Washington, D.C. -  Amid intense competition, U.S. Congressman Joe Donnelly (D-IN) today secured a seat on the Agriculture Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over renewable energy, reauthorizing the Farm Bill, and disaster assistance amongst many other issues facing rural America.

“I feel privileged to have been given such diverse committee assignments,” Donnelly said. “Serving on both the Financial Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee will allow me to address the many different issues affecting the varied constituency of the 2nd District, from the homeowner with a mortgage to the farmer in need of disaster assistance.”

As a member of the Committee, Donnelly plans to continue his efforts to boost ethanol production as a means to stimulate Indiana’s economy while simultaneously decreasing American dependence on foreign oil.

Rep.  Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) will chair the committee, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) will serve as the ranking Republican member on the committee.