Debbie Stabenow (to become in 2011 Senate Agriculture Cmte. Chair?)

from Obama Food-o-rama blog here at Blogger

Stabenow Expected To Chair Senate Ag Committee


Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark), as expected, was defeated by her Republican challenger in Tuesday's midterm elections. Lincoln was the first female Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and wrote the child nutrition legislation that's a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign. Now that Lincoln's out, the chairmanship of Senate Ag is up for grabs as the crucial 2012 Farm Bill looms. This morning, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said she is very interested in holding the powerful post, and it's more than likely that Stabenow will get her wish.
"With the next farm bill right around the corner, I am ready once again to advocate for and strengthen this critical part of our economy for Michigan and our country," Stabenow said in a statement. (Stabenow, above)
Senate committee chairmanships and assignments will be officially determined in January, but the three other Democratic Senators who have more seniority than Stabenow on Senate Ag are expected not to challenge her for the chairmanship. These include Sens. Max Baucus (Mont), Patrick Leahy (VT) and Kent Conrad (ND), who are expected to remain chairs of the Finance, Judiciary and Budget committees, respectively. Leahy won his seventh term in the Senate on Tuesday, the first Vermonter to ever do so.
Stabenow's homestate of Michigan has a major meat industry, as well as a big interest in sugar beets, currently a subject of much contention due to arguments over GM crops.
“As Michigan’s second largest industry, agriculture is critical to our economy and employs thousands of people. Michigan is second only to California in our agricultural diversity including our leadership in the production of many fruits and vegetables," Stabenow said Tuesday. "With over 19.3 million acres of forest land, we are also leaders in forest products and practices."
In her statement, Stabenow also expressed condolences to Lincoln for the loss of her seat. Lincoln's historic child nutrition legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent in August. The House has yet to vote on the legislation, but the White House is hoping it will pass during the Lame Duck.