WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas congressman Kevin Yoder is the new vice chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture.

Yoder's appointment was announced Thursday by Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, a fellow Republican from Kentucky.

Yoder is in his second term representing the Kansas 3rd Congressional District, which covers most of the Kansas City metro area. He chaired the Kansas House Appropriations Committee before being elected to the U.S. House in 2010.

His latest appointment gives Kansas a voice in congressional oversight of farm programs and policy.

Last month, another Kansas congressman — Republican Tim Huelskamp — was removed from the House Agriculture Committee by GOP leaders angered by his positions on issues. Huelskamp represents the largely rural 1st District of western and central Kansas.