Freshman U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, has captured seats on the U.S. House Agriculture and Science, Space, and Technology committees.
“Being named to these House committees puts me in the best position to advocate for Central and Northwest Illinois,” said Mr. Sorensen, the former Quad Cities TV weather forecaster elected to succeed former U.S. Rep Cheri Bustos in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District.
His current district was redrawn to include the Illinois Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
“On the Agriculture Committee, I will be our farmer’s trusted voice in Congress, making sure they have support to expand markets for their agricultural goods and ensure their way of life is sustainable for generations to come,” Mr. Sorensen said in a news release. “On the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I will use my experience as a meteorologist to craft policies that will mitigate the negative impact extreme weather is having on our communities.”
He added: “I will be focused on creating jobs, keeping our communities safe, and making life more affordable.”
Ranking members, including Rep. David Scott, D-Georgia, recently welcomed him to the committee. “Congressman Sorensen has made clear his commitment to strengthening our food and agriculture systems, with a particular emphasis on jobs, supporting our farmers, expanding the use of E15 as a transitional fuel, and making sure he can uplift the main ag industries of the district including corn and pork,” Mr. Scott said in the release.
The Illinois Farm Bureau also cheered the appointment. President Richard Guebert, Jr. said “Rep. Sorensen represents a diverse and highly productive congressional district with thousands of hard-working farm families who are blessed with some of the most productive soil on earth. Farm Bureau looks forward to starting our work with Rep. Sorensen to identify farm policy priorities for his district and our state with the goal of enacting a farm bill this year.”
The House Agriculture Committee oversees policies and federal agencies relating to U.S. agriculture, forestry, nutrition and rural development, and will oversee passage of the 2023 Farm Bill.
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee oversees agency budgets totaling over $42 billion and its jurisdiction covers most non-defense and non-human-health Federal research and development.
