Senate Agriculture Committee leadership takes shape

By Marc Heller | 02/04/2025 06:34 AM EST

Sen. Roger Marshall will chair the forestry subcommittee. Sen. Joni Ernst will lead the energy panel.

Joni Ernst is seen surrounded by people holding cellphones near her face.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will chair an Agriculture subcommittee focused on energy. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall will chair the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee’s panel overseeing conservation and forestry issues.

Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) and ranking Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota announced subcommittee leaders in recent days, reflecting the switch to Republican control.

Aside Marshall as the ranking Democrat on the conservation and forestry subcommittee will be Michael Bennet of neighboring Colorado, who’s been outspoken on forestry and wildfire issues — as well as on dwindling water supplies for irrigation, an issue also close to Marshall.

Advertisement

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will chair the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy and Credit. She noted the importance of biofuels in a news release announcing her position.

GET FULL ACCESS