WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has been named to head a Senate Agriculture subcommittee that is crucial to issues facing North Alabama, including farming, rural broadband and research by Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The state’s senior senator is the ranking member of the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
As the lead Republican on the subcommittee, Tuberville said he will be able to build on his work to strengthen Alabama’s rural communities and expand access to broadband, giving Alabama a seat at the table during the 2023 Farm Bill process.
“As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m honored to be the leading Republican on the Rural Development and Energy Subcommittee, where I will keep working to strengthen the communities that are home to our farms and production facilities,” he said. “As we draft the 2023 Farm Bill, I look forward to championing resources like broadband, energy, and water programs, so that our rural areas are well-equipped to support Alabama’s diverse agriculture industry and our national food security.”
Tuberville (R-Auburn) was also appointed to two other subcommittees key to Alabama’s agriculture interests: Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade; and Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.
“The past few years have shown us the importance of food security interests to our national security,” he said. “People across America depend on Alabama’s farmers and producers to ensure they can put food on the table and provide for their families. We help lead the way in many areas such as catfish, peanuts, and broiler chicken production, and the best way to continue this is through supporting our family farms and rich agriculture diversity.”
The Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy is tasked with overseeing the many programs in USDA’s Rural Development mission area, including rural broadband, housing, electric and water utilities, loans, and renewable energy.
As ranking member on this subcommittee, Tuberville said he will be positioned to work on these Alabama-specific issues:
- Ensuring Alabama’s agricultural and rural communities have a seat at the table during the drafting of the 2023 Farm Bill
- Expanding access for rural broadband (ReConnect)
- Supporting USDA Rural Utilities Services (RUS) which aids energy providers and electric cooperatives
- Overseeing safe drinking water and wastewater programs
The Senate Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade oversees agriculture production, including commodity programs, crop insurance, commodity exchanges, agriculture trade, international food assistance, and credit.
Tuberville said he will be able to work on issues specific to Alabama’s agriculture industry:
- Supporting Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
- USDA Market Access Programs and Foreign Market Development Programs to support Alabama’s chicken and cotton exports
- Ensuring adequate risk management and farm safety net tools such as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) are in place to support crop diversity
The Senate Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, and Agricultural Research is tasked with overseeing programs regarding food and nutrition assistance, school meals, specialty crops, and research.
Tuberville’s position will enable him to work on these issues:
- Furthering research about invasive species and pests to increase sustainability in Alabama’s forestry and horticulture industries
- Supporting Alabama’s Land Grant Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Alabama A&M University
- Encouraging local-produce initiatives such as Sweet Grown Alabama
- Overseeing food and nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and school meal programs to ensure federal funds are properly allocated
“These subcommittees will best position me to continue advocating for Alabama’s agricultural interests so that our state remains a leader in national food production for generations to come,” he said.
Tuberville is also a member of the Senate Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP committees.
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