HOW THE SHIFT IN POWER IN CONGRESS WILL AFFECT FAMILY FARMERS

[nosmokes]

original-oganic consumers association

HOW THE SHIFT IN POWER IN CONGRESS WILL AFFECT FAMILY FARMERS

* HOW WILL THE SHIFT IN POWER IN CONGRESS AFFECT FAMILY FARMERS ?

By Deb Eschmeyer
National Family Farm Coalition, 11/21/06

On Election Day 2006 the Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994 and regained control of the Senate after being in the minority for ten and a half of those twelve years. This shift almost certainly will affect how Congress shapes the 2007 Farm Bill.

SENATE CHANGES

In the Senate, Republicans and Democrats each won 49 seats, but Democrats will have a one-vote majority in the upper chamber, because two independents --- Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont --- will caucus with the Democrats. With a Democratic majority, Tom Harkin of Iowa assumes the chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, replacing Saxby Chambliss (Rep.-Georgia). With a one-vote margin, the Committee will still be very closely split, but the defeat of Senators Talent (Missouri), Santorum (Pennsylvania), and the retirement of Dayton (Minnesota) will open up new seats on both sides.

Most significant changes for the 110th Congress in the Senate:
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complete article here

[DURHAM D]

1. Wonder why they didn't put Tester on Ag Committee? n/t