Standing committee · Senate · 119th Congress
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
The Senate Committee on Agriculture has legislative jurisdiction over agriculture, food, and nutrition.
Jurisdiction source: www.agriculture.senate.gov/about/jurisdiction
Members
23
Chaired by John Boozman
Current staff
48
352 alumni tracked
Bills referred
316
119th Congress
Subcommittees
5
Chapter I
Members
23 on the committee · sorted by leadership, then party seniority
| Name | Role | Party | State | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJohn Boozman | Chairmajority | Republican | AR | 1 |
| RMitch McConnell | Membermajority | Republican | KY | 2 |
| RJohn Hoeven | Membermajority | Republican | ND | 3 |
| RJoni K. Ernst | Membermajority | Republican | IA | 4 |
| RCindy Hyde-Smith | Membermajority | Republican | MS | 5 |
| RRoger V. Marshall | Membermajority | Republican | KS | 6 |
| RTommy Tuberville | Membermajority | Republican | AL | 7 |
| RJames C. Justice II | Membermajority | Republican | WV | 8 |
| RChuck Grassley | Membermajority | Republican | IA | 9 |
| RJohn R. Thune | Membermajority | Republican | SD | 10 |
| RDeb Fischer | Membermajority | Republican | NE | 11 |
| RJerry Moran | Membermajority | Republican | KS | 12 |
| DAmy Klobuchar | Ranking memberminority | Democrat | MN | 1 |
| DMichael F. Bennet | Memberminority | Democrat | CO | 2 |
| DTina Smith | Memberminority | Democrat | MN | 3 |
| DRichard J. Durbin | Memberminority | Democrat | IL | 4 |
| DCory A. Booker | Memberminority | Democrat | NJ | 5 |
| DBen Ray Lujan | Memberminority | Democrat | NM | 6 |
| DRaphael G. Warnock | Memberminority | Democrat | GA | 7 |
| DPeter Welch | Memberminority | Democrat | VT | 8 |
| DJohn Fetterman | Memberminority | Democrat | PA | 9 |
| DAdam B. Schiff | Memberminority | Democrat | CA | 10 |
| DElissa Slotkin | Memberminority | Democrat | MI | 11 |
Chapter II
Subcommittees
5 subcommittees
Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management, and Trade
Chair: Cindy Hyde-Smith
Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology
Chair: Roger V. Marshall
Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research
Chair: Mitch McConnell
Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety
Chair: John Hoeven
Rural Development, Energy, and Credit
Chair: Joni K. Ernst
Chapter III
Staff
48 current · 352 alumni on record
| Name | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Bennett C. Abrams | LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | Jun 1, 2025 to Present |
| Karl Anderson | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Jun 11, 2025 to Present |
| Nathan Anonick | COUNSEL AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2023 to Present |
| Mikayla M. Bodey | POLICY DIRECTOR | Oct 1, 2024 to Present |
| Katherine J. Covington | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Apr 1, 2025 to Present |
| Fitzhugh Elder IV | STAFF DIRECTOR | Jul 6, 2021 to Present |
| Coleman K. Garrison | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Apr 1, 2025 to Present |
| William Harris Hertel | STAFF ASSISTANT | Dec 1, 2025 to Present |
| Ella R. Hommel | STAFF ASSISTANT | May 20, 2025 to Present |
| Brandon Kenneth Honeycutt | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Nov 14, 2022 to Present |
| Mary P. Hubert | COUNSEL | Nov 1, 2024 to Present |
| Chu-Yuan Hwang | CHIEF COUNSEL | Oct 1, 2022 to Present |
| Meghana Kotraiah | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Oct 1, 2025 to Present |
| Sara K. Lasure | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | Sep 17, 2024 to Present |
| Cynthia R. Lesser | DEPUTY CHIEF COUNSEL | Apr 28, 2025 to Present |
| Thomas J. Liepold | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2025 to Present |
| Alexandria R. Lock | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2024 to Present |
| Victoria Alexandra Maloch | SENIOR ADVISOR | Aug 1, 2025 to Present |
| Carley Esser McLean | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2024 to Present |
| Elisa N. Mendez | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Feb 1, 2025 to Present |
| Katherine C. Mertens | LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | May 16, 2025 to Present |
| Derek J. Miller | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Jan 27, 2025 to Present |
| Charles A. Noffsinger | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2024 to Present |
| Jeffrey M. Nowill | SENIOR ADVISOR | Jan 16, 2025 to Present |
| Elizabeth Peluso | SENIOR ADVISOR AND GENERAL COUNSEL | Feb 1, 2025 to Present |
| Cynthia A. Qualley | SENIOR CLERK | May 20, 2022 to Present |
| Emmaline V. Rethans | COMMUNICATIONS/LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | Apr 1, 2025 to Present |
| Katharine A. Salay | ARCHIVIST | Apr 1, 2011 to Present |
| Lauren A. Santabar | STAFF DIRECTOR | Jan 3, 2025 to Present |
| John Michael Schmidt | SENIOR ADVISOR | Dec 15, 2024 to Present |
| Bazyen Selassie | LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR | Oct 1, 2025 to Present |
| Eric M. Slee | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Mar 27, 2023 to Present |
| Michelle M. Sutton | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Sep 2, 2025 to Present |
| Brooke Lauren Taylor | POLICY ANALYST & COUNSEL | Oct 1, 2023 to Present |
| Robert F. Thompson IV | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Nov 13, 2025 to Present |
| Joshua L. Tonsager | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Mar 13, 2023 to Present |
| Kyle M. Varner | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2022 to Present |
| Evelyn Jisel Vivar | LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | Oct 1, 2024 to Present |
| Thomas J. Weber | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | Jan 2, 2025 to Present |
| Brad Weddelman | CHIEF ECONOMIST | Dec 2, 2024 to Present |
| Anna V Whitney | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Apr 1, 2025 to Present |
| Jessica L. Williams | CHIEF CLERK | Apr 1, 2011 to Present |
| Carlye D. Winfrey | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Jun 2, 2025 to Present |
Interns
| Name | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Isabel M. Cody | INTERN | Jan 12, 2026 to Present |
| Katelyn P. Hemmer | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jan 5, 2026 to Present |
| Dalton D. Mullins | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jan 20, 2026 to Present |
| Amaris D. Shammaa | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jan 20, 2026 to Present |
| Adam J. Sutter | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jan 20, 2026 to Present |
Alumni
Showing 50 of 256
| Name | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Hanna Abou-El-Seoud | LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT POLICY ANALYST | Oct 1, 2013 to Mar 6, 2015 |
| Hanna Abou-El-Seoud | LEGISLATIVE AIDE | Oct 1, 2012 to Sep 30, 2013 |
| Hanna Abou-El-Seoud | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENT | Oct 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2012 |
| Hanna Abou-El-Seoud | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Apr 4, 2011 to Sep 30, 2011 |
| Christopher J. Adamo | STAFF DIRECTOR | Apr 1, 2011 to Jul 5, 2015 |
| Nathan Anonick | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Nov 17, 2022 to Sep 30, 2023 |
| Sean P. Babington | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Apr 16, 2015 to Nov 28, 2021 |
| Julian Baer | SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR | Oct 1, 2014 to Sep 22, 2017 |
| Julian Baer | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Apr 8, 2013 to Sep 30, 2014 |
| Kevin Bailey | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Feb 8, 2017 to Sep 30, 2019 |
| Jackie Marie Barber | CHIEF COUNSEL | Jan 3, 2023 to Jul 15, 2023 |
| Benjamin Becker | PRESS SECRETARY | Apr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2014 |
| Rostin Behnam | SENIOR COUNSEL | Apr 1, 2013 to Sep 5, 2017 |
| Rostin Behnam | COUNSEL | Nov 30, 2011 to Mar 31, 2013 |
| Kathryn C. Bergh | PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Oct 1, 2018 to Sep 2, 2019 |
| Kathryn C. Bergh | POLICY ANALYST | Oct 1, 2016 to Sep 30, 2018 |
| Kathryn C. Bergh | LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENT | Oct 1, 2014 to Sep 30, 2016 |
| Kathryn C. Bergh | STAFF ASSISTANT | Nov 26, 2013 to Sep 30, 2014 |
| Deshawn L. Blanding | STAFF ASSISTANT | Feb 8, 2021 to Nov 30, 2021 |
| Jackson R. Blodgett | HEARING CLERK | Oct 1, 2023 to Oct 27, 2024 |
| Jackson R. Blodgett | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Oct 9, 2022 to Sep 30, 2023 |
| Mikayla M. Bodey | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2022 to Sep 30, 2024 |
| Mikayla M. Bodey | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Apr 7, 2021 to Sep 30, 2022 |
| Claire E. Borzner | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Oct 1, 2022 to Dec 27, 2024 |
| Claire E. Borzner | PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Sep 3, 2019 to Sep 30, 2022 |
| Janae Brady | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Feb 9, 2015 to Dec 6, 2020 |
| Janae Brady | PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Oct 1, 2012 to Mar 22, 2013 |
| Janae Brady | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | Oct 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2012 |
| Janae Brady | EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Apr 1, 2011 to Sep 30, 2011 |
| Anne C. Brewster-Stanski | DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF | Aug 21, 2017 to Sep 30, 2018 |
| Anne C. Brewster-Stanski | SCHEDULER | Feb 1, 2013 to Sep 30, 2016 |
| Colleen E. Briggs | ECONOMIC POLICY ADVISOR | Apr 1, 2011 to Jun 30, 2011 |
| Peggy S. Browne | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF | Mar 10, 2021 to Dec 31, 2021 |
| Rosalyn Brummette | AGRICULTURE POLICY ADVISOR | Jul 16, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024 |
| Rosalyn Brummette | AGRICULTURAL POLICY ADVISOR | Aug 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2023 |
| Rosalyn Brummette | POLICY ANALYST | Apr 1, 2019 to Sep 4, 2020 |
| Rosalyn Brummette | LEGISLATIVE AIDE/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Oct 1, 2018 to Mar 31, 2019 |
| Rosalyn Brummette | STAFF ASSISTANT | Jan 4, 2017 to Sep 30, 2018 |
| Seth Buchsbaum | STAFF ASSISTANT | Jul 11, 2011 to May 24, 2013 |
| Jacob D. Chaney | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | Apr 1, 2011 to Apr 11, 2014 |
| Fred J. Clark | CHIEF COUNSEL | Oct 1, 2020 to Feb 15, 2022 |
| Fred J. Clark | SENIOR COUNSEL | Jul 25, 2017 to Sep 30, 2020 |
| Cory Claussen | SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Apr 1, 2011 to Jun 24, 2014 |
| Meghan M. Cline | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | Apr 1, 2019 to Jan 2, 2021 |
| Meghan M. Cline | PRESS SECRETARY | Feb 11, 2015 to Mar 31, 2019 |
| Lane Coberly | LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT | Oct 1, 2019 to Sep 30, 2021 |
| Lane Coberly | STAFF ASSISTANT / LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENT | May 30, 2019 to Sep 30, 2019 |
| Keith H. Coble | CHIEF ECONOMIST | Apr 15, 2013 to Mar 18, 2014 |
| Katherine A. Coler | REPUBLICAN SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER | Apr 1, 2011 to Apr 8, 2011 |
| Seth W. Collins | STAFF ASSISTANT | Jun 27, 2012 to May 27, 2013 |
Alumni interns
| Name | Role | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| MacOn M. Allen | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jun 3, 2024 to Jul 3, 2024 |
| Kelsey N. Barnes | INTERN | Jun 5, 2017 to Aug 4, 2017 |
| Adele L. Battel | INTERN | May 23, 2022 to Aug 12, 2022 |
| Pierce Bennett | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 16, 2016 to Jul 15, 2016 |
| Lauren L. Berry | INTERN | Jul 8, 2024 to Sep 6, 2024 |
| Megan C. Boneso | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Sep 3, 2019 to Dec 20, 2019 |
| Whitney Lee Bowman | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 20, 2019 to Aug 9, 2019 |
| Maggie Brakeville | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 16, 2016 to Jul 15, 2016 |
| Heath C. Brandt | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 5, 2023 to Aug 25, 2023 |
| Caroline Brickey | INTERN | May 27, 2025 to Jun 27, 2025 |
| Mindi E. Brookhart | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 16, 2018 to Mar 8, 2018 |
| Nicholas P. Campbell | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jun 20, 2011 to Aug 5, 2011 |
| Laila Grace Carter | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 16, 2018 to Apr 27, 2018 |
| Ryan C. Cechini | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 17, 2025 to Dec 19, 2025 |
| Maxwell Close | INTERN | Jan 6, 2020 to May 15, 2020 |
| Kyla C. Clouthier | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 8, 2024 to Aug 9, 2024 |
| Lane Coberly | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jun 1, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 |
| Jane E. Coghlan | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 2, 2025 to Dec 19, 2025 |
| Caroline N. Couper | INTERN | Dec 9, 2013 to Mar 31, 2014 |
| Kathryn D'Amato | INTERN | May 30, 2023 to May 29, 2024 |
| Keeton L. Dassinger | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 7, 2025 to Aug 8, 2025 |
| Luke E. Drachenberg | INTERN | May 26, 2015 to Aug 7, 2015 |
| Mary E. Eichenberger | LEGAL INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 7, 2025 to Aug 8, 2025 |
| Mary E. Eichenberger | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 5, 2023 to Aug 4, 2023 |
| Carlos Flores | INTERN | Sep 12, 2022 to Dec 31, 2022 |
| George T. Forbes | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 15, 2023 to Aug 11, 2023 |
| Jessica J. Gittemeier | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 20, 2019 to Jul 31, 2019 |
| Flossie Glinski | INTERN | May 27, 2025 to Jun 27, 2025 |
| Aishwarya Grandhe | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jan 22, 2024 to May 3, 2024 |
| Adam M. Grocholl | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Aug 27, 2018 to Dec 7, 2018 |
| Sara A. Haas | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 9, 2024 to Nov 26, 2024 |
| Mara B. Hallcock | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Sep 2, 2025 to Nov 21, 2025 |
| William R. Hamilton | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 22, 2023 to Aug 11, 2023 |
| Philip J. Haynie | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 20, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024 |
| Kylee N. Henneberry | INTERN | Jan 13, 2025 to May 9, 2025 |
| Ella R. Hommel | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jun 3, 2024 to Jul 3, 2024 |
| Taylor Mccarty Hoover | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 20, 2024 to Jul 3, 2024 |
| Harry M. Huntley | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 3, 2019 to Dec 13, 2019 |
| Micah D. Isaac | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 6, 2020 to May 8, 2020 |
| Amara Jackson | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 7, 2025 to Aug 8, 2025 |
| Annie Jewell | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 30, 2017 to Aug 4, 2017 |
| Carson T. Jung | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 6, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024 |
| Kenneth G. Kays | INTERN | May 26, 2015 to Aug 7, 2015 |
| Josie M. Kelly | INTERN | Jul 8, 2024 to Aug 9, 2024 |
| Aleski Rhea Knepp | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jun 1, 2022 to Jul 29, 2022 |
| Emily Lair | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 16, 2016 to Jul 15, 2016 |
| Regina Loayza | INTERN | Sep 12, 2022 to Dec 2, 2022 |
| Jacob Lawson Major | INTERN | Jul 8, 2024 to Aug 9, 2024 |
| Anna B. Mathis | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jun 1, 2023 to Jul 7, 2023 |
| Kelley S. McGill | DEMOCRATIC INTERN | Jul 8, 2019 to Aug 30, 2019 |
| Grace M. Michienzi | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 20, 2019 to Aug 9, 2019 |
| Reese E. Mitchell | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 20, 2024 to Jul 3, 2024 |
| Laure Lynne Mounts | INTERN | Feb 26, 2024 to May 17, 2024 |
| Marina A. Mozak | LEGAL INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Mar 5, 2024 to Mar 1, 2025 |
| Ryan W. Munley | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 5, 2023 to Dec 12, 2023 |
| Megan Raye Nelson | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 16, 2018 to May 25, 2018 |
| Taylor Caroline Nikkel | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 7, 2019 to May 3, 2019 |
| James B. Noble | INTERN | May 12, 2025 to May 23, 2025 |
| Corina M. Occhiato | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jun 4, 2025 to Aug 1, 2025 |
| Amber K. Oerly | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 6, 2020 to May 8, 2020 |
| Caleb J. Parker | LEGAL INTERN | May 27, 2025 to Jun 27, 2025 |
| Caleb J. Parker | REPUBLICAN INTERN | May 20, 2019 to Aug 9, 2019 |
| Aaliyah Partman | INTERN | Jan 6, 2020 to May 15, 2020 |
| Adriana Perez | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 9, 2024 to Dec 13, 2024 |
| Sarah M. Peterson | INTERN | Jun 3, 2014 to Aug 1, 2014 |
| Emmaline V. Rethans | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jan 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024 |
| Benjamin J. Rich | INTERN | May 13, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024 |
| Jodi Robinson | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jul 7, 2025 to Aug 8, 2025 |
| Hallie Renay Roby | INTERN | Jul 8, 2024 to Jul 8, 2024 |
| Brady R. Rundel | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Sep 18, 2017 to Dec 15, 2017 |
| Sonam Rustagi | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jan 8, 2024 to Apr 26, 2024 |
| Julia E. Ruth | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jun 1, 2022 to Aug 5, 2022 |
| Benjamin Sanderson | INTERN | Jun 3, 2014 to Aug 1, 2014 |
| Ricki Gene Schroeder | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Sep 18, 2017 to Oct 27, 2017 |
| Elise C. Sharp | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Sep 2, 2025 to Dec 12, 2025 |
| Ashley E. Smith | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Sep 4, 2018 to Dec 14, 2018 |
| Lindsey C. Snyder | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 11, 2023 to Dec 14, 2023 |
| Jaiden M. Stansberry | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 27, 2025 to Jun 27, 2025 |
| Jenna L. Stanton | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Sep 11, 2023 to Dec 14, 2023 |
| Megan Striegel | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Jun 3, 2019 to Aug 9, 2019 |
| Brooke E. Styer | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Jun 2, 2025 to Aug 1, 2025 |
| Michelle M. Sutton | LEGAL INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | May 20, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024 |
| Riley Swofford | INTERN | May 27, 2025 to Jun 28, 2025 |
| Hannah M. Taylor | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jun 1, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 |
| Olivia K. Taylor-Puckett | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | Feb 13, 2019 to May 17, 2019 |
| Max Theuer | INTERN | Sep 23, 2024 to Mar 19, 2025 |
| Eliza D. Thomas | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 6, 2020 to Apr 24, 2020 |
| Kamden Arthur Tom | INTERN | May 12, 2025 to May 23, 2025 |
| Kelsey D. Unruh | INTERN | Jan 9, 2015 to Apr 15, 2015 |
| Samantha Wagner | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 20, 2019 to Aug 7, 2019 |
| Audra Faith Weeks | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jan 7, 2019 to Mar 1, 2019 |
| Morgan D. White | INTERN (DEMOCRAT) | May 20, 2024 to Aug 2, 2024 |
| Clara Kathleen Wicoff | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Jun 1, 2018 to Aug 3, 2018 |
| Drew M. Williams | REPUBLICAN INTERN | Aug 27, 2018 to Dec 7, 2018 |
| Joseph C. Wilson | INTERN (REPUBLICAN) | Sep 16, 2024 to Sep 30, 2024 |
| Deron M. Young | INTERN | May 1, 2017 to May 30, 2017 |
Chapter IV
Bills referred
Showing 25 of 316 most-recent bills referred to this committee