U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D) has been appointed chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

The position will give Pryor influence to prioritize funding for federal programs that will benefit Arkansas farmers, producers, and rural communities.

His subcommittee is also responsible for funding the Food and Drug Administration, which has a significant footprint in Arkansas with NCTR in Jefferson County.

The subcommittee oversaw mandatory and discretionary spending of more than $136 billion last year.

Pryor also serves on the Appropriations, Homeland Security, Commerce, Small Business, Rules, and Ethics Committees.