WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic control of both chambers of Congress will trigger major changes on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, where new leadership and heavy turnover could reshape the congressional farm-policy agenda heading into 2027.
The leadership change will be immediate and significant. On the House side, current Ranking Member Angie Craig is leaving Congress, opening the Democratic race to lead the committee. California’s Jim Costa and Ohio’s Shontel Brown are competing for the top Democratic Agriculture position and, with Democrats taking the House majority, the eventual winner would be positioned to become chairman. On the Republican side, current Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson has reached the party’s six-year leadership limit and is seeking a waiver, while Georgia Republican Austin Scott is also seeking the committee’s top GOP position.
Senate Agriculture will also get new leadership. Current Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar won the Minnesota governor’s race and will leave the Senate. With Democrats taking control, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is considered a leading contender for chairman based on committee seniority. Current Chairman John Boozman of Arkansas would be positioned to become the top Republican on the panel.
The turnover extends well beyond leadership. At least 12 members of the current House Agriculture Committee will not return. Republicans Zach Nunn of Iowa, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Monica De La Cruz of Texas and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania lost reelection Tuesday. They join Craig, Don Bacon, Dan Newhouse, Randy Feenstra, Dusty Johnson, Barry Moore, John Rose and Shri Thanedar among members already leaving because of retirement, primary defeats or campaigns for other offices. California Republican David Valadao’s race remained unresolved early Wednesday.
Senate Agriculture will lose at least seven current members. Republicans Joni Ernst, Mitch McConnell and Tommy Tuberville are leaving, along with Democrats Dick Durbin and Tina Smith. Kansas Republican Roger Marshall lost reelection Tuesday, while Klobuchar’s victory in the Minnesota governor’s race adds another major departure from the committee.
The turnover comes as Congress still faces unfinished farm-bill work and major debates involving crop insurance, nutrition, conservation, commodity programs, agricultural trade, livestock policy and rural development. The next Agriculture Committees will enter those discussions with substantially different membership and leadership, reducing institutional experience while giving the new Democratic majorities greater control over hearings, legislation and committee priorities.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Major turnover and new Democratic control of Congress will reshape the lawmakers directing farm policy, trade, crop insurance and the next phase of Farm Bill negotiations.