Policy Updates: Tomorrow’s midterm elections could reshape agriculture policy leadership

Tomorrow’s midterm elections could reshape agriculture policy leadership (Progressive Farmer): Agriculture policy priorities in the next Congress could face significant changes as lawmakers retire, pursue other offices, or lose elections. At least nine members of the House Agriculture Committee and five members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are expected to depart when the 119th Congress ends. An analysis by agricultural lobbying firm Invariant estimates that 86 House members and 16 senators will leave Congress overall, with additional departures possible following the midterm elections.

The House Agriculture Committee is facing several notable departures, including Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.), who lost her Senate primary, and Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), who lost their gubernatorial primaries. Other members, including Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), are retiring, while Barry Moore (R-Ala.) and John Rose (R-Tenn.) are seeking other offices. On the Senate Agriculture Committee, departing members include Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), all of whom are retiring. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are also running for governor.

The leadership changes could affect the direction of agricultural legislation and federal spending, particularly as lawmakers continue negotiations over the Farm Bill and fiscal year 2027 agriculture appropriations. Other departures could also affect issues important to rural communities, including farm labor, regenerative agriculture, livestock production, transportation infrastructure and public lands. With competitive congressional races still to be decided, the full makeup of the next Congress—and the leadership shaping agricultural policy—will become clearer following tomorrow’s elections.