Tom Rooney Will Lead House Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney holds no beef with a subcommittee chairmanship -- in fact on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., named Rooney to head the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry after the Republicans take over the U.S. House in January.

Florida, and particularly the 16th district, is one of the largest, most diverse agriculture-producing areas in the country, and I look forward to bringing that perspective to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, said Rooney, who is vice chair of the Dairy Caucus and a member of the Beef Caucus. I am honored to serve as chairman of this subcommittee, which plays a critical role in making sure our country has a safe, affordable and abundant food supply.The agriculture industry is a great economic engine for Florida and the country, and I look forward to leading on these issues.

"Congressman Rooney is a strong advocate for American agriculture and understands how important the industry is to both our state and national economies, said Lucas, who will be chairman of the House Agriculture Committee when the Republicans take power. I am pleased to have him as a subcommittee chairman and look forward to working with him.