Debra Davis

(334) 451-2879

U.S. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture, has been selected to serve as a conferee for the 2018 Farm Bill.

Conference committee members are appointed by congressional leadership to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Once a final measure is approved by both chambers, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. The current farm bill expires Sept. 30.

“In the great state of Alabama, the agriculture industry drives our economy, bringing in over $1 billion annually,” Rogers said. “As the only member of the agriculture committee from our state, I am proud to represent the interests of Alabama’s agriculture industry on the Farm Bill Conference Committee this year. I look forward to negotiating legislation that will help set guidelines and bring certainty to our farmers.”

The House Agriculture Committee is chaired by Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, who was in Alabama recently discussing the farm bill with Wiregrass farmers.

“America's farmers and ranchers and rural America are struggling right now, and they deserve the certainty of a strong farm bill to see them through to better times,” Conaway said when conferees were announced. “The House has pulled together a solid team of conferees – including Rep. Rogers. I’m looking forward to working with Mike, who has been a strong voice for agriculture through this process, and the rest of our House and Senate colleagues to reach a final product that helps millions of low-income Americans climb the economic ladder, while standing by our nation’s hard-working farm and ranch families.”

Rogers serves as chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on the Armed Services Committee and is a senior member of the Homeland Security and Agriculture committees.

The farm bill, which is voted on every five years, will reauthorize food, conservation and agricultural programs that benefit farmers and consumers.

The Federation’s Mitt Walker praised Rogers’ committee appointment.

“Congressman Rogers is a strong proponent of agriculture and has invested a great deal of time over the years to gain a solid understanding of the challenges faced by Alabama farmers,” said Walker, the Federation’s National Legislative Programs director. “Having such a well-respected member of the committee advocating for our farmers as the final details of the bill are worked out will benefit our members.”

The Senate may vote to move the farm bill to conference with the House as soon as today or Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts said.