Pennsylvania's Glenn Thompson to Lead U.S. House Ag Republicans

Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., was elected Wednesday to be the Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee for the 2021-2022 term.

"The challenges ahead of us are considerable, but we will continue to put farm families first and ensure our country has the most safe and affordable food supply chain on the planet," said Thompson, who represents a heavily forested but sparsely populated swath of Pennsylvania stretching from Centre County to Venango County and the New York border.

Since entering Congress in 2009, Thompson has spoken effusively about farmers. In recent years he has led efforts to return whole milk to the School Lunch Program.

Thompson's ascension to Ag Committee leadership is somewhat unusual. The posts often go to lawmakers from Western states. Thompson, known as G.T., was chosen by the Republican Steering Committee.

The committee's current ranking member, Texas Rep. Mike Conaway, is retiring.

The Democrats, who will maintain control of the House next session, have not announced the next Ag Committee chairman.

The incumbent, Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, was defeated in November's election, and one of the most senior members of the committee, Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, is being discussed for U.S. ag secretary.