Boozman to serve as chairman of Senate Ag Committee

U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas — the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry — was formally named chairman of the committee upon the Senate’s approval of its organizing resolution.

“It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee,” Boozman said in a statement. “There are many pressing needs of agriculture producers that we will work to address including passing a farm bill that provides farmers and ranchers the policies and support they desperately need to continue feeding, clothing and fueling the world. I look forward to working with President Trump and my colleagues to implement an agenda that delivers certainty and predictability for hardworking farm families, improves the regulatory landscape to ensure it’s fair and transparent, and bolsters rural communities.”

As chairman, Boozman will establish the agenda of the Senate Agriculture Committee next Congress.

Boozman served as Ranking Member of the committee in both the 117th and 118th Congress, when Democrats had control of the U.S. Senate. He worked across the aisle to enhance food assistance programs and modernize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer meals program to permanently allow states flexibilities to reach more food-insecure children.

As the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Boozman has played a pivotal role in shaping a more farmer-focused farm bill. His Republican-drafted framework emphasizes protecting crop insurance as the cornerstone of the farm safety net, strengthening Title I programs, and supporting voluntary conservation cost-share initiatives.

Boozman has also been vocal in urging Congress to swiftly provide economic relief to farmers grappling with unprecedented financial strain. In 2024 alone, farmers nationwide faced an estimated $29 billion in losses due to high input costs, rising interest rates, and low commodity prices. Boozman has highlighted the urgent need for federal intervention to support producers ending the year in the red, unable to secure operating loans for the next season. His advocacy centers on bolstering safety nets for the 2025 crop year, ensuring that farmers — whether established or beginning — can continue their operations. 

Starting this year, Republicans will control the White House and both chambers of Congress, making it easier for the party to enact its priorities.