Washington, DC – Equality PAC released the following statement on Congresswoman Angie Craig’s (D-MN) election as Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee, marking the first time in history a woman and openly LGBTQ person has ever served in this role.
“We could not be more proud of Angie for this incredible accomplishment,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Since she was first sworn into Congress in 2019, Angie has been nothing short of a workhorse, fiercely advocating for America’s rural communities and to make sure that no child or family in this country goes without food on their table. And now, as the second openly LGBTQ Ranking Member in the House, Angie will continue to inspire future generations of LGBTQ leaders to step up and fight for the shared causes we believe in. With Angie, we have made history again, as this is the first time two LGBTQ Members will serve in the top spots of committee leadership. Equality PAC Members work hard, build consensus, and keep our nation moving forward. And that is exactly what Angie showed us today. As Angie takes on this new role, she has our full support as we work together to make sure LGBTQ representation exists at every level of our government.”
Craig is now the second LGBTQ Member to serve as a Ranking Member of a House committee, joining Equality PAC Co-Chair and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA), who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Craig will lead the House Democrats on the Agriculture Committee as they debate and pass a new Farm Bill, which will lay out American agriculture policy for the next five years.
Equality PAC’s mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. All the funds we raise are used to elect and re-elect LGBTQ persons to Congress and secondarily support strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, Equality PAC has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire). And in 2024, Equality PAC helped elect Julie Johnson (Texas); Emily Randall (Washington); and Sarah McBride (Delaware).
Equality PAC has been instrumental in winning key races that have determined control of Congress because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for, and are still fighting for every day, remain in jeopardy.
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