdiction over issues including food assistance programs and aid for farmers.

Under House GOP rules, lawmakers are allowed to serve three terms as a ranking member or chairman before being term-limited out of the role. 

Thompson said he highlighted his experience on the panel while making his pitch to members, noting his work on two farm bills and his leadership on issues including conservation, forestry and nutrition.

Thompson said he is ready to hit the ground running next year, placing a strong emphasis on policies to boost economic growth. 

“My vision is basically looking to restore a robust economy. Certainly, that is an important part of that is markets for all of our commodity groups, all those farmers and farm families that work so hard to produce us the food and the fiber that we need but also what we need in rural America,” he said.

The House GOP conference is slated to ratify the Steering Committee’s ranking member selections on Thursday.