House leadership appoints farm bill conferees

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-WI, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, July 18, named the House conferees on the farm bill.

The Republican list consists of 29 members, reflecting how Ryan has made nutrition programs a priority in the bill. In a statement accompanying the list, Ryan decided to deemphasize the commodity, rural development and conservation sections of the bill and highlighted the bill as the last plank of his “Better Way” agenda before he leaves office in January as it, “includes critical reforms to close the skills gap and help more Americans move from welfare to work.”

In his statement, Ryan said, “We see this farm bill as pivotal for building a sturdier ladder of opportunity in America. With all this momentum in our economy, there could not be a better time to help more people move from welfare to work. This is a chance to close the skills gap, better equip our workforce, and support much-needed development in rural communities. I look forward to working with (House Agriculture Committee) Chairman (Mike) Conaway (R-TX) and all of these lawmakers on these vital reforms.”

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