Congressman Jodey Arrington announced on Tuesday that he has been selected to fill one of three open seats on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He was selected by the Republican Steering Committee along with Ron Estes of Kansas and Drew Ferguson of Georgia.

In a press release on Tuesday, Arrington said his main focus "will now be to grow agriculture's stake in the global marketplace".

“As a representative of the largest agriculture and energy production region in the world, my mission is to put West Texas and our values in the best position to influence the outcome of national policy and to give the strongest voice in our nation’s capital to our food, fuel, and fiber producers in rural America,” said Arrington.

“Ways and Means is the committee with the broadest and most significant policymaking authority in the United States Congress. As the oldest Congressional committee, dating back to 1789, Ways and Means has the most extensive legislative jurisdiction including tax, trade, healthcare, Social Security, and welfare. Now that we have secured the agriculture industry for the next five years by passing a strong Farm Bill and restoring cotton to the safety net, my focus will now be to grow agriculture’s stake in the global marketplace.

“As a member of the Committee, prioritizing Rural America’s most critical issues – agriculture, energy, and healthcare – will remain my driving force. As the House deliberates the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, I will work to ensure our nation’s producers have access to open and fair trade around the world. In anticipation of attempted rollbacks by the Democrats of pro-growth tax and regulatory policies, I will fight for free market policies that encourage domestic energy production and ensure America remains energy independent. Finally, I will work tirelessly to revitalize our nation’s rural healthcare system, insisting upon the necessary resources to ensure our agriculture and energy producers continue to feed, clothe, and fuel the American people.

“I am thankful to my friends in West Texas for electing me to represent our rural interests and values and to my colleagues in the House for the opportunity to serve my constituents on this Committee. This appointment is an honor, and I will steward it well.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy cited Arrington's leadership on agriculture in a press release on the announcement.

“Jodey has been a champion for agriculture and helped lead the fight last Congress to restore cotton to the ag safety net, a legislative fix that was desperately needed for cotton growers throughout the nation. That was a big win for American-grown cotton in California, West Texas, and across America, and I know that his efforts to support our producers will remain strong now that he has a ‘seat at the table’ on Ways and Means,” said Leader Kevin McCarthy.

House Ways and Means is a powerful committee that has jurisdiction over taxation, tariffs, and revenue-raising measures. Those who serve on Ways and Means are not allowed to serve on other committees unless granted a waiver.

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