Former U.S. Congressman Charles (Charlie) Stenholm, a Blue Dog Democrat from Texas and long-time ranking member of the House Ag Committee has died. He passed away in his Grandbury, Texas home Wednesday. He was 84.
Stenholm was a major contributor to every farm bill during his 26 years in Congress. During his time on the House Ag Committee, he helped formulate legislation that aided the Farm Credit System in navigating the farm crisis of the 1980s, he assisted in drafting legislation that reorganized the USDA during the Clinton administration, and he played a significant role in crafting legislation that reformed the federal crop insurance system.
