{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-named-vice-chair-smart-irrigation-new-modern-agriculture", "Congressman Fong Named Vice Chair of Smart Irrigation for New Modern Agriculture Caucus", "2025-07-25", "2025", "2025-07", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Vince Fong", "F000480", "fong.house.gov", "fong", "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) announced the launch of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, a new initiative focused on advancing innovation and technology in American farming. The caucus will be led by Chairman Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), with Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) serving as Vice Chairs.\n\nCongressman Fong will serve as Vice Chair for Smart Irrigation, helping lead the effort to modernize water use and efficiency in agriculture.\n\n\"It\u2019s an honor to serve as Vice Chair of Smart Irrigation for the Modern Ag Caucus as my district is the food-producing capital of California,\" said Vice Chair Fong. \"As technology advances, we must leverage innovation to strengthen our agriculture industry in my state and across the nation. With Western farmers facing increasingly volatile water cycles, driving smart, sustainable practices through the Modern Ag Caucus is essential. I\u2019m committed to advancing cutting-edge solutions that improve water efficiency \u2013 helping our farmers not just grow more food, but thrive for generations to come.\"\n\n\"I see great opportunity to bring awareness and support to innovative efforts of American farmers and ranchers feeding and fueling the world. As Nebraska\u2019s third district leads the Nation in agricultural production, I\u2019ve seen first-hand the benefit modern agriculture practices provide for both producers and consumers,\" said Chair Smith. \"Through this caucus, we will champion policy which promotes cutting-edge technologies, stewardship of our natural resources, as well as the development and protection of U.S. agricultural innovation and intellectual property. I thank each vice chair for joining in this effort, and I look forward to all we will accomplish for agriculture across America.\"\n\n\"The Trump Administration and Congress know how important agricultural innovation and technology are to farming. This is why we are blessed as a nation with a safe, nutritious, and abundant food supply. I look forward to working with Congress and this new caucus to advance key agricultural priorities that improve the economic and production capacity of our agricultural sector. When our farmers and ranchers have the innovative tools to succeed, rural America prospers and our whole country benefits,\" said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Booke L. Rollins.\n\n\"American agriculture is at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation, and that\u2019s exactly where it belongs,\" said House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson. \"The Modern Agriculture Caucus will champion policies that embrace cutting-edge advancements like precision agriculture, support sustainable farming practices, and protect the intellectual property that underpins our global leadership.\"\n\nThe Modern Agriculture Caucus supports and advances cutting-edge practices to increase food production, improve farm efficiency, and strengthen American leadership in global food security. Through effective policymaking the caucus advocates for innovation, education, and responsible legislation for the agriculture industry.\n\nFull list of Modern Agriculture Caucus leadership is as follows:\n\nCaucus Chairman - Rep. Adrian Smith\n\nVice Chair of Smart Irrigation \u2013 Rep. Vince Fong\n\nVice Chair of Precision Agriculture \u2013 Rep. Erin Houchin\n\nVice Chair of Biotechnology \u2013 Rep. Frank Lucas\n\nVice Chair of Food Affordability \u2013 Rep. Rob Bresnahan\n\nVice Chair of Emerging Innovations \u2013 Rep. Brad Finstad\n\nVice Chair of Automation & AI \u2013 Rep. Tracey Mann\n\nAdditional members of the caucus include: Reps. Marianette Miller Meeks (R-IA), Jim Baird (R-IN), Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Flood (R-NE), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Tony Wied (R-WI), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), David Valadao (R-CA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), David Rouzer (R-NC), and Ann Wagner (R-MO).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-named-vice-chair-smart-irrigation-new-modern-agriculture"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8740909397602081, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}