Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) announced on Friday members of the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus in the 113th Congress. Crawford and Bishop founded the Chicken Caucus in 2012 and will continue serving as co-chairs of the caucus in the 113th Congress.

"I want to thank Representatives Crawford and Bishop for their steadfast leadership and for once again taking the lead in organizing the Congressional Chicken Caucus," said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. "As it did in the 112th Congress, the caucus will continue to give a united voice to the chicken industry as we navigate many issues in the two years ahead."

The bipartisan caucus will consist of members devoted to the various issues affecting the United States chicken industry, and will also provide a platform to discuss the role of government in addressing current and future industry challenges.

"Working with caucus members, I plan to be a strong advocate for the 6,000 Arkansans who work in chicken production," said Rep. Crawford.

"I look forward to continue working with the Congressional Chicken Caucus in creating a forum where chicken producers, processors, consumers, and retailers can provide members of Congress with their thoughts and suggestions on how to sustain and improve our poultry industries," added Rep. Bishop.

To date, members of the Congressional Chicken Caucus include:

• Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR), Caucus Co-Chairman
• Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Caucus Co-Chairman
• Congressman Reid Ribble (R-WI)
• Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA)
• Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
• Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD)
• Congressman Tim Griffin (R-AR)
• Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA)
• Congressman Gregg Harper (R-MS)
• Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC)
• Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R-MS)
• Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
• Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)

Companies involved in the production and processing of chicken provide 1,049,800 total jobs, including 25,000 family farmers, that pay $49.1 billion in wages to families throughout the country, generate over $205.5 billion in annual economic impact and about $17.9 billion in taxes.

Source: National Chicken Council