In December, my Republican colleagues honored me by selecting me to serve as the Republican leader, or ranking member, of the House Agriculture Committee.

I have served for nine terms as a member of this committee, including three terms as the chairman of the subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research and one term as the ranking member of the subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research.

My new leadership position on this committee means I will serve as my party’s policy leader for all areas of the committee’s jurisdiction, including oversight of USDA and its various agencies and programs.

As many of you know, agriculture is the backbone of the economy of Oklahoma, and I am pleased my new position will allow me to bring an Oklahoma perspective to this nation’s farm policy.

My first order of business will be to work with Chairman Peterson and the members of the committee to ensure the 2008 Farm Bill is properly and promptly implemented.

There has been some discussion recently of the incoming Obama administration running a budget reconciliation bill. This would allow them to re-allocate some portions of the budget, meaning they would take funding from some areas and put it towards other areas.

As the ranking member of the committee, I will fight to ensure no production agriculture programs established in the 2008 Farm Bill will be cut.

This country is facing many challenges today, and I want the people of the Third District to know I will continue to represent their voices and values in Congress.

In addition, I will use my enhanced role on the House Agriculture Committee to make certain Oklahoma farmers and ranchers have the necessary resources to not only survive, but thrive.

Lucas represents Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District. For more visit Lucas’ blog at https://www.house.gov/lucas/franklyspeaking/index.shtml.

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