Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Jeff Fortenberry will serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit in the 112th Congress beginning in January.  The subcommittee will have jurisdiction in the oversight of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one of the federal government’s largest agencies, and responsibilities involving program review and analysis, special investigations, and agricultural credit.

“I am honored to accept this leadership role in the new Congress,” Fortenberry said.  “Agriculture’s benefits to our nation go far beyond food security; it stabilizes and strengthens our economy, increases our energy independence, and builds new opportunities in rural America.  It is critical that our farm policies and programs fairly and efficiently serve America’s farm and ranch families and the Americans who depend on them.”

“This new subcommittee role will help us continue important work on promoting new opportunities in specialized food markets and renewable energy, reconnecting rural and urban America, and exploring the challenges of growing concentration in agriculture and the increasing age of the American farmer.  I look forward to working with my colleagues on these and other matters as we begin the new Congress in January.”

Fortenberry has served on the House Agriculture Committee since 2005.

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