By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

WASHINGTON, DC. — Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) was named the new chair of the Senate Ag Committee on Sept. 9. She replaces Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who is accepting a different Senate leadership post.

Lincoln is the first woman to lead the Senate Ag Committee. She added that in the committee’s 184-year history, she will be the first Arkansan to serve as chair, too.

“As a seventh-generation Arkansan and farmer’s daughter, I know my father is smiling down on me today,” Lincoln said. “It has been a committee of significant importance to my constituents and our state’s economy.

“The committee’s responsibilities encompass a number of issues that are critical to Americans, particularly those living in rural areas. With such priorities as child nutrition reauthorization, farm bill implementation and regulation of commodities, the committee has a full plate.”

Lincoln has served on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry since January 1999.

“I thank Senator Harkin for his tremendous leadership,” she said. “As chairman, I will work with my colleagues to build upon the committee’s strong record and devote my full energy to producing forward-looking, balanced priorities on behalf of all families and communities. I will continue to fight for the hardworking farm families and rural communities who provide the safest, most abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber in the world.”
Harkin takes the helm of the Senate Health, Education, Labor And Pensions (HELP) Committee, which had been led by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), who died on Aug. 25.

“On (Sept. 9), I was honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee. To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy,” Harkin said. “I expect to work closely with Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who has guided the HELP Committee so capably in reporting The Affordable Health Choice Act, and who will continue to play a leading role as health care legislation moves to the Senate floor.”

Harkin, who is limited by Senate rules to one committee chairmanship, will remain a member of the Senate Ag Committee.
“Of course agriculture will always be a key interest to my home state of Iowa, so I intend to remain a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, a committee I have been on since I first joined the Senate in 1985,” Harkin reported.

“My dedication to the Agriculture Committee dates back to my first year in Congress when I served on the House Agriculture Committee in 1975. In that time, I have had the great privilege of serving as chairman of the Senate committee during enactment of the 2002 and 2007 farm bills – bipartisan legislation that passed this body by an overwhelming majority.”

Members of the House Ag Committee believe they can work well with Lincoln.

“Senator Lincoln’s passion and support for American agriculture make her an excellent choice to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee,” explained House Ag Committee Chair Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn.). “She grew up on a farm and knows firsthand how much hard work and dedication it requires. I look forward to working with her on the issues that matter to agriculture and rural America.

“I also want to commend Senator Harkin for his leadership and wish him well as he takes over the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.”