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New Wisconsin Congressman wants an Ag Committee seat

Wisconsin’s newest representative in Congress wants a seat on the House Ag Committee.  Third District Republican Congressman-Elect Derrick Van Orden says, “It’s looking pretty good. We’ve made a pretty compelling case to get on the Agriculture Committee.”

Derrick Van Orden tells Brownfield he has written to the Republican Steering Committee requesting the ag committee assignment. “I’ve committed to staying on the Agriculture Committee for my entire time in Congress, and if that’s two years or four years, or whatever it is, I don’t know, but I really mean what I say. We’re an agricultural state.”

Van Orden says Wisconsin has gone without representation on the ag committee for too long. “I know we haven’t had someone from the 3rd (district) in 26 years. We haven’t had someone from the State of Wisconsin in ten years on the ag committee and it’s time. We’re the dairy state, for Pete’s sakes.”

Van Orden says expanding Internet accessibility through USDA’s rural development funding is a top priority, along with transportation infrastructure, and he plans to become a dairy and cheese resource for his fellow lawmakers.