The San Joaquin Valley will wield considerable clout on the influential House Committee on Agriculture in the 116th Congress.
Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno is joined by two other Valley Democrats on the committee, newly elected TJ Cox of Fresno and Josh Harder of Turlock.

Costa is the third-ranking Democrat on the committee and grows almonds in Fresno. Cox, an engineer, started two businesses that process nuts. And Harder worked with small farmers in Kenya and Uganda before becoming a venture capitalist focusing on small businesses.
“This is good news,” said Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen. “It’s historic, especially when you consider that the three districts literally touch each other. Having three voices and, more importantly, three votes on issues affecting Valley agriculture is significant.”
“Agriculture is the heart and soul of the Central Valley, and the 21st Congressional District is the most agriculturally productive in California. I’m honored to be named to this critical committee and ready to get to work on behalf of all our farmers and ranchers,” Cox said in a statement. “I pledge to fight to end this senseless trade war, provide better resources to our farmers and ranchers, and invest in our rural communities hurting most under this administration.”

Other Costa Assignments

Costa is rejoining the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on which he served from 2005-11. And he will retain his seat on the Natural Resources Committee. Among that committee’s assignments are overseeing water, national parks, energy, minerals, and endangered species.
Harder also landed a spot on the Labor and Education Committee.
“Serving on the Education and Labor Committee allows me to directly advocate for the Central Valley on the issues that matter to our families — better-paying jobs, worker’s health care access, retirement readiness, job training, and adult education, and the success of the next generation of leaders,” Harder said in a statement.

Nunes Retains Seats on Two Powerful Committees

Rep. Devin Nunes, (R-Tulare) retains two powerful committee assignments — albeit with the Republicans now in the minority.
With the Democrats taking over the House following the November elections, he turns over the chairman’s gavel to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Nunes remains on the committee as the ranking Republican.
Nunes also is keeping his post on Ways and Means, which oversees taxation, tariffs, Social Security, unemployment benefits and Medicare.