Summary

Mission:  Empowered with legislative oversight of all matters relating to the nation’s agriculture industry, farming programs, forestry and logging, and legislation relating to nutrition, home economics, and rural development.

House Counterpart:  Committee on Agriculture

Democratic Members:
Chair Debbie Stabenow, Michigan;  Peter Welch, Vermont;  Sherrod Brown, Ohio;  Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota;  Michael Bennet, Colorado;  Kirsten Gillibrand, New York;  Tina Smith, Minnesota;  Dick Durbin, Illinois;  Cory Booker, New Jersey;  Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico;  Raphael Warnock, Georgia

Republican Members:
Ranking Member John Boozman, Arkansas;  Mitch McConnell, Kentucky;  John Hoeven, North Dakota;  Joni Ernst, Iowa;  Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi;  Mike Braun, Indiana;  Chuck Grassley, Iowa;  John Thune, South Dakota;  Deb Fischer, Nebraska;  Roger Marshall, Kansas;  Tommy Tuberville, Alabama

Featured Video: Senate Ag Committee Holds Hearing to Examine Cattle Market

OnAir Post: Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

News

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Committee Hearings and Press Releases

Find all past and upcoming hearings here at the committee website.

Hearings are posted here as soon as they are noticed by the Committee, typically no earlier than seven days prior to any hearing due to scheduling needs. Hearing documents such bios and testimony are posted immediately following each hearing.

All  Press Releases and Majority and Minority News can be found here at the committees website.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ranking Member, today announced that the U.S. Senate confirmed Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.

“As Under Secretary for Rural Development, Xochitl Torres Small will build on her legacy as a champion for small towns and rural communities – much like the one she grew up in in New Mexico,” said Chairwoman Stabenow. “She will give a voice to 60 million rural Americans at the highest levels at USDA. I look forward to working with her to address critical rural needs including high speed internet, infrastructure, and good paying jobs.”

“While our committee handles a diverse range of issues, everything we do boils down to improving the livelihoods and future for those who call rural America home. There are many pressing challenges facing our rural communities that Congress and USDA must work together to address. I congratulate incoming Under Secretary Torres Small and stand ready to work with her to expand access to affordable high-speed broadband, ensure continued access to reliable energy production, improve water infrastructure, and create new economic opportunities in rural America,” said Ranking Member Boozman.

Ranking Member Boozman’s Annual Arkansas Agriculture Tour Kicks-off on Monday
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Minority NewsAugust 26, 2021

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, is launching his annual Ag Tour next week. The senator will kick off the week-long highlight of Arkansas agriculture operations on Monday in Charleston and continue with stops at farms and facilities across the state.

The Ag Tour is a cornerstone of the senator’s August in-state work period, but this is the first time Boozman will be holding it as the lead Republican on the Senate agriculture committee.

U.S. Senate Confirms Moffitt for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Majority NewsAugust 11, 2021

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ranking Member, today announced that the U.S. Senate confirmed Ms. Jenny L. Moffitt to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

“Under Secretary Moffitt brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective as both a farmer and a policy maker,” said Chairwoman Stabenow. “I look forward to working with her to help our farm families and food businesses along the supply chain recover from the pandemic, tackle the climate crisis, keep pests and diseases out of the U.S., and thrive well into the future.”

“Jenny Moffitt will bring the knowledge and experience she has acquired through years of farming to USDA where it will be put to good use overseeing the department’s marketing and regulatory programs. I look forward to working with her to increase market opportunities for producers, and believe she will work in good faith to carry out the regulatory authorities for which she will be responsible in a manner that is consistent with congressional intent,” said Ranking Member Boozman.

A new report by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, AFPC, in the Department of Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences analyzes how some legislative proposals about how inheritance and estate taxes are treated may impact agricultural producers.

The report, “Economic Impacts of the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion Act and the for the 99.5 Percent Act on AFPC’s Representative Farms and Ranches,” includes an analysis of five scenarios of proposed legislative policy changes and how each might impact farms and ranches across the country.

A new report by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, AFPC, in the Department of Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences analyzes how some legislative proposals about how inheritance and estate taxes are treated may impact agricultural producers.

The report, “Economic Impacts of the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion Act and the for the 99.5 Percent Act on AFPC’s Representative Farms and Ranches,” includes an analysis of five scenarios of proposed legislative policy changes and how each might impact farms and ranches across the country.

About

Jurisdiction (Policy Areas)

Agriculture, Crop insurance, Farm bill, Farm credit, Food stamps, Food inspection, Forestry, Home economics, Nutrition, Rural development, Rural electrification, Soil conservation, Soil survey, Water conservation, Watersheds

Specifically: In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects are referred to the Agriculture Committee:

  1. Agricultural economics and research.
  2. Agricultural extension services and experiment stations.
  3. Agricultural production, marketing, and stabilization of prices.
  4. Agriculture and agricultural commodities.
  5. Animal industry and diseases.
  6. Crop insurance and soil conservation.
  7. Farm credit and farm security.
  8. Food from fresh waters.
  9. Food stamp programs.
  10. Forestry, and forest reserves and wilderness areas other than those created from the public domain.
  11. Home economics.
  12. Human nutrition.
  13. Inspection of livestock, meat, and agricultural products.
  14. Pests and pesticides.
  15. Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.
  16. Rural development, rural electrification, and watersheds.
  17. School nutrition programs

The Agriculture Committee is also charged “to study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to food, nutrition, and hunger, both in the United States and in foreign countries, and rural affairs, and report thereon from time to time.”

Source: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

History

Agriculture was integral to the growth of the American colonies, and held an important place in the economy.  In the early 19th century, agriculture was intertwined with other great issues of commerce and trade.  The Committee on Commerce and Manufacturers focused on these issues, but eventually became mired in controversy over the issue of tariffs, as business and manufacturing interests were often at odds.

In 1825, the Senate debated dividing the Committee on Commerce and Manufacturers to avoid these conflicts.  As this time, Senator William Findlay, a Republican from Pennsylvania, submitted a resolution providing for the creation of a standing Committee on Agriculture.

Senator Findlay pointed out that while commerce and manufacturing were two equal components of the American economy, like a three-legged stool, there was one other important segment being left out. He argued that agriculture was one of “three great branches of domestic industry” along with commerce and manufacturing. All three, he claimed, were equally entitled to the care and protection of the Government. He contended further that agricultural interests were distinct and not always best served when included with those of commerce.

On December 9, 1825, by a vote of 22-14, the Senate approved a resolution creating a standing Committee on Agriculture.

Since its creation, the Committee has helped establish, guide, and examine agricultural policies here and abroad.  It has had a hand in fashioning the research and teaching of the 1860’s, the price and income support controls of the 1930’s, and the international trade of the 1990’s.  The Committee has been active in times of prosperity and peace, as well as in times of depression and war.  Present Committee members face many of the same challenges and concerns as past members: commodity price and income supports, trade, research, food safety, nutrition, and conservation.

— S.Doc 105-24 links to a Committee history on the U.S. Government Printing Office web site.

Source: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Contact

Email: Committee webpage

Locations

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry?
A328A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2035
Fax: (202) 228-2125

Web Links

Legislation

Committee Rules

RULE I–MEETINGS

1.1 Regular Meetings.–Regular meetings shall be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month when Congress is in session.

1.2 Additional Meetings.–The Chairman, in consultation with the ranking minority member, may call such additional meetings as he deems necessary.

1.3 Notification.–In the case of any meeting of the committee, other than a regularly scheduled meeting, the clerk of the committee shall notify every member of the committee of the time and place of the meeting and shall give reasonable notice which, except in extraordinary
circumstances, shall be at least 24 hours in advance of any meeting held in Washington, DC, and at least 48 hours in the case of any meeting held outside Washington, DC.

1.4 Called Meeting.–If three members of the committee have made a request in writing to the Chairman to call a meeting of the committee, and the Chairman fails to call such a meeting within 7 calendar days thereafter, including the day on which the written notice is submitted, a majority of the members may call a meeting by filing a written notice with the clerk of the committee who shall promptly notify each member of the committee in writing of the date and time of the meeting.

1.5 Adjournment of Meetings.–The Chairman of the committee or a subcommittee shall be empowered to adjourn any meeting of the committee or a subcommittee if a quorum is not present within 15 minutes of the time scheduled for such meeting.

RULE 2–MEETINGS AND HEARINGS IN GENERAL

2.1 Open Sessions.–Business meetings and hearings held by the committee or any subcommittee shall be open to the public except as otherwise provided for in Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 5.

2.2 Transcripts.–A transcript shall be kept of each business meeting and hearing of the committee or any subcommittee unless a majority of the committee or the subcommittee agrees that some other form of permanent record is preferable.

2.3 Reports.–An appropriate opportunity shall be given the Minority to examine the proposed text of committee reports prior to their filing or publication. In the event there are supplemental, minority, or additional views, an appropriate opportunity shall be given the Majority to examine the proposed text prior to filing or publication.

2.4 Attendance.–(a) Meetings. Official attendance of all markups and executive sessions of the committee shall be kept by the committee clerk. Official attendance of all subcommittee markups and executive sessions shall be kept by the subcommittee clerk.
(b) Hearings. Official attendance of all hearings shall be kept, provided that, Senators are notified by the committee Chairman and ranking minority member, in the case of committee hearings, and by the subcommittee Chairman and ranking minority member, in the case of subcommittee hearings, 48 hours in advance of the hearing that attendance will be taken. Otherwise, no attendance will be taken. Attendance at all hearings is encouraged.

RULE 3 — HEARING PROCEDURES

3.1 Notice.–Public notice shall be given of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be held by the committee or any subcommittee at least 1 week in advance of such hearing unless the Chairman of the full committee or the subcommittee determines that the hearing is noncontroversial or that special circumstances require expedited procedures and a majority of the committee or the subcommittee involved concurs. In no case shall a hearing be conducted with less than 24 hours notice.

3.2 Witness Statements.–Each witness who is to appear before the committee or any subcommittee shall file with the committee or subcommittee, at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing, a written statement of his or her testimony and as many copies as the Chairman of the committee or subcommittee prescribes.

3.3 Minority Witnesses.–In any hearing conducted by the committee, or any subcommittee thereof, the minority members of the committee or subcommittee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by the ranking minority member of the committee or subcommittee to call witnesses of their selection during at least 1 day of such hearing pertaining to the matter or matters heard by the committee or subcommittee.

3.4 Swearing in of Witnesses.–Witnesses in committee or subcommittee hearings may be required to give testimony under oath whenever the Chairman or ranking minority member of the committee or subcommittee deems such to be necessary.

3.5 Limitation.–Each member shall be limited to 5 minutes in the questioning of any witness until such time as all members who so desire have had an opportunity to question a witness. Questions from members shall rotate from majority to minority members in order of seniority or in order of arrival at the hearing.

RULE 4–NOMINATIONS

4.1 Assignment.–All nominations shall be considered by the full committee.

4.2 Standards.–In considering a nomination, the committee shall inquire into the nominee’s experience, qualifications, suitability, and integrity to serve in the position to which he or she has been nominated.

4.3 Information.–Each nominee shall submit in response to questions prepared by the committee the following information:
(1) A detailed biographical resume which contains information relating to
education, employment, and achievements;
(2) Financial information, including a financial statement which lists assets and
liabilities of the nominee; and
(3) Copies of other relevant documents requested by the committee. Information
received pursuant to this subsection shall be available for public inspection
except as specifically designated confidential by the committee.

4.4 Hearings.–The committee shall conduct a public hearing during which the nominee shall be called to testify under oath on all matters relating to his or her suitability for office. No hearing shall be held until at least 48 hours after the nominee has responded to a prehearing questionnaire
submitted by the committee.

4.5 Action on Confirmation.–A business meeting to consider a nomination shall not occur on the same day that the hearing on the nominee is held. The Chairman, with the agreement of the ranking minority member, may waive this requirement.

RULE 5–QUORUMS

5.1 Testimony–For the purpose of receiving evidence, the swearing of witnesses, and the taking of sworn or unsworn testimony at any duly scheduled hearing,
a quorum of the committee and the subcommittee thereof shall consist of one member.

5.2 Business.–A quorum for the transaction of committee or subcommittee business, other than for reporting a measure or recommendation to the Senate or the taking of testimony, shall consist of one-third of the members of the committee or subcommittee, including at least one member from each party.

5.3 Reporting.–A majority of the membership of the committee shall constitute a quorum for reporting bills, nominations, matters, or recommendations to the Senate. No measure or recommendation shall be ordered reported from the committee unless a majority of the committee members are physically present. The vote of the committee to report a measure or matter shall require the concurrence of a majority of those members who are physically present at the time the vote is taken.

RULE 6–VOTING

6.1 Rollcalls.–A roll call vote of the members shall be taken upon the request of any member.

6.2 Proxies.–Voting by proxy as authorized by the Senate rules for specific bills or subjects shall be allowed whenever a quorum of the committee is actually present.

6.3 Polling.–The committee may poll any matters of committee business, other than a vote on reporting to the Senate any measures, matters or recommendations or a vote on closing a meeting or hearing to the public, provided that every member is polled and every poll consists of the following two questions:
(1) Do you agree or disagree to poll the proposal; and
(2) Do you favor or oppose the proposal.
If any member requests, any matter to be polled shall be held for meeting rather than being polled. The chief clerk of the committee shall keep a record of all polls.

RULE 7–SUBCOMMITTEES

7.1 Assignments.–To assure the equitable assignment of members to subcommittees, no member of the committee will receive assignment to a second subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all members of the committee have chosen assignments to one subcommittee, and no member shall receive assignment to a third subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all members have chosen assignments to two subcommittees.

7.2 Attendance.–Any member of the committee may sit with any subcommittee during a hearing or meeting but shall not have the authority to vote on any matter before the subcommittee unless he or she is a member of such subcommittee.

7.3 Ex Officio Members.–The Chairman and ranking minority member shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the subcommittees on which they do not serve as voting members. The Chairman and ranking minority member may not be counted toward a quorum.

7.4 Scheduling.–No subcommittee may schedule a meeting or hearing at a time designated for a hearing or meeting of the full committee. No more than one subcommittee business meeting may be held at the same time.

7.5 Discharge.–Should a subcommittee fail to report back to the full committee on any measure within a reasonable time, the Chairman may withdraw the measure from such subcommittee and report that fact to the full committee for further disposition. The full committee may at any time, by majority vote of those members present, discharge a subcommittee from further consideration of a specific piece of legislation.

7.6 Application of Committee Rules to Subcommittees.–The proceedings of each subcommittee shall be governed by the rules of the full committee, subject to such authorizations
or limitations as the committee may from time to time prescribe.

RULE 8–INVESTIGATIONS, SUBPOENAS AND DEPOSITIONS

8.1 Investigations.–Any investigation undertaken by the committee or a subcommittee in which depositions are taken or subpoenas issued, must be authorized by a majority of the members of the committee voting for approval to conduct such investigation at a business meeting of the committee convened in accordance with Rule 1.

8.2 Subpoenas.–The Chairman, with the approval of the ranking minority member of the committee, is delegated the authority to subpoena the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other materials at a hearing of the committee or a subcommittee or in connection with the conduct of an investigation authorized in accordance with paragraph 8.1. The Chairman may subpoena attendance or production without the approval of the ranking minority member when the Chairman has not received notification from the ranking minority member of disapproval of the subpoena within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, of being notified of the subpoena. If a subpoena is disapproved by the ranking minority member as provided in this paragraph the subpoena may be authorized by vote of the
members of the committee. When the committee or Chairman authorizes subpoenas, subpoenas may be issued upon the signature of the Chairman or any other member of the committee designated by the Chairman.

8.3 Notice for Taking Depositions.–Notices for the taking of depositions, in an investigation authorized by the committee, shall be authorized and be issued by the Chairman or by a staff officer designated by him. Such notices shall specify a time and place for examination, and the name of the Senator, staff officer or officers who will take the deposition. Unless otherwise specified, the deposition shall be in private. The committee shall not initiate procedures leading to criminal or civil enforcement proceedings for a witness’ failure to appear unless the deposition notice was accompanied by a committee subpoena.

8.4 Procedure for Taking Depositions.–Witnesses shall be examined upon oath administered by an individual authorized by local law to administer oaths. The Chairman will rule, by telephone or otherwise, on any objection by a witness. The transcript of a deposition shall be filed with the committee clerk.

RULE 9–AMENDING THE RULES

These rules shall become effective upon publication in the Congressional Record. These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by the committee, provided that all members are present or provide proxies or if a notice in writing of the proposed changes has been given to each member at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which action thereon is to be taken. The changes shall become effective immediately upon publication of the changed rule or rules in the Congressional Record, or immediately upon approval of the changes if so resolved by the committee as long as any witnesses who may be affected by the change in rules are provided with them.

Bills under consideration

Source: Committee Webpage

Hearings

Source: Committee Webpage

Subcommittees

Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade

Source: Committee website

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over legislation on agricultural commodities, including cotton, dairy products, feed grains, wheat, tobacco, peanuts, sugar, wool, rice, oilseeds and soybeans and price and income support programs.

Majority members:
Raphael Warnock, Georgia, Chair;  Sherrod Brown, Ohio;  Richard Durbin, Illinois;  Tina Smith, Minnesota;  Kirsten Gillibrand, New York;  Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico

Minority members: 
John Hoeven, North Dakota, Ranking Member;  Mitch McConnell, Kentucky;  Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi;  Tommy Tubberville, Alabama;  Charles Grassley, Iowa; John Thune, South Dakota

Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources

Source: Committee website

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over rural development legislation and rural electrification legislation, oversight of rural electrification, agricultural credit, the Farm Credit System, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Farmers Home Administration and its successor agencies. It also has jurisdiction over crop insurance, forestry in general and forest reserves that were acquired from state, local, or private sources, soil conservation, stream channelization, and watershed and flood control programs involving structures of less than 4,000 acre-feet (4,900,000 m3) storage capacity.

Majority members:
Michael Bennet, Colorado, Chair; Peter Welch, Vermont; Cory Booker, New Jersey; Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico; Sherrod Brown, Ohio;  Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota

Minority members:
Roger Marshall, Kansas, Ranking Member;  John Hoeven, North Dakota;  Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi; Tommy Tuberville, Alabama;  John Thune, South Dakota;  Mike Braun, Indiana

Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy

Source: Committee website

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over rural development legislation and rural electrification legislation, oversight of rural electrification, agricultural credit, the Farm Credit System, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Farmers Home Administration and its successor agencies. It also has jurisdiction over crop insurance, forestry in general and forest reserves that were acquired from state, local, or private sources, soil conservation, stream channelization, and watershed and flood control programs involving structures of less than 4,000 acre-feet (4,900,000 m3) storage capacity.

Majority:
Chair
 Michael Bennet, Colorado; Peter Welch, Vermont; Cory Booker, New Jersey; Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico; Sherrod Brown, Ohio;  Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota

Minority: 
Ranking Member Roger Marshall, Kansas;  John Hoeven, North Dakota;  Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi; Tommy Tuberville, Alabama;  John Thune, South Dakota;  Mike Braun, Indiana

Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research

Source: Committee website

Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over “domestic and international nutrition and food assistance and hunger prevention; school and child nutrition programs; local and healthy food initiatives; futures, options and derivatives; pesticides; and general legislation”. The origins of the subcommittee lay in the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs that was active from 1968 to 1977 before being subsumed into the Agriculture Committee

Majority:
Chair 
Cory Booker, New Jersey;  Peter Welch, Vermont;  Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota;  Kirsten Gillibrand, New York; Raphael Warnock, Georgia;  Michael Bennet, Colorado

Minority: 
Ranking Member Mike Braun, Indiana; Mitch McConnell, Kentucky; John Hoeven, North Dakota;  Joni Ernst, Iowa; Roger Marshall, Kansas;  Deb Fischer, Nebraska

Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security

Source: Committee website

This subcommittee has jurisdiction over legislation on foreign agricultural trade, foreign market development, and agriculture product promotion and domestic marketing programs. It oversees international commodity agreements and export controls on agricultural commodities, foreign assistance programs and Food for Peace, marketing orders, inspection and certification of meat, flowers, fruit, vegetables and livestock.

Majority:
Chair 
Kirsten Gillibrand, New York;  Patrick Leahy, Vermont; Tina Smith, Minnesota;
Dick Durbin, Illinois;Cory Booker, New Jersey;Raphael Warnock, Georgia

Minority: 
Ranking Member Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi;  Joni Ernst, Iowa;  Roger Marshall, Kansas;  Chuck Grassley, Iowa;  Deb Fischer, Nebraska;  John Thune, South Dakota;

More Information

Agencies, Commissions, and Boards

Agencies, Commissions, and Boards

The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has oversight authority over the following government agencies, commissions, and boards.

Agricultural Marketing Service

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country and around the world.

Agricultural Research Service

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Our job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. Here are a few numbers to illustrate the scope of our organization:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Commodity Credit Corporation

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Farm Credit Administration, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

Food and Nutrition Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service

Foreign Agricultural Service

National Agricultural Statistics Service

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

United States Forest Service

USDA Rural Development

Nominations

Source: https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/nominations

Hearing Transcripts
Public hearing transcripts are published after each committee hearing. They include opening statements by senators and witnesses, documents submitted for the record, questions submitted by senators, and the witnesses’ responses to these questions.

Reports
Committee reports are usually prepared when the committee passes a bill and sends it to the full Senate for consideration. These reports describe the purposes and provisions of the proposed bill. After bills are passed by both the House and the Senate, they go to a Conference Committee to resolve the differences between the two bills. Conference reports and joint explanatory statements are what results from those final negotiations.

U.S. Code Compilations
Compilations contain the current text of federal agricultural laws. Compilations begin with the original text of federal agricultural laws and are updated to incorporate all the changes to the original laws since they were first enacted. Compilations allow users to view one document to determine the current text of a federal agricultural law, rather than the original law and all of the amendments to the law. The first page of each compilation indicates the Public Law and date through which the compilation has been updated.

Although substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the compilations, the providers of the compilations are not responsible for any errors in the compilations and will update these texts as time permits. The compilations are provided as a service to the public and do not represent official versions of any federal statute.

Resources

Source: https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/nominations

Campaign Finance

Source: Open Secrets

Information on the 2018 Elections Cycle