Mrvan: House Appropriations Committee best place to create bipartisan legislation 

By Rep. Frank Mrvan, Democratic Party, Indiana District 1 

Throughout my tenure as the Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, I have deeply appreciated the dedicated work and invaluable economic contributions of our state’s agricultural industry. 

I always enjoy the opportunity to meet with farmers in Northwest Indiana and hear first-hand about the latest crop season, current prices of agricultural goods, and perspectives on the policy discussions and their potential implications on markets and operations. 

As we begin the first session of the 119th Congress, I am thrilled that my colleagues elected me to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. I have sought to serve on the Appropriations Committee since day one because I believe that it is the best place to work in a bipartisan fashion to solve problems and advocate for the Northwest Indiana region and our state. 

While I am a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee and the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, I look forward to being involved with the critical work of all of the Subcommittees, including the Agriculture Subcommittee and its important work to provide oversight, funding and direction for federal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Additionally, I am continuing to closely monitor the actions of the House Agriculture Committee related to the reauthorization of the farm bill. I am committed to advancing a farm bill that supports America’s farmers and the families they feed. 

I believe that we should continue to support a robust crop insurance program, voluntary and incentive-based federal conservation programs, the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program to ensure that the United States continues to gain access to new markets for our agriculture products and maintain the importance of critical nutrition and food programs. 

I understand that the current law has been extended until Sept. 30, and I look forward to working with all of my Congressional colleagues to complete this work as soon as possible. 

Finally, I want to thank the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association for their consistent good work, outreach initiatives, and the opportunity to contribute to this publication. I look forward to staying in touch and informed of your perspectives, as well as that of all members of the Indiana agricultural community, as we move forward in the 119th Congress and the consideration of Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations measures and the Farm Bill reauthorization.